Undergraduate Off-Books

Students must pursue their undergraduate course continuously unless they are permitted by the Senior Lecturer to interrupt it, normally for a period of one year, either by going ‘off-books’ or by intermitting their studies for extra-curricular reasons.

Students wishing to interrupt their course and go ‘off-books’ (OBN students) should apply through their tutor to the Senior Lecturer. Such permission will only be granted to students who have completed the academic exercises of their class, i.e. are already entitled to join the class above on their return to College. In exceptional circumstances the Senior Lecturer, after consultation with the head(s) of school(s) or department(s) or course director(s) as appropriate, may permit students who are not in good standing to go ‘off-books’, where to do so in the judgement of the Senior Lecturer is in the best interests of the student.

During the period of “off-books” students will not be registered with College and they will not be required to pay any fees or charges. They will lose, however, access to their IT account, Blackboard, library and Trinity services. They will also not receive an ID card for that year. Junior Freshman students who seek to discontinue their course before 1 February will normally be required to withdraw. 

Off-books students with permission to take assessments (OBA students) are advised to consult with their school, department or course office before the end of Michaelmas term (Semester 1) to confirm their examination and/or assessment requirements while off-books (OBA). Such students should register for the following academic year as set out in the general regulations concerning registration. Students with permission from the Senior Lecturer to go off-books for an academic year and take assessments (OBA) in that year must pay an assessment fee of €382.

Students who have been permitted to go off-books may return to College as detailed below, depending on the circumstance of their going off-books.

1. Junior Freshman students with permission from the Senior Lecturer to go off-books after 1 February and be re-admitted to the same course of study at a specified date must apply for re-admission before 1 August by completing a Re-Admission Application form.
2. Students who for reasons of ill-health have allowed their names to go off-books can only be re-admitted, even in the current academic year, at the discretion of the Senior Lecturer. Students who for reasons of ill-health have allowed their names to go off-books can only be re-admitted, at the discretion of the Senior Lecturer, after submitting a Fitness to Study - Letter of Certification from a medical referee (treating GP/Consultant/Psychological therapist), as evidence that they can continue their studies. Such a Letter should be submitted by the tutor to the Senior Lecturer.
3. Students who went off books for one or more academic years for reasons other than medical are expected to register for the academic year that they are due to return to College as set out in the general regulations concerning registration.
4. A requirement to undertake a period of professional re-orientation before proceeding to the next year may apply in the case of certain undergraduate courses which have clinical or practice components and which are subject to accreditation by external professional bodies. Such professional re-orientation courses may not be repeated in the event of non-satisfactory completion, and the student will be required to withdraw from their course. Students must register for the academic year and pay a professional re-orientation fee but will not be liable for the student contribution fee and related levies.

Postgraduate Off-Books

Normally, graduate students must pursue their programme continuously. In exceptional circumstances the Dean of Graduate Studies, after consultation with the graduate student’s Supervisor and/or appropriate Programme Coordinators/Directors may permit graduate students to go “off-books” (i.e. interruption of studies) where to do so in the judgement of the Dean of Graduate Studies is in the best interests of the graduate student.

Application to go “off-books” should be made to the Dean of Graduate Studies via the student’s Supervisor/Programme Co-ordinator or the relevant Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate). During the period of interruption graduate students are not required to pay fees. Consequently, they will not have a student card during this period and will not have access rights to the college library or other college facilities.

“Off-books” permission (OBN) is given for a definite period. Students who for reasons of ill- health, or other grave cause, have been allowed to go “off-books” can only be re-admitted, at the discretion of the Dean of Graduate Studies, who may require a satisfactory Fitness to Study - Letter of Certification from a medical referee (treating GP/Consultant/Psychological therapist) nominated by him/her.

An "off-books" period is granted for a fixed duration, and it is the student's responsibility to ensure they resume their studies at the specified time; failing to do so may result in being classified as "withdrawn" from the programme.