Skills for Success is a 5 credit Elective. Students can choose to take this Elective in either semester 1 or semester 2. If you choose to take this module you will register for one more optional module from your degree subject(s).
Here is a sample registration for a student taking Skills for Success in semester 1:
| Semester 1 - 30 Credits |
Semester 2 - 30 Credits |
| Skills for Success - 5 credits |
Subject A - 15 credits |
| Subject A - 15 credits |
Subject B - 15 credits |
| Subject B - 10 credits |
|
...
Here is a sample registration for a student taking Skills for Success in semester 2:
| Semester 1 - 30 Credits |
Semester 2 - 30 Credits |
| Subject A - 15 credits |
Skills for Success - 5 credits |
| Subject B - 15 credits |
Subject A - 15 credits |
| |
Subject B - 10 credits |
Please note, it is not possible to register for Skills for Success and another Elective.
For more information about Skills for Success please email our Experiential Learning Officer, Máire Buckley: maire.buckley@mu.ie
Each Elective is typically 10 credits so an Elective makes up 1/6 of your study in second year. Electives are assessed and count towards your second year marks. Taking an Elective doesn’t mean taking on extra modules; students who take an Elective do 10 credits less in their other subjects. The table below summarises how taking an Elective works for students on an Arts programme
Registering for an Elective
It is important to remember the following when you are registering for an Elective:
- Students must register for 60 credits each academic year.
- Aim to study 30 credits each semester so your workload will be balanced for the year.
- If your Elective module(s) clash with a compulsory module from your programme, you will need to choose an alternative Elective.
...
Here is an example of a double major registration with an Elective:
| Semester 1 - 30 credits |
Semester 2 - 30 credits |
| Elective - 5 credits |
Elective - 5 credits |
| Subject A – 15 credits |
Subject A – 10 credits |
| Subject B – 10 credits |
Subject B – 15 credits |
Each Elective is typically 10 credits so an Elective makes up 1/6 of your study in second year. Electives are assessed and count towards your second year marks. Taking an Elective doesn’t mean taking on extra modules; students who take an Elective do 10 credits less in one of their other subjects. The table below summarises how taking an Elective works for students on a Science Programme
A note about progression options for BSc students who choose to take an Elective:
Science students need to study 20 credits in the subjects they wish to progress into years 3 and 4 in second year. This means that science students cannot progress a science subject studied at 10 credits in second year (subject 3 in the example above) forward into your third and final year.
Each Elective is typically 10 credits so an Elective makes up 1/6 of your study in second year. Electives are assessed and count towards your second year marks. Taking an Elective doesn’t mean taking on extra modules; students who take an Elective do 10 credits less in their degree subject. An Elective is taken instead of two of your non-core/optional modules (10 credits).
Why would I take an Elective?
Electives allow you to expand your university education, and to take full advantage of the range of world-class lecturers and stimulating subject material that Maynooth has to offer. They may help to broaden your perspective (e.g. by taking an interdisciplinary topic), allow you to interact with students from other disciplines, or help you develop transferable skills for the future in a way that complements your main disciplinary studies (e.g. study of a modern language, entrepreneurship, or science communication). You may simply be interested in the topic.
How will I know if I can take an Elective?
The quickest and easiest way to check if Electives are compatible with your programme of study is to check the your programme's page on Coursefinder. For information about how to find Electives on the BA Arts programme watch this video. And for information on how to find Electives on the BSc Science programme watch this video.
How many Electives can I take?
Students may choose to take one Elective in their second year. Each Elective is worth 10 credits; you will take one 5 credit Elective module in semester 1 and the follow on 5 credit module in semester 2.
How do I register for an Elective?
If you choose to take an Elective and Electives are compatible with your programme you will register for your Elective along with your other second year modules during online registration in at the start of term. It’s that easy!
Can I switch Electives in semester two?
The Electives comprise of two 5 credit modules that are connected. The semester 1 Elective module, is usually, a prerequisite for the semester 2 Elective module; this means that it is not possible to take up an Elective in semester 2 that has a prerequisite. If you are looking to change your elective you should contact the Programme Advisory Office to discuss any changes you would like to make.
The only exception to this is Skills for Success, which is a five credit Elective that can be take in either semester 1 or semester 2.
I am a Law student, can I register for an Elective?
No. Electives are not available on the LLB or BCL programmes.
