2 x post grad diplomas at TCD, can I now get Msc title with a thesis?

david4791 · 02-06-2012 10:52AM #1

Hello,
Strange query, but a friend of mine who has completed one post grad diploma already is now planning a second post grad dip and stated he may get the Msc title after producing a thesis based on having two post grad dips, is this true?

Note, the second post grad diploma is only diploma level and not Msc, he said it was based on previous learning, any sense to it?

Gae · 02-06-2012 12:47PM

A Grad Dip is (typically) 60 credits in courses, and an MSc is 60 credits in courses plus 30 credits for a dissertation. So, often you can sign up for an MSc and take a Grad Dip if you decide not to do the dissertation, or you can sign up for a Grad Dip and decide to do the dissertation and come out with an MSc.

The previous diploma shouldn't make a difference - except maybe for admissions purposes. So maybe your friend wouldn't be admitted into the programme without his previous qualification, but it shouldn't affect the award.

Once a degree or diploma is awarded those credits are "cashed in" and can't be used again towards another degree or diploma. So if you're doing a Grad Dip and want to transfer to an MSc you need to do that before the Grad Dip is awarded. If you were to get an MSc AND a Grad Dip for the same amount of work as someone who just got an MSc, that wouldn't be fair. There may be mechanisms to 'hand back' your previous award to put the credits towards a new degree, but this is tricky and I believe isn't really done.

david4791 · 02-06-2012 01:08PM

Hello Gae,
Yes I see, some Msc courses do offer the option to opt out at 60 credits (usually one year) and get the P Grad Dip or stay on to get the additional 30 credits through a thesis to attain the Msc award.

However, my question was kinda the other way around, if I apply for a post grad course which does not have any option for further study to get an Msc would it be possible to get an Msc award for having two post grad dips?

For example, I wish to pursue the Post Grad in Construction law which doesn't have an Msc option, could I complete this and suggest doing my own approved thesis to get an Msc award?

Gae · 02-06-2012 03:32PM

david4791 wrote: »

For example, I wish to pursue the Post Grad in Construction law which doesn't have an Msc option, could I complete this and suggest doing my own approved thesis to get an Msc award?

No, I don't think so. Also, the sentence above contradicts itself. Doing an "approved thesis to get an MSc award" contradicts "the Post Grad...which doesn't have an MSc option" - it either has an MSc option or it doesn't. Having two Grad Dips shouldn't make any difference. Unless this is some weird rule for two the particular Grad Dips in question, but I have never heard of anything like this as a general possibility. Maybe your friend misunderstood something, or maybe you misunderstood your friend.

02-06-2012 04:05PM

I believe this is what the OP is referring to:

2. Master in Engineering (M.A.I.) Recurrent Education
2.1 Admission: Applicants for the Master in Engineering (M.A.I.) Recurrent Education
degree must be engineering graduates and either have a B.A.I./B.Sc.(Ing.) degree or hold a
combination of two postgraduate diplomas approved by the Director of Teaching and
Learning (Postgraduate).
2.2 Duration: The duration of the programme is normally two years part-time and the
dissertation should be submitted not later than three years after registering for the degree.
2.3 Dissertation: The candidate is required to prepare a dissertation on a research
project carried out in his/her professional environment. The work is to be carried out to
academic criteria and should include some contribution to knowledge. It will be supervised
by a member of staff from the School of Engineering. The agreement, in writing, of a
person in authority from the student‟s workplace to carry out this research will normally be
required.
2.4 Assessment: The award of Master in Engineering (M.A.I.) Recurrent Education
degree will be based on a dissertation submitted by a suitably qualified engineering
graduate. The candidate is required to submit two bound copies of his/her dissertation and
will normally be asked to undergo a viva voce examination on the subject matter of the
dissertation.
2.5 Course Director: Dr Brendan O‟Kelly

http://www.tcd.ie/calendar/assets/pdf/calendar-part-2-1112.pdf page 163.

Basically, you should contact Dr. O'Kelly for more information.

david4791 · 02-06-2012 06:59PM

Yes Donal this is what I've heard. Thanks for link

david4791 · 02-06-2012 07:12PM

With regards to point 2,2 it states normally two years , any experience of the duration? Two years part time after attaining two post grads?

2 x post grad diplomas at TCD, can I now get Msc title with a thesis?

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