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AC Committee on Examinations

The Academic Council Committee on Examinations (ACCE) supports the Academic Council in all assessment related matters. The ACCE authorises the award of University degrees and other awards, approves Internal Examiners and nominates External Examiners to the National University of Ireland (NUI), oversees assessment practices across the University and act as the University's examination board dealing with the award of Research Degrees.

Committee Support: 

Ms Fiona Falvey & Mr Robert Finlay, Assessment, UCD Registry

email: (opens in a new window)acce@ucd.ie

ACCE Meeting Schedule 2025/2026

Submission Deadline*
  Meeting Date
Monday 1 September 2025
11.00 am, Tuesday 16 September 2025
Monday 6 October 2025
11.00 am, Tuesday 21 October 2025
Monday 3 November 2025 (2)
11.00 am, Tuesday 18 November 2025
Monday 24 November 2025
11.00 am, Tuesday 9 December 2025
Monday 12 January 2026
11.00 am, Tuesday 27 January 2026
Monday 9 February 2026
11.00 am, Tuesday 24 February 2026
Monday 9 March 2026
11.00 am, Tuesday 24 March 2026
Tuesday 7 April 2026
11.00 am, Tuesday 21 April 2026
Tuesday 5 May 2026 (3)
11.00 am, Tuesday 19 May 2026
Monday 8 June 2026 (4)
11.00 am, Tuesday 23 June 2026

1.Ten working days are required for preparation and circulation of documentation to the ACCE and for review of all documentation by members of the ACCE in advance of the meeting. It is essential that all documentation is submitted in advance of the monthly submission deadline.
2. Monday 3 November 2025 - Last ACCE Deadline for December 2025 conferring
3. Tuesday 5 May 2026 - Last ACCE Deadline for June 2026 conferring
4. Monday 8 June 2026 - Last ACCE Deadline for September 2026 conferring

The ACCE shall, subject to review by the Academic Council, discharge the following major functions:

1. Authorise the award of University degrees and other awards, approve Internal Examiners, and nominate External Examiners (Subject and Special) to the NUI.

2. Oversee assessment practices across the University. This includes the following duties:

  • Act on behalf of the University, as the final decision-making authority on assessment- related matters with oversight of assessment strategies, grading practices and grading patterns across the University. ACCE will ensure that Schools or Programmes act in conformity with university policy and will give direction as appropriate.
  • Consider reports from the Director of Assessment in relation to the grade approvals process and make recommendations or give directions to Schools and Programme Examination Boards as appropriate.
  • The ACCE shall consider all Post-Examination Board changes to grades that are to the detriment of a student and either approve or reject such changes.
  • Assume responsibility for the university’s Examination Regulations, including the undertaking of periodic reviews to ensure they are fit-for-purpose, and proposing amendments to AC in this regard as required.

3. Act as the University’s examination board dealing with the award of Research Degrees. Such duties shall include:

  • Act, on behalf of the University, as an Examination Board for all doctoral and research degrees (PhDs, Professional Doctorates, Research Masters and MDs).
  • Award, on behalf of the University, all research degrees.
  • Award on behalf of the University, all posthumous awards/aegrotat degrees and to report these decisions to Academic Council.
  • Determine cases where there is disagreement among examiners in relation to the award of a research degree.
  • Deal with any other examination/assessment related matters delegated by the Academic Council.

4. The ACCE shall exercise some or all of the functions described above in respect of any Recognised College as specified by Academic Council.

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Contact the UCD University Secretariat

Tierney Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 (1) 716 1279 (general enquiries) | E: univsec@ucd.ie