New programmes are set to be launched in September.
A number of students who attended NUIG to study journalism have been refunded due to concerns raised over the quality of teaching on the course.
According to the Irish Times, between 30 and 40 students from both third and fourth year have been refunded following formal complaints issued during the academic year claiming that the course wasn’t providing adequate teaching or opportunities.
Lack of access to work placements and poor communication from course leaders were two of the complaints listed.
NUIG’s complaint board reportedly found that the college course’s shortcomings “negatively impacted on the educational experience of students”, adding that a “significant lack of leadership” was obvious from the outset.
It’s understood that the money refunded makes up a total cost of more than €100,000 to the college.
NUI Galway has confirmed that following a quality review, it has revised its journalism programmes.
The college, at present, offers courses in journalism at both undergraduate (BA) and postgraduate (MA) levels.
Speaking to JOE, a spokesperson for NUIG confirmed that a revised course is set to be launched later this year.
“Following a review in 2017, the MA Journalism programme was revised and will relaunch in September. The programme did not run this academic year. The ambitions of the relaunched programme are to produce graduates with up to date skills and specialisations suited to the contemporary world of journalism.
“Following the review, NUI Galway has appointed a senior academic to lead the development of its journalism, media and communications programmes in the coming years.”
They also announced that the new curriculum will feature a number of digitally-based skills.
“The journalism programmes at NUI Galway have been reorganised and a new MA in Journalism will launch in September, with a new focus on digital skills such as verification, social media, analytics and data journalism.
“A new MA in Sports Journalism will launch in 2019. The BA Journalism programme is being reformed and a new joint honours BA Journalism will replace the current structure.”
According to the university’s website, NUIG “accepts no obligation to refund fees once a student has registered”.
Options to refund international students who have been unsuccessful in their visa application can be witnessed under certain circumstances, minus that of €190 for a non-refundable administrative fee.
No other cases of refunding are listed.
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