UCC students sign petition calling for changes to final year exams

UPDATE: In response UCC says provisions have been put in place to ensure flexibility for online exams.

All schools and third level institutions across the country will be closed until the 20th of April in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The change.org petition says the closure has been stressful for many students, especially for those who have been exposed to or are caring for sick family members, and is calling for a system where students would sit an end of year exam, but have their overall grade determined by previous results.

Speaking to RedFM News, final year student at UCC Conall Williamson outlines the kind of student the system would prove beneficial for.

"The student who is in Dingle on dial up internet that maybe she had 20 hours of lectures a week - they've now been transferred to 20 hours of video lectures per week.

"UCC are saying no student will be disadvantaged, I think they're referring specifically to the exams.

"They're not really, from what I can tell, factoring in the impact this has on people's actual studies - how is someone who is on dial up internet, for example, supposed to download 20 hours of video lectures per week?" 

In a statement issued to RedFM News UCC says the university will issue guidelines shortly to explain how students will not be academically disadvantaged through a number of options regarding assessment at this time. UCC will continue to work in partnership with its student union to ensure it students are supported during this period.