NUI Galway will be refunding an entire year worth of tuition fees to current third and fourth-year students. Students studying the BA Connect with Journalism course will receive a refund after the course received a number of complaints.
A Student Complaints Board met in June and found that students' complaints in relation to their third-year experience was valid and ruled in favour of a refund of students fees. Last week, 23 July, the refund was confirmed to the 30 plus students in third and fourth year.
As part of the third year of the course, students are required to find a six to eight-week placement. However, students were left dissatisfied with the level of assistance they received in finding a placement and were unhappy with the overall management of the course.
Current third years and fourth-year students, who graduate in October, complained about their overall experience but specifically their third-year experience. The board heard responses about the complaints from staff who acknowledged administration and organization issues.
According to The Irish Independent, the BA Connect course will be restructured and the board has recommended immediate changes. The recommendations include a college-led review of the structure and resourcing of the third year of the BA Connect programmes as a matter of urgency , student feedback and communications with students will be enhanced and promotional material for the BA with Journalism will be accurate and reflect the course.
The refunds of fees have been made at a cost of more than 100 thousand euro to the college. Students in receipt of SUSI will not receive the refund.
