Student Information

Dear Student

Given the current growth rate of Covid-19 and the national advice to minimise mobility, the Institute is modifying some aspects of the planned academic delivery for semester 2. The academic year will follow the published calendar for start and completion dates and for the assessment cycles. The modes of delivery of some modules will however be changed to reflect the developing need to minimise the spread of Covid-19.

Academic Delivery

All lectures and academic activity including laboratories and workshops and those that require special equipment will be delivered in a virtual (online) manner from 25 January 2021 in line with the academic calendar and published academic timetables. Components of learning which are absolutely necessary to deliver onsite will be delivered in the latter half of the semester but not until after week 6 of the semester.  The practical implications of this is that students can expect that all material and learning will be virtual for the first weeks of term.

Support Services

The Institute encourages students to work from home as much as possible and to engage with the Institute through online channels as services continue to operate virtually. All offices within the Institute have published contact details that can be used to access services or ask questions.  Contact details for the various support services available. are published in the relevant section of the website and on tab 2 of this page. 

The library will offer click and collect services or electronic equivalent when possible and provide a range of online and remote resources to assist students.

Placements

The ability to support and quality assure new placements will be a challenge within the current environment. Individual programme teams will be working with students, professional bodies and placement providers to assess the impacts of the current restrictions and Covid-19 trajectory on the curriculum for the semester and will communicate plans as soon as practical.

Craft Apprentice Programmes

There are on-going discussions at national level regarding the delivery of craft apprenticeship programmes and the Institute will advise apprenticeship students concerning planned activities in February/March as information becomes available.

Accessing the College

Where, in exceptional circumstances, students must access the Institute for study or other purposes a managed access facility to the college may be available during term time.  During the current examination cycle, a space may be reserved in the Digital Hub if the student cannot otherwise complete an assessment but this service will be strictly limited, details are available on our library site.

Yours sincerely
Dr. Derek O’Byrne
Vice President for Academic Affairs & Registrar

Student Life & Learning

SLL Office: [email protected] 
Disability Office: [email protected]
Retention Officer: [email protected]
Access: [email protected]
Counselling Service (Operating Online): [email protected]
Institute Nurse: [email protected] 
Careers Office: [email protected]

You can also contact SLL by phone on 051 845513 or 087 6211255.

Academic Administration & Student Affairs

Examinations: [email protected] 
Registration: [email protected] 
ARE Helpdesk: [email protected] 
Repeat Learner: [email protected]
CAO Admissions: [email protected]  
Taught Postgraduate Admissions: [email protected] 
Research Postgraduate Admissions: [email protected] 
Advanced Entry Admissions: [email protected]

Library

Email: [email protected]

Computer Services

Email: [email protected]

For more information click here 

The Institute has developed a model for academic delivery 2020/21 (semester 1 and 2) which places the welfare of our students, staff and communities at the forefront of our thinking. 

1. All lectures and tutorials will be delivered remotely (off-campus) for the academic year 2020/21. Remote delivery will include live-streaming of lectures and other forms of remote learning platforms appropriate to individual modules or programmes. 

2. Learning activity such as laboratories and workshops or those that require special equipment will occur on-campus but be subject to appropriate social distancing and PPE based on the physical layout of the learning spaces. 

3. Your level of on- and off- campus activity will vary depending on your programme. 

4. Where prevailing public policy and the prevalence of Covid-19 change, return to on-campus delivery of lectures, tutorial and practical classes may be facilitated on a phased basis. Live streaming or remote delivery will continue in all cases in tandem with any further physical return to campus to ensure continued flexibility and choice for learners. 

We appreciate the difficulty that students and your families have in planning for college during a changing situation dictated by public health considerations. We advise that you be as flexible as possible in your planning particularly regarding accommodation, travel and general study arrangements for 2020/21. Our campus accommodation would like to assure students who have booked WIT accommodation and have a change of mind before signing a contract that their deposits will be refunded on request. 

In the meantime, we will continue to provide you with more details as we have them. For instance, updated timetables are being worked on by our timetabling unit and we will provide those to you as soon as they are available which is likely to be mid-September. Our library, shop and restaurants will all be open, albeit in a more restricted manner. Orientation will take place for first years but in a different way than previous years and we are working on a phased return to campus learning once national restrictions ease. All these and many more details are being worked out and we will update you once we have  more definite information to give you. 

 Download the What to do if you feel unwell 

If the student has been contacted by the Public Health to confirm he/she is a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19, he/she will be advised to go for a Covid 19 test and restrict his/her movements which means not coming home for the weekend.

If the student has not been contacted by Public Health then he/she does not need to restrict his/her movements, but should continue to follow the advice on how to protect yourself and others.

You should continue to attend class as normal unless you have been contacted by the HSE as a confirmed close contact.  The HSE will advise if you need to self- isolate and go for a COVID test. If you start to feel unwell please contact your GP immediately.

The HSELive Covid Helpline is available to answer any questions that you may have or alternatively you can contact the Student Medical Practice, Rowe Creavin Medical Practice for advice:

•             HSELive Covid Helpline – 1850 24 1850 (HSELive COVID-19 Helpline is open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday)

•             Rowe Creavin Medical Practice – 051-370057

You should continue to attend class as normal unless you have been contacted by the HSE as a confirmed close contact.  The HSE will advise if you need to self- isolate and go for a COVID test. If you start to feel unwell please contact your GP immediately. The HSELive Covid Helpline is available to answer any questions that you may have or alternatively you can contact the Student Medical Practice, Rowe Creavin Medical Practice for advice: HSELive Covid Helpline – 1850 24 1850 (HSELive COVID-19 Helpline is open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday) Rowe Creavin Medical Practice – 051-370057

 Covid-19 Operational Charter for Students

Please email your query to [email protected] or look at our FAQ section where you may find the answer to your question.

It is not possible to hold the graduation ceremonies in late October as we have traditionally.  We hope to hold a graduation ceremony for 2020 graduates at some future date, when the Covid-19 Guidelines permit mass gatherings.

Parchments will be posted to all graduates from the time graduation would normally take place. Please ensure that your home address is up-to-date on your WIT records so that you receive your parchment, you can do so at the following link:  https://studentssp.wit.ie/login/login.aspx?app=OLSSP

If you are not currently a registered student you can request that your postal address be changed by e-mailing [email protected] from your WIT student e-mail address which remains active after you have completed your course.

Where a work placement activity has not been possible, the student should contact the programme leader for advice on the next steps required. During the summer months it may also be helpful to contact your School Office, details are available at here.

All students are strongly encouraged not to come to campus and to continue your studies remotely. Please ensure to stay in contact with your supervisor who will be available to provide ongoing support remotely during this time period. Should you need to come on campus for any reason, please contact your supervisor to make arrangements as they will need to make sure a safe space is available for you and buildings may need to be opened.

WIT Libraries continue to operate library services online during this busy period of alternative assessments.  You can access help videos, ebooks, journals, databases, subject guides, various referencing guides and more through the library homepage - library.wit.ie.

This access is available around the clock 24/7 using your normal username and password.

If you need help, assistance or library learning support please contact us via email at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

The Student support service team is currently working remotely. You can send your query to [email protected] and a member of staff will get back to you. You can also reach us by mobile on 087-6211255 or 087-1128224

Staff are currently working remotely. You can send your query to [email protected] and a member of staff will get back to you.

All learning support tutors are working remotely. You can email your  tutor directly for support. If you do not know your tutors email address contact [email protected].

If you are worried about your exam accommodations, email [email protected] and your course leader with your concern.

All staff are working remotely. You can contact your support worker by email or text. 

The Institute’s student counselling services continues to operate by telephone and online video calls.  Please email [email protected] to make an appointment.

Due to the current extraordinary circumstances face to face appointments cannot be offered during this time.

Other useful services                                                   

Medical Care Provider (Rowe Creavin)	051 370057
Caredoc	1850 334 999
University Hospital Waterford (UHW)	051 848000
Student Counselling Service (Main campus)	051 302878
Student Counselling Service (College Street campus)	051 302745
Samaritans (free phone)	116 123
Pieta House (Waterford)	051 858510
Pieta House 24/7 helpline	1800 247 247

How do I apply to the Student Assistance Fund?

If you are eligible for the SAF you can apply through the online application form which is available on the WIT website.

How do I know if I am eligible to apply for the Student Assistance Fund?

There is an Eligibility Reckoner on the WIT website which will help you determine if you are eligible for the fund. There is also a list of expenses for which the SAF can be and cannot be used for.

Is there a closing date for the Student Assistance Fund?

There is no closing date for the SAF but as the fund operates on a 'first come, first served basis', it is best to get an application with all the relevant documentation in as early as possible.

If I am having trouble with a certain part of the application or have a question, who can I contact to ask for help?

Please email [email protected] This email account is being regularly monitored and we will reply to your query as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can look up our detailed FAQ section in the website where you might find the answer to your question.

How will I know when there is no more funding left in the SAF?

The online application will close and you will not be able to apply. However, if you are experiencing financial hardship, please make contact with the Student Life and Learning Department via email ([email protected] or [email protected]) and we will try our best to refer you to any relevant resources.

More information: SAF webpage

Symptoms of Covid-19 as per HSE guidance:

• A fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above) 

• A cough - this can be any kind of cough, not just dry 

• Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties 

• Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal 

If you experience any of the symptoms of Covid-19, it is important that you see medical advice.  

Contact your own GP or alternatively the Student Medical Service: Rowe Creavin Medical Practice, Tel 051-370057, Monday-Friday 09:00-5:00 or CAREDOC on 1850 334 999 (after 6pm and weekends).