Northern Ireland

Trinity College Dublin reverses plan to charge for exam re-sits

Trinity College Dublin had considered a €450 charge for re-sits
Trinity College Dublin had considered a €450 charge for re-sits Trinity College Dublin had considered a €450 charge for re-sits

TRINITY College Dublin has reversed a plan to charge €450 in fees to re-sit exams.

The university's board released a statement yesterday saying it agreed with a students' union proposal to retain modular billing and fees for supplemental assessments.

The campaign against the fee plan - Take Back Trinity - involved protesters staging a sit-in on campus for 48 hours.

Protests included the occupation of Trinity's 18th century Dining Hall as well as blocking tourist access to the Book of Kells.

A committee of university officials and student representatives will now examine alternatives to the proposal. It is expected to report back in 12 months.

Provost Dr Patrick Prendergast confirmed that he would continue dialogue with student representatives "to find a solution to the issues confronting Irish higher education".

This, he said, would take into account fairness to students as well as the college's financial position.