Community Outreach Programmes
DCU Access aims to promote inclusion and diversity by collaborating with statutory, community, and voluntary organisations to support individuals from underrepresented groups who aspire to study at DCU.
Group visiting the library
Interested in sharing your experience as a Mature Student in DCU & making a difference in other adults’ lives?
The Community Outreach team at DCU collaborates with the local community surrounding DCU to encourage more mature students to consider university as a viable option. This is achieved through various initiatives, including campus tours, workshops, talks, fairs, and community events.
We are now forming a panel of Mature Students interested in giving occasional talks to prospective students, and we would love you to be in touch with us!
If you're interested, please sign up here.
Aside from the satisfaction you will gain from supporting your peers, this presents a great opportunity for you to enhance your communication, presentation, and public speaking skills.
For more information, contact laurence.vanderhaegen@dcu.ie
Headstart is a 10 week programme for adults seeking to explore their educational opportunities. This course is a collaboration between DCU in the Community, the DCU Access Service, Whitehall College of Further Education and the Ballymun Adult Education Service of the City of Dublin ETB.
The goal of this programme is to build your confidence and prepare you to make the next step in your education journey.
The course helps you to identify your skills, strengths, and goals. You’ll also learn about the available opportunities and supports as you consider re-entering education. Classes are interactive and informative, including meetings with Guidance Counsellors and tours of a College of Further Education and Dublin City University.
The course is free of charge, and there are no exams.
The aim of the programme is to:
- Promote access to further and higher education.
- Help students make informed choices throughout their educational journey.
- Support individuals returning to education.
- Help students identify their skills, strengths, and goals.
- Showcase available educational services and support.
Eligibility Criteria?
Applications are welcome from individuals who:
- Are no longer in school and interested in re-entering education and/or upskilling
- Are over 18 years of age
- Reside in North Dublin
Application Process
Step 1: Info session
Open information sessions in the Autumn of 2025 for the next programme.
Step 2: Application Form SOON
Deadline to apply:tbc
Step 3: Informal interview
Applicants will be invited to attend an interview in the Autumn.
When, where and how long?
The programme will run over 10 weeks.
The workshops will take place at the location between the Ballymun Adult Education Service and DCU Glasnevin.
Mentoring training with DCU students
Change Makers is a mentoring programme which aims to create a transformative experience for all participants, both mentors and mentees, through participatory and experiential activities.
The programme brings together students from under-represented groups with 2nd-year students from our BA in Social Sciences and Cultural Innovation. Since 2022, it has been run in partnership with the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences in DCU, Youthreach and Trinity Comprehensive in Ballymun.
If you currently work with one of the groups identified inthe National Access Plan, you may be interested in running the programme in your organisation.
For more information, contact: Laurence Van der Haegen, Community Outreach Officer at laurence.vanderhaegen@dcu.ie.
The DCU Access Service and the Traveller and Roma Education Officer collaborate closely in the Greater Dublin area, offering workshops on entry routes, pathways, and support services in DCU.
We offer a range of support both in schools and in the community:
- School talks, workshops in sports, art, creative writing, storytelling, campus tours, and day trips to DCU.
- Support to individual Traveller and Roma senior cycle students in their progression to further and third-level education.
- Workshops with parents/adults within the community include beady pockets, candle making, tapestry, and educational workshops.
For further information, please contact our Traveller & Roma Education Officer, harry.mallon@dcu.ie
DCU Access invites community organisations to partner up with us to host an 'Our Neighbour, Our Friend' event in your community.
So far, this gathering has occurred at the Ballymun Axis and the Finglas Youth Resource Centre, providing an opportunity to highlight DCU Access Community Outreach initiatives and examine future collaborations aimed at enhancing access to education for the most underrepresented groups in the surrounding community areas. Next event: Balbriggan, Autumn 2025.
For more information, contact Laurence.vanderhaegen@dcu.ie.
Teaching as a Career
If you are passionate about education or interested in a career in teaching, why not join our talk in Autumn 2025 to explore all teaching courses at DCU?
Covering teaching courses at the DCU Institute of Education:
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Early childhood education
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Primary teaching
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Post-Primary teaching
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Further education and training
Find out all the supports available to you if you are a HEAR/DARE eligible student. Current and past students will share their experiences studying at DCU.
Date: Autumn 2025
Our DCU Access library membership is open to students who are planning to study in DCU. Students who are deemed eligible may gain access only to our libraries for the academic year.
To find out about conditions of eligibility, please contact our Community Outreach Officer: Laurence.vanderhaegen@dcu.ie