School Outreach Programmes
Students at the Colm Delves Leadership Lab
Our Future U programme is a day long introduction to University for Second Year students where they will learn to be creators, innovators and leaders!
Students will take part in activities, have lunch in the restaurant, and get a tour of the campus. Activities including
- Colm Delves VR Leadership lab
- Lego Robotics challenge
Please note that we can only host 30 students at a time due to our activities' room capacity.
Lego Engineering Challenge
Our Annual Maths Quiz for first and second years provides students with an enjoyable way to engage with Mathematics while discovering more about the courses and careers that studying Maths can lead to.
Quizzes will take place in March and April. Dates to be confirmed; sign up here if your school is interested.
Multimedia students
Our multimedia workshops aim to teach students how to create impactful messages through the medium of filmmaking and explore the possibility of studying at DCU's School of Communication.
We offer two on-campus workshops: an initial introduction to filmmaking and a concluding editing workshop. Between these, we provide resources for in-class activities, allowing students to create their own films and submit them for a competition set to take place at DCU in April.
In April, we will host a final plenary event during which students will tour our communications facilities, and our DCU Faculty judges will select the winners from the entries submitted movies.
To sign up and view the available resources, please click here.
SUIS students
Step Up in STEM informs students about opportunities to study Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics at university, along with the related careers available.
Schools are invited to spend a day at DCU engaging in interactive workshops, touring the campus, and meeting current students, with transport and food costs covered and opportunities for students to take home DCU merchandise.
Sign up here.
The DCU Access service provides work experience at DCU through various faculties and with external partners, including Arthur Cox Law Firm and Beaumont Hospital.
We will email all opportunities to Transition Year coordinators and Guidance Counsellors of partner schools. Email aidan.odriscoll@dcu.ie for specific inquiries.
U First
What is it? A two-year college preparation programme
For whom? 5th & 6th year students from schools linked to DCU
How does this work?
Year one will comprise seven workshops, with students attending one workshop each month, which will include the following:
- Sampling a variety of courses in DCU
- CAO/Grants/HEAR/DARE information
- Maths revision
- Study skills
- Personal development
- Clubs and Socs
- Parental engagement
- Industry visits
Students will also participate in Shadowing Days, Taster Sessions, Open Days, and optional events and workshops during school holidays.
In the programmes second year, a shorter schedule will offer 6th-year students information and support on applying to the CAO and HEAR, etc.
Further information can be found here:
Applications will open in August 2025 and will be available on the link below.
The closing date for in-coming 5th years to apply is the end of September 2025
Online Peer Mentoring
Our peer mentoring programme provides 6th-year students with the opportunity to participate in several online mentoring sessions with an Access student ambassador.
During these small group sessions, our trained mentors will share their college experiences and address any questions you may have regarding CAO, HEAR/DARE, and anything related to college questions.
Details for 2025/26 will be available in September 2025.
Parents/Guardians Information Evening
DCU Student Recruitment will be hosting an in-person session designed to support parents and guardians of students considering Level 8 (University) study after completing their Leaving Certificate.
This event is suitable for parents or guardians who are unfamiliar with the CAO process or who would like to refresh their knowledge.
Please stay tuned for 2025/26 dates.
HEAR / DARE Talks
HEAR & DARE
Book your HEAR/DARE talk during College Awareness Month this November, and we will visit your school. We will endeavour to bring a DCU Access student ambassador along to make it more meaningful for your students!
Booking information will be available August 2025.
Maths drop-ins
Maths Masterclasses
Who are they for? 6th-year students - Priority is given to U First students.
Topics covered:
Algebra, Area and Volume.
Coordinate Geometry of the Line, Coordinate Geometry of the Circle.
Probability, Statistics.
Complex Numbers, Differentiation.
Functions, Trigonometry.
How do you register? Students will be invited to register online in September 2025.
Faculty Tasters - February 2026
Our faculty tasters assist young people in participating in practical, interactive activities related to a programme they are considering studying at DCU following the Leaving Certificate.
How will they work?
During DCU's reading week, a series of workshops related to various courses from each of the five faculties will be held.
Students will be selected according to their preferences, interest in specific careers, and intention to study at DCU.
The Access team will contact schools closer to the dates with further details.
Shadowing days
Shadowing days - March 2026
Every March, a fifth-year student can register to spend one day on campus shadowing a first-year DCU student.
Who is it for?
Fifth-year students from local DEIS-linked schools and young people interested in attending university.
What will happen?
Students will attend lectures, labs, and all other activities scheduled in their chosen course timetable, accompanied by their DCU student match throughout the day.
Further details will be provided to Guidance Counsellors in due course.