Post-Entry Supports | Access
DCU Access Students receive a scholarship administered by the Support Officers. Students may apply for further financial supports based on individual circumstances.
Links for other student Financial Assistance
- Student Finance - Advice on finance for third level education.
- SUSI - Online application form for higher education maintenance grants.
- DCU Student Assistance Fund - Current DCU students experiencing severe financial hardship may be able to apply for assistance.
- All Ireland Scholarship Scheme - Scholarship scheme for current Leaving Certificate Students.
Educational Trust
Funding for all DCU Access Scholarships is raised by the Educational Trust in DCU through private donors. Access students can get involved by attending donor events where they will have the opportunity to meet with donors, from the business world.
The Access Service provide a number of professional supports to students including internships, networking opportunities and placement support and guidance.
Some internships / opportunities that Access students can avail of:
- Washington Ireland Programme
- Digicel Internship, Jamaica
- Irish Distillers, Dublin
- Kansas University
Volunteering Opportunities
The Access Service strongly promotes an ethos of volunteering and provides volunteering opportunities including shadowing days, peer mentoring, school visits, university Open days and opportunities to volunteer abroad.
Students can gain academic credits in their final year based on their volunteering activities. Click here to learn more.
Access to the workplace
DCU Access to the Workplace is a new initiative introduced in 2019. DCU Access Service and DCU Educational Trust have partnered to provide Access students with a high-quality, fully paid professional internship in some of Ireland’s leading companies during the summer months. Further information is included in our Student Information Booklet.
First Year Orientation Programme
Students who enter DCU through the HEAR or DCU Access schemes must attend an orientation programmes either on the DCU Glasnevin or DCU St Patrick's campus running for either one day or three days in September. Students will be assigned to the orientation that best meets their needs.
The programme aims to prepare students for undergraduate life, students will have the opportunity to:
- Get to know the campus
- Meet the DCU Access Team
- Participate in sports (optional)
- Attend sample lectures
- Attend study and presentation skills workshops
- Meet classmates
- Socialise and make friends
- Meet current Access Students, gaining valuable insights and advice from those students who have just negotiated first year themselves
Student comments - Access Orientation Programme 2021:
" The Access Orientation was perfect for providing information for the upcoming year. It helped me understand what was expected and also provided useful information about college life and the facilities and support available at DCU, and helped me begin my journey at third level education."
"I was unsure what to expect, I assumed it would be much more serious/formal but I liked the laid back approach, it made me feel included and more likely to be able to approach an Access staff member or other students."
Tuition
The Access service provides additional tuition workshops for students who are struggling with specific first year subjects/modules.
In extenuating circumstances, tuition can be provided to second, third and fourth year students.
This support is arranged through your designated Access Support Officer.
Designated Post Entry Support Officer
- All first year students meet their designated Support Officer early in the first semester. This provides students with an opportunity to raise any concerns that they may have and for support officers to put supports in place.
- Second to Fourth year students can request a meeting at any time with their designated Support Officer.
Students will also be contacted throughout the year, particularly around exam periods, to ensure individual supports are being availed of.
In the absence of a Support Officer, another member of the Access team will be happy to meet with students as required.
Peer Mentoring
The Peer Mentoring scheme aims to help ease students into college life by:
Introducing them to DCU students who have already completed first year and availing of academic, social and general advice in an informal capacity.
Peer mentors receive training and ongoing support from the DCU Access Service.
Student Support & Development
The Access Service is part of the DCU Student Support and Development unit which offers a range of supports including a Careers Service, Health Centre, Counselling Service and Academic Workshops. For further information, please contact DCU SS&D directly on 01 700 7165 or visit the SS&D website.
For further information on post entry supports please contact:
DCU Glasnevin Campus:
Faculty of Business and
Faculty of Engineering & Computing
Colette Keogh
01 700 8868
Location: CG73
Faculty of Science & Health and
Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
Natacha O'Brien
01 700 5530
Location: CG72
DCU St Patrick's Campus:
Faculty of Education, including BAJH on the St. Patrick's Campus
Margaret Lamont
01 884 2169
Location: A101b