Post-Entry Supports | Access
First-Year Orientation Programme
Students who enter DCU through HEAR or ADER must attend an orientation programme at the DCU Glasnevin or DCU St Patrick's campus, which runs for one or two days in early September. The programme aims to prepare students for undergraduate life, providing them with the opportunity to:
- Familiarise themselves with the campus.
- Meet the DCU Access Team.
- Engage in sports (optional).
- Attend workshops on presentation skills.
- Connect with classmates.
- Socialise and forge friendships.
- Meet current Access students to gain valuable insights and advice from those students who have recently negotiated their first year.
Tuition Support
Additional tuition is available for students who struggle with specific first-year subjects or modules. In extenuating circumstances, tuition can also be provided to HEAR students in other years. Tuition is arranged through designated Post-Entry Support Officers.
Designated Post-Entry Support Officer
- All first-year students meet their designated Support Officer at the beginning of the first semester. This allows students to express their concerns and ensures that relevant support can be organised.
- Students in their second to fourth years may request a meeting with their assigned Support Officer at any time.
Students are contacted throughout the year to ensure they are utilising individual supports.
If a Support Officer is unavailable, another Access team member is always willing to meet with students.
Peer Mentoring
The Peer Mentoring scheme is designed to help ease students' transition into college life by:
- Introducing them to DCU students who have already finished their first year,
- Offering essential academic, social, and general advice in a relaxed environment.
Peer mentors receive training and support from the DCU Access Service.
Student Support & Development (SS&D)
The Access Service is part of the DCU Student Support and Development Unit, which provides a variety of support options, including:
- Careers Service
- Health Centre
- Student Advice and Academic Writing Workshops
- Disability Support and Learning Service
- Counselling Service and Personal Development Service
For further information, please visit the SS&D website.
For further information about post-entry support, please contact:
DCU Glasnevin Campus:
Colette Keogh - Faculty of Science and Health.
01 700 8868
Room: CG29, Henry Grattan Building
DCU Glasnevin Campus:
Juliana Carvalho - Faculty of Humanities & Social Science & Faculty of Computing & Engineering.
01 700 5530
Room: CG29, Henry Grattan Building
DCU St Patrick's Campus:
Natacha O'Brien - Faculty of Education (IoE) and the Faculty of Business.
01 700 9213
Room: A103, St Patrick's Campus
DCU Access Students receive a bursary and may apply for additional financial assistance based on their individual circumstances by speaking to their support officers.
Links for other student Financial Assistance
- Student Scholarships available at DCU
- Student Finance - Financial advice for higher education.
- SUSI - Online application form for higher education grants in Ireland.
- DCU Student Assistance Fund - Current DCU students experiencing considerable financial difficulties may be eligible to apply for assistance.
- All Ireland Scholarship Scheme - Scholarship scheme for current Leaving Certificate Students.
Educational Trust
The DCU Educational Trust raises funding for all DCU Access Scholarships through private donors. Access students can engage by attending donor events to meet donors from the business community.
The Access Service provides professional support, including internships, networking opportunities, and placement assistance and guidance.
Internship opportunities for Access students are available through the:
Volunteering Opportunities
The Access Service actively fosters a culture of volunteering and provides various opportunities for volunteering, including shadowing days, peer mentoring, school visits, university open days, and opportunities to volunteer abroad.
Students may earn academic credits in their final year through their volunteering activities. Click on academic credits to find out more.
Access to the workplace (ATTW)
The DCU Access to the Workplace initiative was launched in 2019. The DCU Access Service and the DCU Educational Trust have partnered to offer Access students a high-quality, fully funded professional internship at some of Ireland’s leading companies during the summer months. For further information, please refer to our Student Information Booklet.