Academic Supports

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 2018

"The Access Programme got rid of all nervousness I felt about attending college & allowed me to be fully focused during the orientation week as I had already gotten over the nerves before I even entered to participate in the orientation week."

 "I appreciated that the people in the rooms near me were in the same course because as soon as I walked out of my room after arriving I made a good friend who’ll be in my English modules and it made visiting the larger group not knowing anyone less terrifying."

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.

Personal Supports

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.

Access Post-Entry Support Officers

For further information on post entry supports please contact:

Financial Supports

Financial Supports

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.

Professional Supports

Professional Supports

The DCU 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.