Student Experience 2023-2024
Extraordinary Students
The first Deaf students to qualify as primary school teachers using Irish Sign Language (ISL) graduated from DCU in October 2023. The three graduates, Kevin Dudley (Dublin), Aimee Ennis McLoughlin (Dublin), and Aisling O'Halloran (Galway), completed DCU’s Bachelor of Education (B Ed) through a pilot ISL Pathway. In recognition of their contribution to the University, DCU used the ISL version of its anthem at their graduation ceremonies for the first time. At the ceremony, Kevin Dudley was presented with the Chancellor’s Medal - an honour awarded to exceptional students who have made a significant contribution to University life. Also graduating in October were two recipients of DCU University of Sanctuary scholarships. For Olufunke Ollarinoye, her DCU experience was the key to escaping “a very dark place” following the death of her daughter. She said the challenge of studying gave her a fresh focus as she struggled with her grief. Meanwhile, Shepherd Machaya’s University experience nearly came to an abrupt end when he was issued with a deportation order by the Department of Justice. A campaign by students and staff managed to overturn that decision.
World Leading
International university rankings give an indication of the quality of the student experience.
DCU is now ranked 59th in The Times Higher Young University rankings for 2024, up 30 places. DCU is now the top-ranked Young University in Ireland, ahead of Maynooth University, the University of Limerick and Technological University Dublin. The Times Higher Education Young University Rankings list the world’s best universities that are aged 50 years or under. Meanwhile, DCU had more subjects than ever ranked in the top 200 globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. Two subject areas, Accounting and Finance, and English Language and Literature, advanced into the top 151-200 and top 101-150 of programmes worldwide, respectively. Subject areas where DCU continues to perform strongly are Politics and International Studies (ranked 151-200 globally) and sports-related subjects (ranked 101-140). Meanwhile, DCU was announced as the Career Development category winner at the 2023 Global Student Satisfaction Awards, ahead of other category finalists, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Swinburne University of Technology. The awards are based on reviews from over 125,000 students representing 200 different nationalities. Dublin City University’s Business School announced a major milestone with news of its accreditation by the prestigious European Foundation for Management Development Global Quality System (EQUIS). Adding to its existing accreditations from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA), this news places the DCU Business School in the elite 1% of business schools worldwide. DCU Business School is now unique in Ireland as it is the only business school to hold the ‘triple crown’ of accreditations and the Small Business Charter award from the Chartered Association of Business Schools.
Innovations
DCU continues to diversify the options open to students. In a European first, the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) announced it was rolling out verifiable “E-sealed” micro-credentials to its learners. DCU is the only Irish member of the ECIU alliance. E-sealing means the digital credential is secured by an electronic seal that meets EU legal standards. ECIU’s micro-credentials offer students new opportunities to broaden their horizons and gain practical skills through real-life challenges.
At DCU, work continues on creating an inclusive environment for students. As part of the Autism Friendly University project, a new ‘Quiet Space’ was opened in the Henry Grattan building on the Glasnevin campus. At the opening, plans were unveiled to make the University an even friendlier campus for neurodivergent staff and students. In January 2016, DCU launched the first phase of the project, implementing a series of initiatives to meet the identified needs of autistic staff and students and in 2018, DCU was designated the world’s first Autism-Friendly University.