For 5th Year Students
5th Year is the time when many students begin to think about their next steps after secondary school. As Ireland's University of Innovation and Transformation, DCU courses are designed to inspire and prepare students for the future. We have put together some information we hope will guide you!
Putting in the work now will benefit you in the long run.
Work towards your top choices
While it might seem far away, starting to prepare for the Leaving Cert and your CAO choices now, will make the following year easier. Get in the habit of studying for a short amount of time, on a regular basis - this will help reduce exam stress.
Take some time to read the DCU prospectus and course webpages. Use the subject requirements of courses you're interested in as a guide for what to focus your study on.
Researching the course you are interested in is so important. Click HERE to view a short video on how to research the 'modules' (subjects) you will be studying each year of your course and if the module is exam based, continuous assessment or a combination of both!
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Visiting us at an Open Day is the perfect time to ask DCU students and lecturers questions about their courses. You can also chat to current students using our Unibuddy platform - who better to ask than the students studying the courses you are thinking about!
Take the time to see if you're eligible for any of these funding opportunities!
Read about Scholarships!
DCU offers a variety of funding opportunities for students. These include:
McAleese Scholarship for Northern Irish students
Please take the time to read through the eligibility criteria and application process if you're interested in applying.
Talking to your parents/guardians and guidance counsellors can help you figure out your options.
Discuss your college choices with trusted adults
Going to college is a big step, so it's highly recommended that students discuss their choices with Parents/Guardians and Guidance Counsellors. This can help students decide between courses and work out the logistical elements of studying at DCU.
Our Parents & Guardians page contains a lot of information on financial supports, DCU's academic awards and rankings, the student experience and key dates for the upcoming academic year.
You may also be interested in learning more about INTRA (DCU's Work Placement programme) and reading profiles of our recent graduates.