Parents & Guardians

DCU Library Leaving Certificate Study Scheme

This scheme allows sixth year students to access O'Reilly Library in Glasnevin and Cregan Library in Drumcondra for study between 8th May and 27th June.

More details about the scheme and information about how students can apply can be found on the library website.

Employability 

• DCU is 1st in Ireland and 23rd in the World for Graduate Employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings, 2022).
• 96% of DCU graduates are in employment or start further studies within 6 months of graduation.
• Graduates have the highest median salary, earning more than any other Irish university (CSO).
• 80% of courses include a DCU INTRA (INtegrated TRAining) work placement as part of their degree.
• DCU Futures: Ten new programmes and specialisms designed to adapt and thrive in an unscripted world. See a list of the courses and specialisms here.

Student Experience

• Our university community is vibrant and diverse, with more than 18,000 students from 122 countries. 
• We have over 130 Clubs and Societies in DCU.
• Overall Best University Track & Field Championships 14 Years in a Row.
• We are recognised as 1st globally for welcoming Students for On-Campus Orientation (International Student Barometer, 2021).
• DCU has the best student/academic staff ratio in Ireland (Higher Education Authority, Ireland).
• Shortlisted 'Outstanding support for students' (Timers Higher Education Awards 2022)
• DCU ranks 14th globally in World’s Most Sustainable Universities (2022 GreenMetric World University Rankings).
• New €50 million Future Tech building to advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in STEM disciplines and a capacity to accommodate over 3,000 additional STEM students.
• DCU is the world’s first autism-friendly university.

DCU Business School

DCU Business School is in the Top 5% of business schools globally, and is accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

DCU's Business and Accounting courses rank 151-175 globally (Times Higher Education rankings 2022).

DCU Faculty of Engineering and Computing

Home to world-leading academics in Artificial Intelligence, Sustainability Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. Graduates are employed in some of the biggest tech companies across the globe including, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Intel, IBM, and SAP.

Computer Science at DCU is in the top 300 courses globally (QS World University Rankings).

DCU Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

DCU’s Communications programme is within the top 150 communications programmes worldwide and ranked No. 1 in Ireland (QS World University Rankings).

DCU's School of Law and Government was awarded the Law School of the Year Award at the Irish Law Awards 2021.

DCU Faculty of Science and Health

New €50 million Future Tech building to advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in STEM disciplines and a capacity to accommodate over 3,000 additional STEM students.

DCU’s Sport-related subjects are ranked within the Top 130 of similar courses worldwide (QS World University rankings).

DCU Institute of Education

Education at DCU ranks among the Top 150 education courses globally (QS World University Rankings).

More than 700 Primary and Secondary School Teachers graduate from DCU each year.

DCU Student Support & Development (SS&D) covers a wide variety of student services in DCU, ensuring our student population thrives in university. Here is an information guide for Parents/Guardians of Incoming First Years providing an overview of key milestones in that first year.

You can take a look at a very informative recording from Dr. Claire Bohan, Director of Student Support and Development outlining the support provided by DCU in transitioning from second to third level education.

SS&D services include:

Access, Disability & Mature Student Services - These services support economically disadvantaged students, students with a disability or learning difficulty and mature students respectively.

The Student Advice Centre This is a service where students can access advice and guidance on all matters academic, personal and financial. Students can avail of confidential one-to-one meetings with a student adviser to discuss their query. They also deliver programmes and workshops to enhance the student experience. The service is provided to the entire student population across all campuses and online.

The Writing Centre and The Maths Learning Centre - These services allow students to book free appointment during the academic semesters. These appointments are lead by PhD-level tutors, who assist students with their academic writing or mathematical difficulties. Their websites also contain extra writing and mathematic resources.

The Careers Service - this service offers one-on-one consultations, online and in-person skills sessions, hosts career events and runs the MyCareer Platform, highlihgting job opportunities for DCU Students.

DCU Counselling Services - Provides free and confidential counselling service available to all undergraduate and postgraduate students. It is staffed by four qualified, accredited and experienced counselling psychologists/psychotherapists.

In addition the service offers a mindfulness, wellbeing and stress reduction lunchtime series and a student empowerment and life skills programme (bereavement facilitated student forums; online cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety;  stress, anxiety and low mood workshops).

DCU Chaplaincy - Provides pastoral care and confidential support to students and staff. Also home to Ireland's only dedicated Inter Faith Centre at third level.

DCU has over 130 Clubs and Societies, with an interest and community for everyone. Students can register for Clubs & Societies online and attend a huge variety of events, including live performances, charity events and trips abroad. 

Involvement in extra-curricular activities is sought after by employers, as it shows a development of soft skills, such as organisation, leadership, team work and time management.

As such, DCU created the Uaneen Award, a module where 3rd or final year students can gain academic credits from their involvement in extra-curricular activities, such as Clubs and Societies, volunteering and community involvement.

There is 24/7 Security on each of our DCU Campuses to give peace of mind and help all staff and students. They can be contacted by phoning +353 1 700 5999 at any time.

In addition to this, students are encouraged to download the SafeZone App to efficiently call DCU security, allowing them to respond quickly to any alerts.

DCU Estates Office Security Team was awarded the prestigious customer service award ‘WorldHost Business Recognition’ to mark its unstinting levels of top-class customer care (September 2022).

Information regarding on-campus accommodation can be found here.

Information and supports regarding off-campus accomodation can be found here.

DCU is well served by public transport. See here for a full list of routes that serve DCU. Information on parking on campus can be found here.

The DCU Student's Union (DCUSU) is the representative body of all 18,000 + DCU students. As soon as you become a student, your are automatically a member of DCUSU. 

DCUSU run fun, educational and engaging events throughout the year and supports and advocates for students on a local and national level. Their website lists a wide variety and opportunities and supports and their contact information.

Financial wellness is important to all in order to be in a position to enjoy your time in university.  Preparing a budget prior to commencing your year, re-assessing it on a monthly basis and adjusting when necessary will assist you in this goal. Click here for more information on Financial Survival at University and how to set goals.

The Student Assistance Fund (SAF)

This fund provides support for part-time and full-time students who are experiencing short or long-term financial difficulties while attending higher education. 

Applications to the SAF open for three weeks in both semesters, however emergency applications can also be made outside of these timeframes.

Queries should be sent to studentassistancefund@dcu.ie or phone 00 353 1 700 60 55.

The 1916 Bursary Fund is a targeted funding scheme established by the Department of Education and Skills to support the implementation of the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-2019. The National Access Plan is working to increase the number of students who are currently under-represented in higher education. 

The Bursary is being offered to undergraduate students experiencing socio-economic disadvantage who are commencing third level education in September 2023 for the first time - and will fund the entire duration of a student's programme of study.

Information for applicants can be found here.

A list of FAQs can be found here.

Another useful website is accesscollege.ie

DCU applicants with a permanent home address in Northern Ireland, may be eligible to apply for a McAleese Scholarship. The scholarship includes a cash award and allows successful applicants to gain one of up to five reserved places across a number of DCU undergraduate courses. 

Entry Requirements, Eligibility and Application Forms can be found here.

For further information about this scholarship, call Registry on 01-7005338 or email your query to: ugadmissions@dcu.ie

Student's intending to go to DCU who have achieved a very high level of sporting performance and who are committed to continuing to develop their sporting and academic careers can apply for a CAO Points Concession and a Sports Scholarship.

Applications for programmes for the 2023-2024 academic year will open on the 1st of February 2023.

The closing date for receipt of applications is the 1st of May 2023 at 5.15pm. Late Applications will not be accepted.

More information about the CAO Points Concession and Sports Scholarships can be found here.

HEAR / DCU Access Service

The DCU Access Service co-ordinates a range of programmes aimed at increasing participation in higher education by students who, for a variety of financial or social reasons, might not view going to university as a viable option. Find out if you are eligible to apply through DCU Access Service or HEAR (Higher Education Access Route).

Another useful website is accesscollege.ie

DARE / Disability & Learning Support Service

The aim of the Disability & Learning Support Service is to provide a student-centred multi-disciplinary service that empowers and enables students to reach their full potential in an inclusive learning environment. Read their FAQs here or learn more about DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) here.

Another useful website is accesscollege.ie

The DCU Student's Union are here to provide all manner of supports to students. Click here for their information on financial supports, or contact a member of the SU Team.

SUSI is a means-tested student grant, paid out monthly. For more information and to check your eligibility, please visit www.susi.ie.

DCU RAG (Raising & Giving) is a student run volunteering society on campus. They aim to support as many people as possible within the local community, including students. They offer a weekly foodbank service to DCU students who are struggling to buy food.  To avail of this completely confidential service, email ragdcufoodbank@gmail.com. 

Leaving certificate students will apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The CAO has provided a great resource dedicated to parents/guardians that includes how to support your child through the application process, an application demo, points calculator as well as important dates you should be aware of.

DCU Admissions Officer, Carol Grehan provides a guide through the CAO process here.