Postgraduate Orientation Hub 2026 (September Intake)

We're delighted to welcome you to DCU

Orientation is an important time to help you find your feet. We've designed this Orientation Hub and the Discover Series Companion to help you navigate the transition.

Key Dates: 

• Orientation schedules for postgraduate programmes will be available in late August. Students will also receive programme orientation information directly from their Programme Chair.
• The Discover Series, an essential online transition programme hosted on LOOP and designed as a comprehensive roadmap for navigating university life will be available after you onboard your DCU account. 
• Course Orientation activities may take place from 31 August to 11 September. Some programmes will have Orientation the week before lectures, others the week of lectures.
• Teaching: Teaching begins on Monday, 7 September.

Lunchtime Welcome Webinars: Wednesday 2 - Friday 4 September 2026

We are hosting a series of lunchtime webinars,including mandatory Consent* webinars, to help you settle in at DCU before the on-campus orientation. 

The on-campus events and activities throughout orientation are designed to be fun, welcoming and serve to demonstrate what our 'DCU Campus culture' is all about. Students will also be able to pre-book campus tours on the Glasnevin campus. If you want to explore our campuses from the comfort of your home, you can use our new exciting tool: DCU Campus Explorer.

Discover Series - Your Orientation Companion

Get started after you onboard. 

The Discover Series is an essential online transition programme hosted on Loop. Designed as a comprehensive roadmap for navigating university life, it helps you develop the core skills necessary for long-term academic and personal success. 

TIP:

The Discover Series is best experienced on a tablet or laptop. 

Accessing your Orientation Schedule
 

Key Dates:

• Orientation runs over the period of 31 August - 11 September
• Pre-arrival Webinars: Wednesday 2 September - Friday 4 September
• On-campus students: Schedules will be live in late August. You will also receive this information directly from your Programme Chair.
• Teaching starts on Monday September 7. 
• Remote / Online students: You will receive information from your programme chair about your course-specific orientation. Remote/Online student teaching starts on Monday September 7. 
• Early start programmes: You'll receive information from your Programme Chair directly about your course-specific orientation.
• Discover Series: After onboarding, engage with this comprehensive roadmap for navigating university life which helps you develop the core skills necessary for long-term academic and personal success. 

Our new Campus Ambassador will help you get settled in and find locations across the campuses. It also links to Campus Explorer, a digital twin of DCU!

• Quickly find locations, schools, buildings, and departments
• Browser-based and mobile-friendly, best experienced on a laptop or large screen

• Experience a campus through 360° models

   

Get Started now>>

Get to know your new environment

Join us for a guided tour of the campus! This is a great opportunity to explore key buildings, discover important student services, and get a feel for your new environment. Whether it's your first time here or you just need a refresher, this tour will help you feel more at home on campus. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Orientation

Is attendance at Orientation compulsory?

You are strongly encouraged to attend the core elements of Orientation and your course Orientation.  There will also be lots of opportunities to engage in university life, designed to help you settle in.

Got a query about Orientation?

Click on the red 'ASK' button to link in with us.  

A Special Welcome to our International Students!

We are delighted to welcome you to DCU! We have prepared a series of lunchtime Welcome Webinars, as well as social events, and you should also check out events that the Students' Union is organising.

Key Dates

• International Orientation Webinar will take place on Tuesday 1 September. 

• Postgraduate classes commence on Monday 7 September

   

International Student Support
Check out the International Student Support page for more information to support you before you arrive on campus and during your transition.

Prepare for arrival with the International Student Handbook online, and the downloadable post-arrival handbook.

Your programme orientation schedule (link tbc)will be searchable via your course title or code (eg DCU Common Entry to Engineering/DC200, MEng in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering/DC814)

A Special Welcome for PG Research Students

Welcome to all incoming and continuing postgraduate research students here in DCU. An orientation will be held on 17 September, details tbc.

Please check your DCU email account for more details received from training.graduatestudies@dcu.ie email.

What is DLSS?

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.

Visit https://www.dcu.ie/disability 

If you have any questions or queries you can contact us at disability.service@dcu.ie.