Undergraduate Orientation Hub 2026 (January 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, where available, will be available from Thursday 18 December. Students will also receive programme orientation information directly from their Programme Chair.
• The Discover Series on Loop, your virtual learning environment, is now live and accessible to students who have already onboarded. Log in with your DCU credentials.
• Course Orientation activities may take place from 5th to 9th January. Some programmes will have Orientation the week before lectures, others the week of lectures.
• Teaching: Teaching begins on Monday, 12 January.

Lunchtime Welcome Webinars: 9 January 2026

We are hosting a series of lunchtime 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. Log in with your DCU credentials. 

The Discover Series will serve as your Orientation Companion as you make your transition to DCU. It's located on LOOP, our virtual learning environment. It's where you'll find your official DCU welcome, short activities and challenges you can complete to earn experience points (XP), prizes and the prestigious Digital Badges. It will also help you to develop your digital skills and learn how to use LOOP. 

TIP:

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

Accessing your Orientation Schedule
 

Key Dates:

• Pre-arrival Webinars: Friday 9th January.
• On-campus students: Schedules where available will be published from Thursday 18 January. You will also receive this information directly from your Programme Chair.
• Remote / Online students: You will receive information from your programme chair about your course-specific orientation.
• Early start programmes: You'll receive information from your Programme Chair directly about your course-specific orientation.
• Discover Series: After onboarding, start this gamified experience to prepare for your transition.

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

• Orientation Webinar will take 9th January. Please register here.

• Postgraduate classes commence on Monday, 12 January.

   

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, where available is searchable via your course title or code (eg DCU Common Entry to Engineering/DC200, MEng in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering/DC814)

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.