Undergraduate 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 undergraduate programmes will be available in early September.
• 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 will take place from 7 - 11 September. 
• Teaching: Teaching for first year undergraduates begins on Monday, 14 September.

Lunchtime Welcome Webinars: Wednesday 2 - Friday 4 September 2026

We are hosting a series of lunchtime webinars and 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:

• Pre-arrival Webinars: Wednesday 2 - Friday 4 September.
• On-campus students: Schedules will be live in early September. You will also receive this information directly from your Programme Chair. Undergraduate teaching starts on Monday September 14.
• 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. 

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. 
• Undergraduate orientation will run from Monday 7 September to Friday 11 September
• UG First Year classes commence on Monday 14 September
• UG Progressing Years classes (2nd to 4th year) 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 (available early September) will be searchable via your course title or CAO code.

Welcome to our QQI students. Futher information is available about pre-entry and QQI orientation is available here.

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.

Welcome to our mature students. Futher information is available about pre-entry and Mature Orientation is available here.

Tuesday 1st September 2026 

Mature & FE Welcome Day on Glasnevin Campus

Wednesday 9th September 2026 Meet and Greet for Mature & FE students on St Patrick's Campus

DCU Access (HEAR) Orientation takes place the week before the main DCU Orientation. This year, it will be held as follows. 

• Students studying on St Patrick's Campus, Orientation: Thursday 3rd September 2026
• Students studying on the Glasnevin Campus, Orientation: Friday 4th September 2026

Further information

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.

Depending which course you are taking will determine which Session you are to attend, please see below:

• Tuesday 1st of September 2026 for those on the Institute of Education Programmes:
  • St. Patrick's Campus 
• Wednesday 2nd of September 2026 for those on Business and Humanities Programmes:
  • Glasnevin Campus 
• Thursday 3rd of September 2026 for those on Science, Health, Computing and Engineering Programmes:
  • Glasnevin Campus 

Additional information here