Undergraduate Orientation Hub

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 My DCU Companion App to help you navigate the transition. There are lots of events arranged on-campus and online during the first few weeks designed to help you settle in. 

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 across the campuses.

Key dates for January 2024 start

• My DCU Companion App is open from 20 December. Click here to access.
• UG Orientation activities take place between 8th and 19th January depending on your programme. International students should click on the International tile for more information. 
• UG Teaching: Semester 1 teaching begins on Monday 15th January.  

Key Dates for September 2023 start:

• My DCU Companion App will open mid-week, the week commencing Monday 28th August. Visit the My DCU pod on this page for access.
• Live Online Orientation activities commence the week of Monday 11 September. 
• On-campus Orientation for full-time programmes takes place from Monday 18th September. 
• First Year (CAO and fulltime UG programmes): Classes commence on Monday 25th September.

Online Students: Semester 1 teaching for remote/online students begins Monday 11th September. See the 'Online Students' tile below for further information about Orientation.

Additional Orientation 

We offer additional orientation for some the following student groups.

• International Students
• Online Students
• DARE/Students with a Disability
• HEAR/Access
• Mature and Further Education 
• Transfer, Deferral, Repeat

View the icons below to find out more.

My DCU - Your Orientation Companion

My DCU will serve as your Orientation Companion as you make your transition to DCU. MY DCU is 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 Discover DCU Digital Badge. It will also help you to develop your digital skills and learn how to use LOOP. 

TIP:

My DCU is best experienced on a tablet or laptop.  

MY DCU is available here.

Accessing your Orientation Schedule

Orientation Schedules for January 2024 are now available here 

Orientation Schedules for September 2023 are now available here

Get to know your new environment

A campus tour is a great way to get to know DCU, and one of our most popular features during Orientation.

Key Dates:

• Tours will take place from Friday 12th - Thursday 18th January. Booking is mandatory.
• Click here to make your booking.

Important: You will need to go to your preferred location 10 minutes before the tour starts so you can be checked in.

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.

When will I get my Course Orientation Schedule?

Visit the icon above for more information. 

Registration

Got a registration query?

Follow the instructions provided in your onboarding email. If you still have a question, visit the Registration FAQ located here 

Technology

How do I contact ISS?
You can log a ticket for support and advice with ISS through the following link, https://www.dcu.ie/iss. 

Does ISS have a Service Desk?
Contact the ISS Service Desk if you have:

• a problem with the computer you are using
• a query about how to print, scan, or photocopy on campus
• an issue with MFA
• forgotten your password
• problems using a software package

How do I connect to the DCU wireless network?
When using your personal device, you should always use the Eduroam Wi-Fi network. The Eduroam network is much safer than using free networks, like the ‘DCU Guest’ network available on campus. The network can be accessed on campus, in other Universities and some hospitals. Setting Eduroam up on your laptop is quick and easy and will protect your personal data in the long run. https://www.dcu.ie/iss/eduroam-wireless-wifi-network

How do I access my DCU email account?
All students can access their email through DCU Apps. DCU Apps is DCU’s installation of Google Workspace for education, a suite of online software applications that Google offers to educational institutions and non-profit organisations. The email account allows you to store mail and files using the Docs Upload facility. You can access this by clicking ‘Student Apps’ link on the footer of the DCU website: www.dcu.ie. 

How do I reset my DCU account password?
To reset or change your DCU account password, follow the instructions on the following link, https://www.dcu.ie/iss/dcu-password-reset. You will need to use the MFA app to complete the process.

What do ISS provide?
Information Systems Services, better known throughout the campus as ISS, offers Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) support and advice to DCU staff and students.

Where are ISS located?
ISS has service desks on both the Glasnevin and St Patricks campuses. The student service desks are located in the main libraries, the ground floor on Glasnevin campus library and first floor on St Patricks Campus library. Location, contact details, and hours of opening can be found below at https://www.dcu.ie/iss/contact.shtml. 

Got a query about Orientation?

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

A Special Welcome to Our International Students

January 2024

We are delighted to welcome you to DCU. An online international orientation event will take place on Thursday, 11th January, a detailed schedule will be available shortly. Each of the online sessions will be recorded and made available to anyone who is not able to attend on the day. There will also be lots of on-campus events to welcome you to DCU. 

You can also check out our special programme of on campus events and activities for international students. We will be hosting a social  event on the DCU Glasnevin Campus in the 'U'' Building on Thursday 18th from 3.30pm. Check back here for the link to register. 

If you are a student enrolling directly into a full degree programme in DCU, your programme orientation will be accessible via your course title or code (e.g. MEng in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering/DC814).

Key Dates

• Programme-Specific Orientation see schedules.
• Classes commence Monday 15th January.

International orientation is part of the General Orientation which will be an ongoing event throughout September.

Check out the 'Before you arrive' section located here. 

September 2023

We are delighted to welcome you to DCU this September. An online international orientation event will take place on Tuesday, September 5th. Each of the online sessions will be recorded and made available to anyone who is not able to attend on the day.  There will also be lots of on-campus events to welcome you to DCU, commencing the week of September 4th and taking place throughout the month of September.

If you are a visiting student, participating in an Erasmus+, Exchange or Study Abroad programme, your programme orientation will be accessible via the code of your stream of study (eg Humanities & Social Science Exchange stream/HMSAX, DCU Business School Study Abroad Stream/BSSAO).

If you are a student enrolling directly into a full degree programme in DCU, your programme orientation will be accessible via your course title or code (eg DCU Common Entry to Engineering/DC200, MEng in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering/DC814)

Key Dates

• All classes except first year undergraduate classes commence on Monday September 11th.  
• 1st Year Programme-Specific Orientation takes place the week of Monday 18th September. 
• 1st Year Classes commence Monday 25th September.

International orientation is part of the General Orientation which will be an ongoing event throughout September.

Check out the 'Before you arrive' section located here. 

Get a Head Start

Get ready for University and register for the Head Start programme. The Head Start Programme prepares mature students for a smooth transition to their academic life while building connections and community with other mature students. During this two-day online or in person programme, you'll attend workshops on campus as well as work through self-paced online courses and have the opportunity to review and practice academic writing and digital skills required by University,  familiarize yourself  with the campus, explore the available supports DCU has to offer, as well as hear from other mature students.

Key Dates

You may choose to join us online or in person, the content will be the same.

• Online - Monday and Tuesday, September 4th and 5th, or
• In person - Wednesday and Thursday, September 6th and 7th (Glasnevin Campus)

What is Ready, Set, DCU?

Ready, Set, DCU is a 1-day orientation programme specifically aimed at students entering DCU through the DARE scheme or students with a disability (under 23) entering DCU as a first-year in September.

Depending which course you are taking will determine which Session you are to attend. 

Key Dates (Provisional)

• September 2023 for those on Business or Humanities Programmes: Glasnevin Campus 10.00- 3pm
• September 2023 for those on Science, Health, Computing or Engineering Programmes: Glasnevin Campus 10.00- 3pm
• September 2023 for those on the Institute of Education programmes: St. Patrick's Campus 10.00- 3pm

Parents Information Talk (Online): September 2023
You will receive more detailed information from us in an email after CAO offers.

What will I gain from it?
Ready, Set, DCU is an opportunity to meet your classmates ONLINE and make friends with students who also come through the DARE route. You can find out about how the Disability and Learning Support Service can support you during your time as a student at DCU, and you can get to know the staff team. 

Does it cost anything?
No. Free of charge!

How do I sign up!
If you have been offered a place at DCU and applied through the DARE scheme or declared you have a disability on the CAO we will contact you directly to offer you a place on the programme.

If you are a FETAC student with a disability or did not declare on the CAO you can still attend, just send us an email.

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

Visit https://www.dcu.ie/disability/dlss-orientation for updates.

Welcome to our Access Students

The DCU Access Orientation Programme takes place on the dates listed below: Students will be contacted directly, early in September with the exact date they are required to attend:

Key Dates (Provisional)

• 11th September - Students based on DCU St. Patrick's Campus
• 14th September - Students based on the DCU Glasnevin Campus
• 15th September - Students based on the DCU Glasnevin Campus

This programme is designed to assist students to make the transition into the third-level learning environment. There is an emphasis on making friends, getting to know the DCU campuses, DCU Access staff and all the supports the university has to offer.

A Very Special Welcome to our Online Community of Learners

Thank you for choosing to study with DCU. Although you may be based primarily off-campus, we strongly encourage you to engage with your online orientation, our campus supports and college life as much as possible. 

Key Dates:

• Finally, don't forget to complete My DCU available from midweek the week commencing 21 August. 
• Your programme orientation information will be sent directly via your Programme Chair, but also check the 'Course Schedule' icon above.
• There will be a series of online webinars starting the week of the 4th September designed to help you settle in.
• You will have access to the DCU 'Head Start' online programme on LOOP. You may also choose to do the follow-up live sessions from the 4th to the 7th September. 
• Classes commence the week of 11th September. 

Reach out to our welcome team via the 'ASK' function or student.support@dcu.ie if you wish to speak to a Student Advisor. 

Advice

We strongly encourage you to attend your programme orientation and other opportunities to engage with activities on campus. 

Don't forget to reach out if you need support via student.support@dcu.ie.