Undergraduate Orientation Hub 2025-26

We're delighted to welcome you to DCU

Key Dates for September 2025 

(Full-time On Campus Students)

On-line orientation: 1 to 5 September 2025

We are hosting a series of lunchtime webinars to help new students settle in at DCU before the on-campus orientation. Active*Consent webinars take place this week and you must attend your Faculty-specific one.   

On-campus Orientation: 8 to 13 September (In-person courses only)

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 of our campuses. 

This week you will have your Programme Orientation

If you want to explore our campuses from the comfort of your home, you can use our new exciting tool: DCU Campus Explorer.

Classes commence: Monday, 15 September

Lunchtime Welcome Webinars:1 to 5 September 2025

On-campus Orientation: 8 to 13 September (In-person courses only)

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 of our campuses. 

This week you will have your Programme Orientation

If you want to explore our campuses from the comfort of your home, you can use our new exciting tool: DCU Campus Explorer.

Classes commence: Monday, 15 September

Online Students only: 

Lunchtime Welcome Webinars: 1 to 5 September 2025

We are hosting a series of lunchtime webinars to help new students settle in at DCU. 

Semester 1 teaching: Remote/online classes begin from Monday, 8 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 Students
• Transfer, Deferral, Repeat

View the icons below to find out more.

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 Course Orientation Schedule

<<In-person Course Orientation Schedules 
(subject to change)>>

Don't forget pre-arrival webinars start 1st September. See 'Orientation Explained' tile.

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. Tours start Tuesday, 26th August.

Book your tour here 

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 Course Orientation tile above for more information.

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 on Monday, September 1. Register here

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.

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.

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 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,  familiarise yourself  with the campus, explore the available supports DCU has to offer, as well as hear from other mature students.

Key Dates

• 1 September, Glasnevin campus

What is DLSS Connect?

DLSS Connect 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

• 2 September, Glasnevin campus
• 3 September, Glasnevin campus
• 4 September, St Patrick's campus, Drumcondra

Parents Information Talk (Online): Additional information will be available on in your offer correspondence. 

What will I gain from it?
DLSS Connect 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-connect 

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

• 4 September, St Patrick's campus, Drumcondra
• 5 September, 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:

• Don't forget to start your Discover Series after onboarding. Log in with your DCU credentials.
• Your programme orientation information will be sent directly via your Programme Chair, but also check the 'Course Schedule' tile above.
• There will be a series of online webinars starting the week of the 1 September designed to help you settle in.
• Classes commence the week of 8 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. 

Discover the campus life at DCU. The Office of Student Life has a packed schedule of fun, social events, designed to help you settle in.