Dublin Direct Enrollment - Dublin City University

The Liffy River flowing through the center of Dublin

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Overview

Quick Facts

City:

Dublin [1]

Country:

Ireland [2]

Program credits:

15-19 per semester

Language(s) of Instruction:

English

Language prerequisites:

None

You won’t need the luck of the Irish to have an unforgettable study abroad experience in Dublin. By directly enrolling at Dublin City University (DCU), you’ll have the joy of befriending the Irish, who are known for their hospitality. You’ll feel more at home knowing that Dublin has a young population (more than half of the city is under 25).

Dublin rewards the independent spirit with a diverse culture and a wide range of educational opportunities.

Dublin City University (DCU) offers a wide variety of challenging courses. This program appeals primarily to those students who are ready for the challenge of adapting to an entirely new academic culture that requires significant independent work.

Dublin will also be your classroom. Take in an Irish play at Abbey Theatre, the country’s national theater. Learn about Dublin’s history by exploring Dublin Castle which was built in 1204. Visit Trinity College Dublin to see The 7th Century Book of Kells, a masterful example of an illuminated manuscript, that is housed in its own climate controlled archive in the university’s old library. Welcome to study abroad!

We want you to feel at home in Dublin, so we will do everything we can to help you integrate into life in Dublin. Enrolling directly in an Irish institution through IES Abroad provides you with a chance to sample the local academic culture while still benefiting from the support of IES Abroad staff and housing.

Program Dates

These dates are preliminary and are subject to change. Students should not book flights according to these dates.

Academics

IES Abroad’s mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. That is why we partnered with Dublin City University.

Dublin City University (DCU)
www.dcu.ie [3]
Founded in 1980, Dublin City University (DCU) has made its mark as a leader in Ireland’s educational system. Ireland’s Sunday Times named DCU University of the Year for 2010. It hosts approximately 10,000 students and boasts a number of research centers which collaborate with domestic and international universities. The Helix, Ireland’s largest art center, is based on campus.

DCU’s main objective is to provide a lively educational and social environment, while encouraging a holistic approach to student development.

Courses
DCU courses are generally worth 5 ECTS credits each, and the conversion is 1 IES Abroad credit for every 2 ECTS credits. You will register for 15-19 IES Abroad credits.

Click on the links below for a list of potential DCU course offerings. Lab courses are not available to visiting students, including IES Abroad students.

Humanities (HMSAO) [4]
Business (BSSAO) [5]
Engineering and Computing (ECSAO) [6]
Science and Health (SHSAO) [7]

Courses are available within the following departments:

DCU Business School
Faculty of Engineering and Computing
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Science and Health
Royal Irish Academy of Music

Within these Schools and Faculties, the disciplines that are available to study abroad students are:

Applied Languages, Intercultural Studies
Biotechnology
Business
Chemical Sciences
Communications
Computing
Education
Engineering (Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical)
Health and Human Performance
Law and Government
Math
Physics

Location
Located in north Dublin, DCU occupies an expansive 85-acre campus with state-of-the-art facilities. Because it is served by several bus routes between north Dublin and south Dublin, the campus is very accessible.

Advising & Support

Even though you’re directly enrolling in one of our partner universities, there’s something IES Abroad wants you to know: we’re here for you if you need us.

Advising
Choosing and directly enrolling in courses abroad can be confusing and overwhelming. This is why we offer you predeparture advising that’s specific to your needs. Our goal is to provide support and guidance throughout your application and enrollment process. But our advising services don’t stop there. While you’re in Dublin, our staff is available to help you transition into your new home.

Support
The support services we offer IES Abroad direct enrollment students are specifically designed to help you achieve your study abroad goals as effectively and smoothly as possible. We know studying abroad is an adventure, and, at times, you may need help or just someone to talk to—that’s when our staff will be there for you.

On-Site Staff
Whether you have questions about academic requirements, housing, or well-being and safety, our Dublin-based IES Abroad staff is available to fully support you. Because of our close relationship with the universities in Dublin, IES Abroad is also able to offer unique academic, social, and cultural opportunities to you. Our staff in Dublin will accompany you throughout orientation, as well as the IES Abroad field trips and cultural events.

Housing

Our job is to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding what landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Dublin, it will feel like home.

Residence Halls - All students enrolled at DCU generally choose to live in university residence halls with local students. The residence hall suites are fully furnished and have fully-equipped kitchens. Each unit offers a wired Ethernet Internet connection. You share a suite with up to three roommates. Meal plans are not included.

Student Life

Part of making you feel at home in Dublin is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.

Orientation

When you arrive in Dublin, you participate in an orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Dublin staff, your fellow students, and the city of Dublin. Topics such as academics, housing, transportation, and health and safety are covered during this time.

Additionally, CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.

You also participate in DCU's orientation program for international students.

Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events

University Clubs & Events
While you’re in Dublin, joining a social or sports club is a great way to meet local students. DCU offers many clubs and societies to help you integrate into the local campus culture, including everything from Astronomy Club to Ultimate Frisbee.

Field Trips

Although your adventure begins in Dublin, our field trips to great locations in Ireland (and for Theatre Performance students, to London), provide contrast and context for what you are learning in Dublin. You share a portion of the cost with IES Abroad.

Glendalough
1 day
Visit the area’s two lakes and monastic ruins.

Northern Ireland
3 days
Take a famous “Black Cab Tour” of Belfast and visit Dunluce Castle, Bushmills Distillery, and the Giant’s Causeway, a World Heritage site.

County Kerry
3 days | Spring only
Visit Killarney National Park, the Dingle Peninsula, and other historic and natural sites.

Causey Farm
1 day
Visit an open farm where you will have the chance to try out Irish dancing, bake traditional Irish bread, play hurling (Ireland’s national sport), and visit a bog.

IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and length of stay may vary according to term and availability.

Center

IES Abroad Dublin [8]

The IES Abroad Dublin Center occupies a red-brick Victorian building that was originally a post office and has been completely renovated. The Center is walking distance from St. Stephen’s Green and Trinity College.

Features include:

High-speed Internet, printer, photocopier and scanner access
A student lounge with study desks
Classrooms and a small library

Center staff:

Ashley Taggart
IES Abroad Center Director
Ashley Taggart has directed IES Abroad Dublin since it opened in Summer 2000. He previously lectured at IES Abroad London for five years. He holds a master's degree in Renaissance Literature and a doctorate in Modern Drama from the University of York. Originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland, he has written short stories and screenplays.

IES Abroad Staff
Caroline Enright
Student Welfare Officer and Internship Coordinator

Megan Markey
Assistant Director

Faculty
Geoffrey Corry
Peace and Conflict Studies
Master of Science Employee of Glencree Centre for Reconciliation Lecturer, University College Dublin

Ruth Ferguson
Art History Relations
Master of Arts, University College Dublin Curator, Newman House

Regina Fitzpatrick
Irish Studies
Master of Arts, University College Dublin Researcher, Gaelic Athletic Association, Boston College

Darren Kelly
Anthropology
Candidate, Doctor of Philosophy, St. Patrick's College Lecturer, St. Patrick's College

Amanda Maguire
Theater
Actor/Writer for Theater Graduate of ALRA Licenciate, Guildhall School of Music and Drama

Stephen McMahon
Creative Writing and Literature
Master of Arts, Queen's University Belfast, Senior English Tutor and Lecturer, St. Patrick's College, Dublin City University

Michael Murray
Peace and Conflict Studies
Doctor of Social Science, National University of Ireland, Maynooth Researcher, Lecturer, National University Maynooth

Brendan O'Brien
Peace and Conflict Studies
Master of Arts, University of Ulster Journalist, RTE, Newstalk 106 Lecturer, University College Dublin

Gillian O'Brien
History
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Liverpool Lecturer, St. Patrick's College, Dublin City University

Michelle Piazza
Irish Studies
Master of Arts, Univeristy of Leeds, Doctoral Candidate Lecturer, University College Dublin

Cost