New Lecturer Starter Pack

Technological University Dublin, or TU Dublin, is Ireland's largest technological university. In TU Dublin, we pride ourselves on our practice-based, employer engaged, student-centred approach to learning.

TU Dublin has a history that stretches all the way back to 1887 when the first technical education classes were delivered at Kevin St. The College of Technology at Kevin St would later become part of Dublin Institute of Technology. In 2019 Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Tallaght and Institute of Technology Blanchardstown merged to form TU Dublin. You can read more about the University here.

TU Dublin's graduates are among the most employable in Ireland. Our programmes are designed to enable our students to develop our distinctive graduate attributes, such that they graduate as:

• Digitally capable, life-long learners
• Sustainability-focused, global citizens
• Collaborative, real-world problem solvers

TU Dublin is organised into five Faculties and twenty-five schools. Each Faculty has a Faculty Executive and Faculty Board led by the Faculty Dean. Each School is led by a Head of School assisted by Heads of Discipline.

TU Dublin's programmes are governed according to the University's quality framework. This includes all the policies, procedures, rules and regulations that ensure that our programmes provide students with a high quality learning experience.

The University Assessment Regulations set out all the rules relating to assessments and examinations, such as the implementation of TU Dublin's Grade Point Average system.

One of the first things you should do as a lecturer is find out about the programmes and modules on which you will be teaching.

All TU Dublin programmes and modules are described in detail in the Programme and Module Catalogue (PMC). You can log into the PMC using the University's single sign on facility. Once in the system, you can search for the programmes and the modules that you are teaching.

It is also important that you first read about the programme(s) on which you will be teaching. This involves reading in the PMC about the programme learning outcomes, the programme aims and objectives and the programme structure. This will help you to learn about the modules on the programme and see the connections between your own modules and the remainder of the programme.

It is important that you familiarise yourself fully with the details of each module you are teaching. This involves reading in the PMC about the learning outcomes for the module, the expected learning and teaching methods, the approved assessment strategy, and the indicative syllabus. You will also find out about the contact hours for the module which should be reflected in the timetabling system. The reading list associated with the module will be helpful to you as you start to prepare for your first classes.

You will be able to search for your timetable on the University's timetabling system. You can log into the timetabling system using the University's single sign on facility. 

Once you find out what classrooms you are using, you should familiarise yourself with the room and the technology in the room. Some rooms have been designed to support hyflex teaching. 

It is likely that you will be teaching on one of TU Dublin's five campuses, although you may be teaching on more than one. Three of the campuses are often collectively referred to as City Campus: these are Grangegorman, Bolton St, and Aungier St. All three are located in Dublin city centre. One of TU Dublin's campuses is located at Tallaght in south Dublin, and another is located at Blanchardstown in west Dublin. You can read more about TU Dublin's campuses here.

Once you know about your module and your timetable, you can start to build your module in the University's Virtual Learning Environment, Brightspace.

To get access to Brightspace, you will first need an account on the University's Banner system. If this has not already been set up for you, you can submit a Banner Account Request.

You can log into Brightspace using the University's single sign on facility. Once you log in, you will see shells (empty folders where you can build your module) for each of the modules to which you are attached in Banner. If you do not see one of your modules, this means that you have not been attached to the CRN (Course Reference Number) for your module. You should contact your school to request that this is updated.

There are extensive online guides and resources available to assist you in developing your modules in Brightspace.

There are a variety of teams across the University who are available to support you with your teaching and learning practice. This includes the Learning Teaching Assessment (LTA) team, the Sustainability Education team, the Digital Education team, the Library Services team and the Virtual Learning Environment team. You will find guides and resources on each of the team's websites that will assist you in designing your learning activities and assessments. 

Take the time to explore these resources.

All lecturers in TU Dublin are encouraged to sign up for the Postgraduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching as early as possible in their academic career. 

The programme is offered by the Learning Teaching Assessment (LTA) team to help prepare new lecturers to adopt an informed approach to teaching, learning and assessment. It equips lecturers with the knowledge and tools to develop a scholarly and reflective approach to teaching, critically evaluate their practice, and foster inclusive, student-centred learning environments.

The programme runs for one semester, for three hours on Wednesday mornings (10am to 1pm). Approximately half of the classes take place in-person with the other half online.

According to the TU Dublin policy on Academic Staff Obtaining a Learning and Teaching Qualification in TU Dublin (as of September 2026), "within three years of commencing employment with TU Dublin, all academic staff at Assistant Lecturer and Lecturer grades including pro-rata part-time posts, who do not currently have a teaching qualification or equivalent, are required to undertake the Postgraduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching" and "a teaching hours allowance of 3 hours per week will be provided for such academic staff undertaking the programme."

Graduates of the programme have consistently described the impact that it has had upon their teaching:

"I've taken so much from the programme — not just new tools and approaches, but a much deeper understanding of how and why I teach the way I do."

"A truly worthwhile experience! I learned so much from the LTA team and the other students in the cohort."

"One of the most rewarding and transformative learning experiences on a personal level. I know I’ll look back on this certificate as a key pivot in my teaching journey."

Read more about the Postgraduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching here.

Upon completion of the Postgraduate Certificate, lecturers can continue their professional development with the Learning Teaching Assessment (LTA) team by taking micro-credentials or digital badge mini-courses, or even pursuing the Master of Arts in Higher Education Practice (by stacking micro-credentials).

Read more about your professional development journey here.

There is a vibrant academic community in TU Dublin both within your school and across the University. Take the time throughout the academic year to engage with colleagues across the University by attending events such as the LTA Showcase (January), the Learnathon, the LTA Summer Showcase (June), and the annual Welcome Back Event (September). Join the TU Dublin Academic Book Club to meet others and discuss your teaching and learning practice.

Check out the supports that are available to staff to enhance your wellbeing, your personal development and your teaching, learning and assessment practice.

Take the time to learn a little about the supports available to your students in TU Dublin. This includes the support available through the Students' Union and through the University. 

If any of your students are having challenges with specific aspects of their academic work, you might refer them to the Mathematics Learning Centre, the Academic Writing and Learning Centre, or the Computing Learning Centre.

If your students have any questions regarding their registration, fees, student card, accommodation, financial aid, or any other aspects of their student experience, you can refer them in the first instance to the Student Hubs.

You might engage with, or encourage your students to engage with, the wide range of Student Support Services, such as the Career Development Centre's career coaches and career fairs, or the Access Service or the Disability Support Service, or the Chaplaincy, as examples.

You might consider encouraging your students to engage with student volunteering,student societies and our successful sports clubs and teams.

Welcome to TU Dublin and best of luck for your academic career.