Find out more information on Academic & Financial Supports available.
At TU Dublin we provide as much support as possible to enhance the third level learning experience for all our students. Additional supports that students find particularly beneficial are provided via the Mathematics Learning Centre (MLC) and the Academic Writing Centre (AWC).
The following supports are available free of charge.
Mathematics Learning Centre
- Struggling with maths?
- Getting along OK but know that you can do better?
Attend the Mathematics Learning Centre!
How can they help you?
They have a team of dedicated tutors who provide free, impartial and non-judgemental support to students of all mathematical abilities. No appointment is necessary, just drop in to one of their centres with your notes, and one of their tutors will help you, on a one-to-one basis, in any area of maths you find difficult.
This is a free service available to all undergraduate students from any programme in TU Dublin. Students can attend as many times as they wish.
Contact details
Email them at: mlsc@tudublin.ie
Academic Writing Centre
The Academic Writing Centre (AWC) at TU Dublin provides a free and friendly support to students from all disciplines (Arts & Humanities, Business, STEM).
They understand that completing an academic writing assignment is a process that requires time and commitment. The AWC tutors aim to support and guide you through this process, from start to completion. Their approach to supporting students is collaborative and non-prescriptive and it will help you develop your competence as a writer in an academic setting.
At the AWC, the team help you develop as an independent, confident writer in an academic setting. They offer a range of supports such as pre-booked one-to-one appointments, they also offer thematic workshops on aspects of academic writing.
At one-to-one appointments, you will have the unique opportunity to discuss your specific writing concern with a tutor. All AWC activities are currently online.
The AWC also provide online resources to help develop your academic writing and study skills.
Contact Details
Email: academicwritingcentre@tudublin.ie
Study Skills Workshops
Study Skills Workshops are designed to improve your learning skills and help you achieve your academic goals. Please check back for details of workshops throughout the academic year.
Grinds Support
If the above two Centres cannot offer you the academic assistance you need, you can submit a request for free grinds from a Tutor employed by the TU Dublin Access Service. The Grinds request form will be available from October each year and will be posted on this page and sent to all Access Students via email. Please see strict guideline regarding grinds support below;
- Please note these grinds are only for students registered with the Access Service
- Complete one grinds form for each subject you are seeking assistance with
- We do not offer grinds in Maths during term time as the Maths Learning centre is available to support you
- Please note that we cannot guarantee Tutors are available in all subjects you request
- If a Tutor is available in a subject you request, this Tutor will contact you directly via email to arrange weekly group times to meet
- You are expected to attend the grinds sessions you request once a week at the day and time you agree with your Tutor
- Maximum of 8 hours per subject are available to each Access Student
- Please note that these weekly grinds sessions are NOT an additional lecture, but rather an opportunity for you to bring lecture notes, ask questions and interact with tutors to help you better understand your modules
- You must sign in at each session.
1916 Bursary Fund
The 1916 Bursary Fund was first announced by the Minister for Education and Skills on 30 December 2017 with the purpose of encouraging participation and success by students from sections of society that are significantly under-represented in higher education.
In February 2020 the Department of Education and Skills announced the rollout of the 1916 bursary fund for a further 3 years starting in 2020/21.
1916 Bursary - Eligibility Criteria
Eligible 1916 Bursary applicants must have been resident in the State (Republic of Ireland) for three of the past five years on the date on which their first year of study commences AND be from one or more of the following priority groups or from any priority group identified as part of the next National Access Plan (2022-2028):
- students from communities, groups or areas that are socio-economically disadvantaged or that have low levels of participation in higher education, including those who have experienced homelessness, the care system, survivors of domestic violence, and those who have experience of the criminal justice system;
- socio-economically disadvantaged mature students (23 or older on 1 January of their year of entry to higher education – and having never previously accessed higher education);
- “second-chance” socio-economically disadvantaged mature students;
- students with a disability;
- students who are carers (confirmed by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) as holding a long-term means-tested carer’s allowance);
- members of Irish Traveller community and Roma community;
- lone parents or teen parents (confirmed by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) as holding a long-term means-tested social welfare payment);
- Students who are migrants, refugees or who are from ethnic minorities who are lawfully present in the State; and
- Further education and training award holders progressing to higher education, from the named priority groups outlined above
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they would qualify for the highest level (the special rate) of SUSI grant and/or are in receipt of a Department of Social Protection (DSP) long-term means-tested social welfare payment.
Full eligibility criteria are set out in the Guidelines for Academic Year 2022/2023
1916 Bursaries - 2022/2023
Since 2021/22, three tiers of bursaries have been available for awarding to students:
- Tier 1 – €5,000 per annum: for the duration of studies awarded to new entrant undergraduate students. Tier 1 bursaries will also be paid as a student progresses into postgraduate study.
- Tier 2 – €2,000 per annum: Bursaries for the duration of studies to new entrant undergraduate students who met the criteria for the 1916 Bursary but who did not ultimately qualify on the cluster’s order of merit for a Tier 1 bursary. Tier 2 bursaries will also be paid as a student progresses into postgraduate study.
- Tier 3 – Once-off bursary of €1,500 payable for the 2022/23 academic year only
- More information: This once-off bursary will be awarded to students who met the criteria for the 1916 Bursary but who did not ultimately qualify on the cluster’s order of merit for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 bursary. The provision of this once-off bursary is in recognition of the exceptional circumstances that incoming students will experience when starting college in 2022/23 and the impact of Covid-19 on family incomes of students from target groups.
In July 2022, the Department of Further and Higher Education announced an additional 50 Tier 1 bursaries for new entrants in the 2022/23 academic year bringing the total of Tier 1 bursaries to 250.
Further information on the application process will be available from this website soon.
Student Assistance Funds (SAF)
Access Students can apply for either the Access SAF or the General SAF or the Rent Assistance scheme.
The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides, where possible, limited support to whole-time TU Dublin students in severe financial difficulties due to unforeseen circumstances or students who are disadvantaged and require additional financial support to continue their third-level studies.
Students not entitled to a SUSI grant may apply for the Student Assistance Fund where a higher parental income criterion applies.
For more information on Financial Supports available for the Campus you are attending here.
Access Student Assistance Fund 2022/23
The Access SAF helps support you financially as the college year begins. It is administered on a first come first served basis, we strongly encourage you to submit your application as quickly and efficiently as possible.
The Access SAF opens for applications for the 2022/23 academic year the week beginning September 12th for second to fifth years and on Saturday September 24th for first year students.
Please note you must be a registered Access student to apply, additionally you must complete the application form using your TU Dublin student email account.
You will receive an email from the Access Service to alert you when the Access SAF opens, the email includes a link to the application form and information on how to complete the form. Follow the directions carefully to ensure that your application is processed as efficiently as possible. Ensure all questions within the form are answered accurately and supporting documents are submitted as requested.
Processing of applications can take up to 4/6 weeks and longer if applications are not completed properly.
Financial Concerns
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please speak to your Access Service Project Officer - access.city@tudublin.ie
External Financial Supports
Student Grants - Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI)
The majority of students registered with the Access Service will be eligible for a SUSI Grant.
You MUST apply for a grant as soon as possible as it will cover the cost of your Student Contribution Charge.
New students / first time SUSI applicants:
Please click here to apply for the SUSI grant
Amounts of the SUSI grants vary, but many students will be eligible to full maintenance. In addition, some students will be eligible for a special top-up grant. Please check www.studentfinance.ie for more information.
SUSI Application / Renewal
You must renew your application for each year of your course. For example, if you held a grant from SUSI in 2020/21 and are continuing your studies on the same course in the 2022/23 academic year, SUSI will be in contact with you by email to advise you to renew your grant application.
Please click here for more information on how to renew your SUSI grant.
Additional Financial Support
Other scholarships are available to some Access Students and details of these can be found on www.studentfinance.ie – Other Bursaries and Scholarships.
The Student Contribution Charge is a charge that applies to anyone who enrols on a full-time undergraduate course in TU Dublin, and most other colleges. It covers the costs of providing a wide range of student and administration services to you as a student. The Student Contribution Charge is charged for each year that you are registered as a full-time undergraduate student.
Students enrolling in first year receive a bill for this charge following their acceptance of a course offer. You may be required to pay either:
(a) none of it(if in receipt of SUSI Grant),
(b) part of it or
(c) all of it.
Your household or family financial income is assessed or 'means tested' to determine if you qualify for SUSI Grant. If you do not apply for a SUSI grant, then you may be liable for the full cost of the Student Contribution Charge yourself.
SUSI Grant
The majority of students registered with the Access Service will be eligible for a SUSI Grant.
You MUST apply for a grant as soon as possible as it will cover the cost of your Student Contribution Charge. You can apply for the grant via www.studentfinance.ie.
SUSI will not cover the cost of a repeat year, whether in the same course or a new one.