TU Dublin Access Routes
We aim to ensure that students of all backgrounds and nationalities can find a pathway to higher education that suits their circumstances at different stages of their lives and careers. Please take some time to look at the various Access entry routes outlined below and feel free to contact us for further information. We are more than happy to give you advice on which entry route might be suitable for your individual needs and to support you in making your application.
Places for Access Entry Route students are reserved on most of our courses - TU Dublin HEAR DARE Access Places 2026
Access TU Dublin is aimed at school leavers (under the age of 23 of the year of application) from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who would like to study a full-time undergraduate course in TU Dublin and who are resident in the Republic of Ireland.
How do I apply?
Access TU Dublin Application Form – 2026 Entry
Applications close on Friday 24th April 2026 at 5pm
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for Access TU Dublin, applicants must:
- Be under 23 years of age on January 1 of the year of application
- Be from a socio-economically disadvantaged background
- Have completed or be completing the Leaving Certificate
- Reside in the Republic of Ireland
- Wish to study a full-time undergraduate programme at TU Dublin
Applicants must:
- Make an application through CAO and must select at least one TU Dublin course
- Complete the online ‘Access TU Dublin Application Form’ for 2026
Applicants must meet any THREE of the following:
1. Income: Your family income falls on or below the HEAR Income limit for the assessment year 2024 (see table).
| Number of dependent children * in your family | HEAR Income Limit |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 4 | €46,790 |
| 4-7 | €51,325 |
| More than 8 | €55,630 |
| Add €4,785 to the total family/household income for every sibling/parent enrolled in a full-time college, university or Post Leaving Certificate course. | |
* A dependent includes:
- A sibling under the age of 16 years on 1 October 2024.
- A sibling over the age of 16 years on 1 October 2024 who is either:
- Attending post primary education
- Attending a full-time course in FET or higher education
- Medically certified as permanently unfit for work
- A parent attending a full-time course in FET or higher education
2. Medical/GP Visit Card: Your family has a Medical Card/GP Visit Card that is in date on December 31st, 2025.
3. Means Tested Social Welfare: Your family received a means-tested payment from the Department of Social Protection for at least 26 weeks in 2024.
4. Area Profile: You live in an area of concentrated disadvantage, marked by high unemployment, poverty, and low levels of higher education. Applicants who experienced homelessness during their post-primary education and are registered on the Pathway Accommodation and Support System (PASS) will meet the Area Profile criteria.
5. DEIS School: You are attending/have attended a DEIS secondary school (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) as compiled by the Department of Education.
Automatic Eligibility
- Member of the Traveller community (Automatic Eligibility on supply of documented proof)
- Member of the Roma community (Automatic Eligibility on supply of documented proof)
- Currently in the Care of the State/Tusla (the Child and Family Agency) or previously in Care of the State/HSE (Automatic Eligibility on supply of documented proof)
- Young Parent (Automatic Eligibility on supply of documented proof)
Why Apply?
Students who enter college through an access entry route experience a number of benefits.
- Reduced points CAO offers for courses in TU Dublin provided you meet the minimum entry requirements.
- An Orientation Programme to introduce you to college life
- Financial advice and guidance (student financial assistance funds available)
- Support from staff in the Access Support Service
- Peer mentoring and social gatherings
- Additional academic support if required
- Volunteering and Leadership opportunities
Further Information
If you have questions about your application or require support with your application, please contact accessentryroutes@tudublin.ie or call +35312208440.
The QQI Access TU Dublin entry route is aimed at students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who have completed or are completing a full QQI Level 5 or 6 course and are applying for a TU Dublin course.
How do I apply?
QQI Access TU Dublin Application Form – 2026 Entry
Applications close on Friday 24th April 2026 at 5pm
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for QQI Access TU Dublin, applicants must:
- Be under 23 years of age on January 1 of the year of application
- Be from a socio-economically disadvantaged background
- Have completed or be completing a full QQI Level 5 or Level 6 award
- Reside in the Republic of Ireland
- Wish to study a full-time undergraduate programme at TU Dublin
Applicants must:
- Make an application through CAO and must select at least one TU Dublin course
- Complete the online ‘QQI Access TU Dublin Application Form’ for 2026
Applicants must meet any THREE of the following:
1. Income: Your family income falls on or below the HEAR Income limit for the assessment year 2024 (see table below).
| Number of dependent children * in your family | HEAR Income Limit |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 4 | €46,790 |
| 4-7 | €51,325 |
| More than 8 | €55,630 |
| Add €4,785 to the total family/household income for every sibling/parent enrolled in a full-time college, university or Post Leaving Certificate course. | |
* A dependent includes:
- A sibling under the age of 16 years on 1 October 2024.
- A sibling over the age of 16 years on 1 October 2024 who is either:
- Attending post primary education
- Attending a full-time course in FET or higher education
- Medically certified as permanently unfit for work
- A parent attending a full-time course in FET or higher education
2. Medical/GP Visit Card: Your family has a Medical Card/GP Visit Card in date on December 31st, 2025.
3. Means Tested Social Welfare: Your family received a means-tested payment from the Department of Social Protection for at least 26 weeks in 2024.
4. Area Profile: You live in an area of concentrated disadvantage, marked by high unemployment, poverty, and low levels of higher education. Applicants who experienced homelessness during their post-primary/further education and training and are registered on the Pathway Accommodation and Support System (PASS) will meet the Area Profile criteria.
5. DEIS School: You have attended a DEIS secondary school (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) as compiled by the Department of Education.
Automatic Eligibility
- Member of the Traveller community (Automatic Eligibility on supply of documented proof)
- Member of the Roma community (Automatic Eligibility on supply of documented proof)
- Currently in the Care of the State/Tusla (the Child and Family Agency) or previously in Care of the State/HSE (Automatic Eligibility on supply of documented proof)
- Young Parent (Automatic Eligibility on supply of documented proof)
Why Apply?
Post-Entry Supports
Students who enter college through an access entry route experience a number of benefits.
Students who enter college through an access entry route experience a number of benefits.
- Reduced points CAO offers for courses in TU Dublin provided you meet the minimum entry requirements.
- An Orientation Programme to introduce you to college life
- Financial advice and guidance (student financial assistance funds available)
- Support from staff in the Access Support Service
- Peer mentoring and social gatherings
- Additional academic support if required
- Volunteering and Leadership opportunities
Further Information
If you have questions about your application or require support with your application, please contact accessentryroutes@tudublin.ie or call +35312208440.
The Access Foundation Programme (AFP) is a one-year full-time course preparing students, both personally and academically, to pursue undergraduate programmes at TU Dublin. Graduates from the programme move on to undergraduate courses across a range of disciplines offered at the university, including Science and Health, IT and Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, Social Science, Business, Hospitality, Arts and Tourism.
The AFP forms part of TU Dublin’s commitment to extending access to education to people from communities lacking a strong tradition of participation in third-level education. The course is of particular benefit to adults who’ve been out of education for a long time, or who did not complete a Leaving Certificate. In addition, we welcome applications from people whose skills no longer allow them to access the labour market.
Please see the course page for further details.
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