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. Details of reserved places for entry in 2023.
Access TU Dublin is aimed at school leavers, from socio economically disadvantaged backgrounds who would like to study a full time undergraduate course in TU Dublin.
How do I apply?
Applications are now closed.
Why Apply?
Pre-Entry Supports:
- Application Support from TU Dublin Access Service staff
- Reduced points CAO offers for courses in TU Dublin provided you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Post Entry Supports:
- Orientation programme before you begin your programme
- Financial advice and guidance (student financial assistance funds available)
- Support from staff in the Access Service
- Peer mentoring
- Additional academic support if required
- Volunteering and Leadership opportunities
Please Note:
The Access Service will only make reduced points offers in Round 1. If you are eligible and receive an offer in a later CAO round, you will be supported by either the Access Service and/or the Disability Support Service. If you are eligible and receive a CAO offer after round 1, please contact 01 220 7113 to avail of supports from the Access Service.
Criteria
Essential:
- Submit an Access TU Dublin application form
- Apply via CAO (based on leaving cert results) for full time undergraduate entry in Autumn 2023
- Under the age of 23 years on January 1 2023
Meet ONE of the following:
- Member of the Traveller community (Automatic Eligibility on supply of documented proof)
- In the care of, or recently in the care of, the Health Service Executive (HSE) or Tusla (Automatic Eligibility on supply of documented proof)
- Attending a TU Dublin Link or Partner DEIS School
- Be resident in one of the following post codes – Dublin 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24
- Submit a letter of support, written by a relevant person, with your application stating that Access TU Dublin is appropriate for you.
Meet THREE of the following financial & social and cultural indicators:
- Parents have not gone to college (higher education)
- Applicant has attended a DEIS school for at least 2 years
- Be from a socio economic group underrepresented in higher education
- Live in an area of urban or rural disadvantage
- Family received a means tested payment from the Department of Social Protection for at least 26 weeks in 2021
- Family income was below the following amounts in 2021
| 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 income for every sibling/parent enrolled in a full-time college, university or Post Leaving Certificate further education course | |
Further Information
If you have questions or concerns around your application please contact Claire Dunne or Dolores Hill (Pre-Entry Officers) at access.city@tudublin.ie or call us on 01-220 8346
The QQI Access TU Dublin entry route is aimed at students, from a socio economically disadvantaged background, who have completed a QQI Level 5 and 6 course and are applying for entry onto year one of a TU Dublin course through the Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS).
QQI functions include those previously carried out by the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC); the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC); the Irish Universities Quality Board (IUQB) and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI).
How do I apply?
Applications are now closed.
Why Apply?
Pre-Entry Supports:
- Application Support from TU Dublin Access Service staff
- Reserved places for successful applicants for courses in TU Dublin where applications are made through the higher education links scheme (HELS). Please note that you must meet the required number of distinctions and any specified modules required.
Post Entry Supports:
- Orientation programme before you begin your programme
- Financial advice and guidance (student financial assistance funds available)
- Support from staff in the Access Service
- Peer mentoring
- Additional academic support if required
- Volunteering and Leadership opportunities
Criteria
Essential:
- Submit a QQI Access TU Dublin application form
- Have completed or be in the process of completing a full QQI Level 5 or Level 6 award
- Apply via CAO to the higher education links scheme (HELS) for full time undergraduate entry in Autumn 2023 on the basis of your QQI results. Please note that this scheme is not open to advanced entry applicants.
- Under the age of 23 years on January 1 2023
Meet THREE of the following financial & social and cultural indicators:
- Member of the Traveller community (Automatic Eligibility on supply of documented proof)
- In the care of, or recently in the care of, the Health Service Executive (HSE) or Tusla (Automatic Eligibility on supply of documented proof)
- Parents have not gone to college (higher education)
- Attended a TU Dublin Link or Partner DEIS School for at least 2 years
- Be from a socio economic group underrepresented in higher education
- Live in an area of urban or rural disadvantage
- Family received a means tested payment from the Department of Social Protection for at least 26 weeks in 2021
- Family income is below the following amounts in 2021
| 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 income for every sibling/parent enrolled in a full-time college, university or Post Leaving Certificate further education course | |
Further Information
If you have questions or concerns around your application please contact Claire Dunne or Dolores Hill (Pre-Entry Officers) at access.city@tudublin.ie or call us on 01-220 8346
What is the Access Foundation Programme?
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.
How to Apply?
The Access Foundation Programme is now open for applications.
Closing date for applications is September 1st 2023.
Young Adult application (If you were 21 or under on January 1st 2023): Apply Now
Mature Student application form (If you were 22 or over on January 1st 2023) : Apply Now
What will you study?
The AFP runs from September to May each year and is full-time with approximately 24 hours of class time per week with a further 20 hours of independent study. Classes take place between the hours of 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. Students take six compulsory modules and two optional modules each semester. Optional modules are chosen from a range of modules in the areas of science, engineering, business, social science, art and computing. Students will develop the skills needed to undertake an undergraduate qualification at TU Dublin, learn how to research and write academic work, and improve their communication and information technology skills.
| Modules | Core Modules (Mandatory) | Options (Two of the following) |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 |
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| Semester 2 |
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How do students progress into undergraduate programmes?
Students who successfully complete the AFP will be offered a place on a suitable undergraduate course at TU Dublin through a facilitated entry process. We offer guidance and support during the year to help students to identify undergraduate options.
Am I suitable or ready for the AFP?
Candidates are assessed for their academic suitability. The following are considered:
- Educational experience and qualifications. Particular emphasis is paid to educational experiences over the last five years. You should detail all relevant educational experiences including secondary school qualifications, experience of further adult education and training, as well informal education or non-certified courses. Please include a copy of any relevant qualifications or certificates.
- Work and volunteering experience. You should detail your work experience.
- Essay and personal statement. You are required to submit a handwritten essay and personal statement.
Other Entry Requirements
- Applicants who already hold a higher-education qualification, with no evidence of deterioration in academic ability, are deemed ineligible.
- Applicants must have the right to live and study in Ireland.
- Irish/EU passport, a stamp 4 visa or be able to show they are within the International Protection system in Ireland.
Fees and Grants
- The AFP is free for participants.
- Students are not eligible for the SUSI grant.
- Students in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment may be eligible for the Back to Education Allowance.
Contact Information
Access Foundation Programme Co-Ordinator - Bobby Maher
E: bobby.maher@tudublin.ie T: 353 872904609
