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?

• Applications are now open - Apply Online Now

The closing date for completed application forms is Monday, 30th May 2025 at 5pm.

Why Apply?

Post Entry Supports

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

Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the TU Dublin Access Entry Route students must:

• Be under the age of 23 on January 1st of the year of application
• Be resident in Ireland
• Apply for a TU Dublin course via CAO.ie
• Be attending a TU Dublin Partner/Link DEIS School

Plus meet TWO of the following:

1. Income: Your family income falls on or below the HEAR Income limit for the assessment year (see table below).

* 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 up to date.

3. Means Tested Social Welfare: Your family received a means-tested payment from the Department of Social Protection for at least 26 weeks in the assessment year.

4. Area Profile: You live in an area where there is concentrated disadvantage – in other words an area where, for example, there is high unemployment and poverty and where only a small proportion of adults have attained third level education.

5. Socio-economic Group: You belong to a group that is under-represented in higher education based on the occupation and employment status of your parent(s) or guardian(s). The under-represented groups are the Non-Manual Workers Group and the Semi and Unskilled Manual Workers Group.

Automatic Eligibility

• 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)

Further Information

If you have questions about your application or require support with your application, please contact accessentryroutes@tudublin.ie or call 01 220 8440.

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?

The Access TU Dublin Application form is now closed. Applications will reopen in January 2025.

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 2024 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 2024

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 one of TU Dublin Link and Partner DEIS Schools 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 2022
• Family income is below the following amounts in 2022

Further Information

If you have questions or concerns about your application, please contact Conor O’Malley (Pre-Entry Officer) at access.city@tudublin.ie or call us at 01 220 8440.

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.

The Certificate in Hospitality Studies is a short-term educational programme focused on providing foundational knowledge and practical skills in the field of hospitality. It is designed to help graduates secure employment across the hospitality industry. The program is structured into 12 weeks of classes and 12 weeks of work placement. During the 12-week course, students will learn about different aspects of hospitality with a personalised learning experience, with small class sizes and individualised attention. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be offered a 12-week work placement, allowing them to get the chance to gain hands-on experience and apply their newfound knowledge and skills in a real-world setting.

The program is specifically designed to empower and create pathways for individuals from socio-economic and educational disadvantaged communities, providing them with opportunities to transform their lives by finding full-time employment and a successful career in the Hospitality industry. 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.