Expand+Course Requirements
Subjects Required
Minimum of H4 in English

General Entry Requirements
A minimum of six Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade 06/ H7, to include the subjects English OR Irish AND the subject Mathematics. In addition, applican...

Hide-Course Requirements
Subjects Required
Minimum of H4 in English

General Entry Requirements
A minimum of six Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade 06/ H7, to include the subjects English OR Irish AND the subject Mathematics. In addition, applicants must present at least two subjects at grade H5.

Leaving Certificate Mathematics Requirements
DCU does not award points for the subject of Mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation Level. This subject will be accepted for admission purposes for the following courses:

BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies
BA in Contemporary Culture and Society
BSc in Education and Training
BA in Journalism
BA in International Relations
BA in Communication Studies
BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht (Irish and Journalism)
Bachelor of Civil Law (Law and Society)
BSc in Multimedia
Bachelor of Arts: Joint Honours
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Leaving Certificate Subject Combinations
Certain subjects will not be scored separately if they occur in combination with subjects that are similar in content. In each case, the highest individual grade will be scored. The following six groups of subjects are affected by this:

1 Music and Musicianship, Music A, Music B

2 Economics, Agricultural Economics

3 Physics with Chemistry - if combined with Physics and Chemistry, only two best scored - if combined with Physics or Chemistry, only best scored

4 History, Economics and Economic History - if all three are taken, only the best two will be scored

5 Latin, Classical Studies

6 Greek, Classical Studies

Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded in 2018 for higher level Mathematics, at grades H6 and above in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent.

Expand+All QQI awards are part of the new inclusive National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), developed by QQI. Applicants who have a full NFQ Level 5 award in the appropriate qualifications and modules, with a minimum of five distinctions, can be admitte...

Hide-All QQI awards are part of the new inclusive National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), developed by QQI. Applicants who have a full NFQ Level 5 award in the appropriate qualifications and modules, with a minimum of five distinctions, can be admitted on a competitive basis to certain DCU courses. There are a limited number of places available on courses.

NFQ has made changes to the CAS (Common Awards System). Please refer to the DCU website for specific details on the range of QQI awards which link into the university’s Level 8 degree courses.

General Entry Requirements

• Full QQI Level 5 Certification must be achieved in one single sitting.

• QQI awards are normally made up of eight minor awards, commonly known as modules.

• Five distinctions from the eight modules must be achieved.

Course Entry Requirements

Additional course requirements are indicated in the details of each course which can be found at the 'QQI FET Entry Requirements' link below. This requires the attainment of performance in specifically named QQI Level 5 awards and in some cases, the inclusion of specific modules. For example, for the BSc in Education and Training, students must attain the full QQI Level 5 award with distinctions in five modules, but three of the distinctions must be in modules that DCU specifies. Please visit www. cao.ie/index.php?page=fetac_search for the most up-todate information on course requirements.

Applying to DCU

Candidates make their application to DCU through the CAO and are ranked based on their performance in the eight modules that make up their award. From 2017 the points awarded for QQI awards were revised. Please visit www2.cao.ie/fetac/FETAC_scoring.pdf for scoring information.

Please note:

1 A Major Award must be achieved. Component Certificates or Records of Achievement are not acceptable.

2 In certain courses, DCU will require the achievement of certain grades and/or specified components, e.g. five distinctions, including a minimum pass in Mathematics, or four specific science modules.

3 A Major Award may be achieved over a number of sittings; however, for scoring purposes, only results achieved in a single sitting, e.g. between 1st August and 31st July are assessed. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their QQI centre applies for a Major Award to QQI where courses are taken over more than one year.

Expand+DCU has an active mature student body and strongly encourages applications from mature candidates (those aged 23 years or above on 1st January in the year of entry). As a mature student, your wealth of knowledge and experience will make a valuable co...

Hide-DCU has an active mature student body and strongly encourages applications from mature candidates (those aged 23 years or above on 1st January in the year of entry). As a mature student, your wealth of knowledge and experience will make a valuable contribution to the university, and we are always working towards widening participation to allow mature students gain entry onto DCU courses.

What are the entry requirements?

Applying as a mature applicant means that you do not compete with Leaving Certificate students for places at DCU. Instead, experience other than examination grades is taken into consideration – this may be work experience, further studies or other relevant experience. For some courses, however, particular Leaving Certificate subjects may be necessary. In all cases, the university will want to know that you have the ability and motivation to make the most of your studies at DCU.

What supports are available for mature students?

There is a wide network of services. The Mature Student Academic Writing Week prepares you for college life through workshops on topics such as academic writing, citing and referencing. Other topics include supports for students at DCU, such as the Mathematics Learning Centre, IT supports and the Mature Student Society. You will also have access to Student Support and Development workshops throughout the academic year for example CV Clinics, Learning Students and Motivational Workshops.

What financial supports are available to mature students?

There are a number of sources, including the Government’s Free Fees Initiative, the Higher Education Grants Scheme, the Back to Education Allowance and the DCU Student Assistance Fund, once a registered DCU student. Information on these schemes is available at www.studentfinance.ie.

Where can I find out more?

For the Mature Student Officer, please contact 01 700 6987.

For general and admission enquiries, please contact the Registry on T +353 (0)1 700 5338 E registry@dcu.ie

How do I apply?

All mature applicants for full-time study must apply to the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February in the year of entry.

Expand+Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20th January 2018 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1st February 2018 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1st May 2...

Hide-Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20th January 2018 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1st February 2018 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1st May 2018 at 5:15 pm

Change of Mind - restrictions apply: Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1st July 2018 5:15 pm

Exceptional online late application - see page 14 of the 2018 CAO Handbook: Fee €60 Closing Date: 22nd July 2018 at 5:15pm

You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5:15pm on 1st February 2018 and will be accepted up to 5:15pm on 1st May 2018, subject to the restricitions listed on page 3 of the 2018 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5th March 2018 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.

Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the Timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22nd of July at 5:15pm applies only to applicants who are currently undergraduate students in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system.

If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.

Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, Maynooth University and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 15 of the 2018 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

Restricted-category Applicants
Mature applicants – most HEIs will require mature applicants, who wish to be assessed on mature grounds, to have applied to CAO by 1st February 2018 at 5:15pm. (This restriction does not apply if the applicant wishes to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications only.) For more information about applying to CAO on the basis of mature years go to www.cao.ie/mature.

Applying for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes – to be considered for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1st February 2018 at 5:15pm and must have completed the HEAR/DARE application form by 1st March 2018 at 5:15pm – supporting documents must be sent to CAO offices before 1st April 2018 at 5:15pm.

Expand+Why DCU?
• Our broad range of skills modules provides a base for working in all areas of journalism.

• Emphasis on learning by doing.

• High standard of instruction from experienced professionals.

• Integration of theory, practice and c...

Hide-Why DCU?
• Our broad range of skills modules provides a base for working in all areas of journalism.

• Emphasis on learning by doing.

• High standard of instruction from experienced professionals.

• Integration of theory, practice and critical reflection.

• Final year work placement, unique in Ireland.

Understanding: Journalism
Have you ideas about the future? Can you see what ought to be changed now? Journalists are needed to analyse, examine and reveal how things work and what the future holds for people.

The BA in Journalism (JR) is a journalism degree intended for those with enquiring minds who want to learn how to tell stories in a way that will help people in Ireland and internationally to find the best way forward.

The technologies of journalism change, but the need for it does not. Online, in print or across the airwaves, or in social media, stories are told that engage the public and help people to understand their world. In all areas of life, from business to politics, from culture to religion, from sports to lifestyles, the public looks to journalism for guidance. Their role is varied – it can be to entertain or educate as well as to inform the public.

The School of Communications promises to teach our students ways in which to tell stories that follow best practice in journalism. We offer a sweep of practical and theoretical courses across a wide variety of media platforms. We welcome applications for this course from people who feel that they have something to say and who want to learn more about how to say it in a way that makes sense to audiences and readers.

About You
Journalists share certain characteristics, the key ones being a profound sense of curiosity about people and the world and the ability to write clearly. You also need the ability to absorb large amounts of information quickly, an interest in books and media of all sorts, and the ability to meet deadlines.

If you are creative you will be equipped with photography, audio and video skills. All students will have their own website. If you enjoy design and graphic work, you can develop the necessary skills in web, newspaper and magazine design and sub-editing, and if broadcasting interests you, we have modules in radio, television and video journalism. There are also modules on online journalism but multimedia delivery is integrated throughout the curriculum. New modules include data entrepreneurial journalism: sports journalism: and social and mobile journalism.

Course Structure
The three-year BA in Journalism has been designed to provide a three-way combination of studies: Essential practical skills such as interviewing and writing for different media, the knowledge of people, institutions and ethical principles you need as context for your journalism, and academic studies of law, politics and society in which to sharpen your critical thinking. On the practical side, you will gain a wide range of skills in print, broadcast and online journalism. There is some scope for specialisation, but every student takes the same broad range of core modules.

Our staff includes lecturers who are also practising journalists in close touch with the profession, and academics who are researchers of international standing. Finally, an essential element of the final year of the course is an eight-week placement in a media organisation, where you can demonstrate your abilities in the world of work. Every journalism student must complete a relevant work placement arranged or approved by DCU.

Mature Students
If you are coming to us as a mature student, you will have had an interest in journalism for some time, the sort of life experience that will enable you to contribute as much to the course as you will get from it, and the ability to write clear, error-free English. You should apply through the CAO by 1st February – there is no late application for this course. Mature applicants are asked to submit, along with their other paper documentation, a hard copy of an article of approximately 750 words of their own composition, written for a specific publication (published or unpublished). If the article has been published, state when and in which publication. If the article is unpublished, indicate the newspaper or periodical for which you think your submission would be best suited. Advice for mature applicants is available at
www.dcu.ie/communications/mature_advice_jr.pdf.

Expand+The following list of modules represents a mixture of core modules, which every student must take, and optional modules, from which you may choose topics that particularly interest you.

What Will I Study?
The following list includes core modules ...

Hide-The following list of modules represents a mixture of core modules, which every student must take, and optional modules, from which you may choose topics that particularly interest you.

What Will I Study?
The following list includes core modules and optional modules, from which choices are made.

Year One
Journalism
The Irish Political System
News Editing
News Reporting: Principles and Practice
News Writing
Digital Media Skills
Ethics of Journalism
The Irish Legal System
Critical Thinking

Year Two
Journalism History
News Design
Feature Writing
Media Law
Networked Journalism
TV Reporting
Designing Websites
The Radio Newsroom
Advanced News Reporting
Crime and the Media
Analysing Advertising
Film History and Theory
Photojournalism
Comparative European Politics

YEAR THREE
Journalism in the Hybrid Media System
Data Journalism
Advanced Photojournalism
Newsdays
Journalism Portfolio
Journalism Enterprise
Press and Public Relations
Sports Journalism
INTRA
Uaneen Module (Extra-Curricular Activities)