Expand+Course Requirements
Subjects Required
No additional requirements (general entry requirements only, see below)

General Entry Requirements
A minimum of six Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade O6 or H7, with at least two at H5, which must inclu...

Hide-Course Requirements
Subjects Required
No additional requirements (general entry requirements only, see below)

General Entry Requirements
A minimum of six Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade O6 or H7, with at least two at H5, which must include the subjects Mathematics AND either English or Irish.

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 2017 for higher level mathematics, at grades H6 and above in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent.

Expand+Applicants who have a full FETAC 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 course...

Hide-Applicants who have a full FETAC 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.

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

General Entry Requirements

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

• FETAC 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 in this prospectus. This requires the attainment of performance in specifically named FETAC 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 FETAC 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-to-date 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 FETAC awards will be 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 FETAC centre applies for a Major Award to FETAC where courses are taken over more than one year.

Expand+EU/EEA and Non-EU
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 wi...

Hide-EU/EEA and Non-EU
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+There are many different ways to enter DCU. While candidates are primarily assessed on the basis of their second level examinations, other assessments are in place for mature students, students from socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds, students ...

Hide-There are many different ways to enter DCU. While candidates are primarily assessed on the basis of their second level examinations, other assessments are in place for mature students, students from socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds, students with disabilities/specific learning difficulties and transfer students. The university is committed to welcoming students from countries worldwide. For Undergraduate Admissions - General Information please go to: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/undergrad.shtml

Expand+Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2...

Hide-Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2017 at 5:15 pm

Change of Mind: Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1st July 2017 5:15 pm

Exceptional online late application - see page 14 of the 2017 CAO Handbook: Fee €50 Closing Date: 22nd July 2017 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 2017 and will be accepted up to 5:15pm on 1st May 2017, subject to the restricitions listed on page 3 of the 2017 CAO Handbook.

Late Applications (Exception to 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 and the University of Limerick 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 three HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 15 of the 2017 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 2017 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 2017 at 5:15pm and must have completed the HEAR/DARE application form by 1st March 2017 at 5:15pm – supporting documents must be sent to CAO offices before 1st April 2017 at 5:15pm.

Expand+Why DCU?
• We have extensive experience in helping students become professionally qualified educators.
• Our course aims to develop graduates who are well-informed, articulate and who hold a personal stance on key issues in early childhood educati...

Hide-Why DCU?
• We have extensive experience in helping students become professionally qualified educators.
• Our course aims to develop graduates who are well-informed, articulate and who hold a personal stance on key issues in early childhood education and care (ECEC).
• Be prepared! One of the main indicators of quality in ECEC is recognised to be the professional qualifications and status of those working with children from birth to six.
• You can take an elective module that will prepare you to teach Irish as a first or second language in Naíonraí for example, or to promote physical activities in early childhood.

About You
Do you want to work with infants, toddlers and young children in early education and care settings such as preschools, community playgroups, Naíonraí and crèches? Are you deeply interested in young children’s well-being, development and learning? This course will help you learn how best to care for and support children during the crucial early years. You should be committed to your own personal and professional development and willing to challenge your assumptions about children and childhoods.

Understanding:
Early Childhood Education Early Childhood Education is a large and growing field. There are half a million children in Ireland under six and most of those access some form of early childhood education. State provision of ECEC is increasing.

This course will equip you to lead education and care provision for children in the age-range birth to six years. You will be prepared for a wide range of early education settings. Working with young children is a challenging, yet very rewarding, career – our BECE degree will help you to be successful by developing your understanding of:

• children’s wellbeing, development and learning (birth to 6 years);
• key national frameworks such as Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum;
• how children learn through play, indoors and outdoors; • your professional responsibilities, leadership and management; • the wider social and legislative context and its impact on children and familites;
• how best to work, communicate and build relationships with children, parents, colleagues and other professionals. It is a legal requirement for students in early childhood settings to have Garda vetting. Applicants must successfully pass the Garda vetting process in order to complete the process of registration.

Course Structure
All students take required early childhood education and care modules and spend approximately 1000 hours on professional placement related experiences. Students can also select from a range of relevant specialisms in final year. You’ll be part of a small study group (a seminar group) and this will give you a chance to share your experiences of professional placement and your thoughts on course content.

In Year One, you will cover the core information needed to understand young children and how they develop. Year Two focuses on the ECEC environment. Students learn how to create settings that support and challenge young children.

Diversity, equality and inclusion are key themes in Year Three. You’ll discover how to support and engage with the rich cultures, languages, traditions and needs of a diversity of children and their families through respectful relationships. The final year focuses on leadership, ethics and research – you will complete a dissertation in an area of professional interest to you.

Throughout the course, theory is put into practice through placement in a range of different early education settings such as community-based crèches and privately run preschools. You will work with children from a variety of linguistic, social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. You will also work with children who have special educational needs.

We see the relationship between the child and care-giver as key to quality early education and care. Throughout the course, we emphasise the importance of sensitive communication between child and educator and the need to foster collaborative relationships with families.

Expand+What Will I Study?

Year One
Child Development (Communication and Language),
Child Protection and Legal Frameworks,
Creativity,
National Frameworks for ECE (Ireland),
Play, Learning 1,
Wellbeing,
Health and Nutrition,
Issues in Profe...

Hide-What Will I Study?

Year One
Child Development (Communication and Language),
Child Protection and Legal Frameworks,
Creativity,
National Frameworks for ECE (Ireland),
Play, Learning 1,
Wellbeing,
Health and Nutrition,
Issues in Professional Learning & Practice,
Professional Practice

Year Two
Child Development 2
(Environments and Interactions)
Contemporary Curriculum Approaches in ECE
Historical Perspectives on ECE
Language and Cultural Diversity
Outdoor Learning
Play and Learning 2
Psychological Perspectives:
Young Children's Thinking and Learning
Curriculum and Planning
Issues in Professional Learning and Practice
Professional Practice

Year Three
YEAR THREE
Children, Families and Communities
Children’s Participation in ECE
(Assessing) Early Learning and Development
Current Issues in ECE
Special Educational Needs
Technology in Learning
Early Mathematics Learning
Language, Literacy and Culture 1
Issues in Professional Learning and Practice
Professional Practice

YEAR FOUR
Language Literacy and Culture 2
Leadership and Management in ECEC Settings
Partnerships in ECE
Philosophy and Childhoods
Specialisms/ Elective Modules
Transitions and Change in Early Childhood
Dissertation 1 and 2
Professional Practice