We asked you all on Instagram for your questions about returning to campus, and you certainly asked a lot of questions! The most frequently asked are outlined below.
Please find the most up to date information from DCU here: https://www.dcu.ie/attendingdcu-students-studying-at-dcu
When are we back on campus?
First-Year Undergraduate students - 27th of September
Continuing Undergraduate students (those entering Years 2, 3 and 4) - 20th of September
Master's programmes - 20th of September
When will we get our timetables?
Detailed draft timetables should be available in the week beginning September 6th, and those will be subject to change. It will take longer than usual for the timetables to fully settle because first-year undergraduate students are starting late because of the Leaving Cert results delay.
Will we be back on campus fully for all lectures etc.?
DCU is currently finalising plans for a phased and incremental return to campus (including for research students), with a view to welcoming all students to the DCU campuses in September.
Basically, bigger lectures will probably remain online, but labs, tutorials, workshops and small lectures will hopefully be in person.
Will the library and canteen etc. be open?
DCU are planning for the catering, sporting, library, student support and administrative areas of the university to be fully operational on campus when you return.
If you have questions about the library, please contact library@dcu.ie or check out: https://www.dcu.ie/library
Will there be campus accommodation available?
Check out https://www.dcuaccommodation.ie/ for all things Campus Accommodation.
If you need help/advice about off-campus accommodation, check out https://dcustudentlife.ie/accommodation-support or contact Ross@dcusu.ie for more.
Will there be a Freshers Week?
The SU team are working on a fun Freshers’ Week for first and second years to avail of. More information coming soon!
How long will semester one be?
10 weeks - 20 Sep-27 Nov for all returning students and Masters students, and 27 Sep - 4 Dec for first-year undergrads.
Semester two will be 10 Jan-2 Apr
More information on important dates: https://www.dcu.ie/registry/outline-academic-calendar-2021-2022
Do I need accommodation for the 2021/2022 year?
With the current plan to have most lectures in-person and a return to campus, getting accommodation close or accessible easily to campus is ideal. However, in the event that the college may switch to online, make sure to have flexibility when booking accommodation, especially from digs and private accommodation.
Ensure to have a written contract as a tenant, and the new residential tenancies act in September means you can give 28 days’ notice without a reason unless agreed otherwise with the landlord. Further, unless you’re in purpose-built student accommodation and have chosen to, the maximum you have to pay in advance is a month’s rent and deposit.
If you have any issues or questions on anything above, contact ross@dcusu.ie.
When are the semester one exams?
Exam study period for continuing students and 1st year postgraduate students: 29 Nov-5 Dec
Exam study period for 1st year undergraduate students: 6-12 Dec
Exam period semester one for continuing students and 1st year postgraduate students: 6-18 Dec
Exam period semester one for 1st year undergraduate students: 13-18 Dec
Inter-semester break: 19 Dec-2 Jan
When do I have to pay my fees?
You pay your fees when you register online for the year. The dates for registration can be found here: https://www.dcu.ie/registry/registration-registry
More information about fees can be found here: https://www.dcu.ie/fees/faqs
When is Orientation?
All information for incoming students can be found here (including Postgraduate): https://www.dcu.ie/students/orientation-2021
Will clubs and societies be back on campus?
Hopefully! As we have all seen during the last year, things change very quickly where Miss Rona is involved, so it’s hard to call what things will look like next semester, but we hope that C&S can make some sort of return to campus.
Is it safe for me to return to campus?
All the safety information you need can be found here: https://www.dcu.ie/attendingdcu-students-safe-campus
How can I get a parking permit for the St. Pat’s Campus?
Pop suhelpdesk@dcusu.ie an email and they can sort you out!
I have more questions, who can I contact?
You can contact your SU team here:
President: terence@dcusu.ie
VP Academic Life: kate@dcusu.ie
VP Community & Citizenship: ross@dcusu.ie
VP Diversity & Inclusion: bobbie@dcusu.ie
VP Wellbeing: dean@dcusu.ie
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