Dublin City University
Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath
Ireland's young, career-focused university on Dublin's northside, with the INTRA work placement built into many degrees.
- Students
- 14,712
- International
- 13%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 27.3:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- €15,900
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1975
About DCU
Dublin City University was founded in 1975 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin, took its first students in 1980 and became a university by statute in 1989. In 2016 it incorporated St Patrick's College, Mater Dei Institute, the Church of Ireland College of Education and All Hallows College, so it now teaches on three academic campuses: DCU Glasnevin, and DCU St Patrick's and DCU All Hallows in Drumcondra, all reachable by public transport from the city centre and Dublin Airport.
DCU is organised into DCU Business School, the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science and Health and the Institute of Education. Its signature is employability: the INTRA (INtegrated TRAining) internship programme has been part of DCU degrees for more than 40 years and is compulsory on many of them. In THE's 2026 rankings DCU rose to its highest ever position, in the top 350, and was first in Ireland for research quality.
EU applicants compete through the CAO on Leaving Certificate points, with 2026 cut-offs of 443 for Computer Science, 497 for Business Studies and 532 for Psychology, while non-EU applicants apply directly to DCU. It suits students who want a practical, work-linked degree in Dublin.
Ireland's University of Enterprise
University motto
Why students choose DCU
INTRA, DCU's internship programme, has run for more than 40 years and is a compulsory part of many degrees.
THE ranked DCU first in Ireland for research quality in its 2026 World University Rankings, when DCU reached its highest ever position (top 350).
Over 4,000 DCU students a year receive scholarships, awards or prizes for academic or sporting merit, international status or equality of access.
Three academic campuses in north Dublin are linked by public transport to the city centre and Dublin Airport.
Admissions
2027 entry (CAO 2027 for EU applicants)
Selectivity
DCU does not publish an overall offer rate. EU applicants are ranked by CAO points: 2026 cut-offs included Computer Science 443, Journalism 410, Economics, Politics and Law 462, Civil Law 496, Business Studies 497, Sport Science and Health 519, Psychology 532, Athletic Therapy and Training 544 and Common Entry Engineering 555.
Typical entry requirements
| Irish Leaving Certificate (CAO points) | Competitive CAO points; 2026 round cut-offs from 410 (Journalism) and 443 (Computer Science) to 532 (Psychology) and 555 (Common Entry into Engineering), plus minimum grades including Mathematics and English |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma (non-EU applicants) | General minimum 24 points with two HL subjects at 5 and four SL at 4 including Mathematics and English; programme minimums such as 29 (Journalism), 35 (Computer Science, Civil Law), 37 (Business Studies), 38 (Psychology) and 39 (Common Entry Engineering) |
| A-levels (non-EU applicants) | At least two A-levels at grade C plus O-levels or AS-levels including Mathematics and English, and the programme's A-level points conversion |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 92 IELTS Academic 6.5 with no component below 6.0 (one sitting), or TOEFL iBT 92 (or 4.5 on the new scale with 4.5 in each section); TOEFL Home Edition is not accepted. PTE Academic 63, Duolingo 120 and Cambridge C1/C2 are also accepted. Five- and ten-week pre-sessional English courses are available for conditional offer holders. |
Deadlines
- CAO normal closing date (EU applicants) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~4 months1 February 2027, 5pm
CAO applications open on 5 November 2026 at noon; EUR 50 fee for the normal closing date.
- CAO late applications Non-binding In ~7 months1 May 2027, 5pm
Closing date for late CAO applications.
- CAO change of mind closes Non-binding In ~9 months1 July 2027, 5pm
Final date to reorder or change CAO course choices.
- DCU direct application (non-EU qualifications) Non-binding1 July
DCU's published deadline for international applicants to submit applications and supporting documents; check each programme page for its own closing date.
CAO dates are from the CAO Handbook 2027. DCU's 1 July deadline for international applicants is shown on its How to Apply page without a year.
How to apply
EU applicants presenting EU qualifications (including EU-based IB students) apply through the CAO by 1 February 2027. Applicants with non-EU qualifications or who need a visa apply directly through DCU's Student Application Portal, with up to three preferences at no extra cost; the first application counts as the first preference.
What admissions looks for
- For CAO applicants, Leaving Certificate points at or above the course cut-off, plus minimum grades in Mathematics and English.
- For non-EU applicants, an accepted qualification at DCU's general minimum plus programme-specific subjects and points.
- Evidence of English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent) for non-native speakers, with conditional offers possible while results are pending.
- Complete, verified supporting documents submitted before the deadline.
Tips for applying to DCU
- 1 EU students, including IB students who sat the exams in the EU, must use the CAO, not DCU's portal.
- 2 Non-EU applicants get up to three preferences on DCU's portal for one fee, and the first application is treated as first preference.
- 3 Upload a holding document if you are still waiting for English test results, or your application will not be assessed.
- 4 Check whether INTRA is compulsory or competitive on your course: in many Humanities and Social Sciences programmes it depends on your grades.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
Eligible EU undergraduates have their tuition paid under Ireland's Free Fees Initiative and pay only the student contribution. DCU says over 4,000 students a year benefit from scholarships, awards and prizes, including undergraduate merit awards, sports scholarships, international scholarships and equality, diversity and inclusion scholarships.
- EUR 2,543 per year
- Student contribution (EU, Free Fees eligible, 2026/27)
- Over 4,000 per year
- Students receiving DCU scholarships, awards or prizes
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Business Studies (DC111)
DCU Business School's flagship degree; CAO 2026 cut-off 497 points, 37 IB points for non-EU applicants.
Computer Science (DC121)
CAO 2026 cut-off 443 points; non-EU fee EUR 17,900, with INTRA placement.
Journalism (DC132)
A long-established DCU course whose graduates include Irish newspaper editors and broadcasters; CAO 2026 cut-off 410.
Psychology (DC208)
One of DCU's most competitive courses, with a 2026 cut-off of 532 points (38 IB points for non-EU applicants).
Athletic Therapy and Training (DC204)
Offered with an integrated MSc option; 2026 cut-off 544 points and 40 IB points for non-EU applicants.
Common Entry into Engineering (DC200)
Undenominated entry to DCU engineering, the highest CAO cut-off of these examples at 555 points in 2026.
Research
- THE ranked DCU 1st in Ireland and 138th in the world for Research Quality in its 2026 World University Rankings.
- DCU is ranked in the top 350 universities in the world by THE (2026), its highest ever position.
- The Helix performing arts centre is on the Glasnevin campus.
Schools & faculties
- DCU Business School
- Faculty of Engineering and Computing
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Science and Health
- Institute of Education
INTRA internships, part of DCU degrees for more than 40 years, are compulsory on many programmes and aim to improve graduate employability.
Student life
DCU's main campus at Glasnevin is a modern, compact site with the library, sports facilities and The Helix arts centre, while the St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses in Drumcondra bring older buildings and green grounds. First-year students can live in on-campus accommodation blocks across the three campuses, with single and double rooms and shared apartments. Sport is a big part of campus life, and DCU alumni include inter-county Gaelic footballers and Ireland rugby internationals such as Tadhg Furlong.
- The Helix, a major performing arts venue on the Glasnevin campus.
- Alumni include inter-county Gaelic footballers and Ireland rugby internationals.
- Sports scholarships through DCU Sport.
- On-campus housing across three campuses.
Housing. DCU Accommodation offers single and double rooms and shared apartments on its three academic campuses, including options for first-year students.
Location
DCU is on Dublin's northside: the Glasnevin campus and the Drumcondra campuses of St Patrick's and All Hallows are all reachable by public transport from the city centre and close to Dublin Airport. As Ireland's capital, Dublin offers a wide range of employers for INTRA placements and part-time work, plus music, sport and nightlife, but rent is high, so plan housing early.
Nearest airport: Dublin Airport (DUB)
Notable alumni
- ML Mary Lou McDonaldSinn Féin politician and TD
- HM Helen McEnteeFine Gael TD and government minister
- AO Ardal O'HanlonComedian and actor, Father Ted
- AM Albert ManifoldChief executive of CRH plc from 2014 to 2024
- JC John ConnollyCrime novelist
- LW Laura WhitmoreTelevision presenter
- TF Tadhg FurlongIreland and British and Irish Lions rugby player
Frequently asked questions
How many CAO points do you need for DCU?
It depends on the course. 2026 cut-offs included 443 for Computer Science, 497 for Business Studies, 532 for Psychology and 555 for Common Entry into Engineering.
How do international students apply to DCU?
Applicants with non-EU qualifications or who need a visa apply directly through DCU's Student Application Portal, not the CAO; DCU's published deadline for international applicants is 1 July.
How much are DCU fees for non-EU students?
For 2026/27 new entrants, non-EU fees are mostly EUR 16,900 to EUR 17,900 a year, rising to EUR 23,000 for General Nursing. Eligible EU students pay only the EUR 2,543 student contribution.
What is the CAO deadline for 2027 entry?
The CAO normal closing date is 1 February 2027 at 5pm, with late applications until 1 May 2027 and change of mind until 1 July 2027.
What English score does DCU require?
IELTS Academic 6.5 with no component below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT 92; TOEFL Home Edition is not accepted.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (topuniversities.com)
- THE World University Rankings 2026
- DCU News: DCU rises to highest ever position in THE World University Rankings (October 2025)
- DCU: CAO Hub
- DCU Registry: How to apply to DCU
- DCU Registry: International undergraduate admissions (IB and A-level requirements)
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