Frequently Asked Questions

The Library, which is located in the T.K. Whitaker Building, plays a central role in the academic life of the Institute. It facilitates access to the learning resources you will need for your studies. DkIT Library provides 500 study places, over 50,000 books and journals, access to online information resources and a range of services. The Library supports the learning culture and practices of the Institute and endeavours to provide a high quality learning environment. Most areas of the Library are designated for quiet study. Collaborative areas are available in all the Library Group Work rooms and in the Group Work area to your right on Floor 1 as you enter the Library. As well as physically visiting the Library you can also access many services, locate information and manage your DkIT Library account over the web at http://dkitlibs.dkit.ie. From this site you can find out what books the Library holds, what online information resources are available to you and information on all our Library services. The Library offers training courses throughout the year to help you make the most effective use of our resources and services. Library staff are available to help and advise you on finding the best resources for your academic research. Access to the Library and its services is available once you register with the Institute. Your Student ID card is also your library card; you should have your ID card with you when you use the Library. Computer facilities are also available in the library as are photocopying facilities. To avail of printing facilities your student card can be topped up in the vending machine located conveniently beside the printers on the 1st floor of the library.

Sports: DkIT has a range of both indoor and outdoor facilities which include 5 playing pitches, surrounded by a designated jogging lane and a multi-purpose centre which contains a basketball court, 4 badminton courts, volleyball court, futsal (indoor soccer), and a state of the art fitness suite. Many of our student body are actively involved in both indoor and outdoor clubs ranging from: Archery / Badminton / Cricket / Fencing / Hill Walking / Gaelic Football / Hurling / Kickboxing / Snooker & Pool / Rugby / Table Tennis / Volleyball. email: [email protected]

Please note part-time students are not provided with student membership of DKIT Sport.

Societies: DkIT also has a large number of students involved in our societies which include: Breakdancing / Drama / Media / Vetinary Nursing / Laptop Music Society / DJ Society / Lesbian & Gay (LGBT) / African / Asian /1 Macra na Feirme. email:[email protected]

Parking: Parking facilities are provided at the front and side of the Institute. Please note that parking restrictions exist on DkIT campus up to and including clamping. All vehicles must be parked in a designated car parking bay. 

Full details of parking regulations are available to read on here. 

Students with disabilities should inform the Institute of their disability when they enrol. Every effort will be made to assist you (e.g. by timetabling classes in ground floor rooms, providing you with your own key to access lifts and general advice).

You can find out more about services and support of students with a disability at DkIT by visiting our Disability Services & Support Webpage or contacting Geraldine Kneel, Student Disability Officer by emailing [email protected].

DKIT owes a duty of care to all its students, but it also has a particular responsibility to safeguard the welfare of any individual under the age of 18. All students are advised to familiarise themselves with our Child Protection Policy, and must be aware of their responsibilities under the policy. The policy is available here 

DkIT reserves the right to request any student to complete the Garda/Police Vetting procedures and, in particular, any student who may be dealing with children and other vulnerable groups even where this is incidental to participation in the programme concerned.

If during the course of the admissions process for a programme, or by any other means including disclosure by the applicant/student, it transpires that the applicant/student has a criminal conviction which gives rise to a reasonable concern that the applicant/student may represent a risk to others, and, in particular, to a child or vulnerable adult, full details of the conviction will be sought both from the applicant/student and also by means of the Garda/Police Vetting procedure.

If an applicant/student must undergo the garda/police vetting procedure it should be noted that if you have lived outside Ireland from the age of 16+ for a sustained period (6 months or more) you must provide Police vetting from the country of residence for this period.

Registration on a programme is conditional until successful completion of vetting procedures (where applicable).

Note there are number of programmes where Garda/Police Vetting is an automatic requirement due to the placement component of the programme.
The Institute reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to refuse to register an applicant where to do so might impact on the Institute’s duty of care to others. 

Each ECTS credit corresponds to 20 'learning hours' (not all learning hours are hours spent in class sessions). A full academic year of study corresponds to 60 ECTS credits. 'ECTS' stands for European Credit Transfer System. It is the credit system used at DkIT and by other universities in Ireland and Europe to assign credits to a programme or module.

QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) is an independent State agency responsible for promoting quality and accountability in education and training services in Ireland. In the area of qualifications, QQI is responsible for maintaining the ten-level NFQ (National Framework of Qualifications). QQI is also an awarding body and set standards for awards we make in the NFQ. The organisation validates education and training programmes and make extensive awards in the further education and training sector including in the Education and Training Boards.

The Lifelong Learning Centre co-ordinates over sixty flexible part-time professional development and lifelong learning courses. These courses are particularly suitable for those who wish to study new topics and course areas, update their professional skills or add to their qualifications. Accredited courses are offered in the areas of Business & Accountancy, Humanities, Engineering, Computing & Creative Arts and Health & Science. You can view all Part-Time Courses here. Non-accredited courses and customised programmes for industry are also available.

Most of our part-time courses commence in September and January. For a class to commence it is necessary for the Institute to enrol a minimum number of students. If this number is not reached the Institute reserves the right to cancel or discontinue the course.

Many courses have written examinations at the end of semesters in January and May. In addition, some courses have continuous assessments including group work, reports, and project work. Information about exams and assessments will be provided to students at the beginning of their course.

Registering for examinations is the responsibility of the student. Students should make themselves aware of the examination closing dates and fees. Fees quoted in this prospectus do not include examination fees unless otherwise stated. Dates for Professional body examinations (i.e. IATI) are posted on the Lifelong Learning Centre website early in Semester Two.

Currently, many of our programmes offer a blended learning approach which can include a distance learning option. Blended learning is an aspect to a number of courses available part-time in DkIT. These can consist of face-to-face teaching, online delivery and distance learning. To find out if a course offers distance learning options, please check the course delivery section on the course pages.

We offer a wide range of online part-time courses and you can find more information on these at Online Courses. Online Courses at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) give you the opportunity to access a wide range of career-defining courses with the convenience of online learning. Study at DkIT, wherever you may be.

Many of our programmes also offer a blended learning approach which can include a distance learning option. Blended learning is an aspect to a number of courses available part-time in DkIT. These can consist of face-to-face teaching, online delivery and distance learning. To find out if a course offers distance learning options, please check the course delivery section on the course pages.

Located in the north-east of Ireland County Louth has a population of 128,000. The town of Dundalk has a population of approximately 38,000 and is located just 85 kilometres from both Dublin and Belfast. The first-class road network linking Dublin with Belfast passes directly through Dundalk. DkIT is located just a few minutes away from exit 16 on the M1 motorway and takes just 45 minutes from Dublin Airport by car. Being a regional transport centre, Dundalk has good rail and bus connections. Travel time from Dublin (Connolly Station) is just 50 minutes. Buses arrive each day to Dundalk from a variety of locations including Drogheda, Navan, Kells, Castleblayney, Balbriggan, Carrickmacross, Newry, Carlingford and Ardee. The GPS coordinates for the Institute are 53.9835° N, 6.3954° W.

Some courses can be paid for in instalments however this does not apply to all. For those that cannot be paid in that manner fees must be paid for in full on registration. All course fees received are receipted. To find out if your chosen programme offers an instalment payment plan please refer to the prospectus or programme information on the website.

Important! Except where stated, course fees cover the cost of DkIT tuition only and refer to the course or academic year as appropriate. Additional registration and examination fees may be payable separately to professional bodies and to HETAC. Certain courses may also require the purchase of relevant textbooks. This is particularly relevant to some business courses.

If your employer is paying your fees, then you must submit a letter/email from your employer confirming that your fees will be paid to the Institute by them as well as supplying a Purchase Order number. The Institute will then invoice your employer for the appropriate amount.

When the Institute runs a part-time course a refund of fees will only be given under the following circumstances:

• A refund will be given if a student attends for only the first week of a five week course.
• A refund will be given if a student attends for only the first two weeks of a six to ten week course.
• A refund will be given if a student attends for only the first three weeks of a course lasting more than eleven weeks. 

In all these cases a 20% administration charge will apply. All refund requests must be applied for in writing to the Lifelong Learning Centre.
After these time periods no refunds are available under any circumstances.

In certain circumstances students may receive financial aid in paying their fees from County Enterprise Boards, Leader Partnerships, Department of Social Protection and other organisations. You may also be eligible to apply to the HEA's Student Assistance Fund (SAF). Contact Mary Reilly via [email protected] for more.

Tax relief at the standard rate of tax (20%) is available for certain tuition fees on courses which lead to third level awards. For further information go to www.revenue.ie and get a copy of form IT31. This applies only to students who are funding their studies from their own income. Always retain your receipt of payment from DkIT for tax purposes.

Please keep an eye on www.dkit.ie/events/ for the next Lifelong Learning Part-time Courses Information Evening. These evenings are a great opportunity for you to discuss your course options in detail with Lifelong Learning Centre staff and course lecturers.

Further information on our part-time courses information evening will be published in local newspapers and broadcast on local radio during August and September.

Go to the course description page and click on the How to Apply? and follow the instructions contained therein.

Courses

Most part-time programmes available through the Lifelong Learning Centre at DkIT have specific entry requirements. Some are related to educational qualifications and others to relevant work experience. Where the term 'or equivalent' appears, it means that your educational or work experience should have provided you with sufficient background to be successful on the programme. It is also important to consider the nature of the programme and your ability in mathematics, writing and other academic skills.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is intended for mature learners who may or may not have had structured formal education but who have learned from their involvement in employment, community activities, home duties, sports etc. This learning is assessed by the Institute and this assessment may lead to academic credits or exemptions from subjects on the intended course of study. The following shall be taken into consideration:

1. Accredited Learning: Learning that the applicant has undertaken that has been accredited by a further/higher educational institution.
    
2. Non-Accredited/ Non-formal Learning: Work-based training and/or education courses that may have been assessed, but not formally accredited.
    
3. Informal: Informal/ experiential learning (relevant life or work/voluntary experiences).

If you have questions about the level of academic skills required please call our Lifelong Learning office on +353 42-9370290 or email [email protected].

It is important that the level and content of a course suits your needs and meets your expectations. In order to find out relevant information on course content, entry requirements, extent of extra work required outside class, assessment methods etc. you should study the relevant section of this prospectus. Click here to browse part-time programmes.

You may then need to consider the following options to obtain more detailed information:

For professional courses, contact the organisation concerned directly (i.e. Accounting Technicians Ireland, IPASS etc.). Relevant contact names, addresses, telephone numbers, emails and website addresses are provided in this prospectus. Please note the additional costs such as membership fees, seminar fees and exam fees required for professional body courses. Details of these additional costs are also included in this prospectus.
Attend our Information Evening in September. Here you will meet Lifelong Learning Centre staff and some of the lecturers involved with the courses who will be able to answer your questions.

Visit, phone or email the Lifelong Learning Centre anytime. Staff will be happy to assist you.

Each ECTS credit corresponds to 20 'learning hours' (not all learning hours are hours spent in class sessions). A full academic year of study corresponds to 60 ECTS credits. 'ECTS' stands for European Credit Transfer System. It is the credit system used at DkIT and by other universities in Ireland and Europe to assign credits to a programme or module.

More information on what each level represents can be found below or by clicking on this link: 

QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) is an independent State agency responsible for promoting quality and accountability in education and training services in Ireland. In the area of qualifications, QQI is responsible for maintaining the ten-level NFQ (National Framework of Qualifications). QQI is also an awarding body and set standards for awards we make in the NFQ. The organisation validates education and training programmes and make extensive awards in the further education and training sector including in the Education and Training Boards.

Each Academic Year, the Sports & Societies Office hosts the Annual Sports & Societies Sign Up Day, which is usually held in Freshers Week in September each year, in the Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC). Each Club/ Society will have a stand on display with details of training/meetings and information of all the activities of the Club/Society.  This is your opportunity to chat to existing members about what the club has to offer and to sign up for FREE!

During Term

If you miss the Annual Sign-Up Day, just pop into the Sports & Societies Office, which is based in the Student Services Centre in the Faulkner Building for information on all the Clubs/Societies – including meeting and training times. The Sports and Societies Office will also organise a Mini-Sign Up Day at the start of the second semester in order to give new or existing students the opportunity to enrol on the various clubs and societies on offer at DkIT.

A timetable for all Sports Clubs can also be viewed on this page . Alternatively pick up a Sports & Societies booklet from the Student Services Centre for information on all the Clubs & Societies, events  and extra-curricular activities that Dundalk IT have to offer."

If you find that there are no club/society in Dundalk IT that caters for your interest, then why not set up your own club or society. To ensure a successful club, a focus on both efficient organisation and the importance of fun and enjoyment is necessary. Please see below guidelines on how to set-up a club/society.

Remember the following criteria:

• There must be at least 8 or more signatures in support of an application. (Student ID numbers have to accompany the signatures for verification purposes. Signatories must be by full time students of DKIT.)
• A constitution and statement of aims must be produced and be deemed satisfactory. It must be democratic and have proper financial controls.
• The principal aims of the society must not already be covered in the aims of any recognised society or capitated body or group thereof.
• It must satisfy the Sports and Service Officer that the Club or Society is likely to make a long-term contribution to student life in DkIT and to continue on an on-going basis.

Once recognition has been granted, a meeting should be arranged between the Club or Society and the Sports and Societies Officer to discuss the running of the Club / Society and what you need to do now that you are recognised.

If you are granted recognition, you will immediately be entitled to the various facilities that DkIT offers its Clubs and Societies. However you may not be eligible to apply for funding depending on the time of year, funds available etc. The maximum grant available for a club or society in their first year is €200.

You will also be able to incorporate the words “Dundalk Institute of Technology” in the clubs / Societies title.

An application for recognition usually takes about two months to process.

For information on how to set up a Club/Society, please see the attached document.

It may sound foolish, stuffy and absurd to have people ranting and raving about the Constitution and its implications but make no mistake this is a vital component of any and all Clubs and Societies. A Constitution is effectively your term of reference and the rules and regulations on how to administer your club or society. If you find yourself in the position of committee member, this is your bible on how to run your club or society as voted by the members prior to your appointment.

The following exaggerated hypothetical situation may serve to emphasise its importance:

The Law Society is having a formal in Dublin. Emotions are high after a great formal night in which a lot of alcohol has been consumed but before the night is over a fight breaks out and a mirror is broken in the toilets of the hotel. The next day the Hotel manager contacts you regarding the accident from the night before. Incidentally the Hotel is involved in a lucrative sponsorship deal with the College and is threatening to pull out of the deal unless the issue is dealt with immediately and satisfactorily. Unfortunately for you as the Society Chairperson, the member involved in the accident is your best friend.

What do you do?

(a) Reprimand the member in your capacity as the Society President, and lose your best friend?

(b) Tell the Hotel manager to get stuffed and the College loses the sponsorship money?

OR

If you have a good comprehensive Constitution in place as voted by the members in which case it is clearly laid out how to deal with disciplinary measures, you implement those policies as the Society President. Therefore, the decision to suspend or expel the member is not your own ‘personal judgement’ but a term of reference, laid out in print that you inherited by taking office at the start of the year, as voted by the members for which it is your responsibility to represent the best interests of the University’s Law Society.

The College sponsorship is saved, your best friend should understand as should all other members of the Society, so you will still have some friends (if you had any at the start).

The Constitution will only be appreciated in times of conflict of interest, by which time it will be too late if it is inadequate to deal with the situation at hand. If carefully thought out and re-assessed each year, voted upon by the members, implemented and discussed with all members at least once a year, there will be no excuses as all members will be educated on its content and how it works.

Please see attached a sample Constitution of which you can use as a template when establishing your own club/society

An effective club begins with an effective, co-operative, and hardworking committee.It is therefore imperative that people that are keen and willing to take on some responsibility fill the positions on a committee. Growth and development do not happen by accident. It is important to set goals and devise appropriate plans to achieve them. Putting the proper club structures in place and harnessing the varied talents of a large number of people help in this respect.

What is a Committee?

A Committee is a group of people who enjoy their sport or activity so much that they got themselves elected to run the Club or Society that they're involved in!

A Committee has been defined as ‘A body of people meeting round a table to take decisions for joint action on behalf of some other (larger?) body of people’.

Committees exist to:

• Collate ideas
• Promote certain objectives
• Shelve ideas

They are supposed to be valuable and some people find them enjoyable. Remember, though, that it's the group that is achieving - the Committee officers are merely there to facilitate the group's activities (you're elected to represent your membership!).
Please see attached the Roles and Responsibilies of each committee member. If you have any further questions regarding this, please contact the Sports & Societies Office.

All students must register at the start of each academic year. If you are not registered, you will be excluded from class lists and emails and Moodle access.

Full-time students will not be able to access any students services, such as healthcare or the gym if they are not registered.

If your country of birth was outside the EU you will be charged international fees until you provide appropriate documentation to prove both identity and residency within an EU country for 3 out of the last 5 years. You would have received an email about this after accepting your place in DKIT. The email would have been sent to the email address with which you applied to the CAO.

If you do not submit sufficient supporting documentation to prove your eligibility for EU fees, you will remain on the international fee rate for the duration of your programme in DkIT.

You may have a Service Withheld hold on your account. If you have unpaid fees after the payment deadlines have passed the Academic Administration Office may have placed a hold on your account.

You will not be able to access Moodle or group emails. You would have received an email advising you of your outstanding fees and the placing of the hold so please check your student email account. A hold can only be lifted when the outstanding fees have been paid in full.

View the Collection of Student Fees Policy

Please contact the IT Helpdesk at [email protected] for password changes and assistance with all IT issues

You may get a replacement student card in the Academic Administration Office. An administration fee of €10 will apply for this service.

Class Timetables will be made available in September.

Examination Timetables are available at Exam Timetables

Registered students may apply for a deferral of their course by completing a Deferral Application Form with their Head of Dept.

Students who are granted a deferral will be guaranteed their place, subject to the programme running in the following year.

If you have received an offer from the CAO and wish to defer the offer, please do not accept the offer.

Instead, please complete a CAO Deferral Form (available at https://www.dkit.ie/about-dkit/professional-services/admissions/cao-offers.html) which must be received by DkIT Academic Administration Office before the CAO offer reply closing date (as published on www.cao.ie).

Yes, you should complete a Change of Address form in the Academic Administration Office as soon as possible.

Registered students may apply for assistance from the Students’ Assistance Fund. Application forms are available from the Student Services Office.

You can apply to the Student Information Desk in the main reception of the TK Whitaker building for a Certificate of Attendance.

Please make sure you are registered and have a student card when making your request.

Forms may be stamped by any one of the following offices:

• Your Dept. Office
• Academic Administration Office
• Student Services Office

You need to be registered and have your Student ID Card for identification purposes with you before Institute staff can stamp your form.

You can generate and print a Statement of Fees in your online student account. Click Account Information and Print.

Select the type of statement you want and click print.

The repeat and attend option is subject to availability of places. You should contact your Head of Department and complete a Repeat & Attending Admission Form with them.

Fees are charged on a per-credit basis.

Application forms can be found on the Admissions Documents section.

Details on Examination results are available at on the exam results page.

Details on accommodation are available from the Students’ Union Office and SU website.

T. +353 (0)42 9370270

E:  [email protected]

Please visit the navigate your campus section.

1st year students will be able to collect their student cards at induction provided they have registered online and paid their facilities fee.

Continuing students may continue to use the student card issued to them at the start of their programme.

Details on grants are available at the following links:

• www.dkit.ie/admissions-and-fees/fees-and-grants.html
• www.studentfinance.ie
• www.susi.ie

Details on grant payments and the maintenance grant schedule are available here. 

The Free Fees Initiative applies to Nursing/Midwifery programmes also, subject to eligibility. For eligibility information please visit the Free Fees Initiative page on the HEA website.

Students not eligible for the Free Fees Initiative will be charged €7,231 per year, which includes the tuition, contribution and facilities fees.

The DKIT fees policy is to collect the facilities fee plus 50% of other fees due at registration and the balance no later than 31^st January of the academic year.

View the Collection of Student Fees Policy

Undergraduate students who notify the Institute that they have withdrawn from their programme on or before 31st October may have their fees refunded in full.

A student who withdraws on or before the 31st January may have half their fees refunded, provided the full fee has been paid.

A Withdrawal Form must be completed and submitted to obtain a refund. This can be found at withdrawing from your programme

DKIT’s Fees Policy is to collect half fees at registration and the remainder prior to commencement of the second semester.  Students should familiarise themselves with the procedures for collection of fees, which is available at the following here. 

Eligibility for the free fees scheme is subject to certain criteria, for more information visit: http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9377/course-fees/index.html

If you are not eligible for the free fees scheme, you will be charged both Tuition Fee and the Student Contribution Fee.  

Students who are repeating and attending a stage of a programme, or who have previously attended a 3rd level programme may not be eligible for free fees – details are available from the Admissions Officer.

All research students are required to register online at the start of each academic year. The Academic Administration Office, upon receipt of the list of current research students, will send you your registration pack and notify you of the registration date.

All students are charged the Student Contribution Fee. Those students in receipt of grant assistance may have their Student Contribution Fee paid for them by the grant awarding authority. Since 2010, students may not avail of both the BTEA and a maintenance grant. However, students who opt to avail of the BTEA may also apply to SUSI to have their Student Contribution Fee paid.

Students who are awarded the BTEA and have not applied for a grant must pay the Student Contribution Fee.

The Student Contribution Fee is set by the Department of Education & Skills and is currently €3,000 per year.

This may be subject to change.

All fees quoted are annual fees, as set by the Department of Education and Skills.

1st year students will be able to collect their student cards at induction provided they have registered online and paid their facilities fee.

Continuing students may continue to use the student card issued to them at the start of their programme.

You will be able to complete your registration online. If in doubt, contact the Academic Administration Office at [email protected]

Details of registration will be sent to you by email as soon as possible after the issue of repeat examination results. In the meantime, and with the prior approval of your Head of Dept., you may attend classes.

1st Years: You may change course during the first few weeks of term only and to those programmes that have available places.

You should apply for an available place through the CAO – you must meet the minimum entry requirements, and there may be competition for places. Students are also advised to consult with our Careers Service before deciding on any change of programme. 

You will be able to complete your registration online for the academic year 2024/2025. If in doubt, contact the Academic Administration Office at (042) 9370230.

A Temporary Registration (TR) may be given to a student in certain circumstances where the student has fees outstanding, or is awaiting a decision on a grant application.

Full registration will be granted on payment of all outstanding fees or furnishing the Academic Administration Office with a grant awarding letter. Please note that students who are temporarily registered have full access to all normal student facilities.

• No. You must complete your own registration.

Student Finance NI loan recipients must submit the Student Contribution Loan Entitlement 2024/25 letter to the Admissions Office (room W147, TK Whitaker Building) as soon as possible but no later than 31^st October, 2024.

Information on financial support for students from Northern Ireland is available by visiting www.studentfinanceni.co.uk

• 1st Yrs/New students - You may be Temporarily Registered (TR) if you have applied for a grant and are awaiting a decision – you must quote your SUSI reference number.
• Continuing Students - All continuing students must register online visit: www.dkit.ie/academic-administration/registration 

You may be Temporarily Registered (TR) if your grant is being renewed and you are awaiting the renewal letter from the granting body. You may also be Temporarily Registered if you have applied for a grant due to a change in circumstances since last year.

1st Year students will be required to register online after you receive your registration pack. Registration timetables will be available in due course. More details about 1st Year Registration.

Continuing students please note that you will be requested to register online from Wednesday 21st August 2024. Further details for continuing students

In order to ensure your application is considered on mature grounds you are advised to apply to the CAO for a programme at DkIT by the 1st February deadline. Applications made to the CAO after this date are only considered on mature grounds, with the agreement of academic staff, provided the mature quota on the programme has not been filled. (On high-demand programmes, the quota is filled by 1st February applicants.) Late applicants should ensure that they have all relevant documentation (see sections above) submitted to the CAO by 1st May - this documentation will be downloaded in the event that late applicants are to be considered on mature grounds; documentation submitted after this date cannot be taken into account.

Please feel free to contact:

Eileen Lynch

Access Officer

+353-0429370236 ext. 2883

[email protected]

The results of the Portfolio Assessment process are communicated to the CAO. All successful applicants will receive an offer through the CAO - usually in Round 0 or Round A of the CAO.

However, if academic staff decide to make a conditional offer, the offer will not be made to the applicant until Round 1 of the CAO. Conditional offers are made when the academic staff are willing to offer a place to an applicant but wish to make the offer conditional on the applicant gaining certain grades in examinations which are yet to be taken (usually that year's Leaving Certificate and/or FETAC examinations).

Unsuccessful applicants can email the Access Officer ([email protected]) after 14th July in each year in order to obtain feedback from academic staff regarding their application. Please note that emails sent before this date will not be answered due to the volume of admissions queries when the earlier rounds of the CAO system are in operation. Please place the following words into the subject title of your email "Unsuccessful Mature Application - Feedback". In the interests of Data Protection, please ensure that you quote your CAO number in the email communication, that you use the name that you gave to CAO when you made your application, and that where possible, you use the email address that you gave to CAO. These stipulations exist to protect your information. Please note this facility only applies to programmes whose mature entry systems are managed by the Access Office. Queries on unsuccessful mature applications for nursing and midwifery programmes should be directed to the Nursing Board; likewise, such queries relating to Community Youth Work, Performing Arts and/or Applied Music should be directed to the relevant academic staff member (see our Undergraduate Prospectus and/or website for details).

Applicants whose first language is neither English nor Irish and who do not hold a Leaving Certificate qualification or who have not undertaken their matriculation examinations through English are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent is required for entry to level 6 and level 7 programmes and a proficiency score of 6.0 on the IELTS scale or equivalent is required for level 8 programmes.  The applicant should produce certified evidence of English language proficiency with their application where such is necessary in order or their application to be assessed.

For qualifications from outside the Republic of Ireland to be taken into account as part of the assessment of your application on mature grounds, you must provide a certified copy of the transcript in the original language and this document must show: the name of the examination, the name of the awarding body, the year of the award, the subjects taken and the grades received. If the original language is not English, a certified translation must also be provided. Both a certified copy of the original language version and the certified translation must be provided.

Academic staff assessing applications for Veterinary Nursing and for Social Care may decide to interview shortlisted applicants. Interviews will also take place for Arts. Shortlisting will apply based on documentation supplied by the applicant to the CAO. If you are to be called for interview, the academic staff involved will contact you directly. All queries regarding interviews should be directed to the relevant academic department and not to the Access Office.

Mature applications are considered on the basis of Portfolio Assessment - quite simply, this means that the academic staff assess all documentation which you provide to the CAO by 31st March.

Please ensure that you clearly write your CAO number on each piece of documentation which you provide to the CAO to ensure it is added to your CAO file.

Note: your application must be made to the CAO by 1st February; however you have until 31st March to send further documentation to the CAO. (DkIT cannot accept documentation directly from the applicant, nor can documentation supplied to the CAO after 31st March be taken into account.)

Every programme for which you apply to DkIT will be assessed on mature grounds.

Due to the numbers of applications involved, it is not possible to provide individual guidance to applicants. The applicant should consider what documentation best supports his/her application. As a general guide, the following is required:

• your education record to date (copies of examination transcripts, etc.)
• relevant skills to date (copies of training certificates, CPD certificates, etc.)
• your employment history and how it may be relevant to the programme you wish to study at DkIT (written employer references, etc.)

As well as the above documentation, you should also send a personal statement(s) which outlines your reasons for choosing a programme(s) of study at DkIT and the ways in which your experience and achievements to date support your application. Your personal statement(s) should also outline your motivation and knowledge of the programme(s) and subsequent career paths.

You may decide to send in one general personal statement or may choose to send in more than one personal statement (clearly marking each statement for a particular programme e.g. "Personal Statement for Vet Nursing" or you may choose to provide a personal statement for a group of programmes e.g. "Personal Statement for Business Programmes"). This is an individual choice for each applicant to make and DkIT cannot make recommendations to an applicant in this respect.

The personal statement should make reference to the supporting documentation provided in order to clearly illustrate the points being made.

Please note the following:

In the interests of fairness and transparency, only information that is backed up by evidence will be taken into account. Evidence includes copies of employer references (which should ideally provide detail of the work you carried out and illustrate how this is relevant to the programme for which you wish to be considered at DkIT). Claims regarding academic achievement to date should be supported by certificates, examinations transcripts, academic references, etc. as appropriate. If you are currently studying for examinations, you are advised to supply an academic reference from someone who is currently teaching you. Please note that depending on the programme(s) for which you have applied to DkIT, some areas are considered particularly critical e.g. engineering programme staff look for evidence of mathematical proficiency, creative arts programme staff look for evidence of creative work to date, etc.

Original documentation should not be sent to the CAO as it cannot be returned. Photocopies of documentation suffices -it is important that the photocopies are legible and of good quality.

 Applicants for programmes DK863 (BA Hons in Creative Media), DK864 (BA Hons in Film  & Television Production) and/or DK769 (BA in Creative Media) must submit a 500-700 word statement as part of their documentation. This statement must address the following questions:

1) Why do you want to undertake this programme?

2) What kinds of contemporary creative work do you enjoy and why?

3) What creative activities have you been involved in over the last few years?

Yes. All applicants, including mature applicants, must apply to the CAO by 1st February.

All programmes for which you have applied at DkIT by 1st February will be assessed on mature grounds. (The CAO allows applicants to add more programme choices up until the 1st July but any programmes at DkIT added to your CAO record after 1st February will not be assessed on mature grounds).

DkIT reserves a minimum of 20% of first year places on all programme for mature applicants who are academically prepared.

Late applicants (i.e. those who apply after 1st February) would only be considered in the event that places remain unfilled on a programme in September. Please note there is no entitlement to assessment on mature grounds if your application is made to the CAO after 1st February.

It is important that you are able to make an informed choice. Our Admissions Handbook provided contact details of academic staff in each department. You should make contact with the relevant person – ideally, arrange a mutually convenient time to meet. You need to make sure that the programme is what you imagine it to be and that you are suited to it.

All mature students must apply to the Central Applications Office before 1st February or at Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway.   

Applications must be made to the CAO by the 1st February deadline.  You will then have until just before 31st March to send any further documentation which may be required to the CAO - the deadline of 31st March is the date by which the information must be received by CAO - documentation posted on that date and possibly the date before (if in Ireland) will be received after the deadline and so will not be taken into account . After 31st March, DKIT staff will download documentation supplied to the CAO by that date and it will be forwarded to the relevant members of academic staff. Details of documentation that should be provided are provided below.

NOTE: Please ensure that you write your CAO number clearly on every piece of documentation that you forward to CAO in order that it be added to your record. Your CAO number is unique to you. No documentation is to be sent to DkIT.

NOTE: Programme-specific application advice is given below and all mature applicants are strongly advised to read this section of the website in its entirety.

Please note that Nursing and Midwifery programmes are managed by the Nursing Board and mature entry route into these programmes is not managed by DkIT. Please contact the Nursing Careers Centre of the Nursing Board (tel. +353 (0)1 6398500) for information on the mature entry route onto nursing and midwifery programmes.

Please note that for programme DK860 (BA Hons in Music) auditions are held for all applicants and the mature entry route into these programmes takes place as part of the audition process - the individual academic department contacts mature applicants directly. This is also the case for DK767 (BA in Community Youth Work) - all applicants are interviewed (mature and non-mature) - again, the individual academic department contacts mature applicants directly.

Any applicant 23 years of age or over on 1st January in the year of entry to first year of a fulltime programme is considered to be a mature applicant. Dundalk Institute of Technology actively encourages applications on mature grounds and we reserve a minimum of 20% of places on all programmes for applicants who access the programme via the mature entry route.

Mature students register on all programmes and contribute positively to academic and campus life. In recent years, mature students have represented approximately 15% of all first year entrants. We offer a specialised induction process for mature students on entry and provide a range of learning supports designed to assist mature students reach their full potential.

For International Students (non-EU): After you have booked your flight tickets, you send your Arrival and Accommodation reservation form to DkIT. You can do this yourself, or with the help of your agent. The International Office will arrange for you to be collected from Dublin Airport and brought to your accommodation by taxi. You will receive a SIM card on arrival, so that you can make a phone-call to your family.

For full details on the visa application process please visit www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/what-are-my-study-visa-options/how-to-apply-for-long-term-study-visa/ 

• Download a list of Visa & Non-Visa Required Nationalities for studying in Ireland.

The granting of a student visa to study in Ireland does not confer the automatic right of anyone to join or visit you in Ireland (whether they are a relative or not).

• It is not permissible for Students who come to Ireland on a Degree Programme to enrol in a Non-Degree or Language Course. Students may be permitted to undertake a foundation language course, if required, where this has been arranged in advance and has been clearly stated in any application for a visa. Similarly, students who complete a Degree Programme cannot subsequently enrol on a Language/Non Degree Programme.
• Students must register on a full-time programme to receive a student visa. It is not permissible for a student to come to Ireland to study part-time, or by distance learning.
• Although students are allowed to work part-time while studying (up to a maximum of 20 hours per week), the primary purpose for a student to be in Ireland is to study on a full-time programme. Any student who wishes to work part-time must apply for and receive a PPS number.

All nationwide online renewals of permissions are processed using the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) online renewal portal.

Applicants will not need to attend the Burgh Quay Registration Office in person to renew permission. Please note that all applications for renewal are accepted up to 12 weeks prior to expiry to allow sufficient time for processing.

In addition to the standard documentation, students in receipt of a scholarship which either part funds or fully funds both their course fees and living costs must provide a letter, issued to them by the relevant organisation confirming they are the recipient of a scholarship.

What do I need to bring with me to my appointment?

• Your passport (or other equivalent document, issued by or on behalf of an authority recognised by the Government [of Ireland]),
• A printed and completed copy of the address form attached to your appointment confirmation email (this is the address your Irish residence permission (IRP card) will be sent to),
• Printed copy of your DkIT offer letter
• The registration fee is €300 (per adult person) if applicable, which can be paid by credit or debit card only.

If you need a visa to come to Ireland, you do not need proof of finance after you arrive here. Your ability to support yourself on arrival in the State is checked during the visa application process.

For all academic courses due to begin after 1 July 2023, you must show evidence that you have immediate access to at least €10,000. This is the estimated cost of living in Ireland for a student for one academic year.

You must also demonstrate that you and/or your sponsor(s) have ready access to at least €10,000 for each subsequent year of your studies in addition to course fees for each of those years.

For further information, please visit www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/what-are-my-study-options/a-fee-paying-private-primary-or-secondary-school/information-on-student-finances/ 

If you did not need a visa to come to Ireland, you must also prove that you can support yourself financially after you arrive here. You do this by showing at the time of arrival in the state you had direct access to:

• €7,000 for courses resulting in residence of greater than 8 months

For more information please visit www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/what-are-my-study-options/a-fee-paying-private-primary-or-secondary-school/information-on-student-finances/

Third Level Graduate Programme

This programme allows legally resident Irish educated non-EEA graduates who hold a level 8 or level 9 award from a recognised Irish awarding body to remain in Ireland after their studies for a period of twelve months. There are two stay back options available to students:

12 Month Stay Back:

• Graduates with an award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications will be granted a twelve-month permission to a maximum of seven years’ student permission overall (time spent on Stamp 2 as a student and on Stamp 1G under this programme cannot exceed an aggregate time of seven years in total).

24 Month Stayback

• Graduates with an award at Level 9 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications who qualify for the Programme will be granted permission for 12 months initially.

This will be renewed for a further period of twelve months (subject to the overall eight year limit on student conditions not being exceeded) where the graduate satisfies the immigration authorities that he or she has taken appropriate steps to access suitable graduate level employment (for example, attendance at job interviews, signing up with graduate employment agencies).

For further information, please visit www.irishimmigration.ie

To learn about all the supports available to International students at DkIT, please visit www.dkit.ie/international-students/supports-for-international-students/

For International Students (non-EU): After you have booked your flight tickets, you send your Arrival and Accommodation reservation form to DkIT. You can do this yourself, or with the help of your agent. The International Office will arrange for you to be collected from Dublin Airport and brought to your accommodation by taxi. You will receive a SIM card on arrival, so that you can make a phone-call to your family.

For all NON-EU International Students arriving for the first time at DkIT, the International Office will help organize your accommodation. There are also possibilities to rent private housing (listing is available), and also to stay with Host Families. New students are encouraged to stay in one of the halls-of-residence in their first year to settle in and get to know other students.

The general ways to look for jobs are from DkIT Career Service Noticeboard, which publishes updated part-time job information. Local newspapers The Argus and Dundalk Democrat, may have listings also. Newspaper can be purchased weekly in the College Shop, or are available in the Institute Library to read.

You may get job contacts from other international students in your accommodation, or class.

International students are allowed to work 20 hours per week during the semester and 40 hours per week during holidays. You will have to obtain a Personal Public Service number (PPS) if you get a part-time job and give it to your employer.

Yes. We host International Welcome Days twice yearly (in September and January) on the Thursday and Friday before semester commences. It is really desirable that you book your flights to ensure arrival in time for Welcome Days. These Days are an important opportunity to meet other new students and DkIT students from the International Student Society (ESN), learn about important student services and supports, meet with your Head of Department, get registered as a DkIT student, have a campus tour, and open a bank account.
If you miss the Welcome Days, the International Office staff will provide you with orientation information on your first day with us. Where possible, try to be here arrive in time for our official Welcome Days.

The Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree normally takes 3 years of study. The Bachelor (Honours) Degree normally takes 4 years of study (with the exception of Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance Programme, which is a 3-year Honours Degree).

Yes. There is a scholarship scheme available to students studying particular programmes at DkIT. For information on Fees & Scholarships for international students please visit the scholarships section.

The process is similar to original registration, except that bank statements are not normally required. The fee for visa renewal is €300. The renewal period will be determined after a check on your course attendance. If your records show that you have less than 85% attendance, you will only be granted a 3-month extension on your visa. This extension is provided in order to give you the chance to get your attendance above 85%. If you manage to do this successfully you will be granted a visa for the remainder of the academic year. If this is the case you will have to pay another €300 at this stage.

All of our International Staff will support you with any questions you have, or if you have a problem and need to be pointed in the right direction to a service provider in another office of DkIT. Ms. Summer Wu in the International Office will guide you through orientation (if you miss Welcome Days), and is available, where necessary, for emergency out-of-hours office support, at evenings and weekends.

Institute Support services include Health Unit (Doctor and Nurse on campus), Counselling service for emotional support and well-being, Chaplaincy Service, Clubs and Societies, Careers Service, Exams Office, Disability Office, International Student Society (ESN International), Clubs and Societies etc.

View all supports for International Students

There are many shipping companies that will transport goods for you. For more information visit www.emeraldglobalmovers.com

Remember to drive on the left! When driving in Ireland, note the following speed limits: urban areas (50 kmh), periphery of towns: (60 kmh), national primary routes (100 kmh), motorways (120 kmh). Irish laws are strict in relation to drink-driving and speeding offences. Spot checks are frequent and can incur 2 penalty points on your driver's licence for speeding. For regulations around a driving licence check out http://www.quoteme.ie/driving-in-ireland. 

Data Protection aims to protect individuals’ right to privacy in regard to the processing of their personal data by those who control such data. Key rights that you have under Data Protection legislation include the right to access to your data and receive information about the personal details that Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) holds about you, the right to alter or remove data in certain circumstances and the right to have your details used in line with Data Protection regulations.

Dundalk Institute of Technology is a data controller of the personal data of circa 6000 staff and student data subjects, as well as data relating to data subjects for the purposes of research. DkIT holds a wide range of data in order to perform a variety of operations and where the data is held depends on the purpose it is being held for: For example: Staff records are retained in Human Resources for administrative purposes; recruitment, promotion,
training, salary, pensions. The computerised system used to house the vast majority of this data is CORE HR/Payroll.

Student records are retained in the main, in the Registrar’s domain including the Offices of Admissions, Fees & Grants, and Student Services however data will be held and shared with the students appropriate academic School. These are retained for administrative purposes and the computerised system used for student records is Banner. Financial records are kept in order to process payment of wages, grants, creditors etc. Some research projects will involve the collection of participant data.

Only staff who have a legitimate need to access data in the performance of their professional duties will have access to your personal data. Many services such as Student Counselling, Student Health Unit, Employee Assistance Programme for example are confidential and bound by their own codes of ethics.

Student data is shared between Institute departments depending on the services students avail of for day to day administrative purposes but will only be given to third parties in certain limited circumstances. Students are informed about and must consent to such disclosures upon registration each year.

In most cases, the department holding your personal data will be able to supply you with a copy of the relevant records if you make an informal request directly to them. However if you are unable to get access to your data in this way you are entitled to make a personal data access request to the Institute. Please see the section on this webpage about Making a Subject Access Request.

All staff should familiarise themselves with the DkIT Data Protection Policy, Procedures and Breach Management guidelines as well as reading the Guidelines for Staff on being compliant with DP. Staff should also attend any data protection training being offered on a regular basis.