Frequently Asked Questions

You will find here list of things you need to do before making a decision, and how to apply for a new course when possible.

If you are reading this, it is likely that you are not entirely happy with your present situation. There could be any number of reasons for this and it is important to think about what these might be. Can you clearly articulate your reasons for wanting to leave?

The main reasons might have something to do with one of the more of following:

• Subject: it is not what you thought it would be like, the work is too easy/difficult or you are just not interested in it
• Course: the content is not what you expected or you find it hard to get motivated
• Personal: you are homesick or lonely or you find it hard to balance travelling and work
• Career: you are having second thoughts about your chosen career path

You may have other reasons to those already listed. You might like to make a note of them. Doing this kind of exercise can help at a later stage when considering other options. The decision to change your course can be a defining one in terms of your overall career. Sometimes it may be the right thing to do and sometimes not but either way it is often a decision taken too hastily, without proper consideration for the impact on one's goals and career.

We are here to support you so please book a meeting with us so we can help you through this process.

Learn more about yourself by reflecting on your interests, skills, abilities, aptitudes and values.

Here are some useful questions to ask yourself:

• What am I good at?
• What will interest me?
• What will motivate me?
• What occupations interest me?

Finding out about and assessing occupations:

• What do they involve?
• How do they compare with my ideas about what I want from work?
• How do they compare with each other?
• Will I have to rethink my original ideas about what I want from work?
• May I discover that some skills, interests or motivations are more important than others?

Taking Action: 

• What are my chances of success in relation to a particular occupation?
• How can I best present myself?

You might like to make a note of the answers.

It would be useful to take one of the online interest exercises:

• CareersPortal Interest Profiler (CPIP) to determine your career interests and to use the results to suggest matching occupations or CAO courses
• Qualifax Interest Assessment test will help you find courses that fit your interests
• The Prospects Planner  is a simple to use computer system designed to help you at all stages of your career planning. This is perhaps a good way to complete your research

These exercises and tests do not set out to tell you what to do. Instead they help you to explore the key aspects of your career planning in a systematic way, with you always in control.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information above is correct at the time of publishing but it is essential to check all details at source before making decisions.

If you are not entirely happy with your current choice of course, you might consider another alternative.

If you wish to transfer to a different course within DkIT or to a different institution, please check the full list of DkIT Courses. You can also check Central Applications Office or Qualifax for opportunities in the Republic of Ireland or UCAS for opportunities in the UK.

Make sure you satisfy the Minimum Entry Requirements specified by the relevant higher education institution and check the application process. Full details on courses can be found on institution website or in full time undergraduate admissions prospectus.

Transferring within the Republic of Ireland:

• In the Republic of Ireland, all applications in the first year of an undergraduate course provided by a higher education institution are processed by the Central Application Office and applications into second, third or fourth year of an undergraduate course, can be made directly through the Institution Admission Office. Applicants must satisfy the Minimum Entry requirements as specified by the relevant HEI, please check the institution's website in question for more information.

Transferring within the UK:

• In UK, all applications to all years of full-time undergraduate degrees, HNDs, university diplomas and graduate courses in medicine and social work are processed by UCAS.

Find out more on fees and grants available to third level students.

• Fees and funding at DkIT
• General information on fees and funding in the Republic of Ireland
• General information on fees and funding in the UK.

You can find out more information about Scholarships at DkIT by visiting Grants and Scholarships

Visit the Careers Documents section where we have included some useful articles, links and documents. For all other information on study abroad opportunities at DkIT, please visit the International Office webpage.

• Information on studying outside Ireland is available on Gradireland website.
• Specific information on over 50 countries can be found on the Prospects Website.
• If you are interested in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) abroad, you can find the list of all course providers of recognised TEFL certificates on ACELS Website. Click here for more details.
• More information about English Language Assistant (ELA) can be found on the Department of Education and Skills Website.

Thinking about postgraduate study? Is further study right for you? What type would suit you best?

There are a number of different postgraduate programmes available in Ireland. Those include Masters courses, Postgraduate Diplomas or Certificates and Professional Qualifications. These courses can be undertaken straight after your honours degree, after one or many years out or while working.

• Taught Masters Programme (ie MA, MBA or MSc) usually last 1 year full time and 2 years part time. it involves a detailed study of a particular aspect of your academic discipline. It consists of course work and a dissertation.
• Masters by Research & Thesis (MRes) takes a minimum of 2 years and can extend up to 5 years. The student needs to choose a topic, select the most suitable institute to pursue it in. Appointed tutors will then assist and monitor the student throughout the academic years.
• Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate last approximately 1 year full time and 2 years part time, it may give you the basis required to move to a more specialised Masters course or convert your degree into another area.
• Professional Qualification can be undertaken while working, its main aim is to improve your knowledge and skills.

If you are considering a postgrad, you can look up the courses available in Ireland via the Postgrad Ireland website on or in UK via the Prospects website or get information directly from the college website. Be very careful regarding the closing dates, some are as early as December while others are not until June. You can find out more information about postgraduate opportunities at DkIT by visiting the Postgraduate section of the website.

Here are some of the possibilities for funding your postgraduate studies:

Research councils

• The Government of Ireland Awards from the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Science (IRCHSS- www.irchss.ie ) and the Embark Awards from the Irish Research Council for Science and Technology (IRCSET) are very important for students seeking funding, with maintenance awards of €12,900 from IRCHSS and €16,000 from IRCSET for research in the Republic of Ireland. These awards are announced early in the academic year.

Higher education grants

• Both the Higher Education Grants Scheme (HEG) and the Vocational Education Committees Scholarship Scheme (VEC Scheme) also cover approved full-time postgraduate courses of at least one year’s duration. Students in receipts of grants as undergraduates can have these extended for a maximum of two years, to allow completion of postgraduate study (this will cover only one postgraduate qualification). Grant assistance is not paid in respect of postgraduate study outside of Ireland. Information on eligibility conditions, including closing date, and application forms are available from the appropriate local authority or Vocational Education Committee.

The Department of Education & Science booklet Financial Support for Further & Higher Education is available to download at www.education.ie

University and Institutes of Technology funding

• Several of the higher education institutions in Ireland offer postgraduate funding on a competitive basis. They do so mainly for research degrees, in order to attract the best possible candidates.

Sponsorship by employers

• In technological, scientific and, sometimes, business areas, funding may occasionally be made available for a research topic of interest to employers. This funding is normally applied for at department level and through research teams rather than by individuals. Some students may make personal arrangements to have part-time study fees paid for by their employers.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information above is correct at the time of publishing but it is essential to check all details at source before making decisions.

The jump between university life and working life can be daunting. A graduate training scheme could be the perfect solution for you.

Most large companies employing graduates have training programmes in place. These companies tend to invest thousands in recruiting honours degree graduates who have demonstrated impressive academic ability but who have little or no experience in the world of work. A graduate training programme is a way of bridging the gap.

They tend to last either one or two years. Some will offer students the opportunity to experience several different areas of business before choosing a final career path within the company.

You might be interested in applying for one or more of the many graduate recruitment programmes for Honours Degree Holders, e.g. in banks, IT firms or overseas.

For further details of vacancies and how to apply:

• Consult employer websites
• Consult employment directories available from the gradireland Guide (Ireland) or Prospects Directory (UK).
• Go to the gradireland Careers Fair in Dublin in October. Free Entry. The opportunity to meet 180+ employers from all sectors and sizes of organisation in one day.
• Check the Employers Brochures or Handouts in stock in the Careers Information Area.

If you need help with your application, please contact the Careers Office. The Drop in Service is available throughout the academic year where we will answer your careers queries or arrange an appointment when necessary with the Careers Adviser. Come to the Careers Query Desk anytime between 9.00am to 10.30am & 11.00am to 2.00pm, Monday to Friday.

The Careers Office organises workshops on CV Preparation, Application Forms and Interview Skills throughout the academic year. Dates and venues will be advertised on the Careers Noticeboards and Monitors, please do check regularly for updates.

Teaching is an important and increasingly popular choice of career. As a graduate or as a student about to graduate with a relevant honours degree, if you have decided to pursue a career in teaching and you wish to train in the UK, you will find here more information on the Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

It is a course that focuses on the development of your teaching skills and not on the subject you intend to teach.

PGCE Post-Primary Level, you must have an honours degree or recognised equivalent qualification that relates to the subject you want to teach. For more information on entry requirements and how to get your qualifications recognised by the Teaching Council in Ireland, please visit https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/.

A professional body also known as a professional society, is an organization, usually non-profit, that exists to further a particular profession, to protect both the public interest and the interests of professionals.

The professional bodies may act to protect the public by maintaining and enforcing standards of training and ethics in their profession. They may also act like a cartel or a labour union (trade union) for the members of the profession, though this description is commonly rejected by the body concerned.

Many professional bodies perform professional certification to indicate a person possesses qualifications in the subject area, and sometimes membership in a professional body is synonymous with certification, but not always. Sometimes membership in a professional body is required for one to be legally able to practice the profession.

Below you will find a directory of the main professional bodies for each discipline.

Business / Finance

• The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) aims to offer business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.
• The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) offers an internationally recognised professional qualification in management accountancy, which focuses on accounting for business.
• The Certified Public Accountants Institute (CPA) designation is the most commonly used designation worldwide for professional accountants and the Institute’s qualification enjoys wide international recognition. Its current Membership operates in Public Practice, Industry, Financial Services and the Public Sector and CPAs work in over 28 countries around the world.
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI) is the largest and longest established accountancy body in Ireland. It has over 15,000 members, and it is the leading voice of the accountancy profession in Ireland.
• Irish Taxation Institute is the leading professional body for taxation affairs in Ireland. Our 6,000 membership comprises qualified tax advisers, accountants, barristers, solicitors and other business professionals. Our mission is to support an efficient, fair and competitive tax system that encourages economic and social progress.
• The Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII) is the professional body for marketing people throughout Ireland, offering membership, qualifications and training. The mission of the Institute is to develop business in Ireland by raising its marketing capability, upholding professional standards, and improving the skills of marketing people so they deliver exceptional business results for the companies that employ them.
• The Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) is dedicated to promoting the professional practice of public relations in Ireland, and to serving the best interests of people working in the profession.
• The Institute of Public Administration is Ireland s only consultancy service focused exclusively on public sector development.
• The Institute of Management Consultants and Advisers (IMCA) is the Recognised Professional Institute for Management Consultants and Business Advisers in the Republic of Ireland. The principal objective of the IMCA is the advancement of the professions of management consultancy and business advice through the establishment and maintenance of the highest standards of performance and conduct by its members, and by the promotion of the knowledge and skills required for that purpose.
• The Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI) is the trade association and professional institute for Irish advertising agencies. Its primary role is to promote the highest professional and creative standards in the production of advertising, across all media.
• The Institute of Bankers in Ireland is the leading professional body in banking and financial services in Ireland and aims to develop fully the professional potential of professionals working in these areas.
• Insurance Institute of Ireland (III) provides a range of services and privileges which support and encourage the members professional development. Theses services are offered at National and Local level.

Humanities / Social Sciences

• Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) the national organisation of professional social workers in the Republic of Ireland.
• The Irish Film Institute (IFI) is now one of the most active cultural bodies in Ireland. In recent years we invested in our capacity to do all that we do to a very high standard, recognizing that the arts must operate at a professional level to have the impact it can have in today’s Ireland. Our mission is simple: to both promote and preserve film culture in Ireland.

Engineering

• Engineers Ireland is one of the country s oldest and largest professional bodies. Our primary role is to be the representative voice of the engineering profession in Ireland. Engineers Ireland is different from other engineering bodies in Ireland in that we represent all disciplines of engineering. Engineers Ireland organises a comprehensive national and regional programme of papers, lectures, debates, discussions, seminars, conferences, training courses, site visits and social activities to keep members up to date with all aspects of their profession.
• The Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCS) is the professional body for Chartered Surveyors practising in the Republic of Ireland. The Society currently has over 1,800 qualified members, practising in all areas of the Property and Construction Industry.
• The Association of Building Engineers (ABE) is the professional body for those specialising in the technology of building.
• The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) represents on behalf of the public the most diverse set of professionals in the construction industry, setting the pace globally for high standards of professionalism in the built environment. The objective of the Irish Branch of the CIOB is to effectively serve its members and raise the Institute s profile in Ireland.
• Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI) is a voluntary self-regulatory professional body representing the business and professional interests of firms and individuals engaged in Consulting Engineering. As the voice of the Consulting Engineering profession, it assists in resolving issues of importance for clients and Consultants alike and contributes to the development of relevant public policy through involvement in Working Groups, Government Committees, and the development of model Conditions of Engagement, and policy papers, etc.
• Construction Industry Federation (CIF) actively represents and serves over 3,000 members covering businesses in all areas of the Irish construction industry through a network of 13 Branches in three regions throughout Ireland and through its 37 Sector Associations.
• The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) is the representative body for professionally qualified architects in Ireland. The RIAI s qualifications for membership are accepted by the Government, the courts and the EU as the required standard. The objects of the RIAI are the advancement of Architecture and the associated Arts and Sciences, the promotion of high standards of professional conduct and practice and the protection of the interests of architectural training and education.

Science

• The Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland (ESAI) is an association of individuals working in or with an interest in the environmental area in Ireland. The membership is drawn from all sectors and disciplines, ranging from biology and ecology to engineering, hydrology and management and from professors to amateur naturalists. The association provides a network for people in the environmental area, promotes good environmental practice and better understanding of the environment and provides an expert and up-to-date lobby platform for the environmental concerns in Ireland and abroad.
• The Institute of Food Science and Technology of Ireland (IFSTI) is the leading independent qualifying body for food professionals in Ireland.
• The Institute of Physics in Ireland aims to promote the role of physics in education, health, the environment, technology, and scientific literacy. Its membership is wide-ranging and multidisciplinary, including the educational, industrial, medical, and general public sectors. The institute seeks common purpose with other learned societies to promote science and science-based learning and to influence science policy in the two jurisdictions on the island.
• The Institute of Chemistry in Ireland is the professional body representing chemists in Ireland. Its members are chemists who satisfy the requirements of the Institute with regard to qualifications and experience. The Institute promotes the study of chemistry, sets professional standards and organises lectures, meetings and social events for its members. It offers advice and comment to Government in areas relevant to the profession. Irish Chemical News, the official journal of the Institute is published twice yearly.
• The Institute of Biology Ireland represents professional biologists and promotes education, research and the application of biological knowledge. The Institute endorses professional competence through the maintenance of a register of professional biologists.
• The Academy of Medical Laboratory Science (AMLS) is the professional body for Medical Scientists in Ireland. The Academy functions as the Designated Authority with the approval of the Minister of Health and Children, in evaluating the education and training necessary to practise medical laboratory science in Ireland.

Yes, the EAS service is there to answer any questions you may have. No question is too big or small so feel free to reach out to the team 24/7, 365 days of the year.

All services provided through the Spectrum.Life EAS are done so in total confidence. The identity of individuals and personal details will always be protected by the Case Managers and our team of counsellors. This information will never be shared with or reported to the employer or management team or anyone else, without the employee’s clear consent.

We have an extensive large network of qualified professional EAS counsellors & psychotherapists spread across the 26 counties of the Republic Ireland. We will provide employees with a counsellor within a maximum distance of 30km from their home or workplace and we have the ability to provide face to face counselling within 5 days throughout Ireland. We will always offer locations that are as convenient as possible to an employee.

Yes, our service is based in Ireland. This allows EAS case managers and counsellors have a great knowledge of the geography in Ireland. As such, it will be easier for them to match employees with counsellors by location as well as speciality. If you are an international employee our counsellors will match you with the most appropriate counsellor in your area.

On the initial contact, the Case Manager will collect a person’s contact details, discuss the issue they are facing and complete a quick assessment, taking approximately 30 minutes. This is also known as a triage process.

Where appropriate, person may be referred to short term counselling through the EAS following the triage process with the Case Manager.  When a person is referred to counselling through the EAS, they will be provided with up to 6 sessions of counselling, where appropriate.

Yes, you can request video or telephone counselling, whatever suits you best.

No all we may require on the initial contact is confirmation of your company name and some high-level information so we know that you are eligible to access the service.

Yes. We have a whole host of online services, through your organisation’s wellbeing platform. We have extensive educational resources such as videos, blogs and eLearning on topics like mental health, self-care, fitness, nutrition and more. We also have live chat and video counselling available through the portal which will provide access to regularly updated blogs and info on our EAS service, while also giving you the option to instantly call the helpline.

If an individual has issues that are identified as requiring long term counselling, they may not be suitable for the EAS services, as major long-term psychological issues and behaviours are unlikely to be resolved and changed within a short time frame. In these cases, we can provide employees with options for getting their psychological needs met in a more appropriate, longer-term setting outside of the EAS, where they can explore their issues in more depth and begin to change long-term patterns of behaviour. It is very important that employees are referred appropriately from the beginning so that they can access the most appropriate form of counselling i.e open ended therapy as soon as possible.

If you have any questions on this our EAS team can help you.

If your case is suitable for short term counselling, also known as solution-focused therapy, the case manager will link you in with a counsellor to organise your first session. Cases suitable for solution focused therapy are cases where 6 sessions of counselling is likely to lead to a positive outcome. Examples of cases like this would include the following, but are not limited to:

• Mild-moderate emotional distress, manifesting as stress, anxiety or low-level depression.
• Assistance in the promotion of healthier self-care techniques to promote healthier work-life balance and wellbeing.
• Supporting you with deal with challenging life events (i.e. loss, parenting issues/concerns, interpersonal difficulties, work stress)
• Support around marital/relationship/family issues.

All calls will be answered by our EAS team and all cases will be handled by one of our experienced Case Managers (all fully trained and qualified counsellors), who will carry out an assessment with each caller to ensure that each person is receiving the specialised assistance that they need.

The assessment will consist of a series of questions so they can understand the issue you are facing, and the severity of it. This will allow them to make an informed and clinical suitable decision regarding your referral.

Yes, the number is free phone and open 24/7.

• The freephone number is 1800 814 243.
• Text ‘Hi’ to 087 369 0010 to avail of EAS support on WhatsApp
• Text ‘Hi’ to 087 145 2056 to avail of EAS support on SMS

We offer access to a telephone helpline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Employees can also reach the service through our wellbeing app/platform via a live chat function, and a request a call back function. Therefore, we can respond to your needs at any time, no matter where you are.

The service can be used by an employee, their spouse, civil partner and dependants where the family member can be described as over the age of 18 and residing in the family home.

Our Employee Assistance Service (EAS) is a 24/7 free and confidential in the moment support service designed to assist individuals in dealing more effectively with any personal or work-related problems they might be facing. Where clinically appropriate, our EAS provides up to 6 sessions of short-term, solution focused counselling and referral services, per issue, per year.

At present it is only possible to request dissertations that are available within the Republic of Ireland and in some circumstances if they are available in digital format within the United Kingdom.

In order to make an ILL request you need to be in good standing with the Library.  We ask that you either renew or return all overdue items to the Library before making ILL requests.

No, these details won't be saved so be sure to keep a note of your own requests for future reference.

Return an ILL on or before the due date to the Library Desk. An Interlibrary Loan service is centred on trust, so we aim to return all books to the lending library on time. Items must be returned directly to DkIT Library, not to the lending library.

Fines are charged at €3 per day per item. This applies to both staff and students. Returning an item late may also result in restricted use or withdrawal of the ILL service.

If you lose an item you are liable for the replacement cost plus a fine. The lending library determines the replacement cost and fine. For example, the British Library charges €191 for lost items.

ILLs can not be renewed. A period of six weeks from the original due date must elapse before an ILL can be re-requested.

Books are usually on loan to you for 2/3 weeks. The return date is determined by the lending library. Some books may only be used in the Library. This is at the request of the lending library and is a condition that must be adhered to.

An ILL can be recalled at any time by the lending library. If this happens we will email you with a new due date.

Journal articles are printed for you and do not need to be returned. 

It is not possible to cancel requests. Once you make a request you are liable for the cost. Failure to collect an ILL item may result in the service being withdrawn.

Unfortunately not, as ILLs are material from other libraries, so we are bound by terms and conditions of the supplying libraries. One condition is that any ILL must be borrowed and returned directly from DkIT library only by the person who requested the ILL.

Exceptions can be made for those who are distance learners, however they must be returned via registered post, the cost of which is met by the requester of the ILL.

We will email you when your ILL arrives. All requests should be collected by the requester from the Library Desk.

All correspondence will be sent to your Institute email account only, so please check it regularly.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee a delivery date. We process requests as quickly as possible but we must then wait for the lending library to send the item to us.

You may have up to 5 requests on your account at any one time. This includes new requests, items we are waiting to be delivered to us, and items you have checked out on your account. Additional requests will be cancelled but you may re-request them at a later stage.

We accept requests for books, journal articles, book chapters, conference papers/proceedings, theses/dissertations, government publications and technical reports. All material requested must be for the purposes of learning, teaching, academic research, scientific research or private study (i.e. non-commercial use).

Requests should be directly related to your course / work / research. If you would like an item for personal use we can supply it at cost price.

All requests must be made online using the relevant request form. We cannot accept requests by email or in person at the Library Desk. Make a Request

The fee for a replacement parchment is €100 which must be paid to the Institute - in addition a fee of €10 must be payed for registered post

To obtain a copy replacement parchment, please email the awards office at [email protected] and provide your name, student number, address, date of birth, your programme of study and year conferred.

Parchments are legal documents and issued only once.

Should a parchment become lost or destroyed, the graduate must make a statutory declaration, using the form provided by the Registrar’s Office for this purpose (COF002). (This form is only relevant to students who obtained an award from DkIT since 2005.

The declaration must be signed by a Commissioner for Oaths or a Practising Solicitor or a Notary Public or a Peace Commissioner and a fee of €100 must be paid to the Institute (in addition to 10 euros for registered post). The replacement parchment will be a copy only and this will be indicated on the document.

Follow the below steps to get the Microsoft Authenticator set up on your new device.

1. Visit https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info on your computer and sign in (using your current authenticator if asked)
2. Click on “Add sign-in method” and select “Microsoft Authenticator”
3. Click the “Next” button twice until a QR code is displayed on-screen
4. On your new phone, open the Microsoft Authenticator app and press the “Add Account” or “+” button, then select “Work or School account” followed by “Scan a QR Code”
5. Scan the QR code using the Microsoft Authenticator app on your new phone and click “Next” on the computer
6. Respond to the authentication prompt on your phone by entering the 2-digit number displayed on the computer screen. Click “Next”. Setup is now complete

No, Apple Watch and Android wearable devices (such as Samsung Galaxy Watch) are currently incompatible with Authenticator’s security features, but you can mirror Authenticator notifications from your phone to your wearable device.

1. Go to https://mysignins.microsoft.com/security-info/password/change and sign in to your Microsoft 365 account.
2. Click Change Password in the Password section.
3. Choose a new password and confirm the new password.
   Be sure to use a strong, unique password that includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
4. Click Submit to confirm the password change.

An unsolicited request to approve a login that you have not initiated usually means that someone else knows your username and password and are trying to use it. Do not approve these requests, change your password immediately.

Yes, you can. You will need to add each account into the application.

If you use the "Microsoft Authenticator App" and you no longer have access to the old phone, then you can use the following link to reconfigure your MFA options: https://aka.ms/MFASetup

You will not be able to access your account until your MFA registration has been reset and set up again.

Contact the help desk at [email protected] or call +353 42 9370 300

You will have to contact the help desk and have them help you get back into your account.

There is no cost associated with authenticating with your phone.

The Microsoft Authenticator App does not need coverage/data to generate the code used to sign in.

MFA will be required for all applications that currently use Microsoft 365 to log on to. This includes the MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel) as well as Microsoft 365 applications (OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint).

Yes, you will need to install the Microsoft Authenticator app on your smartphone to use MFA.

Initially, you will be prompted on all devices for each Microsoft Office application. Sometimes you can select “don’t ask again for 14 days” or until you change your password.

Using the Android or Apple store, search for the Microsoft Authenticator App and install onto your phone.

You log into your account with your username and password. You will then get a notification via the mobile app verification to verify it is you logging into your account.

The Authenticator App is installed on your Mobile device (Android or Apple) and is used to authenticate that you are the person attempting to log on to your account. When a login attempt is made using your computer login details, MFA will send a notification to your phone via this app.

Multifactor Authentication (MFA) provides increased security because instead of only using a password, or a code through text, a separate app on your phone is used to verify access. MFA makes it difficult for unauthorised users to sign into your account. With MFA staff and students in Dundalk Institute of Technology can use the Microsoft Authenticator app to securely sign into Microsoft 365 on their devices.

As a confidential service, we are unable to share information about students without their expressed consent. This means that we are unable to tell you if the student is attending the service or share any information about their wellbeing. There are some exceptions to this, involving circumstances where there someone’s safety is at risk. We are however, able to talk to concerned parents/guardians/partners in a general sense, offering advice and guidance on supports and resources that their student can avail of.

If chooses to engage in counselling, they will be offered an initial assessment appointment during which they will be guided to clarify issues of concerns and consider how counselling may be supportive at this time. Due to the pressures on the service, we offer short-term input, with up to 6 therapy sessions available to students following their initial assessment appointment. In exceptional circumstances, additional appointments may be offered. Appointments typically occur on a weekly or fortnightly basis, depending on the student’s circumstances.

The Counselling Service is open from 9 am until 5 pm from Monday – Friday.

For more information, see the Counselling webpage.

The Student Counselling service offers support with a wide range of emotional, social and psychological issues. Some examples can include depression, anxiety/panic attacks, transitions, mental health difficulties, bereavement and loss, interpersonal or relationship problems, family difficulties, self-esteem, trauma, including sexual trauma, academic issues, addiction issues, eating disorders, self-harm and suicidal thinking. Whatever issue your student may have, we encourage them to seek support.

As of December 2023 , the Institute has 4 number charging points for electric vehicles. These are located in car park number 9, the free to all carpark.. The EV points are intended for the use of staff and students of the Institute. The charging points will not be advertised on public maps or websites. This is to ensure that the Charge Points are available to Institute staff and students only, and this will assist with the Institutes Sustainable Traffic Management Plan, however it may be that members of the public not associated with the Institute will use the charge points and there is no system to prevent this occurring. 

It is intended that the EV charge points are intended solely for the use of Electric Vehicles that are charging their batteries. It is not intended as a space for Electric or any other vehicles “to park”. 

The cost of charging the vehicles is set out at the charge station. This charge is 56 cent per kWh and is based on other charging station rates in the Dundalk area. The Institute as a public body cannot provide free or subsidised electricity to staff, students or the public. The charge rates are set to local rates to ensure that there is not overuse of the chargers (eg if the rates were significantly less, then use by the public would increase and this could affect availability.). The charge rate of 56 cent per kwh is based on local rates at the time of writing ,i.e. December 2023. The rates may vary from time to time and will not necessarily be reflected in this FAQ. 

Once a vehicle is charged or the session ends, there is a grace period of 30 mins during which the user of the charge point, must remove their vehicle. This is in order to ensure that charging points are free for EV’s to charge. If after the 30 min grace period the vehicle is still in place and plugged in then a €2/hour charge will be applied for every hour or part thereof that the vehicle is parked and plugged in. This is known as a demand management charge and it is intended that persons whose vehicles are fully charged will be dissuaded from leaving their electric vehicles in the charging station space thus preventing other users from availing of the service. 

As part of the management of the EV points , any vehicle that is parked in the EV space and is not plugged in to a charger will be clamped, for the avoidance of doubt ,this rule applies to electric vehicles as well. Signage will be displayed at the EV charge points indicating that non charging vehicles will be clamped. This is to ensure that the EV charging spaces are used for EV charging and not as parking spaces. 

A user of the charge point must find a car parking space once their charge is complete or otherwise stay plugged in and pay €2 per hour. Users of the charger may ask ,where can they park their vehicle once they have completed the charging process, the answer to this situation is the same as the answer to question number 9. 

The EV Chargers use a system for use , operation and payment called Charge-point. To use the EV charge points ,users must register at

www.chargepoint.com

Details on use and fees will be at the above link. 

Please note that any matters arising with respect to charging, billing and operation of the chargers should be addressed to chargepoint via their customer helpdesk. The Institute has no ability to address these matters. 

Users of the EV Charging stations should note that there is a method of circumventing the charging system and effectively parking in the EV charging station without electrically charging the vehicle and without paying any fee for staying in the space, all the while appearing as if legitimately using the space. EV users can plug in their vehicle ,log on to pay and then immediately cancel the log in. At this stage a message will appear on the EV Charging screen requesting the user to “return plug” , see photo hereunder. The charge indicator light remains in an unavailable state while this message displays. The charger will remain in this state for as long as the vehicle remains plugged in ,without any charging cost or overstay fee. This is of course an abuse of the charging space which is strictly for the use of charging vehicles and not for vehicle parking. It also deprives the use of the charging space for a person who may need it.This is very inconsiderate behaviour towards other EV owners. The enforcement company will now be inspecting the EV chargers and any vehicle in this condition will be clamped.

The answer is NO. A staff virtual permit only entitles the holder to park in Staff carpark 1 and Staff carpark 8, for free. A staff member must pay in the Pay & Display carparks otherwise, they will be clamped.

There is some anecdotal evidence that commuters are parking in Institute carpark number 9 and travelling to Dublin on the bus each day: There is considerable reporting of this with respect to Car Park 9 which is a free to all car park. Car park 9 has 104 spaces of the Institutes 1384 spaces. This seems to cause considerable angst and annoyance among some patrons as it is felt that commuters are availing of free parking that patrons should only be able to avail of. There are many ideas forwarded to the Institute to solve this matter. Some of these are set out below. 

1. Introduce a permit system: A permit system could be developed that would require data such as name of applicant, type of car, reg. number and evidence that applicant is a student of the Institute. Rules would be developed with respect to who is eligible for a permit, fulltime, part-time, apprentice etc… The car park would require patrolling on a regular basis and a penalty of clamping would be introduced to those cars not registered on the system. This system would require a massive administrative input and on the ground patrolling and therefore would be very expensive for a very small Institute return (i.e. the micro management of 104 spaces). The system could be funded by a charge to apply for a permit but of course the issue and ownership of a permit would not imply a right to a space as all carparks are on a first come basis. The system could be worked around very easily by someone who is intent on parking in the carpark, in which case the system would be superfluous.
2. Have a full time security guard on campus guarding the carpark and admitting only persons who have appropriate ID, either a staff card or student card to the car park. This would require the installation of barriers and a security hut. A re-current cost of approximately €50,000 per annum and a capital cost of approximately €30,000. This is an expensive option and also is not available due to Health & Safety reasons related to car-park barriers impeding traffic flow. This solution is also an adversarial solution and may lead to negative behaviour at the ingress point, it is therefore not a long term sustainable solution and again is a large expense to micro manage 104 spaces.
3. In the event of the previous 2 solutions being introduced any commuter could simply move to a Pay & Display car park and pay €8 euro per week or simply park in the DkIT Sport Carpark which is free and walk to the Institute. So the matter of commuters parking on the campus would still occur. However not withstanding this if Carpark 9 became a Pay & Display Carpark then the matter of angst and annoyance to patrons would not occur.
4. Place signage to denote that the car park is for students and staff only. A sign was erected in 2016 to denote this but has proven to be superfluous. Signage in particular with respect to parking has proven to be totally ineffective, hence the introduction of clamping.
5. The Institute gates could be closed and opened at a set time everyday so that commuters cannot use the car park. This would require continuous management and also a call out system for cars that are locked into the carpark. For example if a student or staff members car is inadvertently, through no fault of their own, locked into a carpark of the Institute then a demand for a call out system would be created to open the gates. A call out system would be expensive to operate and man. Also the Institute gates would have to remain fully closed until at least 8.00am which may cause difficulties for Institute staff and students alike and create traffic management difficulties on the main public roads bounding the Institute campus. 

Conclusion: The most appropriate solution is to introduce Pay & Display to car park number 9 as this would eliminate the angst and sense of injustice felt by some patrons towards commuters using this free carpark. No decision has been made with respect to this.

It is approximately 1172 metres and can be walked in 12 mins at a speed of 5.86 km/hour (3.64mph). 

All staff were informed of the proposed study by way of e-mail questionnaire and within this questionnaire were asked for comments. The Governing Body were fully informed of the completed study and indeed have adopted a plan which is a direct result of the findings of the report.

As in the current situation, planning and resources restrict the Institute, and it will never be possible to obtain a 1:1 car /parking norm. New Car parks once built tend to fill up quickly and leave the organisation back at square one, particularly in the present economic climate where car ownership levels have increased dramatically.

It is important to define official Institute vehicles (OIVs) as vehicles complying with all three of the following tests: 

1. The vehicle must be owned by the Institute.
2. The vehicle must be commercially insured by the Institute.
3. The vehicle must bear the standard size official logo of the Institute. 

Institute vehicles may park anywhere on campus and are not subject to the policy.

Parking in a non designated space causes a number of problems some of which are listed below, obstruction of fire exit routes, obstruction of access to fire hydrant locations, obstruction of fire-fighter's access and hose runs, security, obstruction of universal access including for wheelchair users and visually impaired, disruption to deliveries, disruption of waste disposal, maintenance access, aesthetics, physical damage to Landscaping, Health and Safety risks due to obstructed vision and sight lines. Therefore, parking in an unmarked area, while in a seemingly correct fashion may cause significant difficulties for others. Vehicles infringing the rule "Park only in marked carparking spaces and do not park elsewhere" are liable to be clamped.

The above arrangements form the next step in the parking management system, and the operation of the system is under constant review. General enquiries and suggestions can be sent to “Parking” APCOA, 6 Mount Street Crescent, Dublin 2, or e-mail [email protected].

The above arrangements form the next step in the parking management system, and the operation of the system is under constant review. General enquiries and suggestions can be sent to “Parking” APCOA, 6 Mount Street Crescent, Dublin 2, or e-mail [email protected].

ARUP Consulting Engineers were appointed by the Institute to carry out a study/report for a “Sustainable Traffic Management Strategy & Implementation Programme”. This study was requested based on seemingly apparent difficulties with traffic management around the campus. A large variety of information was gathered and analysed by ARUP, including staff and student travel profiles, GIS data, and traffic routes analysis. The entire report is available to view on the Institute's website. 

This policy is a direct result of the findings of this report and was approved by the Governing Body in July 2006.

There are approximately 1384 car park spaces available to the Institute, and 21 will be allocated for visitor car parking. These are located between the Regional Development Centre and the North Building via Carpark 3. Booking of these spaces is on a first-come, first-served basis and is operated through the Institute Schools. As a visitor, you can request a visitor parking space with the person you intend to visit. Booking should go through the School or the Functional Department. Please provide your car registration details and your mobile number. Before your arrival, a PIN number will be sent to you. With this PIN number, you are able to enter the visitor car parking space through the barrier. Reception staff have no input to the visitor parking or operation of barriers.

Drivers of vehicles requiring the use of universally accessible parking bays may only do so if their vehicle displays a valid and registered "blue badge". Universally accessible bays are marked with a sign on the ground and/or on a nearby pole. If drivers display a blue badge, they may use these bays free. The Road Traffic Regulations, 1997, governs the issue of disabled persons' parking permits in Ireland. Local Authorities, the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disabled Drivers Association issue the permits. Permits are granted to all eligible disabled persons, irrespective of whether they are drivers or not, and they have National application. Any person who is suffering from a disability that prevents that person from walking or causes undue hardship in walking is eligible for a permit. For those permits not issued by the above agencies, the displayed permit must comply fully with EU recommendation (98/376/EC), which allows for its recognition in other EU member States. There are many bays dispersed throughout the campus.

As is the current situation, drivers leaving the campus, even on official Institute business, may find difficulty in obtaining a parking space on return. This situation is the same for persons who are charging their electric vehicles, and once charged, must move their vehicles to a car parking space. There may be no car parking space available on campus. There are generally spaces available in the DkIT Sport Campus.

Any vehicle not within a designated parking space at any time will be clamped i.e. 24 hrs / day 365 days per year. Clamping of vehicles without a valid Pay & Display ticket will be in operation during the period 1st September to June 20th each year, weekdays only from 08.00hrs – 18.00hrs. There will be no requirement for Pay & Display between the period 21st June to 31st August each year, however cars not within a designated parking space at any time will be clamped.

The staff car parks are Number 1 and Number 8 immediately adjacent the main entrance gates, will be free to cars that are registered as staff vehicles. To register as a staff vehicle staff are required to register on an annual basis via the car park management website www.apcoa.ie. A valid Staff Payroll Number is required. Vehicles not registered with NCPS will be clamped. Cars parked within the staff carpark but not in a designated bay will be clamped whether registered or not. Staff are entitled to two virtual registrations but may only park one vehicle at a time.

Staff, students and visitors alike must pay for and display a valid ticket in P&D areas, which can be purchased from the nearby machines. The Pay & Display areas are Carparks 2,3,4,6 and 7. The 21 visitor spaces are not Pay& Display. Other cashless methods of payment are available. Please see signage in carparks.

Staff, students and visitors alike must pay for and display a valid ticket in P&D areas, which can be purchased from the nearby machines. The Pay & Display areas are Carparks 2,3,4,6 and 7. The 21 visitor spaces are not Pay& Display. Other cashless methods of payment are available. Please see signage in carparks.

The clamping policy has been in force since February 2007. The Pay & Display policy was implemented on the 1st September 2008 to the following carparks, 2,3,4,6,7. Car park 9 and DkIT Sport Carpark is free to all staff and students alike. Staff Car parks number 1 and 8 will remain as free Staff Only Car parks.

The new car parking policy is as follows,

1. Park only in marked parking spaces and entirely within the space as marked.
2. Do not park elsewhere.
3. Any car that is not parked in a designated car parking space is liable to be
   clamped.
4. The unclamping fee is €60.
5. From 1st September 2008 a proportion of spaces at the Institute will be subject to a Pay & Display rate of 30c/hour or €2/day or €8/week. These charges are being introduced as “Demand Management Charges”. They are not intended to create a revenue stream for the Institute but rather to encourage a modal transport shift within the staff and student population.
6. Any car not displaying a valid pay and display ticket is liable to be clamped. The payment of a daily or weekly rate does not guarantee a space.
7. Other terms and conditions are set out in the FAQ Car parking (i.e. this document)

The Institute has increased spaces available from 531 in 2001 to its current level of 1384 in 2022. No additional spaces will be made available in the short term. This is due to An Bord Pleanala restrictions and fiscal constraints.

Should you have any grievance with the circumstances in which the clamp was applied, you may appeal by following the procedure below.

1. A person may go to www.apcoa.ie and enter their car registration and ticket number - this will show them photos of their vehicle and why it was clamped.
2. They may then choose to continue to appeal or not 
   Appeals will only be accepted via the on-line system.

APCOA cannot consider the following as valid reasons for an appeal:

• Being late for work/lectures
• Inability to find a parking space
• Lack of knowledge of the system
• Disagreement with the principles of the system  

Please follow the instructions for the release of the vehicle wheel clamp, enclosed with the infringement notice attached to your vehicle. The telephone number for the release of your vehicle is 0818 555 000.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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

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.