ISSUE 1 September 2011
Access Service News 93% of Access students who enter DCU complete third level.
DCU Access Service goes from strength to strength Beginning in 2010 the Access Service undertook a significant piece
DCU Access Student Intake 1990-2011
of research, examining retention and progression rates over the past twenty-one years. The result of this research showed that since its inception, the DCU Access Service has maintained a high progression rate for all students, with a drop-out rate of less than
180 160 140
8.5% for Access undergraduate students. 120
DCU have had students from 34 nationalities enter the Access programme. To date, students from 15 nationalities have graduated – the remainder are current students. This strongly reflects the changing demographics in Ireland.
100 80 60 40 20 0 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2011
orientation programme which was held in DCU from 30th August This year has seen the highest-ever intake of new students to the
to 2nd September. We welcome the new intake of Access Students
DCU Access Programme. 170 new students took part in their
to DCU this year and wish them every success in their studies.
Career portfolios track student’s progress
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DCU celebrates 21 years of expanding horizons
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Linked schools tour DCU
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HEAR scheme has 170 students starting this year
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Launch of new strategic plan In successive DCU strategic plans, equality of access to education has remained central to DCU core objectives. On 14th October 2011, as we celebrate 21 years of the Access programme in DCU, we will launch our new Access strategic plan for 2011-13 and we will outline our key objectives:
Ensuring that the wider access agenda remains central to all stages of DCU planning and development
ACCESS STRATEGIC PLAN 2011-13
Maximising the use of University-wide resources to further enhance service provision to current and prospective students from non-traditional groups
Enhancing communication and collaboration in DCU between staff and the wider community
Building on the current capacity of the Access Service to support continued growth in student intake and enhance retention levels
Contributing to and learning from new knowledge and best practice in the area of access and equality
New Programmes for 2011/12 Social Innovation Programme
Career Portfolio Programme Thanks to funding received from the Citi Foundation, the Career Portfolio Programme will commence this academic year. This Programme will be provided for transition year and senior cycle students between 15 and 17 years of age. Students will build a portfolio of their college/career journey. Career portfolios will be used to plan, organise and document the student’s educational journey, in particular focusing on their career and study goals. In addition, students and their parents will focus on the financial aspects of career planning and decision making. A research study will be conducted by
In partnership with State Street Corporation (Ireland) and Young
DCU to establish the impact of the
Social Innovators, DCU Access is delighted to launch a new social
programme and the results will be
innovation programme.
used
The programme is aimed at transition and fifth-year students and
practices on guidance for
will be delivered in two stages: the first, focusing on learning
transition year and senior
essential innovation and entrepreneurial skills: the second on a
cycle students throughout
career/study exploration initiative, which
Ireland.
students can pursue post-Leaving Certificate. We are very grateful to State Street for their generous funding of this new and exciting programme which will benefit up to 500 students. 2
ACCESS SERVICE NEWS September 2011
to
inform
teaching
21 years of expanding horizons Celebrating the ongoing success of the DCU Access Programme The DCU Access Service is the largest and oldest Access
begin with a conference and the Access Strategy for 2011-2013
programme in Ireland, celebrating its 21st anniversary this year.
will be officially launched. In the afternoon, we will host the
We currently have over 500 students completing university
Achievement Awards for our linked secondary schools. These
education representing every county in Ireland. Over the past 21
Awards are designed to recognise, reward and encourage
years, 1,289 students have entered DCU on the Access
excellence in both the academic and extra-curricular aspects of a
Programme.
student’s school life. In addition, students from our 32 linked
To celebrate this huge success, we will be holding a festival of
primary schools will be showcasing their talent and will be invited
learning on Thursday 14th October in the Helix, DCU. The day will
to exhibit in the lobby and other areas of the Helix.
New Programmes for 2011/12 Maths Outreach Programme What the students say…
“I feel more comfortable doing maths, before it was very hard and stressful” We are delighted to announce sponsorship from AOL and The Ireland Funds for our highly successful Maths Outreach Programme which will be run in conjunction with Trinity Comprehensive School. Since the launch of an initial pilot programme, over 90 DCU students have volunteered to work with 70 junior cycle students in Trinity comprehensive on a weekly basis, providing them with one-to-one tuition in the area of mathematics. The DCU Access Service’s association with Trinity Comprehensive dates back to the inception of the Access Programme in 1990. The
“They showed me how to break questions down, I’m better prepared”
“I am more prepared for exams and more confident with my work”
Maths Outreach Programme now builds upon that strong foundation, working with students who previously would not have been able to apply to university as they would not have attained the necessary minimum grade in mathematics. The success and impact of the programme have been recognised by awards such as the President's Award for Civic Engagement in 2010. The award was made in the student category in recognition of the 90 student volunteers involved. ACCESS SERVICE NEWS September 2011 3
Continuing Programmes for 2011/12
Competition winners from St Aidan’s CBS Whitehall
Campus tours We offer each of our linked schools the opportunity to bring
DCU Debating Competition
students onto the campus for a tour and talk by a staff member and
Coordinated by the DCU Debate Society and held in May,
an Access student. Visiting schools will also have the opportunity to
the Debating Competition is offered to schools linked to the
see inside the Clarity centre’s sensor web-technology demo room
DCU Access Service. In advance of the competition, students
here at DCU. Linked schools at primary and secondary level
from participating schools receive an intensive half-day
attending school plays in The Helix are encouraged to combine
training session on debating techniques from accomplished
their visit with a campus tour.
members of the DCU Debate Society. On the competition
The Access Service is also delighted to welcome community groups
day, the students debate in two rounds, with the four
and youth agencies onto campus for tours by a staff member to
highest-ranked teams after the second round being invited to
promote positive educational experiences.
debate in the final.
First year science workshops In collaboration with Clarity – a new Science Foundation Ireland Centre for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) – we are delighted to offer workshops in such areas of science as ‘Cells and DNA, ‘Acids and Bases’, ‘Microbes and Hygiene’ and ‘Food and Nutrition’. These exciting and interactive sessions are delivered in our linked schools to first-year school students. DCU students volunteer to run experiments in schools, raising awareness of third level and encouraging students to engage in science subjects.
DCU Summer Scholars Building on the success of our Summer Scholars programme last year, we will be offering places again this year to students from our linked schools. In partnership with Centre for Talented Youth Ireland (CTYI) and with the support of Matheson Ormsby Prentice, a number of reduced-cost places are available, allowing students the opportunity to engage in new subjects as well as subjects of interest in a fun and motivating way. While studying their courses, students will also have the opportunity to participate in sport and recreational activities. Gifted children can be identified through the CTYI assessment process, which is available free of charge to students in our linked schools thanks to the generous support of Matheson Ormsby
For more information on DCU Summer Scholars please see:
Prentice.
www.dcu.ie/summerscholars
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ACCESS SERVICE NEWS September 2011
Continuing Programmes for 2011/12 TAKE 5 Take5 is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore their interests and aspirations and build their confidence while experiencing day-to-day college life, both academic and social. A joint initiative organised by the Access Programmes of DIT, DCU, NUI Maynooth, Trinity College and UCD, this highly successful programme has been running since 2000. Seventy students participated in 2011 and the programme ran from June 8th to 15th with the closing ceremony taking place on the evening of June 16th. The focus of the access workshops was the process of applying to college and making the transition from school to third-level education. Almost all of the students who attended this innovative five-day workshop stated that Take5 made them feel that going to
did not know and in addition, made them think more deeply
college is achievable. It taught them things about college that they
about what they would like to do when they leave school.
Sporting DCU, elite rugby inspirational talk
Discover DCU
DCU elite athletes will visit our
DCU series of workshops which are delivered to students in our
linked schools and give
linked schools. These interactive and highly informative
inspirational talks to students
workshops are facilitated by the staff of the DCU Access Service
about skills they can develop in
and Access student volunteers along with student ambassadors.
order to achieve success. Talks are
The aim is to support and complement the work of the guidance
aimed at junior and transition-year
counsellors and other teachers in the school. The workshops are
students and areas covered will
designed to encourage students to think about options open to
include motivation and time
them when they leave school and to consider third level as a
management.
viable choice.
This year we will be continuing our highly successful Discover
Student shadowing Last year’s student shadowing days were a huge success, with 175 students representing our 24 linked schools spending the day in DCU. Held over two gloriously sunny days in mid-March, students from transition and fifth year were given an in-depth picture of undergraduate life. First and second-year DCU students were matched up with the school students and they accompanied them to the library, lectures and to the restaurant. The DCU Rag Week was running during the same week and the school students got to see the fun side of college life and also the many volunteering opportunities that are open to college students. Feedback from the students suggested that all who attended would now consider going to
“I liked the whole feel of the day, gives us a really good idea of student life in DCU.�
college as a real option. When asked what they liked most about the day, many students spoke about how much they had enjoyed talking to the DCU students and learning what college is really like. ACCESS SERVICE NEWS September 2011 5
Continuing Programmes for 2011/12
Easter revision “I enjoyed every class and found it very useful”
“Teachers were very informative and classes well directed”
“Helped a lot with Irish – I’m able to speak more fluently”
“The information given was very useful and the tutors helpful”
Held in our associate college St. Patrick’s Drumcondra, the DCU Easter Revision Course is aimed at students from our 24 linked schools in north Dublin who have applied through the HEAR or
Attendance awards
Access DCU scheme. Last year, 147 Students were offered tuition in
The DCU Attendance Awards aim to encourage and reward
six higher level and two ordinary level Leaving Certificate subjects,
second-level students in third year who achieve the highest
allowing them the opportunity to prepare for their Leaving
attendance records in their group throughout the academic year.
Certificate in a structured environment.
One winner per school will be chosen to receive the award and
Feedback from the students showed that they found the revision
will be presented with a DCU hoodie in recognition of their
extremely helpful and beneficial in their preparation for the Leaving
achievement.
Certificate.
Primary Schools Programmes
New initiative this year – Mission V ‘Mad about technology’ Run by the Centre for Talented Youth (CTYI) and with the support
connect, create and collaborate in an immersive 3D learning
of the Access Service, 18 fifth-class students from our linked
environment. The project is expected to have positive effects on
primary schools will be invited to take part in this exciting new
social inclusion, particularly for those children from disadvantaged
initiative which will start mid September and run for 12 weeks.
areas interested in computing and gaming and will give these
Each student will have access to a 16-acre virtual island and can
children an opportunity to develop their talents.
Centre for Academic Achievement after-school classes
in a choice of three subjects to sixth-class students in term one,
The highly successful, multi award-winning primary schools
final term.
programme run in collaboration with the Centre for Academic
Through CTYI, a maximum of two places are on offer to each of
Achievement (CAA) will continue again this year.
our linked schools and a graduation ceremony will be held here in
Starting in November 2011, we will be offering after-school classes
DCU on the final day of each term.
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ACCESS SERVICE NEWS September 2011
fifth-class students in term two and fourth-class students in the
Next steps to DCU Sixth year school talks
Entry routes to DCU
Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a third-level admissions scheme for school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It is delivered by all of the Irish universities including DIT, as well as by several other third-level institutions. HEAR was established as a way of increasing participation in higher education from socio-economic groups which are currently under-represented in this sector. Access DCU Supports is an admissions and support scheme for students who, for a variety of financial We look forward to meeting teachers and students in
and social reasons, would not traditionally
November 2011 when we will commence our visits to
transition into third-level education. As with the
link schools. Sixth-year students will be given a
HEAR Scheme, this programme operates on a
highly-informative talk on the Access routes to third
national basis. Students either apply for reduced
level and how to apply. There will be an in-depth talk about the application process and the criteria they need to fill to be successful in gaining a place in college via the
points entry or compete for subsidised accommodation. Applications were up significantly in 2011 and we were delighted to be able to offer 185 places on DCU
Access scheme. Don’t forget our open days which will be held on 18th and 19th
courses with 170 students starting on campus this September.
November. Come and see us at the HEAR stand and we will also be
For further information on the HEAR scheme please see
giving information talks at our ‘Apply to DCU’ Seminar on 17th
www.access.college.ie and for information on the Access DCU
January 2012.
Supports entry route please see www.dcu.ie/access.
Who’s Who in Access Pre Entry
New staff member
Ita Tobin
01 700 5493
ita.tobin@dcu.ie
Susan Hawkins has joined the DCU Access Service pre-entry
Orla Conlan
01 700 8869
orla.conlan@dcu.ie
team as of August 2011. Susan previously worked with the
Susan Hawkins
01 700 6040
susan.hawkins@dcu.ie
DIT Access Service as a Post-Entry Project Officer for five years. We welcome Susan to the service and look forward to
or write to us at: Access Office, Room LG16, DCU, Dublin 9.
working with her in the coming year.
FEEDBACK
Ita Tobin Head of Student Recruitment and Access Office
Orla Conlan Access Officer
Susan Hawkins Pre-entry Project Officer
If you have any feedback or suggestions abou t our Access Schools Program me email susan.hawkins@d cu.ie
ACCESS SERVICE NEWS September 2011 7
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ACCESS SERVICE NEWS September 2011
6 GOOD FRIDAY: UNIVERSITY CLOSED 9 PUBLIC HOLIDAY: UNIVERSITY CLOSED 10 – 13 Easter Revision 18 CAA after school classes (ends 23rd May) 20 Access DCU Supports closing date
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CAO/HEAR offers