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Dublin City University Partnership

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Dublin City University Partnership

Program Overview

STUDY STEM AND MORE IN LIVELY DUBLIN

Finding STEM classes abroad can be challenging. Just north of Dublin, Dublin City University offers great access to classes in health sciences, engineering, and computing, as well as business, humanities, and education.

Known for innovative teaching, DCU is steadily climbing the Young University ranks (for universities 50 years of age and under), reaching 89 out of 600+ schools in 2023. The emphasis on innovation shows up in its facilities and the wealth of opportunities for students to get involved.

Enjoy the international vibe created by students from 128 nations. And as you get to know your campus—actually a cluster of campuses in a 1.5-mile radius—you’ll also have a wealth of opportunities to get to know Dublin and its people and explore Ireland’s stunning castle-studded landscapes.

Get to know more of Ireland with IFSA excursions (included, no extra fees!). Students often explore the stunning West Coast and Kilkenny, a medieval city where you can get your fill of artisan foods and try your hand at the Gaelic sport, hurling.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

Fall: April 15

Spring: Oct. 15

Academic Year: April 15

Minimum GPA

3.00

Credit load

12–15

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Single Room Option

Instruction language

English

Language prerequisites

None

Visa required?

Not in most cases. Learn More.

Apply Now

Academics

CHART Your Course
Find the classes you need fast with CHART. Our easy-to-use tool shows you options approved by your college or university.

Dublin City University business classes are AACSB accredited.

DCU online class catalog for study abroad students.

If you choose DCU to study for a semester or a year, you can select accredited modules from our five study abroad streams, which broadly match our five faculties.

Choose one stream below — it should be the stream that most closely matches your major. You can then download a list of module choices for that stream. Make sure you review the module choice checklist below and the more detailed guidelines.

The modules you select should total between 20 and 30 ECTS credits for each semester. Always check the requirement with your home university.
Check if the modules you choose have prerequisites/corequisites, which is especially likely with science and engineering modules.

Credit Conversions
The typical class load at Dublin City University is 24-30 ECTS credits, which is equivalent to 12-15 U.S. semester credit hours. 2 ECTS credit = 1 U.S. semester credit hour.

It is your responsibility to confirm your home institution’s requirements regarding course load during your study abroad experience.

Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.

Study abroad student may only enroll in DCU classes listed in the Study Abroad Modules, not classes listed in the catalog for DCU matriculating students.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
You must have completed at least one (1) full-time year of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.

GPA
Dublin City University will consider applicants with a GPA from 2.7 to 2.99 with additional application materials.

Recommendation Letter
Not required.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.

Excursions

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are examples from previous terms; outings may be different for your program. We’ll make every effort to run them all, but sometimes things we can’t control, such as local regulations and health protocols, get in the way. As a result, we cannot guarantee activities and excursions.

Dun Laoghaire Afternoon: Once a place for Victorian Dubliners to vacation in style, seaside Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Dun Leery), is now a thriving suburb with a busy main street and funky cafes. Walk the pier following the footsteps of literary greats like James Joyce to a well-known swimming spot called 40 Foot. Explore art, small beaches, and history of restored Victorian bathing pools, and enjoy the best ice cream in Ireland.
Gaelic Games at Croke Park: Ireland’s national Gaelic games include hurling, Gaelic football, handball, and camogie—ancient sports not widely known outside Ireland. Try them yourself with guidance from local coaches.
Rugby Match at Royal Dublin Society: Walk to the center of the city as you soak up the atmosphere with local Leinster fans, then and catch the excitement as the home team goes for a win.
Stand-up Comedy or a Play: Dublin is known for summer arts festivals that often center on food, film, or theater. Take part for a unique taste of Irish culture.
Alternative Dublin Walking Tour: Explore bustling thoroughfares and hidden lanes alike to discover the characters that make up Ireland’s vibrant music scene and see the city’s fabulous street art. Along the way, learn about the city’s LGBTQIA+ contributions to local culture.
Day Trip to the Hill of Tara and Newgrange (Brú na Boinne): Travel back in time with a visit to these sacred sites of ancient Ireland, which include the spiritual home of the Celts and a 5,200-year-old burial mound. Don’t miss the chance to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site and its exceptional prehistoric art.
Kilkenny Weekend: Don’t miss this two-night trip to Kilkenny, a charming medieval city dating back to 1195. Stay in a hostel with IFSA students who are studying all over Ireland and explore this small central Ireland standout, known for its history, artisan food, sporting culture—and Ireland’s most notorious witch. Visit a local farm, try hurling with a local coach, test yourself with a pub quiz, explore Kilkenny Castle, and more.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Single Room Option

Meals

Self-Catering

Details

Students live within walking distance of campus, sharing furnished apartments (flats) selected by IFSA. Most flats are in large complexes, built for modern student living. They are typically shared by IFSA students of mixed gender but could include other visiting students.

Sample apartment housing

Explore Aspen apartments to see what your Dublin home might be like:

Location: Ballyrum Road, near Dublin City Center.
Living space: Five or six students share furnished flats. Each student has a single bedroom, and shares living space and kitchen. Bathrooms vary by flat; most students have private bathrooms. Basic kitchenware provided. Students are responsible for bedding, linens, towels, all available nearby. Our team will take you shopping.
Meals: No meals provided. Students prepare or purchase their own food. Nearby, there are plenty of inexpensive places to eat, plus street food vendors, markets, and grocery stores.
Other details: Wi-Fi and utilities included. 24/7 security. On-site laundry facilities, gym, study space, theater room, and game space.
Commute: A 15-minute walk to Dublin City University. Buses also run to campus regularly; the bus stop is steps away. Expect a 45-minute bus ride to IFSA’s Dublin office and meeting space in the city center.
Nearby: National Botanic Gardens, Griffith Park, Glasnevin Cemetery (burial site of Michael Collins and Éamon de Valera), Croke Park (catch live Gaelic football or hurling), Phoenix Park, Temple Bar, Dublin Castle.