DCU EU Undergraduate Admissions
EU Entry Requirements to Undergraduate Programmes
Applicants are assessed based on their performance in their school leaving examinations. Applicants must meet minimum entry requirements, which are made up as follows:
- General Entry Requirements
- Specific Course Requirements
General entry requirements and specific programme requirements may be satisfied by results obtained from more than one sitting.
Applicants who satisfy the minimum entry requirements are ranked for admission in order of merit on the basis of their results in their school leaving examinations.
This ranking/scoring will be based on one sitting of school leaving examinations e.g. Irish school-leavers will have their points score calculated on the basis of one sitting of the Leaving Certificate examinations.
General Entry Requirements
A minimum of six Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade 06/H7, to include the subjects English OR Irish AND the subject Mathematics. In addition, applicants must present at least two subjects at grade H5.
Exception:
A minimum of six Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade 06/H7, to include a H4 in Irish, 04/H7 in English and 04/H7 in Mathematics. Applicants must present at least three subjects at grade H5.
Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) (DC002, DC003 and DC004)
Summary course requirements can be found in the DCU online prospectus. Additional Course Requirements (notes one, two and three) and Groups (one and two) are outlined in the Application Information Summary in the prospectus.
Leaving Certificate Mathematics Requirements
DCU does not award points for the subject of Mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation level. However, the courses listed below will be accepted for admission purposes;
| Course Code | Title of Course |
|---|---|
| DC001 | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education |
| DC009 | Bachelor of Arts: Joint Honours |
| DC014 | BA in Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance |
| DC131 | BA in Communication Studies |
| DC132 | BA in Journalism |
| DC133 | BSc in Multimedia |
| DC155 | BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies |
| DC231 | BA in International Relations |
| DC232 | Bachelor of Civil Law (Law and Society) |
| DC235 | BSc in Education and Training |
| DC238 | BA in Social Sciences and Cultural Innovation |
| DC291 | Bachelor 0f Arts - Joint Honours Media |
| DC292 | Bachelor 0f Arts - Joint Honours Law |
| DC293 | Bachelor 0f Arts - Joint Honours Intl Language |
| DC294 | BA in Climate and Environmental Sustainability |
| DC295 | Bachelor 0f Arts - Joint Honours Politics |
Leaving Certificate Subject Combinations
Certain subjects will not be scored separately if they occur in combination with subjects which are similar in content. In each case the highest individual grade will be scored. The following six groups of subjects are affected by this restriction.
1) Music and Musicianship, Music A, Music B
2) Economics, Agricultural Economics
3) Physics with Chemistry
- if combined with Physics and Chemistry only the two best scored.
- if combined with Physics or Chemistry only the best scored
4) History, Economics and Economic History
- if all three are taken only the best two will be scored
5) Latin, Classical Studies
6) Greek, Classical Studies
Having satisfied the General Entry Requirements and Course Entry Requirements, candidates are ranked for admission on the basis of a score representing best six subjects in one sitting of the Leaving Certificate examination*. The points that apply to each grade in the Leaving Certificate are indicated in the following table:
| Higher Grade | Points | Ordinary Grade | Points |
| H1 | 100 | O1 | 56 |
| H2 | 88 | O2 | 46 |
| H3 | 77 | O3 | 37 |
| H4 | 66 | O4 | 28 |
| H5 | 56 | O5 | 20 |
| H6 | 46 | O6 | 12 |
| H7 | 37 | 07 | 0 |
* Candidates who meet the points requirement but not the specific course requirements, e.g. H4 in English for BA in Journalism, are allowed to repeat that subject only to meet course requirements.
** For information on the new common points scale or for information on the pre-2017 Leaving Certificate points calculation, please see the click on this link
Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will continue be awarded in 2017 for higher level mathematics, at grades H6 and above.
Grades for Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) Link Modules are aligned with the current Leaving Certificate grading scheme and equivalent points. With the introduction in 2017 of the new Leaving Certificate grades, points will be awarded for LCVP Link Modules as follows:
| Distinction | Merit | Pass |
| 66 | 46 | 28 |
* For further information on the revised points calculation, please see the click on this link
Who can apply: Applicants that have a full NFQ level 5 major award in the appropriate qualification, a minimum of 5 distinctions and any programme specific module requirements, may compete for a place based on their QQI points score.
Please note: Applicants that have completed a QQI FET Level 6 may also consider applying for advanced entry for some DCU programmes. Please see "Advanced Entry" application section below.
Which programmes can I apply to: DCU offers QQI FET entry routes to over 60 full-time Undergraduate courses. For courses with a QQI entry pathway, approximately 10% of places are reserved for QQI applicants.
DCU programmes with QQI FET Level 5 entry path are listed HERE
What are the entry requirements: To compete for a limited number of places, applicants must have a full Level 5 award in the appropriate qualification, with a minimum of 5 distinctions and any programme specific requirements. The requirements must be achieved in one sitting. For more detailed information on the QQI FET entry requirements to DCU, please use the link below. Using the drop down, select Dublin City University. This will display the minimum entry requirements for all DCU programmes with a QQI FET entry route.
QQI Offer Statistics
To review 2023 QQI FET offer statistics, which include the number of places on each programme, offers made and the cut-off points, please click here. This information is for guidance purposes only.
How do I apply: Apply through CAO.
For a step by step guide on how to complete an application, please visit the CAO FET Video Guide.
Who do I contact if I have a question:
You may like to review the CAO FET Information Guide.
If you have any questions about entry requirements or how to apply, please email the DCU Admissions Team: ugadmissions@dcu.ie.
If you would like to hear from current DCU students who came through a QQI route, want to visit DCU, explore our campus or hear about upcoming open days, please visit the DCU Student Recruitment team page.
This page is currently being updated to reflect the changes to A level scoring for entry 2025. Please revisit at the beginning of December 2024 for entry requirements for 2025, the current information is pending University approval.
General Entry Requirements
What is the minimum I need?
All DCU Applicants must meet general entry requirements to compete for a place based on points. Admission to most courses is competitive and for these courses a standard in excess of the minimum is required.
| Level | Irish Matric Type | A-Level Requirements |
|
8*
|
2 H5 Required | 6 distinct recognised subjects which must include: 2subjects at GCE A Level grade C and a pass grade in 4 other subjects which MUST include Mathematics and English (or Irish) |
|
3 H5 Required Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) (DC002, DC003, DC004) |
6 distinct recognised subjects which must include: 3 subjects at GCE A Level grade C and a pass grade in 3 other subjects. Minimum Requirements:
*These requirements are defined by the Department of Education and are subject to change based on DES requirements |
*All DCU programmes applied for through CAO are level 8 programmes.
What grade counts as a pass for purposes of admission?
The pass grade is a minimum of E at A Level, D at AS or 4/C at GCSE (on a scale of E-A* where A* is best). A subject may only be counted once from these examinations. For a list of recognised subject click here
Programme Entry Requirements
Additional programme requirements are indicated within the detail for each course in the prospectus. Please see the following website link to review the requirements HERE
Please note:
DCU will be conducting a full review of A level entry requirements for entry 2026 and will be aligning fully with the subject grade comparison chart below for Entry 2026.
For 2025 entry the grade comparison chart below should only be used as a guide, A level entry requirements for 2025 are published on each programme page.
How do I meet the specific subject requirements?
To compare the subject requirements in terms of Irish Leaving Certificate as specified on the individual course pages, use the following table
| Subject Grade Comparison: Showing the minimum score to meet each Leaving Cert grade | |||||||
| Leaving Cert | A-Level (A2) | AS | Leaving Cert | A-Level (A2) | AS | GCSE | |
| H1 | A | 01 | C | B | 9/A* | ||
| H2 | B | 02 | D | C | 8/A | ||
| H3 | B | 03 | D | C | 7/A | ||
| H4 | C | 04 | E | D | 6/B | ||
| H5 | C | 05 | E | D | 5/C | ||
| H6 | D | C | 06 | E | D | 4/C | |
| H7 | E | D | |||||
| NB the table above is NOT used for points conversion, only for entry requirement equivalence. For points conversion see 'Points Scale' tab. |
This page is currently being updated to reflect the changes to A level scoring for entry 2025. Please revisit at the beginning of December 2024 for entry requirements for 2025, the current information is pending University approval.
How do I work out my points score?
Having Satisfied the General Entry requirements and programme entry requirements candidates are ranked for admission on the basis of a score calculated as follows:
|
Points Conversion Table |
| Grade | Best 3 A Levels | 4th A Level | AS Level /EPQ+ |
| A* | 192 | 24 | 24 |
| A | 165 | 24 | 24 |
| B | 142 | 20 | 20 |
| C | 120 | 18 | 18 |
| D | 100 | 16 | 16 |
| E | 67 | 14 | 14 |
Bonus Points for Mathematics:
25 additional points will be awarded for a grade E or better in A Level Mathematics. This applies to only ONE mathematics subject of the following: Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Pure Mathematics, and only where that subject is used as one of the subjects for scoring purposes. NB Mathematics and Pure Mathematics cannot be counted separately for points purposes.
+ Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is scored as an AS level (A* is available in this). Throughout this section AS level can be read to mean AS level or EPQ.
** Please note: Applied A Levels are not accepted by DCU.
Applicants are scored on a maximum of 4 different subjects at A and/or AS level/EPQ. For scoring purposes, the following combinations of A Levels and AS Levels are permitted:
- The best 4 A level results in a single sitting. If 4 A Levels are presented, the lowest grade is scored as the lower rate
- The best 3 A level results in a single sitting, plus the best AS level from the previous or same sitting
- The best 2 A level subject results in a single sitting, plus the best 2 results at AS level from the previous or same sitting
- The best 1 A level subject result in a single sitting, plus the best 3 results at AS level from the previous or the same sitting
NB Grades in the same subject in A and AS level cannot be combined. CDU does not accept applied A levels.
Important information for all GCE Applicants
- Evidence of GCSE examinations must be supplied to meet minimum entry requirements
- Please see www.cao.ie/index.php?page=scoring&s-gce for details of documents which must be provided to CAO.
What documents do I need to send?
If you are applying with GCE exams to be taken this year, you must provide the:
- Exam Board
- Centre Number
- Candidate Number
- Subject(s) and level
in the spaces provided
For any GCE/GCSE examinations which you have already completed, and for which a certificate has been issued, you must submit certified A4 photocopies (certified by a school stamp) of the appropriate certificates to CAO.
Please Note: Certificates or statements of results must be issued by the exam boards (containing the exam board logo). Documents produced by schools will not be sufficient.
Applicants presenting EU qualifications from outside Ireland should apply through CAO by 1st February.
Important DCU note: All supporting documentation must be posted directly to CAO. For applicants with results from previous years, this information must be uploaded to CAO within 10-14 days of submitting their CAO application. For those taking exams in this current year, these results must be submitted to CAO no later than 2nd August for Round 1. This is to allow adequate time for assessment and processing. Any results received after 2nd August may be considered for later rounds, provided places remain on programmes. Guidance with regard to submission of examination information to CAO can be found in the CAO handbook or through their website, www.cao.ie.
Applicants may obtain guidance on the approved qualifications acceptable for an application to DCU using the following link, EU Qual Guide. This guide outlines the general entry requirement for each examination and a subject guide to help with the translation of individual subject grades.
All applicants must present general entry and programme entry requirements as outlined in the DCU prospectus.
Further information related to DCU English Language Competency requirements can be found using this link, /registry/english.shtm
EU qualifications are manually calculated into a Leaving Certificate points equivalent. Eligible applicants compete with all other school leaving applicants, using the points calculated. Offers are made through CAO in August/September.
This CAO information sheet for EU applicants is a useful resource.