The Access DCU Entry Route (ADER) is aimed at students who, due to their socio-economic background and low family income, face additional barriers to gaining entry to or taking up their place in DCU.
Students must be under 23 and the eligibility criteria are the same as those for the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR). Students who have applied to HEAR do not need to apply to ADER unless they are seeking subsidised accommodation
| 9th May 2025 | Closing date for ADER |
| 23rd May 2025 | Financial documents deadline |
Dublin City University has gone through a huge transformation recently, offering DCU courses and lifelong learning courses in North Dublin. The university has expanded its campus and range of courses by connecting St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra (SPD), Mater Dei Institute of Education (MDI) and Church of Ireland College of Education (CICE). These big changes at DCU cater for 16,000 students on DCU courses as they venture into their third level education. The expansion will increase DCU’s facilities across North Dublin, providing students with more time and space to focus on personal, academic and skill development throughout their duration at the university.
Dublin City University is renowned globally for its academic calibre. DCU is regularly featured as one of the world’s top young universities by the Times Higher Education Top 100 Under 50. The Sunday Times has named DCU twice as ‘Irish University of the Year’.
