Dublin City University:
Dublin City University is a young university, situated on an 85 acre campus three miles north of the River Liffey in the city centre and just a 15-minute drive from Dublin airport. With the city just a 10-minute bus drive away, students of DCU have the best of both worlds; the social and cultural benefits of city life, but with the security and vibrancy of a university campus built very much for today. Dublin City University was initially set up to fulfil the national requirement for a highly-trained workforce with skills in the areas of business, science and electronics, computer technology, communications and languages and as an agent for change in its local community. The first students came through the door in 1980 and the university is now recognised nationally and internationally as a centre of academic excellence. It was awarded university status in 1989 and was considered at the time to be an 'unconventional' university. It broke with the traditional mould and introduced a number of ideas, which had enormous impact on the Irish education system. DCU was the first university in Ireland to introduce work placement (INTRA) as part of its degree programmes. The aim is for students to put their academic skills into practice in the work environment. Its degree programmes were also the first to be interdisciplinary, with, for example science students taking business courses, business students taking languages and language students taking computing. Many DCU students study at universities in Spain, France, Germany and Austria as part of their degree programmes under Erasmus exchange agreements.
National University of Ireland, Glaway:
At NUI Galway, we offer an extensive range of academically-challenging undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and diplomas of international quality. Our programmes provide students with opportunities for personal and academic development, as well as equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to embark on successful careers. The University's long-standing policy of innovative programme development ensures that the teaching programmes respond to the ever-changing needs of employers and of the economy. Research activity at the University has undergone a period of rapid development in recent years and important initiatives have attracted substantial funding. The commitment to excellence at NUI Galway embraces the holistic and individual development of each student, covering the intellectual, physical, social and cultural domains. In addition to the provision of top-class facilities for teaching and research, the University provides an excellent infrastructure for extracurricular activities. Áras na Mac Léinn, the Student Centre, incorporates sports and recreational facilities as well as student welfare services, facilities that will soon be enhanced by a new €40m sports centre. NUI Galway’s close proximity to the Connemara Gaeltacht, the largest Irish-speaking area in the country, provides a unique dimension to the campus. The regular use of the Irish language is an established part of social and academic life, while the city and university reflect the rich cultural ambience of a bilingual environment. NUI Galway recently launched Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, a national €35 million institution dedicated to pioneering third-level education through the medium of Irish. The University has established an international reputation for excellence in research and teaching and for prioritising the needs of its students. Faced by the challenges presented by an era of change, we are committed to responding imaginatively and effectively to the needs of students and of society in the 21st century.
Trinity College Dublin:
Trinity College builds on its four-hundred-year-old tradition of scholarship to confirm its position as one of the great universities of the world, providing a liberal environment where independence of thought is highly valued and where staff and students are nurtured as individuals and are encouraged to achieve their full potential. The College is committed to excellence in both research and teaching, to the enhancement of the learning experience of each of its students and to an inclusive College community with equality of access for all. The College will continue to disseminate its knowledge and expertise to the benefit of the City of Dublin, the country and the international community.
