Begin Here, Go Anywhere
Open Day 2024
Dunboyne College will be holding an open day for the 2024/25 academic year on Thursday February 29th at 9.30am until 3pm.
OpenDCFE has been designed to give you a one stop shop for information not only about our courses, but our support services, transport links and what to expect as a student of DCFE.
All the essential information for the open day is on this homepage, but feel free to navigate the website to find out more about the college, our courses, how to apply and more.
Where
Dunboyne College of Further Education
Eircode: A86 FH01
When
Thursday, February 29th from 9.30am to 3pm
Podcast: From DCFE to University
Check out Episode 4 of the Dunboyne College podcast to learn from our graduates about how DCFE served as the perfect starting point for them to advance into University.
Our Courses
Dunboyne College overs a wide varity of courses from QQI Level 5 and 6 to Higher National Diplomas and Apprenticeships.
Click on the images below to find out more about our courses across our 16 departments
A word from our past graduates...
The Graduate Association
In this video, filmed during the 2019/2020 Graduate Association, DCFE graduates Amber Sinclair and Padraic Keane tell the audience about their journeys through Dunboyne College of Further Education, where they are now and how DCFE helped them get to where they are, and where they are going.
Graduate Focus: Padraic Keane
Pádraic Keane is a graduate of Dunboyne College of Further Education and is now a Deputy President of TU Dublin Student Union. He focuses on representing the student's voice and promoting equality.
In this online live stream filmed for our 2021 students, Pádraic spoke about his journey through further education, offering advice on what to look out for. He will also speak about the opportunities that await you as you start your further education journey with us at DCFE.
Graduate Focus: Daniel Whooley
During this special YouTube live stream for our 2021 students, DCFE graduate Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Fingal Daniel Whooley joins us to talk about his journey through further education and Dunboyne College and how it helped shape his future.
Our Supports
Dunboyne College is proud to offer extensive support services for our students. You can find out more about these by clicking on the below headings.
The Learning Hub
Students will be able to avail of assistance from Student Support Services that are based in the Learning Hub. These services include career guidance and well-being counselling services that are available to support you in your learning, future career choices or progression to further studies; academic support appointments on a one-to-one basis; and additional support to students with mobility or additional learning difficulties. Students using the Learning Hub will have access to:
Computers
Printer
Photocopying
Specialised software/hardware
Internet
Sensory Room
Our sensory room is a quiet space set up to meet the preferences and needs of a student with regard to their sensory experiences. It provides a calming environment where the goal is to give the students the customised sensory input, they require, to be able to self-regulate, making it possible for them to be better equipped for both learning and interacting with others. It is equipped with interactive and fully customizable lighting and visual effects to create an immersive sensory experience. To access the sensory room, book your session through the Learning Hub.
Ulreeka, our Community Services Dog
Ulreeka is a 2-year-old Golden Labrador. She is an intelligent, highly skilled, very scent-oriented dog and likes to go to bed early! She loves her food, walks, playing with her toys and most importantly interacting with the students in the college.
She roams freely around the learning hub supporting students that are feeling anxious about the college experience, whether it is academically or socially. Through our booking system, students can access Ulreeka to sit and chill with her, watch her perform her skills, or groom her. She looks forward to meeting students everyday.
Career Guidance
The Career Guidance and Counselling department team are Derek Ball and Meabh Nimmo. Meabh
and Derek will visit each class regularly during the academic year to provide information and advice on the following:
• Timetables and Awards
• CAO, UCAS (UK) and Direct Applications
• Employment Options
• The Higher Education Links Scheme
• HEAR and DARE
• Mature Applications
• Career Research
Our Guidance Department team will be available throughout the year. Students may make an appointment through the Dunboyne College website or MyDCFE.ie, or avail of the drop-in service. They can obtain advice and practical guidance on planning their career progression to further study or employment. Central Applications Office (CAO) applications for third level courses close in January (for reduced fee applications) and 1st February for normal applications. Scan our QR code to visit the CAO website.
Educational Support (click for more)
Dunboyne College of Further Education is committed to providing the best possible learning environment in relation to students with special educational needs and disabilities. Dunboyne College welcomes applications from students with special needs and makes provision, wherever possible, to facilitate access and participation in the academic courses and student life.
We provide services to all students with additional needs, which may include, but is not limited to:
Visual Impairment
Hearing Impairment
Mental Health Conditions
Physical or Mobility Difficulties
Specific Learning Difficulties, e.g. Dyslexia, Dyspraxia
Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Developmental Co-ordination Disorders (Dyspraxia / Dysgraphia)
Neurological Conditions Significant On-going Illnesses
Students who have been assessed as having additional needs or a disability should contact the Student Support Services early in the academic year to discuss their individual needs and their individual support plan.
All enquiries to Catherine Joyce cjoyce.dbc@lmetb.ie
Academic Support (click for more)
Academic Support is available to all the students of Dunboyne College. One-to-one appointments can be made via our online booking system to avail of support in the following areas:
• Reading an assignment brief
• Using Moodle, Outlook, Office365 and OneDrive to assist in your studies
• Research and referencing in your assignments
• Academic writing
• Time management and organisational skills
• Exam study and revision skills
• English Language (ESOL) support
One-to-one appointments take place in the Learning Hub. Queries relating to this service can be directed to the Academic Support Co-ordinator, Aoife O’Dwyer, who is based in the Learning Hub.
Dyslexia Adult Screening Testing is also available in the Learning Hub, please contact Catherine Joyce or Aoife O’Dwyer aodwyer.dbc@lmetb.ie for further information on this service.
Counselling (click for more)
Personal Counselling is available to students to assist with issues which may arise in the course of the academic year, for example, difficulty in adjusting to college demands, time management, exam anxiety, or other ongoing concerns. Personal counselling is bound by strict confidential ethical guidelines. Appointments can be made through the website, a mentor or directly with Meabh – mnimmo.dbc@lmetb.ie or Derek - dball.dbc@lmetb.ie
Mature Learner Support (click for more)
The college welcomes adults over 23 who wish to return to education and who wish to retrain in new skills and technologies. Our mature learners enjoy the following supports in addition to the overall supports provided to all students:
• Mature student meet and greet before the college year begins.
• A dedicated mature student room where mature students can meet and work with fellow mature students.
• Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the Mature Student room daily.
• A mature student officer available for guidance and support.
• Academic support tailored to ensuring the smooth transition to DCFE.
• Coffee Mornings in the mature student room.
• Guest speakers from past mature learners.
• Career guidance talks tailored to mature links.
• A dedicated induction process for mature entry.
• Workshops in exam study, time management, presentation skills, IT skills, referring and research techniques, etc.
• Basic computer skills workshops.
• Organised social events for mature learners.
• We look forward to welcoming our future mature learners to Dunboyne College.