Access to the Workplace for Students
DCU Access to the Workplace provides DCU Access students and neurodivergent students with a fully paid, high-quality summer internship, hosted by some of Ireland’s leading companies who participate in the programme.
Using your summer break to gain professional experience related to your degree can significantly enhance your future career prospects and social mobility. However, not all students possess the social and professional networks that can help to secure paid, professional summer work experience.
To assist students to gain this professional experience early on in their educational journey, DCU’s Access Service and DCU Educational Trust launched the Access to the Workplace programme.
Since its establishment in 2019, the programme has received widespread recognition for its excellence and innovation, winning the Best Business and Third Level Institution Collaboration prize at the Education Awards in 2020. The programme was also shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Best Widening Participation or Outreach Initiative Award for 2022.
Applications for the 2025 programme will open in January 2025. If you'd like to find out more about the programme, please contact John Moriarty at john.moriarty@dcu.ie
Am I Eligible?
You are eligible to participate in the programme if you are:
- A second year DCU Access undergraduate student
- A first year Access undergraduate student who commences their INTRA placement at the end of second year (i.e Business School students)
- A second year neurodivergent student registered with, and supported by, the DCU Disability and Learning Support Service (DLSS). Or a first year neurodivergent student who commences their INTRA placement at the end of second year (i.e Business School students)
You can apply for the DCU Access to the Workplace (ATTW) programme here.
If you'd like to know more about the programme, please contact Fiona Hudson, fiona.hudson@dcu.ie
What are the benefits?
- An opportunity to earn and learn. You will complete a fully paid, professional internship for a minimum of 4 weeks to a maximum of 12 weeks
- Develop your knowledge, skills and competencies to fully participate and engage in a professional work environment
- Experience a particular job or industry of interest
- Expand your professional network and connections
- Exposure to industry led workshops and events hosted by top Irish companies
- Enhance your CV for INTRA and graduate employment
- Opportunity to be mentored by experienced professionals in your field
DCU Engage Award - Silver
By participating in DCU Access to the Workplace, you are also completing one out of three core elements of the DCU Silver Engage Award.
Find out about the DCU Silver Engage Award.
How does the programme work?
Students
- Submit online application
- Prepare and submit CV
- Participate in tailored ATTW Work Readiness Programme
- Matched with a suitable employer
- Interview with employer
- Commence 4 -12 week internship
- Participate in programme evaluation
Employers
- Programme sign up - philanthropic commitment
- Submit Employer Requirements Form
- Participate in Employer Engagement Programme
- Matched with suitable student
- Interview with student
- Provide fully paid summer internship
- Participate in programme evaluation
Timeline
Before February 2025: Apply online. Applications open in January 2025.
March 2025: Participate in mandatory Work Readiness Programme.
April 2025: Notification of employer match for summer internship, and an opportunity to meet your employer.
May 2025: Student and employer preparatory event.
May - August 2025: Internships take place.
September 2025: Employer/Student provides feedback on Internship process.
Please contact john.moriarty@dcu.ie to find out more.
Student Resources
DCU's Access to the Workplace programme has been supported by LinkedIn and Rethink Ireland's Scaling Education fund since 2022, and this will continue until 2026. This support is enabling us to further develop and scale the programme.
