Established on the 1st of January, 2019, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) currently houses a student population of 27,000, making it the second largest university in the Republic of Ireland. Its rich legacy in technical education can be traced back to DIT, established in 1887, with IT Tallaght and IT Blanchardstown following suit in 1992 and 1999 respectively.
The university prides itself on providing a broad spectrum of courses across numerous fields which cater to a variety of professional goals and ambitions. Their course offerings range from apprenticeships all the way to PhD level studies across levels 6, 7, and 8 in all faculties. Notably, TU Dublin is the most popular choice amongst QQI applicants, making up 21% of all applications nationwide.
The spokeswoman for TU Dublin emphasised the university’s mission to incorporate sustainability as a learning outcome across all their academic courses. This commitment was seen in September when more than 5,400 first-year students were introduced to a sustainability-centric induction programme. TU Dublin graduates are not just academically proficient but they are also equipped with sustainability education applicable to their field of study, enabling them to make a sustainable impact in industry and society.
The learning experience at TU Dublin is multidimensional, focussing on more than just academics. Emphasis is placed on practical learning and real-world experience. TU Dublin is committed to cultivating innovation and entrepreneurship amongst students, providing resources and support to any aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to contribute to the startup ecosystem.
Located across five campuses in Aungier Street, Blanchardstown, Bolton Street, Grangegorman, and Tallaght, TU Dublin does not presently offer on-campus housing facilities. The Grangegorman campus, home to 10,000 students, is set to accommodate 15,000 students with the inauguration of the West Quad in the near future. The academic hub and library at the Grangegorman campus is scheduled to be completed by 2025, complete with inclusive learning spaces like the Career Development Centre, Maths Learning Centre, and Disability Support Services.
The Aungier Street campus is an educational institution primarily focused on fields of business. It is Ireland’s biggest business school with more than 5,000 learners and is housed on a historical 26,000 sqm area, formerly the site of the Jacob’s factory. The campus is ideally situated near the green Luas line’s St Stephen’s Green stop and various cross-city bus routes stop right in front of it. A short five-minute walk brings you to Dame Street, which is conveniently connected by numerous bus lines. When the West Quad construction finishes, operations at this campus are planned to move to Grangegorman, across the Liffey.
Over the last century, Bolton Street has been an educational hub for technology. Originating in 1908 and designed by CJ McCarthy, the three-storey neo-classical structure maintains its aesthetic charm, even after extensive renovations. The campus is a specialist in engineering, architecture, construction and environmental studies. It boasts fully equipped computer and electronic labs, lecture halls incorporating the latest audio-visual technology, well-stocked workshops, a library, eateries, a student union area, and a recreational space for students. Bolton Street is located centrally and is only a five-minute walk from both O’Connell Street and the Grangegorman campus. Various public transport options, including the green and red Luas lines, service this street.
The Blanchardstown campus, situated in northwest Dublin, caters to over 3,000 learners. Spanning over a 22.5-hectare area within the IDA College Business and Technology Park on Blanchardstown Road North, Dublin 15, the modern campus consists of eight buildings covering more than 22,000 sqm in total. It features computer labs, electronic labs, theatres complete with up-to-date audio-visual equipment, workshops, a library, eating joints, a sports hall, a fitness centre, a student union area, and abundant bicycle parking spaces. A cutting-edge teaching facility is currently under construction, promising open, flexible spaces conducive to active learning.
Throughout the academic year, the university stationed in Blanchardstown provides a special shuttle bus service aimed at supplementing the currently available public transportation. This exclusive bus service connects Coolmine train station to select sites in Dublin 15, including the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, creating an interchange with Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead services.
The university, strategically located in Blanchardstown, doesn’t only serve students from the wider Blanchardstown vicinity and Dublin City to the north and west, but its appeal extends to the adjoining counties of Meath, Kildare, Cavan, Louth and even further.
In southwest Dublin, Tallaght campus, a sprawling 18-hectare site nestled between Old Blessington Road, Belgard Road and Greenhills Road, is populated by nearly 5,000 students. This campus is extensively equipped with lecture halls offering the latest audio-visual tools and educational aids, laboratories for science, electronics and computing, culinary kitchens, a restaurant, library, coffee shop, and a dedicated students’ union area.
Currently, a €14.7 million Sports Science, Health and Recreation facility is fully functional, resulting in an additional 3,282 square meter space. This enhanced facility houses learning labs inclusive of a gym, an exercise medicine lab, a sports hall, lecture theatres and classrooms. These labs bolster research and instruction in fields like exercise rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, anthropometry, biomechanics, and performance analysis.
One of the key courses on offer at Tallaght campus is the Level 8 Honours Degree, “Computing with Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence” (TU862). This curriculum focuses on the emerging trends in information and communication technology – machine learning and artificial intelligence. The Ireland Development Authority (IDA) champions the AI Island strategy, designed to draw leading AI professionals to Ireland where there is a discernible gap in skills. Developed in collaboration with eminent IT firms such as AWS, Microsoft, SAP, and IBM, this four-year course intends to fill this gap by fostering a blend of computing, business intelligence, and data science capabilities.
For further information, visit tudublin.ie.