How does DCU compare to UCD?

hunnybunny

Hello all,

I have a 1.1 honours degree and I am thinking about doing a master in Human Resource Management in DCU.

Has anyone done this master? Can you tell me the hours, the workload and about class sizes and lecturers?

In general what is DCU like? Is it similar to UCD?

I did my degree in an IT. The reason was that I prefered the atmosphere. The classes were small so that meant alot of individual attention, everybody knew each other and it was so easy to make friends, we even had our lecturers mobiles and they were so lovely. It was very near my house so I didn t have the pressure of comuting and it meant I had more time for study and part time work. I hated leaving the IT.

Back at school I had alot of points and my career guidance teacher tried to guide me towards UCD or Trinity.
The moment I set foot in UCD I hated it. It was so big and grey. No one knew where anything was even though I asked 8 people. The lecture halls were huge and I know I would feel so lost and find it difficult to make friends. Not to mention the nightmare traffic around the UCD area and the chronic buses. I know I would just feel like a number out there. I know alot of people feel the same about it.
When I got my change of mind form I immediately crossed UCD off the list as I knew I wouldn t be able to stand it.

Problem is that my IT does not offer the masters I want. So Ill have to go elsewhere this time.

How does DCU compare to UCD? I heard its smaller. Its only for 1 year so Ill survive the traffic and the bus. Whats parking like? As I am not very confident behind the wheel and especially as I would be going from North to South. I imagine the traffic is a nightmare.

I am in Templeogue so how long really would I be getting out everyday? Is the social life any good in DCU? I am not a mad drinker or raver but it would be nice if people were friendly and of all ages.

Whats the school of business like? Is there any chance of lecturing work whilst working towards the masters? What are class sizes like?

No matter what I think I ll be able to put up with as it is only one year. I d just like to know what to expect.

Thanks in advance

Honey

Alanthroneus

hey hunnybunny

okay DCU is has the best social life,if ya get involved with the socs and stuff ( join drama:)* shameless plug i know im sorry ) but the bar are having some trouble with getting a bar licence or something like that but im sure that wont affect you to much as you said youre not a heavy drinker( but the student union parties are always good craic ). the majority of people in dcu are great and easy to get on with.

the campus itself is tiny in comparison to UCD you can go from the top to the bottom in like 5 mins .which is great if you are late for a lecture( or when its rainen and you need to get to the library . ( its got red bricks as opposed to grey building ) .

In my personal experience the lecturers are great and easy to talk to and always willing to help......as for getting there phone numbers i dont know....

im in the school of science so i dont know about the school of business. sorry

as for living in templeogue add and extra half hour on to the bus journey into town and that is how long it will take to get to dcu. Parking for the year is like €80( not sure of that maybe its wrong but ya can check it up ) and its a three or four story carpark. but there are plenty of other options for accomodation around DCU. there is the dcu student accommodation which is suituated on campus.




www.shanowensquare.com this is right across the road nice place kinda pricey tho afaik

www.hazelwood.ie this one is cheaper but about 15 minute walk form DCU on Santry Av.

hope that helps...

al

Official Boards Spokesperson for DCU

MonaghanPenguin

I went to UCD, absolutely hated it, dropped out, applied for DCU when I was ready. The difference is unbelievable. I made more friends at Orientation week last year than I did in my entire unhappy time in UCD, and it wasn't even my Orientation Week. There's a much nicer atmosphere in DCU, it's like a little village compared to the sprawling airport feel to UCD.

Alanthroneus

and he got a job in spar:)

pedroj

in same boat as u hunny...comin from templeogue n doin masters in DCU this year as my IT didnt do masters :rolleyes: . Even had d MBS in HRM as 2nd choice but got my first . Was in UCD part time doin course but ud b better off comparing DCU to Michael Smurfit in terms of the postgrad courses.

Have few mates from Templeogue who did masters in DCU tho...been told very close knit postgrad community, small classes n easy to talk to lectures, most post grad courses only on for 4 days a week etc so I think ud like.

Drive is meant to be nightmare tho so ive been advised to either commute due to bus corridors or get accomm out dr altho think ud b 2 late for the on campus accomodation . I can put u in touch with few my mates in templeogue who u might even know if u need any more info or have more ques? u might even know them lol

hunnybunny

MonaghanPenguin wrote:

I went to UCD, absolutely hated it, dropped out, applied for DCU when I was ready. The difference is unbelievable. I made more friends at Orientation week last year than I did in my entire unhappy time in UCD, and it wasn't even my Orientation Week. There's a much nicer atmosphere in DCU, it's like a little village compared to the sprawling airport feel to UCD.

An Airport? Thats exactly the comparison I made to UCD. I met so many people who were miserable out there when they started. I think I would definately benefit from a closely knit college environment as opposed to being simply a number in UCD. A good environment makes college worth getting up in the morning. I am so glad I did not listen to my snobby career guidance councillor. I ended up speaking better French than my friends in UCD anyway. It depends what THE INDIVIDUAL puts into it and how happy they are with what they chose and not the name of the college.

okay DCU is has the best social life,if ya get involved with the socs and stuff ( join drama* shameless plug i know im sorry ) but the bar are having some trouble with getting a bar licence or something like that but im sure that wont affect you to much as you said youre not a heavy drinker( but the student union parties are always good craic ). the majority of people in dcu are great and easy to get on with.

Thats good to know Though its a pity people have to pay for parking.
I was thinking I ll take the bus for the first month to get used to the routes as I am not a terribly confident driver.

But what is faster car or bus? As at least the bus can use the lanes. Then again traffic is sheer HELL in Dublin everywhere. Sometimes I could be waiting an hour to get to Tallaght by car in rush hour which is absurd as its normally only 10 minutes. But thats Dublin for ya.:(

in same boat as u hunny...comin from templeogue n doin masters in DCU this year as my IT didnt do masters . Even had d MBS in HRM as 2nd choice but got my first . Was in UCD part time doin course but ud b better off comparing DCU to Michael Smurfit in terms of the postgrad courses.

Have few mates from Templeogue who did masters in DCU tho...been told very close knit postgrad community, small classes n easy to talk to lectures, most post grad courses only on for 4 days a week etc so I think ud like.

Drive is meant to be nightmare tho so ive been advised to either commute due to bus corridors or get accomm out dr altho think ud b 2 late for the on campus accomodation . I can put u in touch with few my mates in templeogue who u might even know if u need any more info or have more ques? u might even know them lol

Hi there Pedroj

Chances are I probably know you. I used to work in SuperValu during college:) And I am sure I probably do know or have heard of your friends. There is no such thing as anonymity, everyone know each other there.

Ok I would be starting in 2008. When were you able to apply for this? As I want to do that as early as possible. Was it it just the online form? What documents are needed?

Tomorrow I am going to Dubai to work for a year before doing my masters. Exciting yes? :eek: So it would be great if you could give me some email addresses for when I ll be doing my research out there.

Thanks Everyone

Honey

MonaghanPenguin

Alanthroneus wrote:

and he got a job in spar:)

that's what I'll be forever remember for isn't it!

Alfla

Pretty much, penguin boy.

Yeah DCU being nice and cosy makes for a great atmosphere. Something about seeing regular, friendly faces is very comforting. You know, that and not having to use a golf cart to get everywhere.

Any more doubts just check out the "Choose A College" about halfway down this site...

http://www.rte.ie/radio1/podcast/podcast_nobnation.xml

And enough of the shameless drama plugging, whichever Drama Alan that was...

Alan (the one that's Pres)

hardCopy

I'm pretty sure the year-long parking passes are either gone or will be gone very soon. Last year they were only given to students who had them the previous year, and even then it wasn't advertised and there was a lot of running around to be done to get it.

There is free parking but spaces are limited so you need to get in early to find one.

micromegas

I don't have experience with UCD, but as an international student at DCU I had a great time. Great student atmosphere, good professors overall. And it's only a 15-20 minute bus ride to city centre.

i'm actually trying to engineer a way to return to DCU to do a Master's degree. Hopefully I can sort something out.

Finch*

i went to UCD, hated it! now in DCU and i love it

doria gray

People...Ive been fretting somewhat all week after the leaving cert results because i didnt get my first choice but i got my second choice which was DCU business and after ive read all that im really looking forward to it, im happy.Relieved....Yay thank you

Kommy

Just finished p/t masters in marketing at dcu....never been to ucd but opinions of other marketing class mates were not too positive of the place.....btw...parking at dcu.....€7 gets u a 10 visit ticket....year passes are hard to get so don't count on obtaining one of those....kommy

peachy211

Hey I'm starting the masters in HRM in DCU next week. Just wondering how you found the workload/lecturers etc. and if the timetable is hectic?

Thanks
Peachy

Attol

Please don't resurrect threads from four years ago