Student Supports

Student Supports

This webpage contains information on the various supports available to current and prospective students:

• Academic Supports
• Health and Wellbeing
• Student Life and Student Representatives
• Financial Supports
• Alternative Pathways to Study at Trinity
• College Supports
• Frequently Asked Questions
• School Contacts
• How to find the Undergraduate Office

Academic Supports

Your Tutor

All undergraduate students are assigned a tutor from a member of staff who will guide you with any college queries or personal issues. They are a vital resource for larger questions such as switching courses, exams, and academic advice.

For example, if you have an ongoing medical issue impacting your assignments, consult your Tutor to receive advice and possible next steps.  

Student Learning Development (SLD)

Student Learning Development offers a variety of academic writing workshops and resources, study sessions and individual consultations for students.

The Library

The College Library contains every book a student would need, and subject librarians for finding specific materials. As well as that, students can access a range of databases for free to broaden your academic sources.

Centre for English Language Learning and Teaching 

The Centre offers English language support classes, for those who have an offer to study here or during term time. It includes academic English for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences assignments.

Disability Service

Trinity’s Disability Service is who helps students to receive their LENS reports, i.e. access to Reasonable Accommodations for their disability, such as extra time in exams, technology aids and rest breaks. Additionally, they offer Occupational Therapy appointments to help students with specific issues.

Careers Service

The Careers Service provides numerous services to students, such as C.V. workshops, practice interviews, and Careers Fairs.

MyCareer is a portal where students can research and apply for jobs, internships and postgraduate opportunities targeted at undergraduates and future graduates.

Student Cases

From time to time, difficulties may occur which affects a students’ ability to continue their studies or to sit examinations and, as a result, can disrupt normal academic progression. Such difficulties may include illness, bereavement, ad misericordiam and other personal circumstances. Specific information outlining the procedures for exams, deferrals and repeats, can be found on the Academic Registry's webpage.

Health and Wellbeing

TCD Sense Map

The Disability Service has created a Sense Map, which is a user-friendly map and guide to College buildings, along with noted Respite and Quiet Spaces. Notable buildings also have Wayfinding videos available.

Student Counselling Service (SCS)

Student Counselling has services available for varying needs, including one-to-one counselling appointments, support groups and peer support. Their website has various hotlines and supports listed in emergency and out of school hours situations.

Health Centre

Students can avail of GP clinics in the Health Centre, and receive prescriptions. There is no charge for student consultations. If however tests are required, fees may apply.

Telephone: 01 8961591 or 01 8961556 to book an appointment.

Healthy Trinity

Healthy Trinity focuses on being mindful of mental and physical health. There are various resources and advice for increasing exercise in a college environment.

Sport

Trinity Sports Centre is free to use for all students, with a gym, swimming pool, climbing wall and more. There are fitness classes and coursed for those who wish to develop in certain activities.

Student2Student (S2S)

Student2Student is a support given from students to incoming first years. Students will be assigned mentors related to their chosen degree, and one-to-one Peer Support is available for all current Trinity students.

Chaplaincy

Chaplains offer spiritual guidance in the Christian faith. and organise a lunch once a week.

Multi-faith rooms

The Trinity Chapel is consecrated for all Christian traditions.

There is a Prayer Room located in Goldsmith Hall which is open to all faiths - this may be a helpful resource for Muslim students and others. (Find the Prayer Room via this wayfinding video).

Student Life and Year Representatives

Jargon Buster

In the first few weeks at College, you will be bombarded with a mind numbing array of abbreviations, titles and place names. If you are an enquiring student you may like to know what they mean but be too embarrassed to ask. Download the handy Jargon Buster guide!

Clubs and Societies

Students have 49 Sports Clubs to choose from, including rugby, ultimate frisbee, and various water sports. Whether you have been trained in a sport for years or want an active way to meet new people, students can sign up to join a club.

There are over 120 active student societies to join.

The Students’ Union (SU)

The Students’ Union is a vital source for students to feel represented in College and campaign for your rights. They have lots of helpful resources such as an Accommodation Service, services page and two corner shops located in House 6 and the Hamilton Building.

Each class will choose a Class Representative, to whom if there are any issues within particular modules or classes, you can contact to facilitate between students and your lecturers.

The School has two Student Representatives, representing Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students:

Financial Supports

Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI)

For undergraduate students

SUSI is the grant-awarding authority in Ireland for students. The SUSI Grant is a monthly maintenance grant available to college students that is means tested, which is primarily your parents/guardian’s income. It is aimed at students who are completing their Leaving Certificate, and plan to enter university the following academic year.

To qualify for assistance under the Student Grant Scheme you must also meet the criteria for nationality and immigration status, and residency.

The grant can finance your tuition costs, and the monthly instalments can go towards any expenses you may have. You can use SUSI’s Eligibility Indicator Tool to see if you qualify, and then apply by the CAO application deadline.

For postgraduate students
Students enrolling in postgraduate courses may get financial assistance under the Student Grant Scheme with the cost of tuition fees. There are two ways postgraduates may qualify for assistance under the Student Grant Scheme. They may either apply for a flat rate fee contribution of €2,000, if they pass the SUSI fee contribution means test or have all their all their tuition fees paid and essential field trips (up to €6,270), if they meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant for disadvantaged students.

Alternative Pathways to Trinity

HEAR (Higher Access Routes to Education)

HEAR is a service similar to SUSI that prioritises helping underrepresented groups access college. If you meet certain criteria, such as being under their income limit, your area, or your school, for example, you will qualify for HEAR. It grants you the chance to receive your preferred college course with lowered points in the Leaving Cert, and further supports upon commencing your first year.

TAP (Trinity Access Programmes)

TAP provides students who have entered Trinity through HEAR or the Foundation Course with a variety of financial and academic supports. You can apply for SAF (the Student Assistance Fund), the 1916 Bursary, Hardship Fund and relevant scholarships that TAP will alert you to when commencing college.

It is an enriching programme where as a Trinity Access Ambassador you can take part in many volunteering roles to develop new skills, like giving campus tours, helping with Open Day, and supporting secondary school students.

Foundation Course

Linked with TAP, the Foundation Course is an alternate route to the CAO in becoming a Trinity student. You can choose to study a variety of subjects within arts, social sciences or sciences, which will aid you in choosing your future college programme. After completing the year long course, you can enter Trinity the following September.

Mature Students

The Mature Student Office (under TAP) is a service to support prospective and current Mature Students, or those are over 23 years of age when applying for college. They can consult you through your application, and on bursaries and academic resources available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will my classes be?

Mostly in the lecture halls and tutorial spaces in the Arts Building. Language tutorials are the main source of learning and are typically in much smaller groups. Look at the Trinity website or download the Trinity Live App for detailed maps of campus.

Where do I go if I have problems with my classes?

For any issues with the content of a module, you should contact your professor, a language assistant or the module coordinator. It might seem overwhelming, but they are here to help! If it is a more serious problem like changing your course contact your Tutor or the Senior Tutor's office.

How do I take out books from the Library?

You can search for books on the College Library catalogue, and they can be placed on recall, click and collect or you can search for the book in person. There are scanners for borrowing and returning books in the Boland Library, and books will be lent out for a month.

What are my modules like?

Modules are divided between prioritising oral and written language, and cultural modules focusing on history, literature, politics etc. Typically, in your first year you will have a majority of core classes on grammar, reading and developing your speaking skills.

How are my classes assessed?

While professors decide on their modes of assessment, languages are primarily assessed through in real time written exams. Essays are preferred for modules focused on history and culture. There will be an oral exam at the end of each school year during Revision Week.

What is the Study Abroad requirement?

Students must spend at least two months in the country of their chosen language. This is usually through the Erasmus programme where you study at a chosen university abroad.

If you are majoring in a language or studying the following subjects you must go abroad for a year: European Studies, Middle Eastern and European Languages and Cultures, Business and a Language, Law and a Language, Computer Science and a Language.

Further information is available on the School's Study Abroad webpage.

What can I do to study outside of my classes?

Immersion is key! It is ideal to engage with your chosen language(s) through practising your speaking skills with others, or consuming tv shows, films and books in that language. If you want to embrace the cultural elements further, Trinity has a wide range of societies for different nationalities.

How can I approve my academic writing skills?

Student Learning and Development have lots of webinars and workshops for developing all types of writing skills, as well as tips for concentration.

How do I find job vacancies relevant to students?

Trinity students can access My Career with the Careers Service to apply for jobs, postgrad opportunities and attend careers events.

School Contacts

Students are welcome to contact us with any queries they may have, either by email, or by dropping into us during office hours.