Dublin, Ireland

Quick Facts Why Dublin? City Description University Course Offerings Costs & Dates What's Included Program Calendar FAQs

Quick Facts

Why Dublin?

• Largest city in Ireland and the capital
• Large student population
• Tons of galleries, shopping, restaurants, clubs
• Griffith College Dublin is one of Ireland's top private universities and is located within walking distance of Dublin city center, including St. Stephen's Green and Grafton Street
• NUI Maynooth is one of Ireland's top public universities and is located 20 minutes from Dublin city center by train; train station is a 2-minute walk from campus

City Description - Medium city over 1 million

There can be few better cities than Dublin, the capital of Ireland, in which to enjoy your time as a student. Dublin began as a Viking settlement founded over 1,000 years ago on the banks of the river Liffey. It became an administrative capital after the Norman conquest of Ireland in the 12th Century.

Dublin today has a population of 1.5 million. With all the amenities of a big city, it still manages to retain its small town atmosphere. Dublin is friendly and safe and is a city of culture with a wide variety of art galleries, museums, theatres, cinemas, shops, restaurants and cafes, nightclubs, zoological gardens, and much more. Most of these amenities are within easy walking distance of the Griffith College Dublin, and visitors are never at a loss for entertainment.

Dublin is also a university town with a proud tradition of learning and scholarship. Student life adds to the city's legendary ambience, and the city attracts young people from all over the world who come to experience its unique atmosphere. As a student at Griffith College Dublin, all this excitement is literally on your doorstep.

Griffith College Dublin

Griffith College Dublin was established in 1974 and currently has 5,000 students studying on a full or part-time basis. Located one mile from the shopping of Grafton Street and the heart of Dublin, Griffith College offers a truly international study experience that you will never forget. With small class sizes, lecturers known for their approachability, and classmates from Ireland and 56 other countries, you will quickly feel part of campus life.

Recognized as one of the top private universities in Dublin, Griffith offers everything students expect in a quality university, including various sports teams, a gym, radio station, Internet and computer access throughout the campus, and much more.

The campus itself is steeped in history, having had uses as varied as a prison and army barracks, straight through to the renowned center for educational excellence it is today. During World War I, one of the college?s buildings was used as a recruiting and training centre for many of the Irish soldiers who fought in the war.

The change from the Wellington Barracks to Griffith Barracks occurred on April 15th, 1922, when it became one of the first to be handed over to the Irish Free site. It was renamed by the Army Council after Arthur Griffith, (the first President of Dail Eireann) following his death.

The college restaurant plays an important role in encouraging students to meet and socialize with new friends within the College. At night the mood changes, with a host of activities coordinated by the Students' Union including discos, bands and table quizzes.

There are no fewer than 300 fully networked computer workstations at Griffith College, offering the most up to date software for student use, located in 8 computer laboratories on campus. Printing and photocopying facilities are available to students (using a swipe card system) in the 40 seat open lab, the library, or the custom built copying room.

The Griffith Halls of Residence

ASA students attending Griffith College will live in the Griffith Halls of Residence. The hall contains 183 shared apartments with unlimited free Internet access, dedicated study areas and 24-hour security. The hall attract students from all over the world and from Ireland, making for a truly international living space that students rave about.

The 2-bedroom apartments are comfortable and fully furnished. Each bedroom is equipped with 2 single beds, 2 bedside lockers, 2 wardrobes, 2 desks, and 2 chairs. The bedrooms are also fully carpeted. Each apartment has 2 bathrooms as well. Your kitchen will be fully stocked with pots and pans, glassware, and cleaning supplies (i.e. broom, vacuum cleaner, iron, etc.) Upon arrival, you will have the option of renting bedding, bowls, plates and cutlery for a very low price; of course, you may bring or buy your own if you prefer. The living area has a couch, coffee table, and TV. As specified by Irish law, each apartment is responsible for purchasing a TV license (approx. €150 split amongst the suitemates). Each apartment has a floor area of about 60 square meters, is tastefully decorated, and has controllable heating.

National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM)

NUIM traces its origins back to 1795. Building on a tradition of scholarship and excellence in all aspects of its teaching and research, NUI Maynooth is committed to being a first class research-led centre of learning and academic discovery, while still retaining a uniquely friendly and personal atmosphere.

NUI Maynooth is the fastest growing university in Ireland, with over 8,400 students from over 50 countries in Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Maynooth is located 15 miles or 25km west of Dublin (20 minutes by train) and is Ireland's only university town, which combines the historical legacy of its medieval origins with a present-day location on the fringes of Dublin, Ireland's capital. Students enjoy the safety, charm and peace of the local area, with easy and frequent access to Dublin city centre.

The University's Campus Development Plan continues to expand facilities for students. September 2010 saw the opening of the €15 million Interdisciplinary Research Building. This new building boasts a state-of-the-art 350-seat lecture theatre as well as additional social space for students. It also houses space for 200 academic staff and research from three of the university's world renowned research institutes: NCG (National Center for Geocomputation), NIRSA (National Institute for Research and Spatial Analysis), and An Foras Feasa, the Institute for Research in Irish Historical and Cultural Traditions. A new university restaurant recently opened on the North Campus with seating for 650 and the new library extension will double the size of the existing building.

Student life at NUI Maynooth is also very active, with over 150 clubs and societies, catering to all interests. NUI Maynooth offers facilities for sports, including an on-campus swimming pool and fitness center. Accommodation for international students is guaranteed in one of the 890 beds on campus, operated directly by the university.

Marino Institute of Education

Established in 1905 as a teacher training college, Marino Institute of Education is a thriving teaching, learning and research community with an academic association with Trinity College Dublin.

Situated in a parkland setting, within three miles of central Dublin, the campus offers high quality teaching, residential, conference and sporting facilities.

Course Offerings

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Costs and Dates

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What's Included - Dublin

• HOUSING, semester programs: residence hall at Griffith College or NUI Maynooth. Meals are not included. Rooms are double occupancy.
• ROOM & BOARD, summer programs: in the Marino Halls of Residence; breakfast and lunch are included. Rooms are double occupancy.
• EXCURSIONS, semester programs: 1 overnight excursion & 2 day excursions.
• EXCURSIONS, summer programs: 2 day excursions.
• TUITION at Griffith College Dublin or NUI Maynooth (semester programs) or Marino Institute of Education (summer programs)
• ACADEMIC CREDITS: Students who receive pre-approval from their home institution can transfer the credits they earn to their home institution. Possible number of credits: 12-18 (semester programs) or 6 (summer programs).
• OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: At the conclusion of the program, an official transcript will be sent to your home institution. Semester programs: final transcript for Griffith College program is issued by Clark Atlanta University. Final transcript for NUI Maynooth program is issued by NUI Maynooth. Summer programs: final transcript is issued by Iona College.
• CELL PHONE: ASA provides one cell phone for each student. Students are responsible for the cost of phone usage.
• INTERNET ACCESS at their host institution campus.
• AIRPORT PICK-UP at Dublin (DUB) airport for students who arrive on the official arrival date by the designated time.
• MEDICAL INSURANCE: for a Description of Coverage, please visit our Information Library.
• SITE DIRECTOR: on-site to assist students with any academic or cultural difficulties they may encounter.
• PRE-DEPARTURE ONLINE VIDEO PROGRAM (semester programs only), PRE-DEPARTURE PACKET & ON-SITE ORIENTATION

Not Included:

• Airfare
• Books & materials
• Local transportation
• Personal expenses
• Student Visa
• Meals and laundry on semester programs
• Daily lunch and laundry on summer programs

NOTE: If you need a "Costs of Attendance" budget for your financial aid office, or simply need more details about the additional costs listed above, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Program Calendar

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FAQs

If you have questions about HOW TO APPLY and make sure your credits transfer back to your home university, please CLICK HERE.

We encourage both prospective students and parents, as well as those who have already been accepted to an ASA program, to visit our INFORMATION LIBRARY. Here you will find tons of helpful info to help you know what to plan for and what to expect, such as:

• ASA Guide to Study Abroad
• Student Visa info
• Medical Insurance info
• Booking your flight
• Financial Aid info