Daddy’s Business School, Dublin’s Biggest Staircase, Dumb Blonde’s School – whatever you like to call it, student Morgan Flanagan Creagh has a thing or two to say about DBS.
Introduce your university.
The first thing you must know about Dublin Business School is that it is a business first and a college second. Which I’m sure keeps the accountants happy, but doesn’t do much for the spirit of the place. It was established in 1975 and has the honour of being referred to as Dumb Blonde’s School by that Celtic Tiger rascal Ross O’Carroll Kelly.
What’s the best thing about your college/university?
The cultural variations in DBS are a real eye opener of what the New Ireland has to offer. It is a smorgasbord of nationalities and cultures. This influence helps the college to compete at a high level in sports such as cricket. Aside from that, I’d have to say the best thing about the college is the location of the four buildings on Aungier Street, Georges Street, Dame Street and Balfe Street which are all smack bang in the city centre.
What’s the worst?
The worst aspect of DBS has to be the social scene which is almost non existent. The ages of people taking courses vary greatly and I have found that classes find it difficult to gel. There is no on-campus student bar and up until last year the only common room was a dank basement in Balfe Street that smelled like a well used Portaloo.
What’s the local area like?
The local area around DBS is amazing; chock full of cafés, bars, shops and life. Food and drink can be bought very cheaply in the city centre provided you have your all important student card and you know where to look.
What’s the cost of living like?
DBS is a fee paying college so your cost of living is already high as you have to fork out around 5 thousand euro a year to attend. As for eating, drinking and being merry, Dublin city centre can be really cheap if you know what places have student discounts and what venues are running cheap club-nights.
Is part-time work easy to come by?
Part time work can always be found in Dublin, you just need to know where to look. With countless cafes, pubs and restaurants, a little bit of service experience will go a long way.
What are the campus facilities like?
The facilities in DBS are quite good considering the college’s size, especially in the new building on Georges Street which boasts Mac labs, a sizeable common area and coffee machines. They also recently built a state-of-the-art radio studio in Balfe Street for use by students and societies. There are two libraries in Dublin Business School and both have an extensive amount of material, but seating can be an issue.
What kind of sports facilities are there?
With hugely successful basketball, cricket and golf teams you would imagine the college would offer an on campus gym or workout area, but unfortunately they do not. The teams get bussed to various suburban sports grounds to train and the rest of us are stuck peering into Trinity’s gym on our way home.
Are there a broad range of clubs and societies?
Having run a society in DBS I know first hand how limited it is in the college. Getting funding and support is very difficult as much of the college’s focus falls upon their sporting achievements. There is an overall sports and societies officer, but there should be an officer for each to allow fair distribution of funds and support. I would advise anyone going to DBS to join all the societies you can as this will be the best way to meet people and create an enjoyable social aspect to your time in the college
What’s the story with the college/local bar? Is there a good atmosphere? Is it cheap?
The newly affiliated college bar is Bia Bar, which is around the corner from the Aungier street building. DBS needed a college bar, but unfortunately Bia Bar could never be called a hotbed of student life. The drink promotions are few and far between, and the bar itself is almost too nice to be a student venue. An air of dankness is needed for that, not napkins and olive oil on every table.
What advice would you offer to new students? For example, what’s the worst thing a new student can do? What’s the best?
The best advice I can give anyone going to DBS is to join a society as your class will more than likely never go out nor will they gel particularly well. Get to know the Education and Welfare officer Caitriona McGratton as soon as possible, as she will help you in every aspect of your college life. Get good at climbing stairs as this will become a big part of your life in Dublin’s Biggest Staircase.