Preparing for Your Journey at Portobello Institute: A Guide for New Students

You've secured your place on your chosen Portobello Institute programme and taken an exciting step towards your future career or professional development. Now, while you wait to begin your studies, you may be wondering how best to prepare and what to expect.

Whether you are progressing in your current career, changing direction, or returning to education, embarking on a new qualification is a meaningful milestone. Giving yourself a little time to get organised can go a long way in helping you feel more confident and ready to embrace this next chapter.

What Happens Between Now and Induction?

From exploring programme content and speaking with our Career Pathway Consultants to applying and successfully securing your place, several important steps have already marked the start of your Portobello experience.

In the months before your programme commences, Portobello Institute will continue to share helpful guidance, student stories, and useful resources to support you ahead of your first day.

Your programme induction will take place onsite at our Dublin campus. As this gets closer, you will begin to receive more detailed onboarding information from the Academic Administration team.

This will include:

• Access to student systems
• Timetable guidance
• Induction information
• Programme preparation resources
• Onboarding support information

Check Emails Regularly

Email will be the main way Portobello communicates with you and shares important updates before your programme begins. Keep an eye on your personal inbox for information about systems, timetables, induction, and programme preparation.

We also recommend making a note of any questions that come up. Some answers may already be available on the Portobello Institute website, particularly in the FAQs section for your chosen programme, while others can be raised with the Academic Administration team ahead of the programme start date or during induction.

Get Logged into Your Student Systems

In the weeks before your programme begins, you will receive access to your student systems via email, along with guidance on getting started.

This includes:

• Classter: Manage your student record and personal information
• ePortobello: Access course materials, learning resources, and assignment submissions
• Microsoft 365: Access Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and other Microsoft applications using your student account

Review Your Timetable and Programme Information

Around the same time as receiving access to student systems, students will receive timetable and programme induction information, along with an introduction to their Programme Lead, the first point of contact for course-related queries.

It is a good idea to review timetable information carefully once it is shared. This can support with planning ahead, especially for students balancing study with work, family, or other commitments.

Plan Your Commute

As all students are required to attend induction onsite, it is worth thinking ahead about travel arrangements. Planning your route to campus in advance can help the first day feel much smoother, especially for students who will be attending in-person classes throughout their programme.

Consider how long the journey may take and whether you’ll be travelling by car, Luas, bus, train, or on foot. Factor in commuter traffic, public transport times, and any changes you may need to make to your usual routine. It may sound simple, but check you have the correct address before travelling.

Portobello Institute is located at 43 Dominick Street Lower, Rotunda, Dublin 1, D01 XD86. While our name may suggest the Portobello area of Dublin, we are now based north of the River Liffey. Portobello is where the institute was originally established, and while the name has stayed with us over the past 30 years, the campus has since moved.

You’ll find us across the road from the Dominick Street stop on the Luas Green Line and just around the corner from the Parnell Street entrance to the ILAC Shopping Centre.

Discover Student Stories and Portobello Content

Before induction, students can begin exploring the resources already available through Portobello Institute. The website includes programme information, student success stories, tutor profiles, blog articles, Knowledge Zone articles, and more.

Portobello also has a vibrant presence on social media, so make sure to give us a follow on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Reading interviews with students, graduates, and tutors, as well as watching student-centred video content, can offer valuable insight into what to expect and help you feel more connected to the Portobello community.

Prepare for Induction

All programmes include an official induction, which takes place onsite at Portobello Institute and is usually hosted by your Programme Lead and other members of the academic team.

During induction, you will receive key introductory information, including guidance on student systems, timetables, programme expectations, academic support, and other practical details.

Induction is also your first opportunity to meet the people who will support you throughout your studies, connect with classmates, and become familiar with the Portobello learning environment.

Induction is designed to help students settle in. Remember, everyone is starting from the same place. You’re not expected to know everything before day one.

Ahead of induction, continue to check emails regularly and follow any instructions shared by Portobello Institute. Bring your questions, curiosity, and enthusiasm. We look forward to welcoming you.

Questions Before You Start?

If any questions come up while waiting for your programme to commence, please contact the Academic Administration team or your Programme Lead by email. They will be happy to help.