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Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology

Qualification : BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE

Award Type and NFQ level : UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)

CAO/PAC code : MH504

CAO Points : 999

Closing Date : 01 February 2025

View QQI details

Degree Overview - this is a new degree - beginning in September 2025. Points will not be known until the Round 1 offers in August 2025.
>Criminology can be described as the study of crime, criminal behaviour and society’s reaction to it. This three-year degree programme allows students to study criminology in depth, equipping you with the skills to
examine criminal behaviour and understand what drives it.
>Maynooth University is one of only two universities in the Republic of Ireland offering the opportunity to study Criminology as a single major.
>This is a unique interdisciplinary programme offering perspectives from sociology, psychology and anthropology, as well as law.
>Faculty include leading international experts in the field with research interests in prisons, policing, restorative justice, gender, ethnicity, human trafficking, terrorism and mental health.
>In first year, students acquire a thorough theoretical understanding of crime, both in an international and Irish context. This is built on in second and third year when students take core modules in subjects such as prisons and policing as well as optional modules in line with their interests.
 

1st year
>30 credits of Criminology
>Up to 2 other subjects (one of which may be Critical Skills) Subject Groups

2nd year
>At least 50 credits of Criminology
>Optional 10 credit Elective.
>Optional work placement or study abroad after second year – subject to availability
>Students who take at least 15 credits of Law in year 1 of MH504, and who pass 1st year, are eligible to transfer into year 2 of the MH502 BCL Law and Criminology degree or year 2 of the MH501 LLB degree.

3rd year
>60 credits of Criminology

Course Duration: 3 years (4 with Erasmus/Study Abroad)

Law - Fergus Ryan - Maynooth University

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After Graduation
>This programme allows students to explore career prospects in the criminal justice world, opening up potential careers in the Gardaí, security services, data analytics, probation, the prison service, the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) sector and research institutes.

>The skills you will gain from studying Criminology, such as a focus on evidence and data-based inquiry, are also highly transferable to other areas, including: law, journalism, social research, social work, counselling, community work, policy analysis and public administration.
>The School of Law and Criminology also offers a range of postgraduate study options in related fields including the MA in Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice.

This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.
Subject Required Ordinary Level Grade Higher Level Grade
Irish Yes O6 H7
English Yes O6 H7
Language No
Math No
Science No

Mature Students

Mature Applicants 

Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time/flexible degrees the mature age is 21. 

Click here to be taken to our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on that page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability 

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for any written tests that may be required, please submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2025 to the Access Office. 

Unfortunately we are unable to consider applications for alternative examination accommodation after this deadline. 

For further information on the supporting documentation required, as well as examination and other supports visit the Access Office website.

01 February 2025

Additional Information

Leaving Certificate Applicants

Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English. MH502 Round 1 Points 2024: New degree in 2025

Transfer option available into this degree from the Bachelor of Arts Degree MH101 - subject to meeting requirements.

HEAR and DARE

DARE: The Disability Access Route to Education is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.

HEAR: The Higher Education Access Route is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Contact the Access Office for more information about these access routes.

The Maynooth Education

Click here for details about optional Critical Skills courses, Electives and degree pathways.

APPLY TO THE CAO - WWW.CAO.IE

The application process depends on the type of applicant you are. Click here for all information about how to apply.

Categories of applicant:

  • School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
  • Mature students (23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University/part-time degrees the mature age is 21)
  • EU/EFTA/UK students
  • International students (outside the EU)
  • QQI (Further Education) students
  • Transferring students
  • Deferring students
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