CAO 2019
Discuss your Maynooth University level 8 degree options with us.
Spring Open Day | Saturday April 6th | Free bus & hot drinks!
The Maynooth Arts Degree | CAO #1 Course
THE MH101 BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE: 320 CAO POINTS IN 2018
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Most frequently listed course on the CAO in 2017 and 2018
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Chosen by one in four of our Entrance Scholars in 2018 (new Maynooth students who achieved 550+ points in their Leaving Certificate exams)
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Preferred course for 1,300 students who begin MH101 annually
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Four weeks to choose up to four subjects from a possible thirty three (one per group) - proceed with two subjects (or one) from 2nd year
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Possibility to move into a specialised degree such as Law, Business, Computer Science (depending on 1st year subjects and results)
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Postgraduate study - once you have completed your Bachelor of Arts degree you may wish to pursue postgraduate study:
It is possible through your Master's degree to become an expert in a subject that you have already studied or you could also undertake a Master's in a totally new discipline to complement your degree.
| MH001/MH002 Bachelor of Education - Primary Teaching (B Ed) | Psychology | General |
| Some applicants to our MH001/MH002 Bachelor of Education - Primary Teaching (B Ed) degree are concerned about achieving the Leaving Cert points required. Our advice is that applicants should also consider the postgraduate route into primary teaching. The PME Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) is a two-year postgraduate teacher education programme for primary teaching for persons who possess a level 8 honours bachelor degree. The level 8 MH101 Bachelor of Arts degree is a popular choice for many students. | A Double Major in Psychological Studies will not lead to an accredited Psychology degree. However, you could pursue this at a later date through postgraduate study. Unlike MH106 and MH209, Psychological Studies in MH101 will not lead to a professionally accredited degree, however Psychological Studies graduates may be eligible to apply for consideration to entry to a one-year postgraduate programme to achieve a professionally accredited qualification in psychology (on a competitive basis - limited numbers). | Apart from professions requiring specialist training such as engineering and science, most career options are wide open to Maynooth’s Arts graduates. With about 40% of graduate jobs open to any discipline (gradireland.com), the quality of your degree and your ability to communicate your experience is often far more important than the content of your subjects. |
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Some of the transferable skills that an Arts degree offers include the ability to:
| Lead and participate in discussions | Develop and argue opinions | Understand, assess and evaluate issues |
| Write well in a variety of formats | Propose ideas and theories | Think and act creatively |
| Organise workload and work to deadlines | Convey meaning precisely | Conduct research and evaluate sources |
| Read pages of text and pick out the essential points | Be objective | Work alone and on own initiative |
| Retain and absorb large amounts of information | Have confidence in your opinions | Be able to base conclusions on statistical research |
| Debate and persuade others of your point of view | IT skills | Foreign language skills (depending on subject choice) |
COURSE FINDER
CAO Schedule 2019
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5th November (12:00) |
CAO online application facility opens |
| 20th January (17:15) | Apply online by this date to avail of the discounted application fee of €30 |
| 1st February (17:15) | Normal closing date for applications |
| 1st March (17:15) | Closing date for amending course choices and closing date for final completion of online HEAR/DARE forms |
| 1st April (17:15) | Latest date for HEAR/DARE supporting documentation to arrive in CAO |
| 1st May (17:15) | Closing date for late applications |
| 6th May (12:00) | Online Change of Mind facility becomes available (Free) |
| 1st July (17:15) | Change of Mind closes |
| Early July | Round A offers for certain Non-Standard categories of applicants - applicants receive an offer by post, by e-mail and SMS text |
| 22nd July (17:15) | Exceptional closing date for late applications for those already attending a participating HEI* |
| Early August (2nd) | Round 0 offers for certain Non-Standard categories of applicant e.g. QQI applicants. |
| Mid August | Current year Leaving Certificate results issued |
| TBC August | Round 1 offers available from 06:00 online. |
| TBC August | Round 2 offers available from 10.00am online |
| Subsequent rounds of offers until CAO close in October and offer season ends | |
See tab below for a short video resource about the CAO Offer and Acceptance Process.
Dates may change.
CAO 2019 | Open Choice
We know that making a final decision on the list of level 8 degree choices can be quite a challenge. We have therefore broadened the first year entry on many of our degrees in order to open up progression options to our students. This means that many first year students can spend the first few weeks of semester one sampling subjects or pathways within their degree before deciding on their options.
The CAO Explained | Admissions Officer Dr John McGinnity
Our Admissions Officer Dr John McGinnity talks you through the CAO Application process in the video below:
If you are unsure about anything, please contact us.
Entrance Scholarship Award
Entrance Scholarships are automatically awarded to incoming first year students who have obtained 550 points or more in the Leaving Certificate (from six subjects in one sitting).
The €1,000 award is for one academic year following admission to the University, payable in two instalments – one in November and one in February (subject to the Entrance Scholar remaining in good standing with the University).
For students presenting GCE A Levels the awards are based on achieving points from three/four subjects in GCE A levels.
36 students were awarded this scholarship in 2018.
NEW | Bachelor of Music Entrance Scholarship
New in 2018 – Entrance Scholarship for MH103 Bachelor of Music
Our Entrance Scholarship for one entrant to MH103 Music is awarded in September 2019. The top scoring applicant, based on the MH103 written test, interview and audition, will be offered the scholarship of €1,000. The successful applicant will be informed when they receive their offer for MH103 through the CAO.
Transport links to Maynooth
The University is very well served during term time by a number of daily private bus services.
Dublin Bus services run year-round.
Click here for details of transport options.
Mature students at Maynooth | Tips from current students
Up to 250 mature students begin their studies here each year. Mature Students (along with students entering through HEAR, DARE and QQI routes) are invited to attend the Launchpad Orientation Programme at the beginning of September. These students also attend the University Welcome Week as above. The Maynooth University Access Programme emails all eligible students with details about Launchpad at that stage in the year.
Emer and Michael of the Mature Student Office (which is part of the Access Office) are committed to supporting the learning experience of Maynooth's mature students. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to telephone, email or drop in to meet them - you'll find them in MAP Lodge on the North Campus.
MSI (Mature Students Ireland) ran a national selfie competition earlier this year where third level students were asked for their tips for future mature students.
Some of the Maynooth students' entries are below - hopefully you find them helpful!
Iveta Hermonova
"Keep in touch with your fellow mature students and discuss things, helps a lot and you will have some fun too, while sweating out that essay."
Celeste Kuhn
"Make sure to go to the orientation week for mature students. It's a great help knowing what supports are out there and where everything is on campus."
Anthony Doyle
"Contact your local 'Intreo' office and organise a meeting with a member of staff to find out if you are entitled to the 'back to education allowance' as this will make life easier financially."
"Talk to current students in the course and lecturers to gauge whether you will have enough of an interest to pursue a 3-4 year commitment to your chosen field of study."
"Take advantage of Maynooth University’s fantastic selection of services, clubs and societies and green space."
Eliza Tomczyk
"You might be overwhelmed and doubt your own ability to learn, but please remember that you have years of experience behind you, motivation and purpose!"
"Give yourself a chance, give yourself a gift of education, you deserve it!"
Louise Simpson
"Join a club or society, be part of what's going on, no matter age - everyone fits in at Maynooth."
Andrew Doyle
"Talk to the kids, they're not that scary."
"Do what you're interested in, a job will follow as your horizons open."
Information Packs for new Maynooth Students
The Admissions Office team organises information packs to be posted out to our potential and confirmed new Maynooth University students. The packs are posted in early August (to Round A and Round Zero applicants) and again later in August to Round One applicants. Packs are posted to your address as per the CAO. You are advised to read all contents carefully, as they are intended to assist your transition to the University.
Packs contain:
- Welcome letter from the Admissions Officer, Dr John McGinnity
- First Week Guide - booklet containing details of orientation and registration requirements for new students
- Maynooth Education leaflet - information about the optional Critical Skills courses which are available to first year students only
- Programme Advisory Office leaflet
- Budgeting Advisory Service leaflet
- Maynooth Students' Union leaflet - details of MSU events happening on campus during the orientation period
- Parent/Guardian Information Sessions leaflet
Electronic Engineering Mathematics Exam
This provides prospective Maynooth University engineering students with a second chance to secure the required H4 (previously HC3) in Leaving Certificate Mathematics in order to meet the basic entry requirement for qualification to our Engineering degree (MH304). The exam is based on the content covered by Paper One of the Leaving Certificate Higher Level Mathematics syllabus and consists of one exam lasting two hours.
We also run a free preparatory course in advance of the Engineering Mathematics Exam. Separate registration is required for the preparatory course. Students attaining the H4 (60% or higher) standard in the examination will be deemed to have met the mathematics entry requirement to the degree. The results of the examination will be forwarded to attendees in late June, after the Leaving Certificate examinations have finished, and before the July 1st CAO change of mind deadline.
HEAR and DARE Advice Clinics
HEAR and DARE Application Advice Clinics - take place on Saturday January 19th in the Maynooth University Phoenix Building (and nationwide).
Welcome Week | Orientation and Registration Information
The Student Engagement Officer and the Student Records Office take over from the Admissions Office team once Orientation and Registration Week begins. All applicants who are offered a place at MU receive a welcome pack in the post.
Click here to see what happens next!