A mature student applicant is someone who is 23 years or older by January 1 in the year of entry to the University (in the case of part-time degrees the age is 21). There is no upper age limit; we currently have students who range in age from 23 to 73. Every year we welcome approximately 350 new mature students to Maynooth University. A certain number of places are reserved for mature students on all undergraduate degree courses. Many of our mature entrants undertake preparatory studies in advance of gaining admission.
Our Mature Student Handbook is a great resource for those considering applying to begin in September 2019.
Mature Student Handbook 2019
Returning to education?
Mature students who have been out of formal education for some time often benefit from undertaking a preparatory programme. Maynooth University offers three such options, all of which have guaranteed offers of places on relevant courses for those performing well and attaining the required grades. The courses are as follows:
Fees for these Certificate courses are approximately €1000. For the Certificate in Science and Engineering, fees are waived for applicants who qualify for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).
1. Research
Researching the options and selecting the best degree for you is the first step. To make this choice it is essential that you spend some time investigating and researching potential degrees.
2. Apply to the Central Applications Office (CAO)
All mature applicants must apply to the CAO before February 1. Late applications from mature applicants may be accepted after this date - see above for information.
Mature applicants are no longer required to submit a direct application to Maynooth University.
Mature students must complete the CAO section for mature applicants fully, indicating clearly past or current studies, and outlining educational goals and objectives. Applicants are assessed on the basis of the information provided on their CAO application form and/or interview/test (where required). All questions should be answered in full.
Communication to applicants from our Admissions Office is made via email. Please send copies of any relevant additional information which may be required directly to the Maynooth University Admissions Office, Maynooth University, Co Kildare.
Applicants who wish to study for a Bachelor of Music (MH103) or Community and Youth Work (MH116 or MH802) degree must apply in all circumstances before 1st February 2019, as these are restricted entry courses (requiring entrance test and interviews).
Application for 2019 entry to our level 8 degree programmes can be made from November 5th at 12:00 via the CAO.
The normal closing date for application is February 1st at 17:15. Applicants who wish to study for a Bachelor of Music (MH103) or Community and Youth Work (MH116 or MH802) degree must apply in all circumstances before 1st February 2019, as these are restricted entry courses (requiring entrance test and interviews).
Late applications from mature students may be accepted after this date. Information about degrees which may still be open for application is posted on this section of the website.
The final deadline for receipt of late applications is 1st May 2019.
The CAO change of mind facility opens in early May 2019 and remains open until 1st July 2019.
Mature students must complete the CAO section for mature applicants fully, indicating clearly past or current studies, and outlining educational goals and objectives. Applicants are assessed on the basis of the information provided on their CAO application form and/or interview/test (where required). All questions should be answered in full.
If you would like further information or clarification, don't hesitate to contact us.
Mature students may use the CAO's Change of Mind facility from May 1st to July 1st to make changes to their degree course choices at Maynooth University (add, delete, reorder your course choices if you so wish).
Restricted courses may not be added during the Change of Mind period however . These must be included in your list of course choices before the February 1st deadline.
Restricted courses must be added before the February 1st deadline and may not be added during the Change of Mind period. These must be included in your list of course choices before the February 1st deadline. Click here for information about restricted degree courses.
There are different selection procedures for different degree courses at Maynooth University. Some or all of the following selection methods may apply depending on the course applied for:
- Interview only
- Written assessment + shortlist compiled for interview
- Assessment of application
Further information about assessment requirements available on the Course Finder.
Candidates for the following degree courses sit an entrance test:
MH103 B Mus Bachelor of Music (restricted degree - list on CAO application before February 1st). Candidates for MH103 Music are shortlisted for interview on the basis of a music test which takes place on March 23rd 2019
MH106 BA Psychology
MH107 BSocSc Social Science
MH116 BSocSc Community and Youth Work (full-time) (restricted degree - list on CAO application before February 1st)
MH201 BSc Science
MH202 BSc Biotechnology
MH204 BSc Physics with Astrophysics
MH206 BSc Theoretical Physics and Mathematics
MH207 BSc Data Science (NEW DEGREE)
MH208 BSc Biological and Biomedical Sciences
MH209 BSc Psychology (through Science)
MH210 BSc Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Chemistry
MH212 SED BSc Science (with Education)
MH212 MCS BSc Mathematics and Computer Science (with Education)
MH212 MED BSc Mathematics (with Education)
MH304 BE Engineering - Common Entry
MH306 BSc Robotics and Intelligent Devices
MH404
BBS Business and Management
BBS International Business
BBS Marketing
OPC Open Choice
MH405 BBS Equine Business
MH411 BBS Entrepreneurship
MH501 LLB Law
MH502
BCL Law and Accounting
BCL Law and Business
BCL Law and Criminology
BCL Law and Arts
Open Choice
MH601
BSc Computer Science and Software Engineering (Arts)
BSc Multimedia, Mobile and Web Development (Arts)
Open Choice
MH602
BSc Computer Science and Software Engineering
BSc Multimedia, Mobile and Web Development
Open Choice
MH603 BSc Computational Thinking
MH802 BSocSc Community and Youth Work (part-time, in-service) (restricted degree - list on CAO application before February 1st)
Entrance tests take place in March/April annually. In March the relevant academic departments write to all mature applicants to their degree courses, giving details of the date and time of the tests.
What does the entrance test involve?
- The tests for MH107, MH404 (all degree streams), MH405, MH411, MH501, MH502 (all degree streams) take the form of “essay-type” questions related to the subject that you intend to study. For preparation applicants should read up on relevant material in the prospectus and also on the relevant academic department’s webpages.
- Mature applicants to Science, Psychology (MH106 and MH209), Engineering, Robotics and Computer Science degrees: please note the test will determine mathematical aptitude in addition to an essay-type question.
All other degree courses are assessed on the basis of the application form and/or interview. Media Studies (MH109) applicants are asked to submit a short written piece/essay in advance of shortlisting for interview.
Law and Psychological Studies are also available as subjects in the Bachelor of Arts degree MH101. It may be possible for MH101 students to transfer into second year of a specialised Law degree (MH501 LLB & MH502 BCL Law courses). This is on the basis of their first year exams (and meeting other MH101 subject requirements for progression to second year).
For further information or to speak to someone about your options please contact the Admissions Office or contact the Mature Student Office. Please see below for additional information on the procedure for applicants with disabilities to request examination supports.
This information will be posted after the CAO's initial February 1st 2019 closing date.
Science degrees at Maynooth University require an aptitude in mathematics and science. For entry to the Faculty of Science and Engineering at candidates are expected to be able to demonstrate a motivation and aptitude to study science. This may be evidenced by previous studies in mathematics and science.
For mature students who wish to study for a degree in Engineering, a strong aptitude in mathematics is required.
The Maynooth University Certificate in Science provides a route for mature students, who may have been out of education for a number of years, to progress to studying Science and Engineering at degree level in Maynooth University.
If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty and require examination support for the written assessments, please download the Request for Examination Supports Form. You should send in this completed form along with your supporting documentation to Bridget Gormley, Disability Office, MAP Lodge, North Campus, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare.
The closing date for requesting examination supports for mature and restricted entry entrance tests is 15th March 2019. Applications for examination supports after this date will not be considered.
Visit the Disability section of this website for further information about the supports we provide.
All candidates are required to satisfy the University's English language requirement. Candidates whose first language is not English may satisfy the requirement through any of the following:
1. NUI Matriculation: English at Level 4 or above, before 1985; at Level D or above, in or after 1985
2. NUI Certificate in English language studies (currently awarded at Shannon College of Hotel Management)
3. Leaving Certificate: English at Grade D ordinary Level as a minimum
4. University of Dublin (Trinity College): English Composition (not English Literature) at Pass Level as a minimum
5. UK examining boards/bodies:
- GCE O Level English Language at Grade C or above
- GCSE English Language at Grade C or above
- GCSE English Literature at Grade C or above
- CSE Grade 1 Pass in English
6. EU countries’ matriculation examinations: matriculation examinations from European Union countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved
7. The following standard in English language examinations set by certain examination boards – any one of:
- Assessments and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) C or above
- Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR) C or above
- Edexcel Foundation C or above
- University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate (UCLES) C or above
8. Norwegian Certificate of Upper Secondary Education: a score of 4 or higher in English in the First Part 20
9. Hong Kong Education Examination Authorities
- Hong Kong Certificate of Education, English Language Syllabus B grade C or better
- Hong Kong Examination Authority, Advanced Level Use of English grade C or better
10. Sri Lankan National Certificate in English Pass level or better
11. Other English language examination
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 (213 for computer-based tests or 79 for internet-based tests) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Administered by Princeton University
- Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). A minimum score of 750
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Test Patterns A and B, with an average score of 6.0 over all components
It should be noted that these are the minimum requirements in English and that faculties/colleges may set higher requirements. This information may be subject to change. Contact the Deputy Admissions Officer for further details
Applications are invited from mature applicants presenting QQI qualifications. Click here to see list of linked courses. In early August after the release of QQI results, places are allocated on the basis of merit, irrespective of age. You may also be assessed earlier in the year as part of the normal mature selection process.
Mature applicants to MH001 Primary Education and MH002 Primary Education (Gaeltacht) must apply to CAO by 1 February of the year of entry.
A combined application process is run between Maynooth University, DCU and Marino Institute of Education. Application must be made to the CAO prior to February 1. Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria will receive a supplementary application form.
For further information please contact the Admissions Office or the Froebel Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education.
Where there is a mathematics or language requirement at Leaving Certificate above the pass (O6) level, mature applicants may be required to demonstrate to the relevant academic department that they possess the required competency.
