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 2020.
Mature Student Handbook 2020
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. The Mature Student Office offers a range of supports for mature students including:
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Advisory service
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The Launchpad Orientation programme
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MAP My Way phased induction
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Technology Transition programme
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A Mature Student Society provides a continuation of peer support, both academic and social, to incoming mature students.
2. 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.
3. 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).
UPDATE FOR 2020 ENTRY: MATURE APPLICATION INFORMATION IS AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE
Application for 2020 entry to our level 8 degree programmes is available 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, 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 annually.
The CAO change of mind facility opens in early May and remains open until 1st July annually.
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)
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
MH203 BSc Biological and Geographical Sciences
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
MH402 Quantitative Finance
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 MH402 Quantitative Finance will be invited in for a test as part of the application process. The test will have a Mathematics component so applicants will be assessed in Mathematics. You do not need to have a particular Leaving Certificate grade (i.e. qualification) in Mathematics to apply, however an O1/H5 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics (or equivalent) is the minimum level of Mathematics, which will be expected.
- 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.
MATURE APPLICANT TESTS
COVID-19 UPDATE:
Mature applicant entrance tests re-scheduled for Saturday, April 18th, 2020 will not take place in light of recent Government decisions. In lieu of the tests, each degree programme will administer alternative arrangements and relevant department(s) will be in contact with you in the coming days and weeks regarding this. The selection process arrangements will vary from degree programme to degree programme and will be undertaken remotely due to current circumstances nationally, and globally.
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 follow the steps outlined in Examination Supports for Mature & Restricted Entry Written Assessments.
The closing date for requesting examination supports for mature and restricted entry entrance tests is 15 March. Applications for examination supports after this date will not be considered.
Visit the Disability Office 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.
If you are applying for mature entry to primary teaching in Dublin City University, Marino Institute of Education, Mary Immaculate College Limerick or Maynooth University:
you must apply to CAO by 1st February at 17:15 and list MH001 anywhere on your list of preferences.
In March, those meeting the eligibility criteria will be sent an email (to the email account registered to their CAO account) with instructions for completing and submitting a supplementary form.
Only eligible applicants will be called for interview (where a portion of interview will be conducted in the Irish language) and arrangements for interviews will be administered by colleagues in DCU regardless of where the applicant has applied to.
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.
1. Applicants wishing to appeal the outcome of an interview for admission to MH101 Arts are required in the first instance to write to the Admissions Office indicating the grounds for their appeal.
2. The appeal is considered by the Admissions Officer/Assistant Registrar in the first instance. In the event that Admissions Officer/Assistant Registrar was on the initial panel, then the Mature Student Officer will review the appeal.
3. The nature of the appeal may require an initial review of the scoring to ensure that the outcome was the intended outcome by the initial board.
4. The Admissions Officer/Assistant Registrar will review the appeal and in that will review the initial application, interview notes and scores, and seek reference(s). Based on these a decision is made on the appeal.
5. Appeals beyond step 4 are made to the Dean of Arts, Philosophy & Celtic Studies or the Dean of Social Science. This step will be the first stage of appeal if both the Admissions Officer/Assistant Registrar and the Mature Student Officer were members of the initial interview panel.
6. Appeals beyond step 5 are made to the Registrar, who reviews the process and outcomes.
7. The decision of the Registrar is final.
8. All appeals are logged in the Admissions Office and the relevant actions on each is recorded for review on an ongoing basis.
1. Applicants wishing to appeal the outcome of a test or interview for admission to any of the Science Degrees are required in the first instance to write to the Admissions Office indicating the grounds for their appeal.
2. The appeal is considered by the Admissions Officer/Assistant Registrar in the first instance. In the event that Admissions Officer/Assistant Registrar was on the initial panel, then the Mature Student Officer will review the appeal.
3. The nature of the appeal may require an initial review of the scoring to ensure that the outcome was the intended outcome by the initial board.
4. The Admissions Officer/Assistant Registrar will review the appeal and in that will review the initial application, grades from the mature student science test, interview notes and scores, and seek reference(s). Based on these a decision is made on the appeal.
5. Appeals beyond step 4 are made to the Dean of the Faculty of Science & Engineering. This step will be the first stage of appeal if both the Admissions Officer/Assistant Registrar and the Mature Student Officer were members of the initial interview panel.
6. Appeals beyond step 5 are made to the Registrar, who reviews the process and outcomes.
7. The decision of the Registrar is final.
8. All appeals are logged in the Admissions Office and the relevant actions on each is recorded for review on an ongoing basis.
