TAP Foundation Course for Mature Students
The Trinity Access Programme offers mature students a Foundation Course for Higher Education. This course prepares mature students, personally and academically, to study for a degree.
Entry Requirements
Eligibility
To be eligible for this course you must:
• demonstrate a real desire to pursue a third-level course and the ability to do so
• be 23 years of age or older on 1st January of the year you apply
• be resident in Ireland
• come from socio-economic background(s) under-represented in third-level education
• be eligible for the Government Free Fees Scheme
• submit evidence of your English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
Please note:
There are no standard educational requirements such as the Leaving Certificate or an aptitude test
One place is reserved each year for an applicant from the Traveller Community who meets the above criteria and who scores 30 or over at interview
One place is reserved each year for an applicant who is a care leaver, meets the course criteria and scores 30 or over at interview.
Careers / Further progression
This course prepares mature students, personally and academically, to study for a degree. Foundation Course students can enter into the Trinity College Dublin undergraduate degrees.
Further information
Academic year 2026/2027
Applications for 2026/27 will open in November 2025.
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form
Include a short essay with your online application (maximum 600 words), about any topic that is currently in the news that you are interested in writing about.
Share link to the online referee form with two referees.
Attend an interview if we invite you to do so.
Use the Application Guidebook to help you with your application.
See more information on the Privacy Statement of Trinity College Dublin
Foundation Course for Higher Education
The Trinity Access Programme offers mature students a Foundation Course for Higher Education. This course prepares mature students, personally and academically, to study for a degree.
The Foundation course was set up in 1997 to tackle educational disadvantage. It offers another way to third-level education for mature students whose social, economic and cultural experiences have prevented them from going to college.
Foundation Course students can enter into the Trinity College Dublin undergraduate degrees.
Is the Foundation Course for Matures right for me?
Students can choose from two broad areas of study: arts and social sciences, or science.
Throughout the course you have full access to all college supports and services. There are also TAP supports tailored especially for you.
In addition to classes in Study Skills, Educational Guidance and Information Technology, students may choose from the following: English, History, Philosophy, Law, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Business,Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Science.
If you have any questions please contact us by email: foundationcourse@tcd.ie or phone: (01) 896 3472