Expand+Age Restrictions
In general, students must be 17 years or older by 15th January in the year after entry to the University. If you are younger, you must make a special application to the University’s President.

All Leaving Certificate subjects...

Hide-Age Restrictions
In general, students must be 17 years or older by 15th January in the year after entry to the University. If you are younger, you must make a special application to the University’s President.

All Leaving Certificate subjects carry equal points with the exception of *Mathematics (details below). Points are awarded for your six best subjects in any one year. These do not have to include subjects needed to meet general minimum entry requirements. Minimum entry requirements and course requirements may be satisfied by an accumulation of subjects over more than one year. As well as achieving the required points, you must have a minimum of six subjects in your Leaving Certificate, with two Higher Level papers at grade H5 and four Ordinary or Higher Level papers at grade O6/H7.

The requirements for each course are shown above.

* 25 bonus points will be added to the points score for a Leaving Certificate Higher Level Mathematics grade H6 or higher.

The bonus points are included in the overall points calculation only when Mathematics is one of the applicant’s best six subjects following the addition of the bonus.

General Notes Re: Matriculation
1. Minimum entry requirements for all degrees (apart from MH001/ MH002): applicants must present a minimum of 6 subjects in their Leaving Certificate, with 2 Higher Level H5 and 4 Ordinary or Higher Level O6/H7, including Irish and English.

2. The minimum requirements for MH001 and MH002 are 3 Higher Level H5, and 3 Ordinary Level O6 or Higher Level H7. The minimum subject requirements are H4 Irish (H3 minimum required for MH002), O4/H7 English and O4/H7 Maths.

3. Foundation level Mathematics is accepted for matriculation (grade F6 or higher), but does not meet the requirement for degrees where Mathematics is a special programme requirement. Points are not awarded for this subject.

4. Foundation level Irish is not accepted for matriculation. Points are not awarded for this subject

Expand+If you have a relevant QQI/BTEC qualification, you can use this to apply to a degree programme at Maynooth University. This section outlines the qualifications and other requirements for students who hold or expect to hold QQI Certificates, and who w...

Hide-If you have a relevant QQI/BTEC qualification, you can use this to apply to a degree programme at Maynooth University. This section outlines the qualifications and other requirements for students who hold or expect to hold QQI Certificates, and who wish to pursue full time, undergraduate degree programmes at Maynooth University.

Any QQI award, with a minimum of five distinctions, fulfils the minimum entry requirements for admission to the University; however, due to the high demand for our courses, a higher number of distinctions is required for entry in many instances. Consult www.maynoothuniversity.ie/howtoapply for specific course entry requirements.

How To Apply - QQI Applicants
Applicants should first check that they fulfil the requirements for the particular course they wish to apply for, as detailed on the website. It is important to note that only very specific QQI course codes qualify for entry to each individual degree programme. Please refer to our website for details of these course codes. In particular please note the scoring scheme as detailed below.

Application is made through the Central Applications Office (CAO).

Application forms may be obtained online (www.cao.ie) or by contacting: Central Applications Office, Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway. + 353 91 509800

There is a normal fee for applications received on or before 17:15, 1st February 2022 (apply by January 20th for a reduced fee). Late applications are accepted up to and including 1st May 2022 on payment of an additional fee. Applicants who wish to study Community and Youth Work (MH116 or MH802) must apply before the 1st February 2022.

The Following Rules Apply:
A major award must be achieved. Component certificates do not suffice.

In some instances the University requires achievement of specific grades, and/or specified components e.g. five distinctions, including a distinction in Mathematics or Statistics.

While the major award may be achieved over a number of sittings, for scoring purposes, results achieved in a SINGLE SITTING are counted, i.e. between 1st August – 31st July.

Where this occurs, but the QQI centre offers the program over more than one year, it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their QQI centre applies to QQI for a major award where courses are taken over more than one year.

QQI SCORING
The best score for each applicant is calculated and the results are forwarded to the CAO in July of each year.

You can calculate your score using the free online points calculator at www.careersportal.ie/qqi/, which is based on the following scoring system:

Each level 5 and level 6 component is scored:
3.25 for a Distinction
2.16 for a Merit
1.08 for a Pass

This number is then multiplied by the individual component credit value to a maximum of 120 credits (a total of 390 points).

It may be easiest to multiply the individual component credit value by 3 for Distinction, 2 for Merit, and 1 for Pass, multiplying by 13 and dividing by 12. The maximum number of QQI points is 390.

The scoring is applied by the CAO. For the most current list of linked awards and specialised components visit our website. You will also find other information in relation to QQI entry pathways.

Please Note: some degree programmes have additional minimum entry requirements. See page 212 of the Undergaduate Handbook 2022.

Expand+Maynooth University greatly values the particular contribution of mature students to the academic and social environment of the University. A mature student is 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time deg...

Hide-Maynooth University greatly values the particular contribution of mature students to the academic and social environment of the University. A mature student is 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time degrees the mature age is 21. There is no upper age limit; we currently have students who range in age from 23 to over 70. Up to 250 mature students begin their studies here each year. Many of our mature entrants undertake preparatory studies in advance of gaining admission.

The Mature Student Office is committed to supporting the learning experience of our mature students. A certain number of places are reserved for mature students on all undergraduate courses. We offer a range of supports for mature students including an advisory service, the Launchpad Orientation programme, MAP My Way extended orientation, academic advisors, the student budgeting advice service and a technology skills programme. There is also a Mature Student Society on campus providing a continuation of peer support, both academic and social, to incoming mature students.

See the Mature Student handbook for detailed information about applying as a mature student. Call, email or drop in to meet us in MAP Lodge on the North Campus or to request a mature student information pack. If the opportunity to return to education has presented itself to you we hope you’ll choose Maynooth University.
+ 353 1 708 3307 emer.sheerin@mu.ie

How To Apply – Mature Entry
Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) which can be done online before 1st February. Late applications from mature students may be accepted after this date - consult the Maynooth University website for updates.

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/written assessment (degrees requiring written assessment are listed on page 209).

Applicants who wish to apply for the following restricted entry courses (Bachelor of Music (MH103) or Community and Youth Work (MH116 or MH802) degrees) MUST apply before 1st February, as these courses have fixed dates for the written assessment and interview.

Mature applicants who have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for the written tests

If you are a mature applicant with a disability or specific learning difficulty and you require support for the written assessments (degrees requiring written assessment are listed on page 209), please complete the online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2022. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline. You can find further information on the supporting documentation required, the online request form, as well as the written assessment supports available at maynoothuniversity.ie/matureapplicants and maynoothuniversity.ie/disability.

MATURE STUDENTS: Degrees with additional selection criteria MH001/MH002 Primary Education
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 1st 2022. Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria will receive a supplementary application form.

Contact: Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, School of Education, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
+ 353 1 474 7400
froebel.department@mu.ie

MH803 Local Studies / BA Community Studies
These part-time modular degrees are designed with mature students in mind. A number of places are also reserved for applicants through the CAO Available Places route.

To find out more contact:
+353 1 708 6062
evening.degrees@mu.ie

Expand+Entry 2022

Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2022 at 5pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2022 at 5pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2022 CAO Hand...

Hide-Entry 2022

Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2022 at 5pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2022 at 5pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2022 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2022 at 5pm

Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2022 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2022 at 5pm

Exceptional online late application (see page 31 of the 2022 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2022 at 5pm

Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2022. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2022, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2022 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 4 March 2022 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.

Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2022 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system.

If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.

Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, Maynooth University and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these six HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 31 of the 2022 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2022 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:

General Restricitons
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices

Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course

Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants

Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR

Expand+The Maynooth Bachelor of Arts Degree
By choosing the Maynooth BA degree, a wide variety of interesting subjects is opened up to you. Hundreds of subject combinations are available and you don't have to make any decision on your subject choices unt...

Hide-The Maynooth Bachelor of Arts Degree
By choosing the Maynooth BA degree, a wide variety of interesting subjects is opened up to you. Hundreds of subject combinations are available and you don't have to make any decision on your subject choices until you have sampled as many as you wish over the first four weeks of first year.

You will acquire specific subject knowledge and transferable skills, such as social, analytical and management skills.

You will have the opportunity to emerge as a well-rounded BA graduate who is career-ready and equipped for employment and further study in Ireland or abroad.

Course Structure and Subject Groups

Course Structure
1st year: 60 Credits
Choose 2, 3 or 4 subjects - one per group - see table below (each subject is 15 credits).

Double subjects have a 30 credit option in 1st year. You can take 2 double subjects in 1st year unless they are scheduled at the same time. You should only do this if you are really sure of your subject choices.

Optional Critical Skills (15 credits) is available to take with all subject combinations.

Your options - summary

4 subjects (4 x 15 credits)
This allows you to study the greatest range of subjects and decide which you prefer

3 subjects and Critical Skills (4 x 15 credits)
This allows you to take a range of subjects and also take the Critical Skills course

A double subject and two others (1 x 30 credits and 2 x 15 credits)
This allows you to take three subjects, but to devote half of your time to one subject

A double subject, one other subject and Critical Skills (1 x 30 credits and 2 x 15 credits)
In this option you take two subjects along with the Critical Skills first year course

Two double subjects (2 x 30 credits)
In this option you take only two subjects in first year

2nd year and Final year: 60 credits per year
In most cases students progress with two subjects, choosing between:
-Double Major (30:30)
-Major with Minor (40:20)

In some cases a Single Major (normally 60 credits) option is possible.

After first year there may be an option to move into a specialised degree, depending on the subjects you chose in first year and your results.

Electives: In second year you’ll have the opportunity to take an Elective. This is an optional 10 credit short course which helps students to expand their university education and broaden their perspective. Electives are compatible with all subjects in MH101 and many of our specialised degrees.

Erasmus or Study Abroad: BA students have the option of studying at one of Maynooth’s 200 partner universities after second year. Students taking this option graduate with a BA International degree after four years.

Bachelor of Arts Subject Groups - First Year
32 subjects are organised into 6 timetable groups. The subjects in a group are scheduled at the same time, so you may not choose more than one subject from any group. The following table shows the timetable groups. You can take any combination, as long as there is no timetable clash and you meet any minimum entry requirements.

Subject Groups

Group 1
Geography - This subject can be taken as a double subject
German - 30 credits required for beginners in this language
Law - This subject can be taken as a double subject
Mathematics (Pure) (Groups 1+3) - 30 credits must be taken in this subject
Philosophy
Critical Skills

Group 2
Business (International)- This subject can be taken as a double subject
Business (Management)- This subject can be taken as a double subject
Business (Marketing)- This subject can be taken as a double subject
Criminology
History - This subject can be taken as a double subject
Music (extra 15)
Critical Skills

Group 3
English - This subject can be taken as a double subject
International Development - This subject can be taken as a double subject
Mathematical Studies
Mathematics (Pure) (Groups 1+3)- 30 credits must be taken in this subject
Critical Skills

Group 4
Anthropology - This subject can be taken as a double subject
Economics
Finance
Music Technology
Nua-Ghaeilge
Critical Skills

Group 5
Computer Science - This subject can be taken as a double subject
Music - This subject can be taken as a double subject
Sociology
Spanish - 30 credits required for beginners in this language
Critical Skills

Group 6
Accounting - This subject can be taken as a double subject
Chinese Studies - 30 credits required for beginners in this language
French - 30 credits required for beginners in this language
Greek & Roman Civilization
Mathematical Physics
Media & Cultural Studies
Medieval Celtic Studies
Politics
Psychological Studies
Statistics
Business (extra 15)
English (extra 15)
Geography - if choosing the Geography subject in Group 6, the only subject you may choose in Group 1 is Geography (this is due to timetabling of subjects in 2nd year)
Critical Skills

Group 7 (only relevant if taking a 30 credit option in these subjects)
Anthropology (extra 15)
Chinese Studies (extra 15 required)
Computer Science (extra 15)
French (extra 15)
German (extra 15)
History (extra 15)
International Development (extra 15)
Law (extra 15)
Spanish (extra 15)

Expand+Geography (group 1 subject)

We explore environment, place, and space. We ask questions such as: How much climate change and land-use change are we causing and how quickly? What sorts of attachments to home do people form and what happens when the...

Hide-Geography (group 1 subject)

We explore environment, place, and space. We ask questions such as: How much climate change and land-use change are we causing and how quickly? What sorts of attachments to home do people form and what happens when these are disrupted by migration? How is Ireland, and its regions, affected by economic globalisation?

Geography education at Maynooth includes field trips, both in Ireland and overseas.

Students can choose 15 or 30 credits of Geography in first year and progress into a Single Major degree from second year.

In your third year, you may opt for an industry placement module (subject to availability) to experience what it’s like to work with an organisation outside the University.

Why choose this subject?
You will learn to think critically, analysing how and why our world changes. Our students develop a valuable way of thinking ‘spatially’, with space, place, time and nature-society relations at the forefront of their analysis.

Geography paves the way for active citizenship, diverse exciting careers including research, and provides a foundation for lifelong learning.

Geography graduates are flexible thinkers, and learn a wide range of skills which appeal to employers in the modern fast changing workplace

Course structure
1st year
BA Bachelor of Arts – Geography – Single Major, Double Major, Major/ Minor or as a Minor

Geography and 1 other subject to degree level.

Choose 15 or 30 credits of Geography from group 1 and/or 6 plus up to 3 other subjects including Critical Skills from the 4 or 5 groups available (maximum 1 subject per group). If choosing Geography in Group 6, the only subject you may choose in Group 1 is Geography (this is due to timetabling of subjects in 2nd year)

2nd year and Final year
Geography

Continue with 1 of your 1st year subjects as a Major/Minor, Double Major or Minor

Optional 10 credit Elective in 2nd year

Erasmus/Study Abroad option after 2nd year

OR 2nd year and Final year

Single Major Geography from 2nd year
At least 50 credits of Geography in each of 2nd and final year

To enter the Single Major students must normally achieve at least 60% in their 1st year Geography examinations

Optional 10 credit Elective in 2nd year

Erasmus/Study Abroad option after 2nd year

Possible topics
1st year
Students can choose 15 or 30 credits of Geography in first year. The two separate 15 credit Geography topics are:

Living Landscapes – in group 1 (15 credits)
This introduces you to the diversity of human and physical landscapes across the modern world. Landscapes are both ‘vast and past’, shaped by physical and human geographical processes, which are often interdependent. Living Landscapes will allow you to investigate world-forming processes examining how humans across the world are part of, and also create, unique landscapes that generate issues including hazard prevention, poverty and resource depletion.

Global Environments – in group 6 (15 credits)
This introduces students to the issues involved in modern global development within a highly modified, rapidly changing natural environment

Modern environments are shaped by physical forces and societal impacts formed by a range of geographical processes, which interact to create unique local management issues.

2nd year
You will study a range of different approaches in Geography, and have options to undertake fieldwork either in Ireland or overseas alongside Methods modules to develop further skills, including Geographical Information Systems.

2nd year topics may include:
Biogeography
Climatology
Geomorphology
Hydrology
Global Environmental Change
Hazards and Society
Economic Geography
Urban Geography
Rural Geography
Political Geography
Social and Cultural Geography
Spatial Justice

Final year
In 3rd year you can continue with some of these specialisms, or include, for example:

Climate Change
Fluvial Geomorphology
Glacial Geomorphology
Global Ecosystems Pressures and Sustainability
Palaeoecology
Oceanography
Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Environmental Remote Sensing
Geopolitics
Electoral Geographies
The Creative City
Medical Geography
City in Film
Global Foodscapes
Regional Development

You may also opt for a work placement (subject to availability).

Expand+Geography
Options after graduation?
Geography students develop globally-relevant career skills which are attractive to employers throughout the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Graduates can be found working in urban planning, community d...

Hide-Geography
Options after graduation?
Geography students develop globally-relevant career skills which are attractive to employers throughout the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Graduates can be found working in urban planning, community development, teaching, overseas aid and development, environmental monitoring and mapping, ICT, retail and marketing analysis, data analysis, environmental consultancy, business management, economic and industrial development agencies, public administration, environmental management and conservation agencies, to name but a few.

Many students catch the research bug and decide to remain at university to pursue higher degrees, which offer greater research opportunities.

Our taught postgraduate programmes currently include:
MA Geography
MA Spatial Justice
MSc Climate Change
MSc Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
MSc Geocomputation

Options after graduation?
As an arts graduate you will have versatility on your side. Some seek graduate employment and others opt for postgraduate specialisation.

Over the course of your three or four year degree you gain valuable skills including the hugely important ability to think critically and analytically. Our Arts graduates emerge as flexible thinkers who are ready for the challenges of the modern workplace in the years following graduation.

Some of the areas in which Maynooth BA graduates develop their careers include:

Human resources & training
Finance
Psychology
Law
Marketing and advertising
Publishing and information
Librarianship
Teaching – primary and second level
Social policy
Media and communications
Translation
Arts and culture
Management consultancy
Computing and IT
Civil service
Medicine (graduate entry programmes)
Public relations