What is a Booking Event:
A booking event is where an existing valid applicant is offered the opportunity to make a room booking. Only those invited to the booking event can make a valid room booking. Invitations are issued to pre-qualified eligible applicants on the basis of random selection or FCFS from the valid applications list within their own student cohort. Room Booking Events have a time window (opening and closing dates and times will be published for each event).
Where an applicant misses the booking event time window the application will remain on the valid applicantions list but you must wait for a further booking event (if any) to make a booking and no priority is given to such applications for selection to the next event as random selection will apply.
Where an applicant books a room type that is not their preference there can be no expectation given that such a room booking can be swapped for the room type of higher preference. Scaracity does not allow for such swaps. Applicants should not therefore book a room if they are not entirely sure that it meets their needs.
Scheduled BOOKING EVENTS
Throughout the year there are various Booking Events arranged to allow students to book for the following academic year.
Phase 1: Application/Expression of Interest phase has an opening and closing date (see schedule below) and are determined by student cohort.
Phase 2: Room booking will then be online for those selected from the application list via random selection.
Selected applicants will be notified by email and will complete their booking online the following day.
These Booking Events offer the full allocation of rooms set aside for each student cohort. Each booking event is specific to a student cohort and only students from that cohort are eligible to book at that event.
Applicants should be aware that on Campus accomodation is offered for a fixed term-14-09-25 to 05/06/26 (Indicative - Licence dates are based on academic term dates).
Bespoke occupancy dates or single semester accommodation is not available.
Please see the table below of a typical year of Booking events.
These dates are provisional and will be agreed prior to bookings
| Student Category |
Description of Booking Event |
Details of Rooms Available |
Applications Open |
Booking Date |
| New Undergraduate CAO Entrance Scholars |
By Invitation only |
River and/or Village |
N/A- By Invitation following CAO offers |
TBC |
New Undergraduate
CAO General Offering |
First Years Undergraduates(entry via CAO)- Random Selection |
River & Village |
1st May until TBC
(Day after Leaving Cert Results) |
TBC |
| New Undergraduate CAO Special Cohorts |
MAP/Sports Scholars/SPPU - Recommended Only |
River & Village |
Application via relevant Office |
TBC |
New Undergraduate
CAO Scéim Chónaithe |
New incoming First Years
by Invitation after Interview - Pre Qualification Required |
Sceim Gaoth Dobhair River Single Ensuite |
TBC- By Invitation following CAO
offers and Interview |
TBC |
| New Post Graduates |
Full Academic Year only for New Postgrads - FCFS by Invitation |
Courtyard & Rye |
01-07-2025 to 08-08-2025 @ 17.00 |
TBC |
| Continuing Students |
Quiet Zone Priority - By Invitation |
Courtyard & Rye |
03-03-2025 to 14-03-2025 @ 17.00 |
TBC |
| Continuing Students |
Quiet Zone General - FCFS by Invitation |
Courtyard & Rye |
03-03-2025 to 14-03-2025 @ 17.00 |
TBC |
| Continuing Students |
Designated Sports Rooms - Recommended Only |
River & Village |
Contact Sports Office- Application by 10/03/25 |
TBC |
| Continuing Students |
Designated Access Rooms - Recommended Only |
Courtyard |
Apply to MAP- Application by 21/02/25 |
TBC |
| Continuing Students |
Scéim Chónaithe FY Only
by Invitation after Interview - Pre Qualification Required |
Sceim Gaoth Dobhair River Single Ensuite |
Applications by 17/03/25 |
TBC |
| Continuing Students |
SPPU - Recommended Only |
Village |
Please contact SPPU |
TBC |
| Continuing Students |
General Offering for UG and PG
(Incl - 1st Year Deferred via Records Office) - Random Selection |
Courtyard & Rye |
18-03-2025 to 28-03-2025 |
TBC |
*Bookings generally take place from 10.00-12.00 unless otherwise notified. Please note all times are Standard Irish Time
International Students whose University has pre-arranged campus accommodation for named students will be advised of their booking arrangements via their Home University. Nearer the date of booking you will receive an email invitation to book from the Residence Office. Queries in relation to inclusion in this category to your Home University or [email protected].
BOOKING FORM
All booking are online and room types are available on a 1st come 1st serve basis.
The date and time of the booking event will be published in advance (see schedule above) so that you have time to prepare and make a space in your diary for the event.
Successful applicants will be notified by email and send a booking link to complete their booking.
The online process uses an application form to collect your data, offer the rooms available and facilitate your payment of the booking fee.
All rooms that have been allocated to the specific student cohort for the following academic year will be offered in the first event.
Sometimes we run additional booking events for the same cohort where all rooms are not booked during the first event.
Once the academic year commences any available rooms will be offered to those on the application list.
The online form of application/booking is the only one accepted. Paper, email, personal callers, telephone etc. applications will not be processed.
Please ensure you use a laptop or desktop only for booking as phones and tablets are not compatible.
Application Process
Those wishing to apply for on campus accommodation should apply via the online link which will be available on the booking links page.
Application opening and closing dates (see schedule above) are determined by student cohort.
Room booking will then be online for those selected from the application list via random selection.
Selected applicants will be notified by email and will complete their booking online the following day.
- While all students invited to book will be guaranteed a room - the room types are available on a first come first serve basis. If you have a preference for a particular room type please ensure that you engage with the booking process once it opens
- Rooms offered are randomly selected by the system based on the criteria you give it for example Ensuite.
- In some larger booking events the system may use a queue to manage the number of bookers in the application form at any time. Those bookers who are not yet in the Booking Form are placed in a Queuing system behind the first group of bookers.
- Once bookers complete their booking in the Booking Form the system then allocates the next student in the queue a place on the booking form provided there are still rooms left to book. If a booking is not completed within the session time the booker will be placed at the back of the queue once the session time expires.
- Session times do run out for bookers. If you cannot find a room in the randomly offered rooms you need to refresh the selection until you find a suitable room. Selecting a room on the form does not guarantee that you will be able to book it. Even small delays can prompt the system to offer that room again to another booker as in the logic of the system the room is not yet booked until the booking fee is paid. So it is advisable to proceed promptly to the next stage of the booking process and make the booking fee payment.
- Once you enter the payment screen on the booking form your Bank is now making the decisions about payment not Maynooth University Booking System. It is important to know how the banking system operates online payments and keep up to date with changes and obligations placed on bank card holders in relation to security, authorisation of payments, card limits, credit limits etc. In an effort to assist with this we have written an article on the most recent changes in this regard which you are welcome to reference for your general information HERE, however the main source of information will be from your own Bank.
- To contact the Residence Office during a booking please use the ASK function on the Residence Office homepage to chat with us live or email [email protected] if you have a query. Please do not call the Residence Office during booking as we will be unable to answer.
How will I know if my application was successful?
On completion of the payment of the booking fee, a message will appear to advise that the payment was successful. Where a successful payment is made a transaction number will appear on your screen and a confirmation email will be generated to the email address you put on the booking form. Please note that when the booking is complete the timer may still keep counting down. However once a successful payment has been made and a transaction number received the accommodation is secure. Should you wish to confirm your booking, please log into your self-service accommodation account the login details of which will be in your confirmation email.
Important - It is very important to input your email address correctly in order to receive a confirmation email. To ensure that the confirmation email does not go into spam add [email protected] to your contacts.
From time to time vacancies will arise in Student Residences on Campus during the academic year.
This can occur at any time but it arises most frequently during November and December. Once the room is vacated by the current resident and it is cleaned we will offer the room for booking to those on the application list. All such vacancies will be offered for the full period of the remainder of the year. We do not offer vacancies as short term lets. All vacancies will be offered exclusively to the Student Cohort that the room was originally allocated. So, for example, if a first year student cancels their room that room will be offered to eligible first year students only.
How does booking a Vacant Room Work?
Once identified and prepared for the new occupant, the Residence Office will email those (from the relevant student Cohort) on the application list to advise them of either their selection by random selection or notification of the first come first serve booking event with a date and time when the Booking Link will go live for booking.
A reduced booking fee (pro rata to the duration of the Licence being offered) will be payable on the day of booking along with the first instalment which will be either a) the equivalent of two months rent or b) the rent for the remainder of the semester, depending on the payment option chosen by the booker and the cost of the room type. Once the room is booked and the first instalment is paid the booker will receive an email with details of how to check-in to their room.
How to complete the Accommodation Application/Booking Form
As part of the online Application Process, you will be asked to complete an online form. Paper applications or email forms are not accepted.
Please review the How to Videos:
How to Complete Application Form Video
- Only eligible students from the Student Cohort specified may apply. Bookings from ineligible students or students from a different cohort will be cancelled. Any fees paid will be returned but this may take a few weeks.
- Have your Student number (or CAO Number for incoming first Years/PAC number for incoming Post Graduate Students), your date of birth and your email address to hand.
- Take your time as it is very important that you fill the form accurately. Wrong, missing or inaccurate data can delay or invalidate your application and result in you not being offered a room or your booking being missed or cancelled.
- Read information about Rooms, so that you can consider your preference and have a decision made in advance.
- Think about your budget and get information about Rates and costs that are involved
- Make sure that your email inbox can accept an email from [email protected] - you may wish to add us to your contacts and make sure there is sufficient space to allow you to receive emails. Email is the primary means by which we will contact you. If your Acknowledgemnt of Application Email is sent to the wrong email address you are likely to miss out on scheduled actions and important information or the opportunity to book a room.
- Make sure you have good internet connectivity and that you use either a laptop or desktop device ( phone and tablet devices are less reliable for this purpose and should not be used)
- Applicants who are selected by random selection will be emailed a booking invitation and given a date and time to book(booking invitations will lapse if the room is not booked during the booking window).
You will have made a valid booking if you pay your non refundable booking fee, you are eligible for that room offering and you comply with the booking terms and conditions. To accept your booking you need to complete your address and other details in your online accommodation account, usually, the next day after the booking is made. To retain your room booking you need to fulfil the next steps including a) paying your accommodation fees and any other payments on time and in full b) remain eligible for the room offering and c) continue to comply with the booking terms and conditions. Your booking confirmation email and other emails from the Residence Office will set out these steps again for you.
In some specific cases there are additional requirements for example if you are applying for the Scéim or a Sports Scholarship there is an interview. Students who require a room on campus due to the impact of a disability also have a separate process as do St Patrick's College Students who are asked to fill in an expression of interest form first. Please make sure that you complete all aspects of the process that applies to your specific circumstances during the timelines sepecified by the relevant office.
Booking a Non designated room
Throughout the year, some rooms may become available that are not designated to a specific cohort i.e. First year, continuing etc. If booking one of these rooms it is important to note that they are mixed occupancy and you can expect to live with or near students of any gender, any orientation, any nationality, any age, any course and at any stage of their course.
