The principal objective of MAP is to widen access to third level education for specific equity groups: mature students, socio-economically disadvantaged school leavers, students with a disability, and members of the Irish Traveller and Roma communities.  MAP also seeks to embed equity and diversity issues into the culture of the University, thereby influencing the development of inclusive policies and practices that will support a diverse student and staff body. ​To provide an equitable experience for all students, we identify the obstacles and barriers for students to successfully enter, transition to and complete university. We develop and incubate supports which equip students with the skills needed for success and where practicable we mainstream these supports across campus. 

    Student Successes

    Check out some of the Maynooth University Student Success stories from students like you. 

    We would love to hear from our MAP students and graduates who have experiences from their time at Maynooth or stories about how they took their Maynooth attributes into the world. Drop a line to [email protected]. 

    Policy Developments

    The Maynooth University Access Programme (MAP) was established within the Registry Office in 1998 in the context of a number of policy documents in the early 1990s which acknowledged the need to improve participation in higher education by underrepresented groups. The National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education (NAO) was established in 2003 and has set targets and policy to support increased entry rates to higher education in the National Access Plan, 2005-2007, the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2008 -2013 and in the consultation paper “Towards the development of a new National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education” (2014).

    The MAP team is located in a single venue at a central location on campus and is led by the Director of Access who reports directly to the Vice President for Equality and Diversity.  There is a MAP Student Advisory Team, MAP Outreach Team and MAP Administrative Team, who report to the Head of Acces Operations. MAP also has responsibility for the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) and the Student Assistance Fund (SAF).