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Maynooth University is delighted to announce a historic year of growth and success, marked by an unprecedented surge in demand for its academic programmes. The University has extended over 4,200 offers in Round 1of the 2024 Central Applications Office (CAO) process. This marks the University’s largest ever number of Round 1 offers, reflecting a growing interest in its diverse programmes.
This year's figures reflect Maynooth University's commitment to providing a diverse and innovative range of programmes that meet the evolving needs and interests of students. The University has seen significant increases across a variety of disciplines, including science, education, business, law, and the arts, confirming its broad appeal to prospective students.
Expansion of programme offerings – Science, Sport and Health
In response to this growing demand, Maynooth University has expanded its curriculum with the introduction of several new and highly anticipated programmes. Notably, the University has launched the BSc in Sports Science and the BSc in Food Science and Human Nutrition, further enhancing its strong offerings in the areas of Sport and Health. These new courses have attracted substantial interest, with high entry points indicative of their popularity among applicants.
To ensure that more students can benefit from its renowned educational opportunities, Maynooth University has also increased capacity in several key programmes. The BSc in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Chemistry has expanded its intake by over 25%, and the BSc in Biological and Biomedical Sciences has grown by 20%. These adjustments will allow more students to pursue careers in these competitive and rapidly growing fields.
Rising interest in language and law programmes
Language programmes at Maynooth University have also seen a significant rise in popularity. The University responded by increasing offers in the BBA Business and Language programme by 15% and introducing 30 new offers for the BCL Law and Languages degree. This four-year programme, combining Law with French, German, Irish, or Spanish, opens a wide range of employment opportunities both within Ireland and internationally.
Additionally, the MU School of Law and Criminology has expanded its offerings, with a 20% increase in Round 1 CAO offers for both the LLB and BCL programmes. This expansion reflects the University’s recognition of the growing demand for legal education and its commitment to providing high-quality, accessible programmes in this field.
Business and education programmes in high demand
The School of Business at Maynooth University has also experienced an exceptional increase in demand, prompting a 10% rise in CAO offers across its suite of programmes, including Finance and Accountancy. The BA in Finance programme, in particular, has seen an 80% increase in offers, highlighting its rapidly growing popularity.
Furthermore, Maynooth University continues to be a top destination for students aspiring to careers in primary education. The BEd in Froebel Primary Education witnessed a notable increase in first-preference applications. In alignment with the Government's initiative to address the shortage of primary teachers, the University has expanded its intake for the BEd programme, making over 30 additional offers again in 2024. This expansion underscores Maynooth University's dedication to supporting the educational needs of Ireland's future generations.
Welcoming the announcement of CAO offers today, Professor Eeva Leinonen, President of Maynooth University, said: "We are encouraged by the strong demand for our programmes in this year’s CAO Round 1 offers. This response reaffirms our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of both students and society. As we expand our academic offerings, we remain focused on providing high-quality education that not only prepares our students for their futures but also contributes positively to our broader community. This is an exciting time for Maynooth University, and we look forward to the new energy and perspectives that these students will bring."