A mature student is a person who is at least 23 years of age on January 1 of year of entry. There is no upper age limit. Mature students ranging in age from 23 to 75 are currently enrolled at Maynooth University.
Yes! Maynooth University has the highest percentage of mature students amongst all universities in the country. We have a policy of ensuring that 15% of all new entrants to first year are mature students. This translates in numbers to roughly 400 new mature students arriving on campus each year.
No. Mature students apply on the basis of their ‘mature years’. This means that entry to the University is granted on the basis of their experience to date – academic, life experience and work history. However, students do need to have reached a standard of education that will enable them to be prepared academically for third level study. Many students prepare for college by taking an access or foundation course, or a FETAC course in their local Further Education college.
Mature Students must apply through the CAO by 1st February.
Click here for full details on how to apply to Maynooth University as a mature student.
Mature candidates can apply for all degree courses provided by the University. Details of these courses can be found here.
There are places reserved for mature students in every degree programme available in Maynooth University.
It is very important to carry out research into the course(s) that you may wish to pursue at University. Click here for detailed information on researching your course and making an application.
There are different selection procedures for different degree courses at Maynooth University. Some or all of the following selection methods may apply depending on the course applied for:
- Interview only
- Written assessment + shortlist compiled for interview
- Assessment of application form
Students should be well prepared for the mature student interview. The main purpose of the interview is to assess whether the applicant is academically prepared for college and in particular for the degree they are applying for. Other elements of the interview cover some practical aspects of returning to college in terms of funding, commitment and so on.
So in preparing for interview candidates should:
- Display knowledge of the course(s) they are applying for in terms of course structure;
- Be able to outline the research they have conducted into their chosen course:
- Applicants attending for interview for a denominated degree should display a deeper knowledge and motivation for the main subject in their degree (eg BA Anthropology, BA Psychology);
- Be able to outline your educational achievements to date and to talk about the academic skills you have acquired;
- Show that you have thought about college from a practical point of view (funding, commitments, getting to college every day);
- Candidates should also have questions prepared for the interviewers.
For many of our denominated degrees, written assessments are used to shortlist applicants for interview. These tests take place around end March/early April and are one-hour in duration. In preparing for these assessments applicants should:
- Carry out research into the degree you are applying for through our course finder www.maynoothuniversity.ie/courses;
- Reflect on your own motivation for applying for a denominated degree. For example you might consider why you want to take a more specialised degree in Business (BBS/BBA Business and Management, MH404) rather than taking Business (Management) as part of the Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA MH101).
If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty and require examination support for the written assessments, as part of your application you will be asked to complete the Mature and Restricted Entry Examination Supports Request Form and upload your Evidence of Disability documentation.
The closing date for requesting examination supports for mature and restricted entry entrance tests is 15 March. Applications for examination supports after this date will not be considered.
Find more information about the Mature and Restricted Degree Courses, and visit the Disability Office section of this website for further information about the supports we provide.
