Applications 2025
The CAO is now open for new applications for 2025 entry to university. The early application deadline is January 20th - for a reduced fee.
CAO website
Don't hesitate to contact us here in Admissions and Student Recruitment with any queries.
Contact us
CAO Information Evening - January 14th 2025
Scroll down the page to view the recorded webinars
| 1. Meet Maynooth University Students |
| 2. The CAO Application Process |
| 3. MH101 & Specialised Arts Degrees |
| 4. Business and Law/Criminology |
| 5. Education/Teaching Options |
| 6. Science & Engineering Options |
| 7. Mature Student and QQI/PLC Applicants |
5th November 2024 (12:00)
CAO online application facility opens.
CAO Change of Course choices facility opens
20th January 2025 (17:00)
Apply online by this date to avail of the discounted application fee of €30.
1st February (17:00)
Normal closing date for applications.
6th February (12:00)
Online facility to amend course choices becomes available (€10 Fee)
Before 15th February
Paper Applicants will be sent a Statement of Course Choices
(Contact CAO if you do not receive it)
1st March (17:00)
Closing date for amending course choices
Closing date for completion of mature section of application form
Closing date for final completion of online HEAR/DARE forms
5th March (12:00)
Late application facility opens.
15th March (17:00)
Latest date for HEAR/DARE supporting documentation to arrive in CAO
1st May (17:00)
Closing date for late applications
7th May (12:00)
Online Change of Mind facility becomes available (Free)
Before 15th May
Late Paper Applicants will be sent a Statement of Course Choices
(Contact CAO if you do not receive it)
Before End of May
Statement of Application Record sent to all applicants
(Contact CAO if you do not receive it)
1st July (17:00)
Change of Mind closes
July
Round A offers for certain Non-Standard categories of applicants - applicants receive an offer by e-mail and SMS text
July
Round A acceptances closing date
22nd July (17:00)
Exceptional closing date for late applications for those already attending a participating HEI
August
Round 0 offers for certain Non-Standard categories of applicant - applicants receive an offer by e-mail and SMS text
August
Round 0 acceptances closing date.
August
Current year Leaving Certificate results issued
August
Round 1 offers available online - also issued by e-mail and SMS text.
Applicants who have not received an offer will receive a `Statement of Application` e-mail.
Applying through the CAO Central Applications Office
Apply for your choice of level 8 bachelor’s degree through the Central Applications Office (CAO).
All applicants (except EU occasional and non-EU students) must apply through the Central Applications Office.
Apply online at www.cao.ie or request details from:
Order of preference
On your CAO application you are invited to enter your choice of courses in ‘order of preference’. It is essential that you list your selected courses in order of choice. Put your first choice in the number one position, followed by your second and third choice, and so on. The University offers places to applicants in order of merit, once they meet the minimum entry requirements. The order of merit is calculated based on a points system (available via this link). Places are allocated to applicants with the required points according to their list of CAO preferences, with applicants who meet the points requirements being offered their course in order of preference. For this reason it is essential that you list your CAO course choices in your genuine order of preference. The University distinguishes between applicants who have equal points by appending a randomly generated number to each score. The combined score/random number is the final determinant of position in the order of merit (this is called Random Selection).
THE MAYNOOTH BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE - MH101 - THE CAO'S MOST POPULAR FIRST PREFERENCE COURSE
MH101 - The Maynooth Bachelor of Arts Degree
What is a restricted-application degree?
Certain level 8 degrees are restricted-application courses. They have early assessment procedures.
MU restricted application courses are:
MH116 BSocSc Community and Youth Work (full-time) (Recording of the information webinars held in January 2024)
Application for a restricted application course will not be considered unless it has been included among course choices by 1st February or it has been added to an existing application not later than the final date for correction of errors or omissions (see the CAO website). This date is normally 1st March and it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that any restricted application courses are present and correct by that date.
Restricted courses may not be added during the Change of Mind period beginning in May. Restricted application courses which are included in Late Applications are invalid choices and will not be considered.
The University will use the e-mail address you registered with the CAO for most communication in relation to your application. Please check your e-mail regularly for updates from the University, including your spam folder. In some cases, there may be deadlines for the return of submissions from you, which may form an important component in the assessment of your application.
If you change your e-mail you should advise [email protected] and the relevant academic department that is considering your application.
Applicants with a disability can apply for test/assessment supports for MH116 Community & Youth Work before 15 March - see the steps below. (No supports are required for the MH103 Music Online Video Audition).
OPC (CAO application option – open choice to all degree streams)
Making a final decision on the list of level 8 degree choices can be quite a challenge. We have therefore broadened the first year entry on many of our degrees in order to open up progression options to our students. This means that many first year students can spend the first few weeks of semester one sampling subjects or pathways within their degree before deciding on their options.
The MH101 Bachelor of Arts Degree is a popular choice due to the wide subject range and optional pathways into 2nd year of some specialised degree. See the tab below for more on MH101.
Open choice is an option in a number of our degrees. This gives new Maynooth University students the opportunity to sample the streams available within their chosen degree during the first few weeks of semester one. Applicants choose open choice on their MU CAO application and decide on their preferred degree stream following admission. Applicants must meet any minimum entry requirements for their preferred stream. Available in these degrees - click for more details.
Maynooth University aims to ensure the security and privacy of an applicant’s personal data by preventing the release of any details relating to a CAO applicant to any unauthorised person.
All enquiries about an applicant’s course choice/offer can only be discussed with the applicant. If a third party is enquiring on behalf of an applicant, the applicant must be present and give full permission (by phone/email etc.) to Maynooth University’s Admissions Office to discuss his/her course choices/results/offers with the third party. In all cases, the applicant will be required to confirm he/she is the applicant in question. Each applicant will be asked to confirm the following:
CAO number
Full Name
Full Address
Date of Birth