Services & Supports

Admissions Office

Mature Students

The National University of Ireland, Maynooth welcomes mature applicants and encourages their pursuit of study at the University. It appreciates that many people might have left school early, nor achieved their full potential in previous examinations due to financial, social or family pressures. Over the intervening years circumstances change and the opportunity to return to study now presents itself. The University believes that the particular contribution of mature students to the academic and social environment of the University is a valuable and beneficial asset. A substantial number are accepted each year.

WHO IS A MATURE STUDENT?

A mature student is a person who is at least 23 years of age on January 1st of year of entry. There is no upper age limit. Mature students who range in age from 23 to 73 are currently enrolled at NUI Maynooth.

HOW DO I APPLY TO NUI MAYNOOTH AS A MATURE STUDENT?

There are two steps:
Step 1. Apply to NUI Maynooth

Applications to NUI Maynooth must be made on a Mature Student Application Form (PDF) which is available to download online or from the Admissions Office, phone +353-1-708 3822. (If necessary please use the answering service and full details will be forwarded to you). This form is also available in Irish: Foirm iarratais do mhic léinn lánfhásta

Applications can also be made on our Mature Student Online Application form. The Admissions Office welcomes any enquiries potential applicants may have on any aspect of the application process and staff are willing to give advice on application procedure, subjects, course schedules etc.

Applications should be made before the 1st February, but late applications will be considered up to 15th March, with the exception of the following:

The following course must be applied for before February 1st 2010. Candidates will be shortlisted for interview on the basis of a music test which will be held on Saturday 27th March 2010.

The degrees below have written entrance tests, applications will be accepted up to 5pm on March 15th 2010.

Applicants for the two Law courses below must register for and sit the National Law Aptitude Test between 1st November 2009 and 1st May 2010. You must also apply to NUI Maynooth before 1st May, 2010.

Further information on the LNAT aptitude test for prospective mature students wishing to study Law.

Note that Law is also available under MH101 Arts (and you do not have to sit the LNAT aptitude test for this entry route) but there are progression requirements to enter second year, see here for details. These progression requirements do not apply to the MH115 & MH406 courses.

If you have applied for any of these degrees and you have any special needs/disabilities with regard to the test please contact Ms. Rose Ryan, Disability Officer, Tel : 01-708 6341 or e-mail Rosario.Ryan@nuim.ie with supporting documentation by 15th March 2010. Unfortunately we will be unable to consider applications for special examination accommodation after this date. No application fee is required.

Step 2. Apply to the CAO

Mature applicants should also apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Application forms are available from: CAO, Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway (phone +353-91-509800). You can also apply online at www.cao.ie. The closing date for receipt of Irish based applications is 1st February each year. Late applications may be made up to 1st May for an additional fee.

Please be advised that we may have to consult with the relevant Academic Department(s) before we can advise you as to whether or not your application has been successful. This may take a reasonable amount of time. Applicants may, if they wish, contact the Admissions Office for a provisional indication as to the progress of their application.

Mature Students with FETAC/BTEC Qualifications

Places on courses with FETAC/BTEC entry routes are available in the first instance for students under 23 years of age on 1st January 2010. If these places are not filled they will be allocated to qualified FETAC/BTEC mature applicants. Mature student applicants with FETAC/BTEC qualifications are considered along with other mature applicants.

Preparatory Courses

For further information on preparatory courses please see here or you can watch some Adult and Community Education videos here.

Further Information

For further information or to speak to someone about your options please contact the Admissions Office at 01-708 3822 or the Mature Student Support Officer at 01-708 3307, you can also visit the mature student webpage.

THE ENGLISH REQUIREMENT WHERE ENGLISH IS NOT THE FIRST LANGUAGE

All candidates are required to satisfy the English language requirement. Candidates whose first language is not English may satisfy the requirement through any of the following:

7.1 National University of Ireland Matriculation

English at Level 4 or above, before 1985; at Level D or above, in or

after 1985

7.2 NUI Certificate in English Language Studies

(currently awarded at Shannon College of Hotel Management)

7.3 Leaving Certificate

English at Grade D ordinary Level or above

7.4 University of Dublin (Trinity College)

English Composition (not English Literature) at Pass Level or above

7.5 UK Examining Boards/Bodies

• GCE O Level English Language at Grade C or above

• GCSE English Language at Grade C or above

• GCSE English Literature at Grade C or above

• CSE Grade 1 Pass in English

The following standard in English Language examinations set by

certain Examination Boards – any one of:

(i) Assessments and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) C or above

(ii) Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR) C or above

(iii) Edexcel Foundation C or above

(iv) University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate (UCLES)

C or above

7.6 EU Countries’ Matriculation Examination

Matriculation Examinations from European Union Countries where

English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved

7.7 Norwegian Certificate of Upper Secondary Education

A score of 4 or higher in English in the First Part

7.8 Hong Kong Education Examination Authorities

(i) Hong Kong Certificate of Education, English Language Syllabus B

Grade C or better

(ii) Hong Kong Examination Authority, Advanced Level Use of

English Grade C or better

7.9 Sri Lankan National Certificate in English Pass level or better

7.10 Other English Language Examinations

(i) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

A minimum score of 550 (213 for computer-based tests or 79 for

internet-based tests) in the Test of English as a Foreign

Language (TOEFL) administered by Princeton University

(ii) Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC)

A minimum score of 750

(iii) International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Test Patterns A and B, with an average score of 6.0 over all

Components

It should be noted that these are the minimum requirements in

English and that Faculties/Colleges may set higher requirements.

Last edited: Tuesday, 23-Feb-2010 10:21:04 GMT

Admissions Office, NUI Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
Tel: +353 1 7083822 | Fax: +353 1 7084614 | E-mail: admissions@nuim.ie