Services & Supports

Admissions Office

Mature Students

IMPORTANT NOTICE -

WE ARE NOW CLOSED FOR MATURE STUDENT APPLICATIONS FOR 2012

The National University of Ireland, Maynooth welcomes mature applicants and encourages their pursuit of study at the University. We appreciate 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.

In the case of part time degrees (MH117 Community & Youth Work part time, MH003 Early Childhood - Teaching & Learning), a mature student is at least 21 years of age on January 1st of year of entry.

APPLICANTS TO MH001 AND MH002 PRIMARY EDUCATION

Mature applicants for the Primary Education degrees should contact Froebel College of Education on 01-2888520 or email admissions@froebel.ie

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

There are three steps:

Step 1. RESEARCHING YOUR COURSE CHOICES

Choosing the correct course for you is one of the most important decisions you must make before you apply to NUI Maynooth as a mature student. To make this choice it is essential that you spend some time investigating and researching the course(s) you wish to pursue.

WHERE TO GET INFORMATION

NUI Maynooth Prospectus: The first place you should look for information is the NUI Maynooth prospectus, which describes all of our undergraduate degrees. You can request a copy from the Admissions Office either online at: http://admissions.nuim.ie/publications/index.shtml or by email: admissions@nuim.ie or phone at 01-7083822.
NUI Maynooth Open Days: Late November annually (23rd and 24th November 2012) – mature student talk, subject talks, campus tours, information stands, demonstrations and lab tours. Staff and students will also be on hand to answer your questions. Details when available will appear on www.gomaynooth.ie
NUI Maynooth University Days: April 28th 2012 and June 30th 2012– Short sample lectures from each of the degree courses, current students and staff from the various degree programmes, campus and accommodation tours. Details when available will appear on www.gomaynooth.ie
Mature Student Information Sessions – Please see http://access.nuim.ie/mature for further details.
Contact us: We would be delighted to answer any questions you might have by email (admissions@nuim.ie), telephone (01-7083822) or in person at the Admissions Office, Humanity House, NUI Maynooth.

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.

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.

Step 3. APPLY TO NUI MAYNOOTH

Applications to NUI Maynooth must be made online using the 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. Please send copies of any relevant certificates or documents relating to your application to us at - The Admissions Office, NUI Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

Candidates for the MH103 Music will be shortlisted for interview on the basis of a music test which will be held in March each year (31st March 2012).

Candidates for the following courses will sit an entrance test (we are now closed to applications for the courses listed here for 2012):

Note that Law is also available under MH101 Arts but there are progression requirements to enter second year, see here for details. These progression requirements do not apply to the MH115 & MH406 courses.

All other courses will be assessed on the basis of the application form and/or interview and applications must be received before February 1st.

Candidates with a Disability

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (dyslexia) and require examination support for the written tests please download the form for request for examination supports from this page. Please send in this form with your supporting documentation to Ms. Rose Ryan, Disability Officer (telephone 01-708 6341), by 1st March each year.

Unfortunately we will be unable to consider applications for alternative examination accommodation after the deadline. You can find further information on the supporting documentation required and examination and other supports available at http://access.nuim.ie/disability/prospective-students.

Important Information to note

The NUI Maynooth Mature Student Application Form and the CAO Application Form must state the same NUI Maynooth course choices. Additional or different NUI Maynooth course choices stated on the CAO application but not included on the NUI Maynooth application will not be considered.
You may not avail of the change of mind facility for any of the courses listed that include an entrance test. If you do add on any courses using change of mind, you must inform the Admissions Office immediately and you may be added to a waiting list for consideration.

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 each year. 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: Wednesday, 02-May-2012 15:42:00 IST

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