Maynooth University
Ollscoil Mhá Nuad
Ireland's university town campus, 25 km from Dublin, where a 1795 college square meets a modern science campus.
- Students
- 16,110
- International
- 15%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 25.7:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- €16,500
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1997
About MU
Maynooth University became an autonomous university in 1997 and will mark its 30th birthday on 16 June 2027, but it traces its origins to the Royal College of St Patrick, founded in 1795. It is one of four constituent universities of the National University of Ireland and sits in the town of Maynooth, County Kildare, 25 kilometres west of Dublin. The historic South Campus, around St Joseph's Square, is shared with St Patrick's College; the North Campus holds most science, engineering, computing and student facilities.
About 16,000 students (2023/24) study across three faculties: Arts and Humanities, Science and Engineering, and Social Sciences, which includes business, law and education. Maynooth is best known for flexible degrees: MH101 Arts lets you choose from over 30 subjects and change your mind after first year, and many degrees include a placement or a semester abroad. It also has research strengths in theoretical physics and mathematics, computer science and the Hamilton Institute.
Maynooth says it leads Irish universities in access students. It suits students who want a friendly campus-town university within commuting distance of Dublin, with 2026 CAO points ranging from 300 for Arts to 500 for Theoretical Physics and Mathematics.
Veritati Fir Fer
“Truth, strength, courage” — university motto
Why students choose MU
MH101 Arts offers over 30 subjects, so you can try subjects in first year before specialising.
The PSI-accredited BSc Psychology includes a research internship and the option of a work placement or semester abroad in third year.
The LLB (MH501) is accredited by the Honorable Society of King's Inns and offers an optional year in a law firm or abroad.
First-years with 575+ CAO points automatically receive a €1,000 Entrance Scholarship and an offer of campus accommodation.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Maynooth does not publish an offer rate. EU, EEA and UK applicants compete through the CAO on points; 2026 Round 1 points included 300 for MH101 Arts, 453 for MH501 LLB Law, 498 for MH209 Psychology (through Science) and 500 for MH206 Theoretical Physics and Mathematics.
Typical entry requirements
| Irish Leaving Certificate | Minimum six subjects with two Higher Level papers at H5 and four at O6/H7, plus course requirements (e.g. H2 in Mathematics for MH206 Theoretical Physics and Mathematics); places then go on CAO points from your best six subjects, with 25 bonus points for Higher Level Maths at H6 or above |
|---|---|
| GCE A-levels and other EU/UK qualifications (via CAO) | Must meet NUI matriculation and course subject requirements, then are ranked on CAO points equivalents alongside other EU applicants |
| Non-EU qualifications | Assessed by country through a direct application (MU Apply) |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 90 Non-EU undergraduates (2026/27 intake): IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT 90 with at least 21 in writing and 19 in other sections; Duolingo 120 (110 in each subscore); PTE Academic 63 (59 in each skill). Certificates must be under two years old. |
Deadlines
- CAO normal closing date (EU/EEA/UK) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~4 months1 February 2027, 17:00 Irish time
€50 CAO fee; discounted €35 fee up to 20 January 2027. Restricted courses (e.g. MH103 Music, which needs an audition) must be listed by this date.
- CAO late applications Non-binding In ~7 months1 May 2027, 17:00 Irish time
Late application facility opens on 5 March 2027; restricted courses cannot be added.
- Non-EU direct application (MU Apply) Non-bindingRolling (not published)
Maynooth did not publish a 2027 non-EU undergraduate closing date on its pages as of 29 September 2026.
CAO dates are from the CAO Handbook 2027. Change-of-mind choices can be amended until 1 July 2027 at 17:00 (except restricted courses). Apply early if you are a non-EU student to leave time for immigration.
How to apply
All EU, EEA and UK applicants apply through the CAO and are ranked on points, with offers made in rounds after the Leaving Certificate results in August. Non-EU applicants apply directly to Maynooth through MU Apply. Mature applicants apply through the CAO by 1 February and complete the CAO's mature applicant section by 1 March.
What admissions looks for
- For CAO applicants, points from your best six Leaving Certificate subjects in one sitting (or equivalents), with no personal statement.
- NUI matriculation: two H5s and four O6/H7s, including course-specific subjects.
- Subject grades for demanding courses, such as H2 Leaving Certificate Mathematics for Theoretical Physics and Mathematics.
- For Music, performance in the online video audition.
Tips for applying to MU
- 1 Check last year's CAO points: MH101 Arts needed 300 in 2026, while Psychology through Science needed 498.
- 2 Aim for 575+ points if you can: it brings an automatic €1,000 Entrance Scholarship and a campus room offered in CAO Round 1.
- 3 STEM Passport for Inclusion award holders can get concessions of up to 60 points for Engineering and Computer Science.
- 4 Engineering applicants to MH304 or MH306 can compete for two W.A. Barrett Scholarships worth €3,000 each.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
Most EU students qualify for the Free Fees Initiative, paying only the €2,500 student contribution (which a SUSI grant can cover) and the €150 levy. Maynooth gives an automatic €1,000 Entrance Scholarship to CAO entrants with 575+ points, plus sport scholarships, W.A. Barrett Engineering Scholarships (€3,000), a Music entrance scholarship, and University of Sanctuary scholarships. Its published international scholarships are mainly for postgraduates.
- €2,650 per year
- Student contribution + levy (EU, Free Fees)
- €1,000, automatic for 575+ CAO points
- Entrance Scholarship
- €3,000, two per year (MH304, MH306)
- W.A. Barrett Scholarship in Engineering
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Arts (MH101)
Choose from over 30 subjects and change your mind after first year; 300 CAO points in 2026.
Theoretical Physics and Mathematics (MH206)
An accelerated programme requiring H2 Leaving Certificate Maths that prepares students for research; 500 CAO points in 2026.
Psychology (BSc, MH209)
PSI-accredited, with a research internship and a placement or semester abroad in third year; 498 CAO points in 2026.
Law (LLB, MH501)
Accredited by King's Inns, with optional law-firm placement or year abroad; 453 CAO points in 2026.
Computer Science and Software Engineering
Includes a six-month industry placement in third year and a 20-credit final-year project.
Robotics and Intelligent Devices (MH306)
Accredited by Engineers Ireland, with robot competitions and a placement or design challenge in third year.
Research
- Research institutes include the Hamilton Institute and the Institute of Microelectronics and Wireless Systems on the North Campus.
- Nicholas Callan invented the induction coil at Maynooth; the Callan Building is named after him.
- The library holds over 460,000 print publications and 850,000 ebooks.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Student life
Maynooth is a campus-and-town university: the South Campus has 19th-century buildings around St Joseph's Square, the college chapel and the John Paul II Library, while the North Campus has the Students' Union, sports complex with gym and astroturf, and the science, engineering and arts buildings. Students come from over 120 countries. There are on-campus residences running from September to June, and the university was among the first to build new student beds under the national accommodation strategy. Academic and sport scholarships are available to incoming undergraduates.
- Historic South Campus with St Joseph's Square and the college chapel.
- Sports complex, gym and playing fields on the North Campus.
- Undergraduate sport scholarships for talented athletes.
- Annual Entrance Scholars ceremony for students with 575+ CAO points.
Housing. On-campus residences run from September to June but are not guaranteed; Entrance Scholars are offered rooms in CAO Round 1, and the Maynooth Student Pad service helps with off-campus housing.
Location
Maynooth is a small university town in County Kildare, 25 kilometres west of Dublin, with the ruins of Maynooth Castle at the South Campus gates. Students get a compact town where the campus is the centre of life, with Dublin close enough for day trips, part-time work or commuting. Dublin Airport is the nearest international airport.
Nearest airport: Dublin Airport (DUB)
Notable alumni
- JH John HumeNobel Peace Prize laureate and SDLP leader; degree in French and history (1958) from St Patrick's College, Maynooth, the university's predecessor
- BF Brian FrielPlaywright (Translations, Dancing at Lughnasa); BA (1948) from St Patrick's College, Maynooth
- PP Philip PettitPhilosopher at Princeton University; BA, LPh and MA from Maynooth
- JH John HegartyFormer Provost of Trinity College Dublin; BSc and HDipEd from Maynooth
- EQ Eimear QuinnSinger, winner of Eurovision 1996; music degree
- DE Darragh EnnisQuizzer on ITV's The Chase; BSc in biology (2003) and PhD in ecology (2008)
- CD Craig DoyleTelevision presenter; studied sociology and history
- MH Mary HanafinFormer Irish government minister; BA from St Patrick's College, Maynooth
Frequently asked questions
How many CAO points do you need for Maynooth University?
It depends on the course. In 2026, Round 1 points were 300 for MH101 Arts, 453 for MH501 Law, 498 for MH209 Psychology through Science and 500 for MH206 Theoretical Physics and Mathematics.
How do international students apply to Maynooth?
EU, EEA and UK applicants apply through the CAO (closing date 1 February 2027). Non-EU applicants apply directly to Maynooth through MU Apply.
How much are Maynooth fees for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU undergraduate fees are €16,500 a year for arts courses, €17,000 for most business and law degrees, and €18,000 for science, engineering and computer science.
What English score does Maynooth require?
Non-EU undergraduates need IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 90 (21 in writing), Duolingo 120 or PTE Academic 63.
Does Maynooth offer entrance scholarships?
Yes. CAO applicants who score 575 points or more automatically receive a €1,000 Entrance Scholarship and are offered campus accommodation in Round 1.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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