Maynooth University

Maynooth University is located 25 kilometres from Dublin, in Ireland. The institution is an internationally esteemed ‘young' university with a rich heritage, offering an excellent learning experience. It was ranked 86^th in the world in the Times Higher Education Young Universities Rankings 2024.

More than 15,000 students call Maynooth home, representing 120 nationalities. 23 percent of the student population are international. 28 percent of full-time undergraduate student population are mature students, students with disabilities and school leavers from socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds.

Students can choose to study for a full undergraduate or postgraduate degree at Maynooth. Students can also opt for a semester or summer school. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) assessment allows easy transfer into other global credit systems.

There are 37 academic departments within three faculties, covering Science, Engineering and Social Science, the Arts, Languages, and Philosophy. The departments all offer degrees at undergraduate, master's and PhD levels. Undergraduates benefit from the flexible learning system, where they have the power to choose subject combinations across different departments. Maynooth University offers many one-year taught master's degree programmes, several of which include internships

The campus features twelve research institutes and two university centres that conduct pioneering work. Two Nobel Peace Prize winners have been among Maynooth University's alumni and staff.

The university is based in the centre of the only university town in Ireland, Maynooth. It provides all the resources needed to study successfully, and students can use their spare time to explore the fascinating country of Ireland. The country offers a warm welcoming experience as well as stunning coastlines, castles and countryside. Maynooth is also close to industry giants, allowing the university to form strong links with global businesses.

Maynooth University is known as one of the top new global universities, it was ranked in the top 90 global young universities (THE Young University Rankings2024),and 501^st-600^th in the Times Higher Education Rankings 2025.

It is also ranked in the top 176-200 universities in psychology, top 250 universities in education and the social sciences, top 201-250 universities in the physical sciences, and top 301-400^th universities in arts & humanities (Times Higher Education Rankings 2024).

Teaching at Maynooth is centred around helping students become special graduates who are highly employable and educated to question, analyse, reflect, think critically, act creatively and contribute positively to society. Students receive a thorough education in their chosen subjects that is informed by leading global researchers.

Programmes are enhanced by curricular and co-curricular activities that help them develop working skills so they can make a positive difference in the professional workforce. The approach taken by Maynooth is student-centred and innovative meaning students gain maximum benefit from their education.

Maynooth University has three main faculties with 37 academic departments.

• Faculty of Arts, Celtic Studies and Philosophy name is changing to Faculty of Arts and Humanities – teaches areas including English, history, media studies and philosophy. The faculty also home to the School of Celtic Studies and the School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
• Faculty of Social Sciences – teaches areas such as education, economics, geography, law, business and sociology.
• Faculty of Science and Engineering – teaching in areas including chemistry, computer science, experimental physics, psychology and electronic engineering.

The university also consists of research institutes and centres, such as the EDEN Centre for Entrepreneurship, Design and Innovation and the ICARUS Climate Research Centre. There is also the Centre for Teaching and Learning, which helps all academic staff to further their own teaching skills for the benefit of all students.

The entry requirements for study at Maynooth University will vary depending on students' chosen course and their home country. While undergraduate courses will typically require the completion of a high school equivalent education, and postgraduate study usually requires an undergraduate degree or equivalent, there are several routes of admission possible for some programs.

Full details can be viewed on the university's website, including specific information by country of the academic requirements expected.

English language criteria

All courses at Maynooth University are taught in English, and students from a country where English is not the primary language will be required to submit approved test scores as proof of literacy.

Some of the test score example requirements are:

• IELTS – 6.5 with no individual score less than 6.0
• Duolingo – 120 with no less than 110 in literacy, conversation and comprehension, and no less than 95 in production for non-EU students
• International Baccalaureate – English A1 or A2, or B5 at Higher Level
• TOEFL – iBT 90 with no less than 21 in writing and at least 19 in all other sections

Other tests are accepted – full details can be found on the website.

The campus is spread over a large, spacious area with rural surroundings. It's home to grand, historical buildings as well as modern teaching and support facilities.

Library

The library is based within an eco-friendly building that's designed to have little impact on the environment. It offers access to more than 850,000 eBooks, 460,000 print publications, 95,000 ejournals and 300 databases. There are computers, private study areas, group study spaces and AV facilities.

Sports

Facilities for sports include a fitness centre, sports halls, a fully equipped gym, natural turf playing fields with floodlights, and more. The university also has its own snooker hall with four tables, including a professional table. While the university's sports teams make use of these facilities, students can also book them for personal use.

Student Residences

International students have a number of accommodation options. This includes on-campus residences which feature dining and lounge areas, laundry facilities, fully equipped kitchens and many with bedrooms designed with ensuite bathrooms.

Study Areas

The university has added eight new study and social pods close to the Arts Building, which add a further 90 seats to the social and study zone. These pods are ideal for small-group academic work or as meeting spaces for clubs and societies. Study pods are also available in the Iontas Building, and there are several study rooms in the Arts Building and Library.

Social Spaces

The university offers several social spaces that students can enjoy, including a new student common room in the Arts Building. There's also an amphitheatre that has been renovated for outdoor space, and a new clubs and societies space in the Rye Building set over three floors.

Maynooth University offers a range of scholarships. This is to encourage and reward achievement for both current and incoming students. Students are encouraged to look at what is available as well as any deadlines and eligibility requirements.

Awards to postgraduates include:

• A range of taught master's scholarships, available to all students
• International taught postgraduate scholarships specific to overseas students
• Postgraduate research scholarships

Various scholarships are available from MU departments, including:

Anthropology: Susan Hunter Postgraduate Scholarship

Economics: Edgeworth Graduate Student Scholarship

International Development: Dr Sinead McGrath Memorial Scholarship

Nua-Ghaeilge: Oireachtais na Gaeilge

Maynooth University International Office Scholarships

Opportunities available for postgraduate students can be found on the fees, funding and scholarships section of the university website and the international office university webpages.

Awards to undergraduates include:

• Sport scholarships
• Music scholarships

Students can also learn more about the fees to study at Maynooth University by visiting the website. Fees can vary depending on the chosen course.

Maynooth University continues to develop as a modern institution, ensuring that there is continued investment in the facilities and that its faculties continue to innovate through projects and the ways of teaching.

The university is currently developing 116 bed purpose-built student accommodation adjacent to the campus, which is expected to be ready for the 2025/26 academic year. Furthermore, the Irish government has agreed a long-term policy on student accommodation and has plans for further improved public transport to be explored for students.

In September 2022, the university opened a new Technology, Society and Innovation building, the latest new facility for the university, housing living labs and break-out research rooms, along with theatre and research spaces for the use of students, staff and industry partners. The high-tech building cost EUR 48 million and is a continued sign of the determination Maynooth University has to provide the very best for all who study there. All of the faculties and departments at Maynooth University are highly regarded, which often sees outside recognition for specific teams. As just one example, the School of Law and Criminology earned the Bronze Award in 2020 and successfully renewed it in 2024, becoming one of the first two law and criminology schools in Ireland to do so.

MU has a new School of Nursing coming on board and has a new Department of Sport Science and Nutrition. A new EUR 10 million Sport Science building is planned, which will include a new gym. Sports hall, teaching and research labs.