Maynooth University

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 501st-600th 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 301-400th 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.

A particularly inspiring recent achievement: Zoë O'Sullivan, a product design graduate from MU, won the National James Dyson Award for Ireland for her invention Lymphia, a handheld portable device that teaches and guides patients through manual lymphatic drainage massage. Designed to support recovery and help prevent lymphoedema—a chronic condition that can develop after breast cancer treatment—Lymphia allows patients to perform this important therapy at home with accurate, real-time feedback. Zoë's work, developed as part of her final year BSc in Product Design & Innovation, will now advance to the international stage of the Award.

MU led a project to recover and preserve vital historical meteorological data from Madagascar and other regions of Africa with limited archives. This is crucial for global climate modelling, understanding weather patterns, and advancing environmental research.

Nine laboratories at MU achieved sustainable lab certification, recognizing environmentally responsible research practices. This supports the university's commitment to sustainability and reduces its environmental footprint

The university opened its newest accommodation, Buckley House, that will house 116 students adjacent to the campus.

MU has a new School of Nursing coming on board and has a new Department of Sport Science and Nutrition. A new EUR 19 million Sport Science building is planned, which will include a new gym. Sports hall, teaching and research labs.