Prospective students

Mature Students Guide Degree Programmes Application Procedure MSAP Support Services Important Dates  Finances

Application

Mature Years Application

There has been a growing interest within many sectors of society in returning to formal study programmes following periods in employment, unemployment or in the home. Those interested in resuming a disrupted education, in developing new employment opportunities or those seeking to awaken their intellectual interests, can meet these needs in an environment which is stimulating academically and socially, when they join a University programme.

Recognising the importance of this trend, the University welcomes applications on grounds of Mature Years from people who have resided for at least three of the previous five years in an EU member state. A quota of places is reserved each year in the Colleges of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, Business, Public Policy and Law, Engineering and Informatics, Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Science and in Acadamh na hOllscolaiochta Gaeilge

* Mature Students wishing to study Psychology GY104 should also apply for GY101
 Various aspects of the candidate's background are reviewed in allocating places, and a matriculation standard Leaving Certificate, while helpful, is not necessary in all cases. However as the number of places available does not meet the demand, a careful selection process operates, and it is necessary for applicants to demonstrate an ability to undertake, and to commit to, the programme of study.

NUI Regulation

"Students of Mature Years (at least 23 years of age on or before 1st January of the year of entry to First Year Lectures in a Constituent University or Recognised College) may be matriculated by the University on the recommendation of the Academic Council of a Constituent University or Recognised College for the purpose of entering on a full-time course study in such Constituent University or Recognised College" leading to a Degree of the University

How to Apply?

Applications are invited in the normal way for University entrants through the Central Applications Office (CAO), Eglinton Street, Galway (091) 509800.  Closing date is the 1st February, 2015.  It is preferable that applications are made online at    http://www.cao.ie/  Please note that if you are applying for any of the Programmes in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, you also are also required to register for the MSAP exam before 1st of February. Click on this link for more information: http://msap-ireland.acer.edu.au/

Late Applications

Please note that it is not possible to consider late applications on grounds of Mature Years. However, one may submit an application up to May 1st, 2015 to be considered on the basis of School Leaving Certificate results only and compete for a place on points in competition with all other applicants and in accordance with the faculty and N.U.I. regulations and the selection scheme of the University.
Application by this method is also through the Central Applications Office.

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Selection Scheme if Applying on Leaving Certificate Points

For the purposes of allocating places, applicants who satisfy the minimum matriculation and College requirements are ranked in order of merit of performance at school - leaving examinations. Each applicant’s score is calculated on the basis of the following allocation of points for grades achieved in the best six subjects taken at one sitting of the Leaving Certificate examination:

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