Maynooth University, Ireland

In recent years, MU is attracting growing interest from students in India especially for data and computer science and business analytics. Over the past two years it has fielded 800-1,000 admission applications annually, writes Reshma Ravishanker

One of four constituent institutions of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth University (MU, estb.1997) is moving up the league tables of international varsity rating agencies. Times Higher Education ranks MU among the world’s Top 500 universities in its latest World University Rankings 2023 and among the Top 250 worldwide and #1 in Ireland in its THE Best Young University Rankings 2022.
Sited on a typically Irish lush green 100-acre campus half-an-hour’s drive from Dublin, the national capital, MU offers over 150 study programmes in its faculties of humanities, science and engineering, and social sciences, including business, law, and education. Currently it hosts 15,180 students mentored by 643 faculty.

Although awarded autonomous status 25 years ago, MU traces its origins to the Royal College of St. Patrick, founded in 1795 as a seminary for the education of clergy. In 1871, it transformed into Maynooth College and in 1910 into an affiliated college of the National University of Ireland (NUI). Nine decades later, the Universities Act, 1997, restructured NUI and Maynooth College was designated an autonomous institution of NUI — National University of Ireland Maynooth, aka Maynooth University.

In recent years, MU is attracting growing interest from students in India especially for study programmes in data science and analytics, business and computer science. Over the past two years it has fielded 800-1,000 admission applications annually from the subcontinent. “With Ireland being the only English-speaking country in the European Union post Brexit, Eire has become a popular higher studies destination for Indian students to whom we guarantee excellent Irish hospitality. Our academic reputation is impressive. Maynooth is among the top 5 percent universities worldwide in terms of research output and academic impact,” says Dr. Emmanuel Kypraios, Director (Undergraduate Teaching and Learning).

Maynooth. Sited a mere 25 km from Dublin, Maynooth (pop.15,000) is a varsity town with a charming historical heritage. MU apart, it also hosts St. Patrick’s College, a pontifical university and Ireland’s sole Roman Catholic seminary, Maynooth Castle and Carton House. The town’s other historical buildings are on the university’s South Campus, built in Georgian and neo-Gothic revival style. Unspoiled Irish countryside and spectacular scenery are within easy driving distance.

With Dublin a short train/bus ride away, students are never short of entertainment and shopping options. The capital of Ireland, Dublin offers all the amenities of a national administrative capital while retaining its engaging small town flavor renowned for its highbrow art galleries, museums, theatres, shops, restaurants, nightclubs and zoological gardens.

Maynooth enjoys a mild oceanic climate. Winters are cold and windy, with an average temperature of 8oC while summers are cool, averaging 18oC.

Campus facilities. MU hosts two campuses — North and South, connected by a pedestrian crossing on Kilcock Road. Set within sparkling green parklands, South Campus houses vintage 19th century heritage buildings including the chapel, National Science Museum and the Russell Library. North Campus offers modern teaching, research, accommodation, and student support facilities and houses a majority of the university’s academic departments, lecture theatres, the Students Union, Sports Centre, Student Services Centre, Phoenix restaurant and the expansive University Library. The latter houses 460,000 print volumes, 850,000 e-books, 95,000 e-journals, and 300 databases.

Evidently the Irish take sports education seriously. The university’s Phoenix Sports Centre is equipped with a large sports hall, basketball, volleyball and badminton courts, gymnasium and rooms for martial arts and dance training. Integral to the Sports Centre are three sand-carpet natural turf floodlit playing fields, and a full-sized FIFA-approved 3G synthetic pitch for Gaelic games, soccer and rugby. Moreover there are over 100 student clubs and societies offering a range of extra-curricular activity options.

Admission. The minimum eligibility requirement for admission into MU’s undergraduate programmes is completion of class XII/Plus Two with an average of 75 percent plus and minimum 70 percent in English language (for CBSE and CISCE boards). For graduates of state schools the minimum is 75 percent in English. Students who don’t meet this English proficiency criterion are required to submit IELTS test scores (6.5 minium). Admission applications are accepted between October and July every year.
For admission into postgraduate programmes, a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university and IELTS test scores are mandatory.
For further information, contact Prerna Bhargava Ph: +91-9871649997, e-mail: prerna.bhargava@mu.ie ; website: www.maynoothuniversity.ie.
Residential accommodation. Students are free to choose from a range of on-campus housing options including the 111-apartments Riverside complex, 240-bed Village, Rye Hall and Courtyard Hall (with facilities for special needs students) and apartments. All residences are wi-fi enabled and equipped with shared kitchen, lounge area and laundry facilities. For students preferring to live off-campus, the university’s Homefinder Service provides a private accommodation listing.
Degree programmes. The varsity offers 83 undergraduate and 70 postgraduate programmes (see box).

SCHOLASTIC OPTIONS AT MU

Maynooth University’s three faculties offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgrad programmes:
Faculty of Arts, Celtic Studies & Philosophy. Ancient classics, English, history, media studies, music, philosophy, School of Celtic Studies & School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Faculty of Social Sciences. Adult and community education, anthropology, applied social studies, design innovation, economics, education, Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, geography, international development, School of Law and Criminology, School of Business, sociology
Faculty of Science & Engineering. Biology, chemistry, computer science, electronic engineering, experimental physics, mathematics and statistics, Maynooth International Engineering College, psychology & theoretical physics

Fees & expenses