Maynooth University

About Maynooth University

Maynooth University is located just 25 kilometres from Dublin, Ireland, in the country’s only designated university town. It is an internationally esteemed “young” university with deep historical roots and a reputation for providing an excellent student learning experience. In the Times Higher Education Young Universities Rankings 2024, Maynooth was ranked 86th in the world.

More than 15,000 students study at Maynooth, representing over 120 nationalities. International students account for 23 percent of the student population, while 28 percent of full-time undergraduates come from underrepresented groups, including mature students, students with disabilities, and those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Maynooth offers a wide range of programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. Students can complete full degrees, or join for a semester or summer school. Programmes use the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), making it easy for credits to transfer across global systems. Undergraduates benefit from a flexible learning framework, which allows them to combine subjects across departments. The university also offers many one-year taught master’s programmes, several of which include internships. The university is home to 37 academic departments across three faculties:

• Science and Engineering
• Social Sciences
• Arts and Humanities

Teaching and research are supported by twelve research institutes and two university centres, which are internationally recognised for pioneering contributions in their fields. Two Nobel Peace Prize laureates have been among Maynooth’s staff and alumni.

Based in the centre of the only university town in Ireland, Maynooth is a great base to explore Ireland, with its stunning coastlines, castles and countryside.

Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025:

• Gender Equality: 101–200th
• Reduced Inequalities: 68^th globally
• Responsible Consumption and Production: 101–200th
• Climate Action: 201-300th

Graduate outcomes

Students who opt to study at Maynooth University are setting themselves up for future success. The university offers a quality education to all students across all three faculties, helping to prepare students not only with the academic knowledge they need but also the practical skills for their chosen subject and for the workforce in general.

Maynooth has an excellent record for graduates moving from their education straight into employment, and the university prides itself on offering flexible programs of study to the benefit of the student.

93 percent of graduates are Employed or in Further Study or Training (Graduate Outcomes Survey Summer 2024).

Many Maynooth University degrees contain an accredited work placement/ internship module. The University Placement Office liaises with external stakeholders, high profile multinational organisations in Ireland and globally along with local enterprises, SMEs and Start-ups. All students who are registered with the University and have chosen to study a degree programme that is offering an accredited work placement will be supported by the Placement Office in sourcing and securing their accredited work placement.

What's new

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.