Maynooth University is a public research university in Co. Kildare, 25 kilometres outside Dublin. It was established as an autonomous university in 1997 and traces its origins to the Royal College of St Patrick of 1795.[1] In 2023/24 it had 16,110 students from more than 120 countries.[2] In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it is in the 721–730 band.[3]
For 2026/27 the non-EU undergraduate tuition is €16,500 to €18,000 a year, for example €16,500 for the BA, €17,000 for Law (LLB) and €18,000 for Engineering and most science programmes.[4] EU students with Free Fees pay a student contribution of €2,350 and a €150 levy.[5] Non-EU undergraduates need IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0 and apply through the MU Apply portal.[6][7]
Key facts
| Official name | Maynooth University (Ollscoil Mhá Nuad); named National University of Ireland, Maynooth until 2014[8] |
| Location | Maynooth, Co. Kildare, 25 kilometres outside Dublin[1] |
| Type | Public university; one of four constituent universities of the National University of Ireland[1] |
| Founded | Established as an autonomous university in 1997 under the Universities Act 1997; origins in the Royal College of St Patrick, founded in 1795[1] |
| Students | 16,110 in 2023/24 (1,770 taught and 605 research postgraduates); the university’s About page says over 17,000[2] |
| International reach | Students from over 120 countries (the About page says more than 100)[2] |
| Staff 2023/24 | 821 teaching and research staff, 570 administrative, professional and technical staff[2] |
| Faculties | Arts, Celtic Studies and Philosophy; Science and Engineering; Social Sciences[8] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 721–730 band (2026: 771–780)[3] |
| THE Young University Rankings 2024 | Top 90 globally (the university’s own statement)[1] |
| Tuition 2026/27, non-EU undergraduates | €16,500 to €18,000 a year by programme[4] |
| Student contribution and levy 2026/27 (EU) | €2,350 contribution, €150 student levy[5] |
| English requirement (non-EU undergraduate) | IELTS Academic 6.5, no band below 6.0[6] |
| Official website | maynoothuniversity.ie |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About Maynooth University
Maynooth University says it was formally established as an autonomous university in 1997, while its origins go back to the Royal College of St Patrick, founded in 1795.[1] It is one of the four constituent universities of the National University of Ireland.[1]
The university’s secular faculties became the National University of Ireland, Maynooth in 1997 under the Universities Act 1997, and the name Maynooth University dates from 2014.[8] Its three faculties are Arts, Celtic Studies and Philosophy, Science and Engineering, and Social Sciences.[8]
How is Maynooth University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Maynooth is in the 721–730 band, up from 771–780 in 2026.[3] The university’s own About page, which has no date, says it is “recognised among the top 600 universities in the world”, a claim that does not match the QS band above, so we rely on the QS figure from the press report.[1] The same page states a top-90 place in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024.[1]
Rankings differ by publisher, year and subject, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Maynooth University?
Maynooth offers undergraduate, master’s and PhD programmes in the humanities, science and engineering, and social sciences, including business, law and education.[1] The 2026/27 international fee list names, for example:[4]
- Arts programmes: BA, Music, Psychology, Media Studies, Creative Writing and English, Social Science.
- Science and engineering: Biotechnology, Physics with Astrophysics, Data Science, Engineering, Robotics and Intelligent Devices, Computer Science and Software Engineering.
- Business and economics: Finance, Accounting and Finance, International Business, Marketing, Economics, with language combinations (Chinese, French, German, Spanish).
- Law: LLB and combined law degrees (Accounting, Arts, Business, Criminology, Languages).
How much does Maynooth University cost in 2026/27?
Non-EU undergraduates
The international undergraduate fee list for 2026/27 is dated 24 April 2026 and gives a total fee per year by programme:[4]
| Programme (example) | Non-EU total per year |
|---|---|
| BA, Music, Social Science, BBS Business and Management | €16,500 |
| Marketing, International Business, Law (LLB) | €17,000 |
| Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Finance | €18,000 |
A one-semester study-abroad stay costs €8,500 and a full year €17,000. All fees are for one academic year only.[4]
EU students
The EU undergraduate list of 7 October 2026 splits fees into tuition, student contribution and student levy. Tuition can be covered by the State under the Free Fees Initiative for eligible students, and SUSI can cover the contribution in part or in full. The listed student contribution is €2,350 and the student levy €150 a year; all registered students owe the levy. The list’s total column runs from €5,779 to €7,467 for most programmes, and tuition is higher in some.[5]
The Fees and Grants Office reports that Budget 2027 (announced 6 October 2026) permanently cut the student contribution from €2,500 to €2,350.[9]
Postgraduate
For taught postgraduate programmes the 2026/27 list (dated 18 September 2026) shows non-EU fees mostly between €14,000 and €18,000 a year, with a few programmes at €24,000 to €25,000, plus a €150 student levy.[10] For rent and living costs, see our Ireland guide.
How do you apply to Maynooth University?
- Undergraduate, EU, EEA and UK applicants: all first-year applicants apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO), the national application system.[11]
- Undergraduate and postgraduate, non-EU applicants: online through the MU Apply portal; the admissions team reviews all non-EU applications. Applications are open for the 2027/28 academic year.[7]
- Postgraduate, all applicants: the online application portal; each programme page states its own closing date, and a programme can close early when full. The standard application fee is €50.[12]
We give no deadlines because they change every year; check the programme page.
Which language level do you need?
Applicants whose first language is not English must show proficiency in a certificate issued within two years of the start date. For non-EU undergraduate entry (2027/28 intake) Maynooth accepts, among others:[6]
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 with no band below 6.0.
- TOEFL iBT: 90, with at least 21 in writing and 19 in each other section.
- Pearson PTE: 63 with no item below 59.
- Duolingo English Test: 120 overall and at least 110 in each subscore.
Applicants who completed their full bachelor’s degree in English in Ireland, the UK, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Ghana or Canada may be exempt, but may still need a certificate for visa purposes. Requirements are revised each year.[6]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Maynooth University cost for international students?
How is Maynooth University ranked?
In the 721–730 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027.[3]
What is the student contribution at Maynooth?
What IELTS score does Maynooth require?
6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for non-EU undergraduates.[6]
Is Maynooth University the same as St Patrick’s College, Maynooth?
No. The seminary and Pontifical University share the campus but remain a separate legal entity.[8]
More about studying in Ireland
- Ireland: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Ireland
- Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
- Dublin City University (DCU)
- Munster Technological University (MTU)
- National College of Art and Design (NCAD)
- RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM)
- South East Technological University (SETU)
- Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin)
- Technological University of the Shannon (TUS)
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Cork
- University College Dublin
- University of Galway
- University of Limerick (UL)
Sources
[1] Maynooth University: About Us (page without a date)
[2] Maynooth University: Maynooth at a glance (page without a date; data for 2023/24)
[3] TheJournal.ie: Six Irish universities rise in global rankings (QS World University Rankings 2027; QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 18 Jun 2026)
[4] Maynooth University: International Undergraduate Courses, Tuition Fee Schedule 2026/27 (PDF dated 24 Apr 2026)
[5] Maynooth University: EU Undergraduate Fees 2026/27 (PDF dated 7 Oct 2026)
[6] Maynooth University: English Language Requirements 2027/2028 intake (page without a date)
[7] Maynooth University: International Applicants (page without a date; applications open for 2027/28)
[8] Wikipedia: Maynooth University (history, faculties and relation to St Patrick’s College)
[9] Maynooth University: Student Fees and Grants (Budget 2027 notice of 6 Oct 2026)
[10] Maynooth University: Postgraduate EU and International Fees List 2026/27 (PDF dated 18 Sep 2026)
[11] Maynooth University: Undergraduate Applicants (page without a date)
[12] Maynooth University: Postgraduate Applicants (page without a date; September 2027 intake)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.