Maynooth is more accessible than Trinity College Dublin or University College Dublin, but admission remains competitive for popular courses. Entry is through CAO, on a points basis: each course has a cut-off (points requirement) set each year by supply and demand. The flexible general courses (Arts MH101, Social Science MH107) usually have more accessible thresholds, while programmes with a limited number of places require more points. For Romanians, the Baccalaureate average is converted into CAO points through an official grid, so a good Baccalaureate average (over 8) opens up most programmes.

As an EU citizen, you fall under the Free Fees Initiative: the Irish state covers your tuition, and you pay only the annual Student Contribution, roughly EUR 2,500 per year for the 2026-27 academic year (permanently cut by EUR 500 through Budget 2026, down from about EUR 3,000). For comparison, a non-EU student pays EUR 16,500-EUR 18,000 per year in tuition alone. On top of that comes the cost of living: accommodation EUR 500-EUR 900/month, food EUR 250-EUR 400/month, transport and expenses EUR 150-EUR 250/month. Estimated total per year: roughly EUR 13,000-EUR 18,000, dramatically lower than in the US or the UK.

Unlike many European universities where you apply directly to a narrow specialisation, at Maynooth you apply to a general faculty and specialise as you go. The most popular flexible paths are Bachelor of Arts (MH101), with over 30 subjects from which you choose 2, 3 or 4 in year 1, Bachelor of Science (MH201) and Bachelor of Social Science (MH107). You don't have to decide at application: you choose your subjects at registration in September and have up to 4 weeks after the start of year 1 to change them. It is an ideal model if you are still exploring what you want to study.

Yes, all programmes are taught entirely in English, an official and native language in Ireland. This is a major advantage over Spain, Germany or France, where you need an additional foreign language. As an applicant whose mother tongue is not English, you still need to prove your level through IELTS Academic 6.5 (minimum 6.0 per component) or equivalent (TOEFL iBT ~90, Cambridge C1 Advanced, Duolingo). Some courses may require a higher threshold, so check the specific requirement of the programme.

The Baccalaureate is not expressed in "CAO points", so CAO converts it onto the Irish scale through an official equivalence grid for EU diplomas. In practice, you submit your Baccalaureate diploma and transcript, and CAO calculates a points equivalent based on your average, which is then compared with the cut-off of each course. Recommendation: send the documents for assessment in good time, because processing non-Irish diplomas takes longer. A high Baccalaureate average maximises your chances at competitive courses.

Maynooth is known in particular for humanities (languages, literature, history, philosophy, media studies), social sciences (sociology, anthropology, law, economics, psychology, geography) and sciences (mathematics and computer science, experimental physics, biology, chemistry, electronics). The flexible MH101/MH201 model lets you combine subjects from different areas in the first years, before specialising. It is a young university (independent since 1997), so its position in the overall QS ranking reflects this, but its performance by discipline and its close-knit academic environment are real strengths.

No. As a Romanian (EU) citizen you have the automatic right to enter, live and study in Ireland without a visa and without a residence permit. To benefit from the Free Fees scheme and from administrative services you need a PPS number (Personal Public Service Number), the Irish equivalent of the CNP. You obtain it after arrival, through the Department of Social Protection, based on proof of address in Ireland and the registration letter from Maynooth. Important: Ireland is not part of the Schengen area, but EU free movement applies in full.

Yes, as an EU citizen! Unlike non-EU students, who depend on work permit schemes, as a Romanian citizen you have the automatic right to work in Ireland without a visa or permit. Ireland has a strong economy, with major tech and financial services hubs in Dublin (the European headquarters for Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, LinkedIn, Stripe), plus strong industries in pharma and medical devices. Maynooth's proximity to Dublin (25 km) makes access to internships and jobs easier. With a degree earned in the EU, you can then work anywhere in the European Union, without a visa.