Entry Requirements

Matriculation

Among the specific functions assigned to the NUI Senate by Section 47 of the Universities Act, 1997, is the following:

“The Senate of the National University of Ireland shall determine the basic matriculation requirements for the Constituent Universities but each University may prescribe additional requirements generally or in respect of particular faculties of the University.”

All students wishing to embark on a degree course in the NUI federal system, must comply with the Matriculation (Registration) Requirements of the university. 'Matriculation Requirements' govern various aspects of entry into the NUI Constituent Universities and Recognised Colleges, such as: Examinations and Subjects Accepted for Matriculation Purposes; The subject English; Matriculation on the basis of mature years; Completion of an NUI Access Course; Hearing-impaired candidates.

The NUI publishes an information booklet annually, NUI Minimum Academic Entry Requirements & Registration (Matriculation) Requirements.

The booklet may also be obtained from the NUI Office.

Irish/Third Language Requirements

Irish

Candidates born in the Republic of Ireland must pass the subject Irish in the Leaving Certificate or GCE/GCSE Examinations. In certain circumstances, candidates may claim exemption from the requirement of presenting the subject Irish for Matriculation Registration purposes.

Third Language

All candidates are required to present a Third Language accepted for Matriculation Registration purposes with certain exceptions.

Third Language Exemption Application Form and Information Document

Students with Dyslexia

There are special provisions for students whose dyslexia constitutes a significant learning difficulty. A student who has been granted an exemption from Irish at school on the grounds of dyslexia, having been assessed by a professional psychologist, should send a copy of the Certificate of Exemption, signed by the School Principal, together with the psychologists report, to NUI. In these cases NUI will grant an exemption from Irish and also from the Third Language requirement.

Where a student is diagnosed late as having dyslexia and has not come to the attention of the National Educational Psychological Service Agency, NUI will grant a language exemption, but only on the basis of a recent report from a professional psychologist.

For this purpose, a special Psychologist's Certification Form should be completed and submitted to NUI.

GCE/GCSE Subjects for Matriculation Purposes

List of subjects recognized for the purposes of matriculation.

Age at Entry

Students must normally have attained the age of seventeen years by 15 January following entry to a Constituent University or Recognised College of the University. Where a candidate below that age seeks to enter a Constituent University or Recognised College, special application must be made to the President/Director of the institution concerned.

Limitation of Entry

As admission to most Faculties in the Constituent Universities and Recognised Colleges is competitive, intending students should obtain from the Registrar of the institution concerned a copy of the admission requirements and procedures. Fulfilling minimum Matriculation Requirements does not ensure that students will be accepted automatically into any of the NUI institutions.