Admissions Office

The normal deadline for applying through CAO is 1 February, the late deadline is 1 May and the deadline for change of mind is 1 July.

For more information on key dates and the CAO process see: www.cao.ie.

Please Note: For further information about minimum grades and entry requirements for specific programmes, please contact the Admissions Office directly on Admissions@mic.ul.ie. For details on minimum grades and entry requirements for Thurles programmes please email Paula.Hourigan@mic.ul.ie.

English Language Requirements available below.

English Language Requirements

Mary Immaculate College students must have a high level of competence in the English language. Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of this competence by achieving the minimum standard in a recognised English language test, as outlined below:

Proficiency test results must normally have issued within two years prior to the start of your programme (ie for entry in September 2025 only results attained since 01 February 2023 will be accepted).

GCE/GCSE/A-Level Requirements

Bachelor of Education Programmes (including MI004, MI005/MI006 & MI008)

Appendix 2 Minimum Qualifications in GCSE and GCE AS and A Level Examinations for admission to the Bachelor of Education Degree Course General

• Six subjects must be presented, at least three subjects at GCE A Level and the remaining subjects at GCE AS or GCSE level. The six subjects must include Irish, English and Mathematics.
• A subject may be counted from only one of the examinations, GCSE, GCE AS Level or GCE A Level.
• Only subjects taken at one sitting of a particular examination, GCSE, GCE AS Level or GCE A Level, will be accepted. Examinations taken in the same academic year are regarded as the same sitting.

Specific Requirements in Irish, English & Mathematics

• Grade C at GCE A level in at least three subjects, including Irish
• Grade C at GCSE Level in both English and English Literature, or Grade B at GCSE Level in either English or English Literature.
• Grade D at GCSE Level in Additional Mathematics or Grade C at GCSE Level in Mathematics
• Grade C in one other subject at GCSE level

Applicants must satisfy the matriculation requirements of the University to which the Higher Education Institution is affiliated.

Bachelor of Arts Programmes (including MI002, MI007, MI009, MI010) and B Sc Psychology programme MI003 and Thurles Programmes (MI016 ,MI017, MI018, MI019, MI020, MI021, MI022)

A Level Students Entry Requirements  

Applicants should note all of the following requirements for admission to full time Arts Programmes at Mary Immaculate College, and Admission to B.Sc Psychology Programme. 

Minimum Entry Requirements

Six distinct recognised subjects which must include: 2 subjects at GCE A Level Grade C and 4 other subjects at GCSE O Level Grade C which must include English, Mathematics and another language. 

Entry to undergraduate programmes is competitive, and attainment of the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee a place. Qualified candidates to all full-time undergraduate degree programmes, are placed on an order of merit based on a points system. 

Points to Note 

• A-level grades taken over a single sitting may be combined with AS grades from the same year, or 1 year previous. 
• AVEC – Do not fulfill minimum and specific subject requirements. 
• A maximum of four different recognised subjects, which are not mutually exclusive, will be counted. 
• If 4 A-levels are presented, the lowest grade is scored at a lower rate. 
• Only A-level grades awarded at the same date can be considered for computation. 
• Applicants are scored on the basis of their best four A-levels, or three A-levels and an AS level in a different subject from the same or preceding year (note one A-level grade from the previous year may be substituted for an AS grade, but will only be scored as an AS).
• Grades in the same subject in A2 and AS level cannot be combined. 

A-Level students must apply to Mary Immaculate College via the Central Applications Office (CAO) www.cao.ie.

European Union applicants must apply to Mary Immaculate College via the Central Applications Office (CAO).

A limited number of places per year will be awarded to applicants through the Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS), which gives learners the opportunity to use their QQI Level 5 or 6 major award to apply, through the CAO, for a place on the first year of a higher education programme. Entry requirements vary for each degree programme.

Please click here for our Further Education prospectus; for more information on the entry requirements for each of MIC’s programmes.

All applications for admission under the QQI entry pathway must be made through CAO.

Mary Immaculate College is committed to improving access to higher education for adults and we welcome applications to all our undergraduate programmes from mature applicants. If you are at least 23 years old on 1 January of the year of entry to college, you are considered a mature applicant. More information on Mature Students can be found here and please note that the process for mature applicants is also outlined on the 'Entry Requirements' tab of individual undergraduate programmes.

Please note: You may, if you wish, also apply through the CAO on foot of your Leaving Certificate results or as a mature student applicant. You are allowed to submit your application under all three pathways if you so wish, and you can do this by selecting all three options.

Students from EU/EFTA Countries should apply for entry to MIC programmes through the CAO. Download agreed requirements for entry to CAO programmes here produced by the Irish Universities Association and the Institute of Technology Sector which details. Non EU students must apply directly through the International Office at MIC.

The Re-admission process is for students who registered on an MIC or UL programme of study, but who have exited prior to taking exams. The students must be interested in coming back in to MIC to the first year of an undergraduate programme.

To apply please download and complete the re-admission form and email to the Admissions Office, Mary Immaculate College by 1 July. 

Email: Admissions@mic.ul.ie

Candidates for re-admission must have the necessary points/subjects required for the programme they are applying to.

Applications for entry to all taught postgraduate programmes must be made to the Admissions Office; for postgraduate programmes, click here.

Applicants offered places through the CAO can apply to defer their place for one year. If a student wishes to defer a place, then they do not accept their CAO offer.  The student must email the completed Deferral application form  to  Admissions Office at Mary Immaculate College Admissions@mic.ul.ie  This request must be submitted to Admissions at least two days before the ‘Reply Date’ shown on the Offer notice.  Applicants for deferrals must give their name as it appears on their CAO application, quote their CAO number and the course code of the offer they wish to defer, and set out the reason(s) for the request on the application form.

Please note that a deferral cannot be granted in the following cases:

• Applicants who take up another third level place
• Applicants who repeat the Leaving Certificate

If the deferral is granted, then the student will be sent a letter by the Admissions Office explaining that it has been granted, and issuing instructions on how to take up the deferred place in the following year.  If the deferral is not granted then the student can accept the offer for the current year, providing they accept by the reply date given by CAO.

 Leaving Certificate recheck and upgrade.

If following a Leaving Certificate recheck and upgrade, MIC can accommodate a student on their higher choice of study but the student seeks to defer this option and remain on their existing course of study, then the student will not be eligible for free fees for year 1 of their higher choice should they decide to take it up the following year.

First year students who enrol on a place in Mary Immaculate College, and subsequently find that they cannot continue with their studies, may be considered for a deferral up to the end of week three of semester one.  The student must email the Admissions Office at Mary Immaculate College Admissions@mic.ul.ie requesting the deferral. This request must be submitted to Admissions before the end of week three. Applicants for deferrals must give their name as it appears on their CAO application, quote their CAO number and the course code of the offer they wish to defer, set out the reason(s) for the request and submit any supporting documentation such as medical certification when required.  Deferral requests will not be considered after week three.

Re-apply through CAO in the succeeding year by the normal closing date of 1 February and pay the appropriate application fee.  You must complete the application form in full and follow all of the instructions carefully;

• Place the deferred course as your first and only preference on the application form
• Indicate your deferral by ticking the Deferred Applicant indicator box, in the course choices section on your application

It is very important to read the letter granting you the deferred place for further instructions. You will breach the conditions of your deferred place if you enter more than the single deferred course code on your application. In that event, you will forfeit the guaranteed place and enter the competition for places in the normal way. When reapplying in the succeeding year, you must complete the application fully. In other words, you must include again any personal information and documentation etc. which you provided with the original application.