Admissions Office
About
The Admissions Office receives student applications, and manages their progression from application through to offer of places, and enrolment on the College’s undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes of study.
The office is also responsible for ensuring that entry standards for all programmes, as determined by Academic Council, are implemented.
The Admissions Office is located in Room G01, situated on the ground floor of the Foundation Building. Please note that the office opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.30am - 12.30pm and 2pm - 4.30pm. The telephone numbers are 061 205137 / 205160 / 204348 / 204929
If you have any general admissions queries, please email Admissions@mic.ul.ie. If you have queries regarding entry to taught postgraduate programmes please email TaughtProgrammes@mic.ul.ie.
Staff
Useful Information
There are two application routes to Mary Immaculate College programmes for EU students (or students with EU residency). The two routes are outlined below.
Please note: Non-EU students are required to apply directly to the International Office
Email: International@mic.ul.ie.
Applying to MIC through the Central Applications Office (CAO)
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
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.
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:
Matriculation Examinations - From European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved. |
Irish Leaving Certificate English - Ordinary Level Grade D or above. |
TOEFL - 580 (paper based) or 90 (internet based) |
IELTS - Minimum score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any component. |
ETAPP English test for academic and professional purposes - Grace C1 |
GCE 'O' Level English language/ GCSE English Language - Grade C or above |
University of Cambridge ESOL - Proficiency Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2) or Advanced Certificate, Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2) or First Certificate, Grade A (CEFR Level C1) |
GCE Examination Board - Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations - Grade C / Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate - School Certificate Pass 1-6 / University of London Entrance and School Examinations Council - School Certificate Pass 1-6 |
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - a minimum score of 61 (with no section score below 59) |
Oxford English Test - Overall minimum 140. Individual skills 125 |
ESOL Language Cert - B2 Communicator High Pass with no less than 33 in each skill. |
Duolingo English Test (DET) - The minimum requirement will be a DET score of 120 with at least 110 in each sub score. An Interview may be required in addition to this. |
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 see this Quick Guide (link will be available shortly) for more information on the entry requirements for each of MIC’s programmes, or read the guide on an e-reader here.
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.
Applying to MIC – Direct
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.
Application Forms for first year students wishing to transfer internally between programmes in MIC or from UL to MIC are now available. Applications will open on Monday 9th September and will close on Friday 27th September. Please note that in order to be considered for an internal transfer, a student must have the minimum entry requirements and CAO points for the programme they wish to transfer to, and there must be places available on the programme also. Successful students will be notified by the Admissions Office after the closing date and will be allowed to enrol and register on the new programme after the close of the CAO season in early October.
The following programmes ONLY will accept internal transfers for 2024:
MI002, MI005, MI009 and MI010
Students wishing to internally transfer to programmes at our Thurles Campus can only transfer between programmes if they have already accepted one of the programmes in Thurles through CAO. Students cannot transfer into MI022 (Home Economics) as the programme is full.
Link to Internal Transfer Form Here
Completed applications should be emailed to admissions@mic.ul.ie and will not be accepted after 27th September.
Applications for entry to all taught postgraduate programmes must be made to the Admissions Office; postgraduate programmes, click here.
MIC Programmes – Online Interview Guidance
Admissions Policies
Language Exemption
In the following circumstances it is possible to apply for a Language Waiver:
If you were born outside of the Republic of Ireland (ROI), attended part of your second level education outside of the ROI for at least 1 year, but are now attending second level in Ireland and were unable to be provided with the opportunity to take up a second language.
Born/part-educated outside of the Republic of Ireland - forms to be returned to Admissions@mic.ul.ie.
OR
If you were born in the ROI but now reside and attend second level outside of the ROI and were unable to be provided with the opportunity to take up a second language. Such applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Download and complete the Language Exemption form and return to Admissions@mic.ul.ie.
The closing date each year is 1 July.
If your Language Waiver request is on disability grounds only, please contact the Access Office .
Email: AccessOffice@mic.ul.ie
Deferral of Place (Taught Postgraduate Programmes)
Applicants who have been offered a taught postgraduate programme and who wish to defer their place should email the Admissions Office at Admissions@mic.ul.ie, requesting the deferral, and giving the reason(s) for wanting it. The Admissions Office will then consult with the relevant Programme Director to see if they wish to grant the deferral. If a deferral is being granted, the Admissions Office will email the student and the student will need to email Admissions in the springtime of the following year to indicate if they wish to take up their deferred place.
All taught postgraduate applicants who want a deferral must pay the acceptance deposit of €500 before requesting the deferral, and this will be retained for a period of one academic year to preserve the place. Applicants must also notify the Admissions Office of their intention to defer their place before the commencement of the academic year. Should the applicant not take up their place after one academic year the acceptence deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable.
Please note: Some postgraduate programmes do not have a deferrals procedure, and if a deferral is not being granted then the Admissions Office will inform the student by email.
Deferrals are granted for a period of one year. Should an applicant require a second deferral, then they must email Admissions@mic.ul.ie who will forward the request to the Vice President Academic Affairs for a decision. Such deferrals will be looked at on a case by case basis.
A student who has commenced year 1 of a taught postgraduate programme that has a deferral option and who wishes to avail of a deferral in year 1 can apply to the Programme Coordinator for a deferral up to the end of week 5 of Semester 1.
Deferral of Place Information (CAO entry)
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 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.
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.
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.
Enrolment
Online Enrolment
All new students to MIC must complete Online Enrolment.
You can access the Online Enrolment Portal here. You can log in with your MIC student email address and password that were provided to you in your enrolment email.
CAO students will begin receiving their enrolment email late August 2024. Once you log in you will need to change your password.
To complete online enrolment you will need to complete the My Enrolment tasks, pay your fees and complete your module registration. Note that depending on your course, online module registration may not be available until the end of week one.
If you have difficulty with Online Enrolment please email Enrolment@mic.ul.ie.
Please refer to the screencast below to assist you in completing your online enrolment.
![Online enrolment portal screenshot](/sites/default/files/styles/slide/public/2020-09/Screenshot%202020-09-09%20at%2019.18.02.png?itok=7LTL7B0f)
- About
- Staff
- Useful Information
- Admissions Policies
- Enrolment