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Study Abroad at National University of Ireland

National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Required GPA: 3.0 (4.0 scale)
Application deadlines: April 15 for fall or full year
October 15 for spring
Program advisor: Beth Ehrsam

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Program Snapshot

NUI Maynooth is a Rapid Response program
What is this?

Cead Mile Failte! We’re so excited that you’re preparing to study abroad on an IFSA-Butler program and have chosen Maynooth as your destination. Maynooth is a quaint city located just an hour outside of Dublin by train; students enjoy the intimate feel of Maynooth while also being able to take advantage of the big city so close by. We’re sure you’re going to love studying there!

What NUI Maynooth has to offer

An ideal environment for immersing yourself into Irish culture
Campus is located in Ireland's only university town, yet close to the capital city
Lovely architecture, beautiful gardens and chapel spires
A high faculty-to-student ratio, ensuring personal attention
A magnificent library with five-and-a-half miles of bookshelves
On-campus medical center, sports hall, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, and student canteen
Student union facilities include shops, bookshops, a large bar and a social hall
An active student union with 150 clubs and societies on campus

Housing

Housing is on campus in modern student complexes with other American, European and Irish students
Apartments include private bathroom and shared living room and kitchen
Students purchase or prepare their own meals

Academics

Flexibility in combining subjects from a range of academic departments and faculties
There are three faculties: Arts, Celtic Studies & Philosophy; Social Sciences; and Science & Engineering
Students may also take 1-2 theology courses at St. Patrick's College
Students take a varied number of courses, depending on course weight

We look forward to working with you! You can learn more about Maynooth by visiting their web site here.

Academics

Courses

Where can I find a list of courses that the university offers?
You can find NUI Maynooth's online course catalogue here. Click on the link of the subject areas you are interested in to see the available modules (courses) offered.

What if I need to take a required course?
Please be aware that IFSA-Butler cannot guarantee that your host university will offer a particular course, or that you will be allowed to take that particular course. However, if you need to take a required course, you may indicate that it is required on your course preference form. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor will communicate your needs to your host university.

What courses am I eligible to take?
As an IFSA-Butler student, you are entitled to enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and in which space is available. Course descriptions in the online course catalog (see above) include prerequisites you must fulfill in order to enroll in each course.

For each course that you list on your preference form, be sure to check the following: When determining which courses to take, please bear in mind that the Irish academic system is an intensive, three-year program.

First-year (100-level) courses are appropriate for departments in which you have little orno prior experience.
Second-year (200-level) courses will be equivalent to advanced sophomore or junior-level U.S. courses.
Third-year (300-level) courses will be equivalent to senior-level U.S. courses.
Fourth-year (400-level) courses and higher are part of a postgraduate degree (Masters or Ph.D.). You are not eligible to take these courses as an undergraduate study abroad student.

Course Restrictions

Are there any course or departmental restrictions?
When considering departments and courses, please note the following:

Theology: Only courses in Christian theology are offered. Theology students can only take one to two Theology courses for each semester spent at NUI, Maynooth.
Science students: Please note that NUI, Maynooth charges a tuition differential for courses that include laboratory work. Please keep this in mind when you choose your courses, as you will be responsible for paying additional tuition fees.

Credits

How many courses am I able to take, and how do I determine U.S. semester credit hours?
IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution. The number of courses you take depends on the credit value of the courses you select. At NUI, Maynooth, a full course load consists of 30 ECTS credits per semester or 60 ECTS credits per year, which equals 15 U.S. semester credit hours per semester or 30 U.S. semester credit hours per year.

1 NUI, Maynooth ECTS credit = 0.5 U.S. semester credit hours
30 NUI, Maynooth ECTS credit = 15 U.S. semester credit hours

Registration

The course preference form is not a registration form; it is a guideline to let your host university know which courses you are interested in taking abroad. You should discuss your course selections with your academic advisor at your home institution and have several backup choices in mind. Accepted students will receive their provisional schedule shortly after an admissions decision is made. This schedule will be based on the courses listed on the course preference form.

What are the registration conditions?
You must take a full NUI, Maynooth course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A-F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses. You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.

Exams

What do I need to know about exams?
Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Please refer to your program calendar to review the exam period for your host university. Your host university's policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting a grade query or academic follow-up for the course in which you made this arrangement. You will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program.

Transcripts

How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?
After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit you earned at the University of Stirling. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.

Housing

Housing Options

What are my housing options?
All IFSA-Butler students live on campus in new university housing. Rooms are arranged into student apartments, with six students in each apartment sharing a kitchen/living room. Each student has a single bedroom with private bathroom and Internet access. A typical apartment consists of one U.S. and one European visiting student and four Irish full-degree students, though this arrangement may vary. There is no meal plan at NUI, Maynooth, so you will have to use your shared kitchen facility to prepare meals. There are also convenience stores, restaurants, and pubs on and around campus. You will not have a telephone in your room or in your flat, which is common for Irish students.

Student apartments are located on the north campus, a few minutes walk from most academic buildings. The center of the town of Maynooth is 10 minutes away, where students will find shops, pubs and restaurants. The train station is about a 15 to 20 minute walk from the student apartments.

Meals

There is no meal plan at NUI, Maynooth, so students use their shared kitchen facility to prepare meals. There are also convenience stores, restaurants, and pubs on and around campus.

Housing FAQs

Is my housing included in the program fee?
Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation at the university while classes are in session. You will be responsible for the cost of your meals (whether a meal plan or self-catered) and any commuting costs you may incur. Some university housing requires students to move out during winter and spring breaks. If you wish to remain in residence during the vacation period(s), you must notify the university housing office upon arrival to make necessary arrangements. Staying in residence during university breaks may incur additional costs not covered by the IFSA-Butler program fee.

When will I receive my housing assignment?
You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in Scotland for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.

Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.

Do I have to pay a housing deposit?
Yes. IFSA-Butler requires a refundable housing deposit of $300 before going abroad. We will return this deposit to you after March 1 for fall programs or September 1 for spring and year programs, less any fines, damages or outstanding debts in your name.

Can I arrange my own housing?
Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you've made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.

Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing by December 1 for spring and semester 1 programs or by May 1 for fall and semester 2 programs. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after these dates.

Location Info

Population: 11,000
Location: County Kildare, 15 miles west of Dublin

City features

A charming university town
Castle dating back to the 13th centure
Friendly and welcoming people
Easy and inexpensive public transportation to Dublin, just 30 minutes away

Do more!

Explore Dublin's culture and nightlife
Go to the famous horseracing tracks in and around the area
Explore nearby early Christian ruins, including the high Celtic crosses at Moone, Castledermot and Old Kilcullen

Links
Maynooth Tourism
Kildare Community Network
Maynooth Castle
Maynooth Online
Visit Dublin

Dates & Fees

NUI, Maynooth Dates

Individual program dates coming soon!
Click here to view our full Ireland program calendar

NUI, Maynooth Fees

Individual program fees coming soon!
Click here to view a full list of Ireland program fees

What's included in our Ireland program fees
Expense calculator

Personal Cost Estimates

Personal cost estimates coming soon!
Click here to view a full list of Ireland personal cost estimates

Expense calculator

Forms

To apply to the NUI, Maynooth program, use our easy online application.

Applicants to NUI, Maynooth must complete two additional forms as part of the application process:

We must receive these forms before we can send your application to NUI, Maynooth for an admissions decision. They can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail. Please submit these forms with the remainder of your program application.

If you have already started an application to the NUI, Mynooth program, you can check the status of your application using the Student Portal.

Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team

IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in Ireland:

beth ireland Program Advisor Beth Ehrsam assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Beth can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229, extn. 9279. Beth has been with the Institute for Study Abroad for the past three years. Beth spent her junior year studying abroad at Trinity College Dublin with IFSA-Butler and now enjoys being on the other side of the application process advising students during the application and predeparture process.

alt Student Accounts Coordinator Angelita Shaffer assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Angelita can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4221.

Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler for 11 years, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.

Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office in Dublin. Click here to read more about Resident Director Dr. Tim Conway.

paige Upon return from your study abroad program, Academic Affairs Coordinator Paige Ward processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Paige graduated from Butler University, and she studied abroad for a semester in Paris, Belfast, London and the English Lake District. Studying abroad for Paige was an eye-opening and knowledge-gaining experience, and she is excited to work with students who are looking for the same. Paige can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4254.

Get Connected

Social Media

Connect with IFSA-Butler Students

If you really want to know what it's like to study abroad, connect with IFSA-Butler alumni and students who are currently abroad on an IFSA-Butler program. Check out the following: