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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is considered a mature student?
A mature student is a person over 23 years of age on the 1st January in the year of application. There is no upper age limit. To be considered as a mature student you must also be an EU applicant.
What is meant by an EU applicant?
An EU applicant is a person:
who is ordinarily resident in an EU and who will have received full-time post primary education in the EU for three of the five years immediately preceding admission (see note 1 below) OR
who is ordinarily resident in the EU and has worked full-time in the EU for three years of the five years immediately preceding admission (see note 2 below) OR
who holds a passport from an EU State and has received full-time education in the EU for three of the five years immediately preceding admission OR
who has been granted humanitarian leave to remain in the State and has been resident in the EU for three of the five years immediately preceding admission (see note 3 below)
Notes:
1. EU or EEA countries (Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein) or
Switzerland.
2. Where an applicant can show that they have been in receipt
of social welfare payments this may be taken in lieu of fulltime
employment.
3. Applicants who have written confirmation that they have
been allowed to come to Ireland as part of the family reunification
scheme may also be eligible.
The Admissions Office may contact some applicants in order to seek supporting documentation regarding their status.
All other applications are considered to be non-EU
Applications.
Please visit the admissions website for more information.
Do I need my Leaving Certificate to apply?
The Leaving Certificate is not a requirement for mature student entry to TCD. However, some courses, for example Engineering, request specific subject requirements (honours maths grade C or higher). Please consult the current Mature Student Guidelines for more information or contact the Mature Student Officer on (01) 896 1386.
Can I study part time in TCD?
A wide range of extramural courses take place in TCD throughout the year. Information on these courses can be found on the Admissions Office web site: www.tcd.ie/Admissions. Currently, there is only one degree programme available on a part-time basis in the evening (B.Sc. in Information Systems). All other honours degree programmes are four years full-time day courses. There is no option to study these courses in a part-time capacity.
How do I make an application as a mature student?
Mature students who wish to be considered for a place in TCD must submit two application forms: one to the Central Applications Office (www.cao.ie) and the other directly to TCD (www.tcd.ie/Admissions). Both applications must be submitted by the 1st February. Late applications will not be accepted.
What are my chances of being offered a place?
There is great competition for places in TCD. Therefore not everyone who applies will be offered a place. It is important in your application to demonstrate that you have a keen interest in the course and, if possible, relevant work or study in the area. Applicants will be short listed on the basis of the information contained in the application form and, in most cases, will be called for an interview. In the interview you will be required to demonstrate your passion for and knowledge of the course. The interviews take place from March to May each year. Applicants will be notified of all decisions by the Admissions Office and an offer will be made by the CAO.
How many mature students are there in TCD at present?
Approximately 10% of each course allocation is made up of mature students, but this varies from course to course.
How many hours a week will I spend in lectures?
This depends on the course you are undertaking. For example a course in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences may only have 12 contact hours per week while a course in the Faculty of Engineering, Mathematics and Science may have up to 26 (including tutorials and labs). However, it is important to point out that although a degree may not be 9 am to 5 pm, five days per week, it is still classified as a full-time degree and should be treated as such. You will be required to study outside the contact hours and to keep up with reading and assignments. Therefore, consideration must be given as to whether or not working during term time will be possible.
Are there childcare facilities available in TCD?
Yes, TCD has a day nursery on campus. It caters for children from three months to four and a half years. There is considerable demand for places and you are advised to book early. For more information call the day nursery on (01) 896 1938 or (01) 896 2277.
Is there accommodation available on campus?
Yes, campus accommodation is available although due to the large volume of students it is limited. First year student accommodation is located in Trinity Hall, Rathmines. You are advised to contact the TCD Accommodation Office upon acceptance of your Cao offer. You can contact them on (01) 896 1177 or email residences@tcd.ie
Will I have to pay fees?
Fees for degree programmes in TCD are made up of: tuition fees, student charge, membership of the Union of Students of Ireland and the Sports Centre Charge. The Government Free Fees Initiative means that tuition is free for all full-time, non-repeat students from Ireland and European Union countries who do not already hold a degree (please see “What is meant by an EU applicant?” above).
Students who are not eligible for inclusion in the Free Fees Initiative will be required to pay EU tuition fees. Click here for more details.
Are there any grants available?
The County Council or Local Authority Higher Education Grant is the primary grant available to mature students. It is means tested. Contact your local office for further information. For further information on grants and recent changes to funding for mature students please contact your local Citizens Information Office or visit www.studentfinance.ie
Will I fit into the university and student life?
At Trinity College Dublin we provide services that enable students returning to study to settle into college life as quickly as possible. We run a Welcome Programme for incoming Junior Freshman (first year) students in September; provide a successful Peer Mentoring Programme for a range of courses and have an active Mature Student Society. These are just some of the supports you can rely on to make your transition to college a smooth one.
What other supports are available to me when I enter college?
All students entering TCD are allocated a tutor, a member of academic staff, to support them during the year. In addition TCD has a student counselling service, a careers office, a disability office, college chaplains and of course, a mature student officer to look after your needs.