Degree Overview - this is a new degree - beginning in September 2025. Points will not be known until the Round 1 offers in August 2025.
>Criminology can be described as the study of crime, criminal behaviour and societys reaction to it. This three-year degree programme allows students to study criminology in depth, equipping you with the skills to examine criminal behaviour and understand what drives it.
>Maynooth University is one of only two universities in the Republic of Ireland offering the opportunity to study Criminology as a single major.
>This is a unique interdisciplinary programme offering perspectives from sociology, psychology and anthropology, as well as law.
>Faculty include leading international experts in the field with research interests in prisons, policing, restorative justice, gender, ethnicity, human trafficking, terrorism and mental health.
>In first year, students acquire a thorough theoretical understanding of crime, both in an international and Irish context. This is built on in second and third year when students take core modules in subjects such as prisons and policing as well as optional modules in line with their interests.

About
Requirements
Entry Requirements
| Subject | Required | Ordinary Level Grade | Higher Level Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish | Yes | O6 | H7 |
| English | Yes | O6 | H7 |
| Language | No | N/A | N/A |
| Math | No | N/A | N/A |
| Science | No | N/A | N/A |
International & EU/EFTA Entry Requirements
Mature Students
Mature Applicants
Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time/flexible degrees the mature age is 21.
Mature applicants who have a disability
If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for any written tests that may be required, please submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2025 to the Access Office.
Unfortunately we are unable to consider applications for alternative examination accommodation after this deadline.
01 February 2025
Additional Information
Leaving Certificate Applicants
Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English. MH502 Round 1 Points 2024: New degree in 2025
Transfer option available into this degree from the Bachelor of Arts Degree MH101 - subject to meeting requirements.
HEAR and DARE
DARE: The Disability Access Route to Education is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.
HEAR: The Higher Education Access Route is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Contact the Access Office for more information about these access routes.
The Maynooth Education
Click here for details about optional Critical Skills courses, Electives and degree pathways.
English Program Requirements
Career
After Graduation
>This programme allows students to explore career prospects in the criminal justice world, opening up potential careers in the Gardaí, security services, data analytics, probation, the prison service, the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) sector and research institutes.
>The skills you will gain from studying Criminology, such as a focus on evidence and data-based inquiry, are also highly transferable to other areas, including: law, journalism, social research, social work, counselling, community work, policy analysis and public administration.
>The School of Law and Criminology also offers a range of postgraduate study options in related fields including the MA in Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Fee Information

Ireland, Maynooth