Cookie Consent:  We use necessary cookies to make our site work. In particular, secure encrypted session cookies are necessary to allow secure progression through the various elements of the online 'apply' and 'my application' services. Session cookies are deleted automatically when the browser is closed.

Additional cookies are required to use services from third parties such as Site Search 360 (site search), Prospectus Plus (interactive handbook) and IBM (Virtual Assistant). If you wish to use these services you must accept additional cookies.

For more details, please see our privacy statement.

Mature Applicants

Mature Student Guide
Mature Student Presentation
Mature Student Information Sheet
Completing Mature Form Sections 1-11
HEI Website Pages for Mature Applicants
HEI Mature Support Contacts
  1. Certain restrictions may apply in the case of Mature Applicants.
     
  2. Normally mature applicants should be 23 years old on or before 1st January 2025 (i.e. born on or before 1st January 2002) for admission in Autumn 2025 and must apply by 1st February 2025. However, some HEIs may have a different age requirement, different definitions of mature applicants, etc., and some will consider applications received after 1st February 2025.
     
  3. Before applying you should read the CAO Handbook and view the information for mature applicants on Higher Education Institution websites. In particular, you should note HEI requirements for the provision of supplementary application information. If you have any questions, you must contact the Admissions Office or Mature Students Officer of the appropriate HEIs well in advance of application closing dates.
     
  4. If you are applying for primary teaching on the basis of mature years you must apply for these courses through CAO by 1st February 2025.

  5. Mature applicants, who wish to be considered on the basis of mature years, must apply direct to the following HEIs:
    • National College of Ireland
    • American College Dublin
    • College of Computing Technology
    • Dublin Business School
    • Griffith College
    • Dorset College, Dublin
    • ICD Business School

    Mature applicants who wish to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications for these HEIs should apply to CAO - you may apply direct to the HEI and apply to CAO.
     
  6. If you are applying for mature entry to primary teaching in Dublin City University, Marino Institute of Education, Mary Immaculate College Limerick or Maynooth University: you must apply to CAO by 1st February at 17:00. In March, those meeting the eligibility criteria will be sent an email (to the email account registered to their CAO account) with instructions for completing and submitting a supplementary form.
     
  7. The HEIs which are not mentioned in point 5 above require mature applicants to apply through CAO.