Frequently Asked Questions

You must be 23 or older by 1st January in the year in which you want to enter a degree programme, to be considered a mature student. The mature student office provides support services for mature students undertaking full time degree courses in UL.

Mature students can apply for any undergraduate programme.

Have a look at our financing your studies page. Otherwise, the Fees Office can provide further information on the qualifying criteria for the Free Fees Initiative and on EU/non EU fees. Contact the Fees Office on 061-02026 or at fees@ul.ie.

The majority of undergraduate courses offered by the University of Limerick are what are known as degree courses. These involve up to four years of full-time study, although a small number of degree programmes are also available on a part-time basis.

Application forms are available from the Admissions Office (telephone 061-202015) or admissions@ul.ie.

Mature students can apply for up to two full-time degree programmes on the same application form.

The closing date for mature student applications is 1st May 2013. However please note that the closing date for all Nursing programmes is 1st February through the CAO - www.cao.ie.

Ensure that you show on your application that you fully understand what the course you have applied for is about (eg you know what subjects are taught on the programme and the relevance of those subjects not just the title!), and how the course meets your own personal / career goals. Show that you have an understanding of the skills and competencies required for that particular course and how you have developed these in your own personal / working life / prior education. Do some research into what graduates from that course do afterwards. Highlight any study you have done in the past or recently - even if it is just a short course in something unrelated - anything you have done shows motivation, commitment and a desire to learn.

The closing date for applications is 1 May 2013. Applications are processed in May / June and interviews may be held in May / June / July. Offer letters usually issue in June and July.

The only UL programmes for which mature students apply to the CAO are the Nursing programmes. Applications for all other undergraduate programmes are made directly to the Admissions Office in the University.

Mature student applications are assessed by academic staff. Each application is considered on an individual basis. Academic qualifications, work/life experience, motivation and overall potential to be successful on your chosen programme of study are considered and evaluated, usually by means of an interview. Applicants may be short-listed depending on the number of applications received for a particular programme. Please bear in mind when applying that some programmes in UL may look for specific academic requirements prior to entry e.g. some Engineering programmes will usually require applicants to have higher level Leaving Certificate Mathematics.

Applicants who are successful at the interview stage will be notified by the Admissions Office and asked to confirm their acceptance of a place. Unsuccessful applicants are also notified in due course and may seek feedback on their application from the Admissions Office.

Offer letters usually issue in late June / early July of each year.  The Admissions Office will write to you when applications have been reviewed by the course leaders.

The vast majority of UL courses, full-time and part-time, generally start in early September each year.

The best source of information on grants and other financial support is available from www.studentfinance.ie or have a look at our financing your studies page.

There are Higher Education Grants available to eligible students i.e. those entering approved full time undergraduate courses of at least two years duration or postgraduate courses of at least one years duration, for the first time, and who satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means and nationality.

All new applications for the higher education grant are now made through SUSI - Student Universal Support Ireland. Please apply for your grant early; you do not need to know the exact course you will be attending in order to make an application.

For further information on grants / allowances, please check out www.studentfinance.ie

Full information on the BTEA, and on how to apply, can be obtained from your local Department of Social Protection Office.

The following link provides information on the various career options available with a UL degree: http://www.ul.ie/careers/yourdegree/

Have a look at our supports for mature students page to see what is available to you.