Dublin City University - Qualifax

What is a mature Student?
A mature student is any candidate who is 23 years of age on the 1st of January of the
year of entry (or re-entry) to an approved course in a recognised Higher Education
Institute (HEI).
Why consider third level education as a mature student?
Mature students enter third level education for a variety of reasons:
to complete their education and get a degree
to further develop an interest in a given subject
to improve their job prospects
to retrain for another career
to develop their social and personal skills.
Returning to education after a break, or entering it for the first time as a mature
student, is becoming increasingly popular, and indeed desirable. The mature student
brings with him or her life experiences allied with determination and focus, all of
which are conducive to successful learning. The ‘mature student’ very often becomes
the ‘ideal student’!
What sort of courses can I study?
Those candidates entering third level for the first time will enter at undergraduate
level, and courses at this level are either certificate, diploma or degree (see Appendix
5 for full details of qualifications). Postgraduate opportunities are open to candidates
who already hold an initial degree, although applications are sometimes considered
from those with substantial relevant experience in their chosen area of study.
How can I find out what’s on offer?
Full course details are available from each individual HEI. These details are updated
annually, and are available in their prospectus, and in most cases, on-line as well.
Contact details for each HEI can be found in Appendix 3.
How do I apply?
Most of the HEI’s require you to apply via the CAO (Central Application Office:
www.cao.ie though some colleges require you to apply directly, and still others
require you to do both. Many institutions also require you to attend an interview. Each
institution has an Admissions Office, and staff are always happy to answer queries
from prospective students. It is important to note that deadlines can vary, too, though