Maynooth University Postgraduate Programmes

At Maynooth it is the individual that matters. For your postgraduate studies, our small class sizes and one-to-one guidance from senior lecturers and global researchers will challenge and inspire you. You can contact the Graduate Studies Office for any one-to-one advice and support you might need. You will be joining the 20% of the Maynooth University student population who are undertaking Masters, Diplomas or Research programmes, working and studying towards their personal or professional development goals in a supportive academic teaching and learning environment. Applications are open for Postgraduate study 2022/23 at Maynooth University. For a full list of postgraduate programmes at Maynooth University, see our online prospectus at Welcome - Postgraduate Prospectus 2022 (foleon.com)

1. Maynooth University Taught Master's Scholarships

Applications for Taught Master's Scholarships are now open for EU and Non-EU applications for 2022/23. Deadline for applications is June 30th, 2022.

Maynooth University is offering Taught Masters scholarships in the amount of €2000 to students across all disciplines in recognition of academic excellence, applicants must have achieved a minimum 2.1 honours undergraduate degree. Only students who have applied for a full-time taught master’s programme at Maynooth University by the scholarship closing date are considered eligible for the scholarship.

For further information and terms and conditions, please see Taught Master's Scholarships | Maynooth University

2. New programmes for 2022

MSc Environmental Psychology - The new Master’s in Environmental Psychology aims to ensure graduates develop a critical understanding of how our actions shape the world and how our environments impact upon us. Environmental psychology is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the interplay between individuals and their surroundings. In addition to expert contributions from a range of sub-disciplines in psychology (e.g. cognitive, health, clinical, and research) contributions from geography, biology, digital marketing and environmental science are integral to the programme.

The recognition of the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and the UN Sustainable Development Goals provide an appropriate global backdrop to this programme. Key topics include social and climate justice, nature-based therapies and mental health, nature-based solutions and sustainability, ecological and personal thriving, and innovation in our assessment of the environment as a facilitator, shaper and consequence of human behaviours. The Masters also ‘puts environmental psychology in its place’ locally; highlighting the unique Maynooth Green Campus initiative and other natural assets including the Royal Canal Greenway. EU projects SHAPES on health and smart ageing and GoGreenRoutes on urban health are among the interlinked activities that offer opportunities for knowledge-sharing.

MSc Digital Marketing - The MSc Digital Marketing is strongly connected to industry and what is happening in marketing today. The programme develops the critical and analytical capabilities of participants through a series of modules that engages them with not only the latest research, but also key insights from the practice of digital marketing. The programme aims to provide participants with knowledge and experience of both tactical and strategic use of digital marketing. Participants will learn how to analyse complex data for informed decision-making, and develop practical skills in content creation, campaign development and data analysis using a range of techniques and digital products. The use of digital, while important, is only part of the arsenal of tools and techniques available to a marketer and this programme will ensure that the participant can apply the appropriate digital messaging in conjunction with traditional marketing messaging.

MA Creative Writing - The MA in Creative Writing combines workshops and seminars with one-on-one mentoring of writing projects. Students may take optional modules in literature or other creative modules from across the Faculty, such as Writing for Screen Media. Assessment is through shorter pieces of writing, such as craft essays and reflective journals, and a longer project. The MA, taught by award-winning, internationally-renowned writers, will focus on guiding each student to further develop their voice as a writer, as well as to enrich their existing interests as a writer with new perspectives and a grasp of stylistic approaches. Tactics for editing and revision will be taught in tandem with generative exercises and practices aimed at deepening each student’s relationship to their creative process. Students will have the opportunity to build and develop networks which will sustain their writing practice beyond the MA degree.

LLM International Law (Blended Learning) - The LLM in International Law will provide students with critical insights into the operation of international law. It will provide a critique of international law frameworks and institutions and an analysis of how the international legal order works and how it seeks to protect vulnerable groups, including minorities and refugees. Teaching will be delivered mostly online but supported by a number of face-to-face workshops and masterclasses during the semester. The programme will be open to students with degrees in law and cognate areas, including international relations, social studies, sociology, politics, and other inter-disciplinary degrees. The programme will, in particular, be of interest to those already working in the field of law, including barristers, solicitors and civil servants who want to upskill in the area of international law and those with an NGO background who want to expand their knowledge of international law.

Certificate in Global Citizenship Education - This level-9 programme offers a specialised learning experience in global citizenship education (GCE) for practitioners. It is designed for educators and others working with learners at all levels (from early childhood to youth, in adult and community education, and in schools). These include teachers in primary and secondary schools as well as community, adult and youth workers and educators, GCE facilitators and those working with NGOs and development agencies. As such, it is being led by the Department of International Development, with participation and modules offered by the Departments of Education, Adult and Community Education, Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, and Applied Social Studies at Maynooth.

3. Conversion courses at Maynooth University

Maynooth University offers a range of Conversion Courses for students who want to move into a new area where they do not have previous experience. The following courses are for BA or BSc graduates who would like to upskill in a new area including:

Higher Diploma in Economic Science - The 1 year Higher Diploma in Economic Science is structured to give graduates from disparate backgrounds the equivalent of an honours undergraduate degree in Economics. Successful students have come with degrees in History, Science, Anthropology and Mathematics amongst other subjects. Graduates go directly into employment in the civil service and financial institutions or go on to a Masters degree here in Maynooth or elsewhere.

Masters in Economics - (2 year conversion course for students without a degree in Economics): MSc Economics 2 year programme at Maynooth University is structured to provide international quality training in Economics and Econometrics to provide a firm foundation for students continuing into MLitt or PhD research.

LLM International Justice - The LLM International Justice at Maynooth University prepares students for policy and advocacy work in national, regional, and international organisations with a social and economic justice mandate.

LLM Masters in Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice - The LLM Masters in Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice will deepen students' understanding of international criminal justice issues - the programme is open to both Law and non-Law graduates seeking to develop an in-depth knowledge of criminology to benefit their future career.

MSc Digital Marketing - The MSc Digital Marketing is for the non-business graduate who is interested in how individuals and organisations (including governments) interact in the marketplace for goods and services. The programme develops future executives in the specific area of marketing for organisations in all sectors, across the economy. The course material takes a broad, cross-sectoral, and international approach focussing on key skills to enhance employability. Accordingly, the course prepares graduates for a wide range of roles and organisations. Students also take a career management module designed to enhance employability at the outset and throughout their career. Work Placement (full-time mode only) and the Business Research Project options are particularly valuable to employers as they demonstrate your ability to apply your learning in the world of work.

MSc Business Management - The one-year conversion Masters MSc Business Management is open to BA and BSc graduates from all disciplines and to those who have substantial business experience without a Business degree. The MSc Business Management introduces students to a range of topics such as organisational behaviour, strategy, marketing, business ethics and international management, and rapidly develops their knowledge to the level of postgraduate expertise. Through its course content and programme delivery, our students access leading business thinking, apply contemporary management theory and practices, research business solutions through team and individual assignments and a business research project or dissertation with industry partners including AIB, House of Ireland, Ernst and Young, Intel and more.

MA in Accounting - The MA Accounting is a 2-year full-time Masters Programme in Accounting providing students without previous accounting experience with the key competencies required by a professional accountant in an ever-changing business and ethical environment.

MSc IT Enabled Innovation - The newly introduced Masters in IT Enabled Innovation at Maynooth University is designed to instil in business and non-business graduates a clear understanding of the benefits of the effective use of information technology for modern business. This Masters is suitable for business and non-business graduates (including computer science related graduates) as it explores the business side of IT Innovation. It develops students’ capacity to understand how IT in business operates and how it can support business innovation in human resources, organisational strategies and services. The programme benefits from the unique research links between industry and Maynooth’s Innovation Value Institute (IVI). The IVI works with over 90 global organisations including BCG, BP, SAP, BNY Mellon, E&Y, Intel amongst others.

Higher Diploma in Arts (Finance) - The 1 year Higher Diploma in Arts (Finance) is structured to give graduates from disparate backgrounds the equivalent of an honours undergraduate degree in Finance. Successful students have come with degrees in History, Science, Anthropology and Mathematics amongst other subjects. Graduates go directly into employment in the civil service and financial institutions or go on to a master’s degree here in Maynooth or elsewhere.

Higher Diploma in Professional Accounting - The Higher Diploma in Professional Accounting is a one-year full time programme for honours graduates who may not have taken major accounting specialisms in their undergraduate studies, but who wish to pursue a professional accounting qualification. The programme is designed so as to mirror in terms of standard and complexity the critical areas of the accounting syllabi of a 3-year undergraduate accounting programme. Graduates will, on successful completion of the programme, have entitlement to CAP1 exemptions from Chartered Accountants Ireland. They are very well placed to enter the work force as a trainee accountant with just two sets of professional exams to qualify as a chartered accountant.

Masters in Design Innovation (Marketing, IT, Design, Entrepreneurship) - The MSc Design Innovation is ideal for anyone from a range of career or degree backgrounds aspiring to be an innovator in their workplace. The course prepares its students for roles in strategic marketing, innovation leadership, product management, market research, design strategy and new product or service development. Current students on the course come from a variety of sectors including technology, design, marketing, business, agri-food, healthcare, manufacturing and service industries.

MA Creative Music Technologies - Want to learn about creating and developing sound projects, while learning sound production, editing and studio skills? Whether you have a degree in Music, or enjoy flexing your IT skills with the latest music software at home; the Music Department at Maynooth is offering a Master’s programme for both graduates of Music and graduates of other disciplines with an interest in music and music technology. The MA Creative Music Technologies offers BA/BSc graduates the opportunity to create, deconstruct, build, record, edit and produce sound, providing students with full use of computer resources at the Music Technology Labs at Maynooth University; access to studio space, working towards recording and production projects; opportunities to have compositions performed; individual tutorial time with a designated advisor; expert advice on musical and technical issues from composers and researchers at the cutting edge of their fields. Graduates of this course are now employed in music recording, production, composition, software programming and multimedia design, radio production and music education.

Higher Diploma in Social Policy - The Higher Diploma in Social Policy is a ‘transition’ or ‘conversion’ programme that is open to graduates of all disciplines who wish to acquire honours degree-level knowledge and credentials in social policy. They may wish to do so in order to progress to postgraduate study in social policy or so as to gain sufficient credits in social policy to qualify for entry to certain professional programmes, including postgraduate training in social work.