• School diploma required
  VWO (Dutch pre-university diploma) i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  Netherlands What qualifications are accepted? Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO (Gymnasium A/B and Atheneum A/B) diploma)

  Netherlands … What qualifications are accepted? Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO (Gymnasium A/B and Atheneum A/B) diploma)

  nui.ie

  Recognised School Leaving Qualifications Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO (Gymnasium A/B and Atheneum A/B) diploma

  maynoothuniversity.ie · eu efta and uk applicants

  Stage 1: Must meet the minimum National University of Ireland matriculation requirements.

  ✓

  For you, Met: Your VWO diploma counts.
• Required school subjects
  Natuurkunde or scheikunde or biologie or informatica as a VWO exam subject i

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Source

  maynoothuniversity.ie · bsc theoretical physics mathematics

  Science subject (i.e. Agricultural Science, Applied Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, or Physics with Chemistry)

  Science … Yes … O6 … H7

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Enter your subjects to check. Add your subjects
• Minimum subject grades
  Wiskunde B or wiskunde D: at least 10; 6 different subjects at 6 or higher, at least 2 of them at 8 or higher, including English, Mathematics and Science subject i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  maynoothuniversity.ie · bsc theoretical physics mathematics

  Given the accelerated nature of this programme, a H2 grade in Leaving Certificate Mathematics is required for entry.

  Math … Yes … N/A … H2

  1 more from this page

  Leaving Certificate applicants are required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English, Science subject (i.e. Agricultural Science, Applied Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, or Physics with Chemistry) & H2 Mathematics

  www2.cao.ie

  Irish Leaving Cert H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7 VWO* 10 10 9 9 8 8 7

  * For a higher maths requirement these scores must be in Maths B or D

  3 more from this page

  Level 8 2 H5 required … 6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 2 subjects grade 8 and 4 subjects grade 6 in the VWO

  Irish Leaving Cert O1 O2 O3 O4 O5 O6 VWO 8 8 7 7 6 6 or Pass in HAVO

  If two versions of the same subject are presented, the average score will be included in the calculation.

  nui.ie

  Two subjects grade 8 and four subjects grade 6 in the VWO. Also proof of English proficiency plus specific requirements for programme applied for.

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: No grade entered for wiskunde B or wiskunde D. Enter your subjects and grades to check. Add your grades
• Minimum overall grade
  None i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  The minimum eligibility criteria follow. Proof of English proficiency is required in all cases.

  Level 8 2 H5 required … 6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 2 subjects grade 8 and 4 subjects grade 6 in the VWO

  1 more from this page

  Level 8 … 2 H5 required … 6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 2 subjects grade 8 and 4 subjects grade 6 in the VWO

  maynoothuniversity.ie · eu efta and uk applicants

  Stage 1: Must meet the minimum National University of Ireland matriculation requirements. Stage 2: Must meet the specific requirements of the degree course you are applying for. Stage 3: Are ranked relative to other EU applicants

• Language level required
  English: VWO engels 8 or higher or an accepted language test i

  English: at least 8 for engels on your VWO list or IELTS Academic (single retake module not accepted) 6.5 or TOEFL iBT (0-120 scale, tests before 21 January 2026) 90 or TOEFL iBT (1-6 scale, tests from 21 January 2026) 4.5 or Duolingo English Test 120 or Pearson PTE Academic 63 or Cambridge C2 Proficiency / C1 Advanced / B2 First (Cambridge English scale) 176 or LanguageCert Academic 70 or LanguageCert B2 Communicator (high pass) or IELCA Academic 35 or Oxford Test of English 140 or Trinity College London ISE III (at least merit in each skill) or Skills for English UKBI B2 (pass with merit in all components) or ETAPP (C1 or better)

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  The minimum acceptable level of English is 8 in the VWO or equivalent English Language competence (see page 9). Note applicants whose school-leaving examinations are more than two years old must present additional proof of English.

  maynoothuniversity.ie · eu efta and uk applicants

  The minimum standard in order to be eligible for consideration for admission is specified for Level 8 in each country section (see EU & EFTA Qualifications link above). In all cases proof of English proficiency is required.

  English Language Requirements - 2026/2027 intake

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  6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band

  Score scale 0–120 (for tests taken before 21 January 2026): Minimum overall score of 90, with no less than 21 in writing and 19 in each other section.

  Score scale 1–6 (for tests taken from 21 January 2026 onward): For tests taken from January 2026 using the new scoring scale 1-6: Minimum overall score of 4.5, with no less than 4.5 in each section.

  The minimum requirement will be a DET score of 120 - with at least 110 in each individual subscore.

  63 with no less than 59 for each item in the Communicative Skills section

  176+ on Cambridge English scale with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English First Certificate, Grade A (CEFR Level C1)

  Language Cert Academic … 70 overall with 65 in each skill

  B2 Communicator high pass with no less than 33 in each skill taken with no more than 3 months between components

  Minimum score of 35 with a minimum of 33 in each band

  140 with no less than 125 in each skill

  ISE III with at least merit in each skill category

  Skills for English UKBI B2 (4 component test) … Pass with merit in all components

  ETAPP … C1 or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2)

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: English: enter your grade for engels. Add a language test
• Minimum age
  Born before 16 January 2011 i

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.

  Sources

  maynoothuniversity.ie · school leaver applicants leaving certificate

  In general, students must be 17 years or older by 15th January in the year after entry to the University. If you are younger, you must make a special application to the University’s President.

  maynoothuniversity.ie · leaving certificate applicants

  In general, students must be 17 years or older by 15th January in the year after entry to the University. If you are younger, you must make a special application to the University’s President.

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Enter your birth year to check. Add your birth year
• Extra steps
  None i

  Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Source

  www2.cao.ie

  8 MH206 Theoretical Physics and Mathematics

  Restricted courses normally require additional assessment procedures, for example, the submission of a portfolio, an oral assessment or interview, or a written assessment.

  1 more from this page

  DO NOT submit predicted grades or a personal statement. Only certificates/statement of results produced by an examining authority will suffice.

• Other requirements
  Irish is part of NUI matriculation (course page: 'O6/H7 in Irish'). Candidates born and fully educated outside the Republic of Ireland who present qualifications other than the Irish Leaving Certificate are automatically exempt from Irish and need not apply for an exemption. i

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Sources

  maynoothuniversity.ie · bsc theoretical physics mathematics

  Irish … Yes … O6 … H7

  www2.cao.ie

  Candidates born and fully educated outside the Republic of Ireland who are presenting qualifications other than the Irish Leaving Certificate for matriculation are automatically exempt from Irish and do not need to make an application for an exemption.

  nui.ie

  Candidates born and fully educated outside the Republic of Ireland (26 counties), whose address is outside the Republic of Ireland and who are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate for matriculation are automatically exempt from Irish and do not need to make application to NUI.

  maynoothuniversity.ie · eu efta and uk applicants

  Since applicants from outside the Republic of Ireland are automatically entitled to an exemption from Irish

  ✓

  For you, Met: Not required for you: you were born and permanently live outside Ireland.
• Score needed to get in
  500 CAO points or more: the 2026 cut-off, which changes every year i

  Applicants are ranked by CAO points; the highest get the places. The cut-off is the lowest score that got a place, so it moves with each year's applicants.

  Earlier cut-offs: 520 in 2025 (CAO Round 1), 513 in 2024 (CAO Round 1), 494 in 2023 (CAO Round 1), 510 in 2022 (CAO Round 1).

  How the score is worked out: Average of the best 6 distinct recognised subjects taken in a single sitting: 10 → 600, 9 → 595, 8 → 541, 7 → 374, 6 → 250, 5 → 200.

  +25 for wiskunde B or wiskunde D at 6 or higher, if it is one of the subjects counted.

  Two versions of one subject, such as wiskunde B and D, count once, at their average.

  Grades are rounded to whole numbers first, as on the diploma.

  The university gives only these rows and does not say how averages between them convert, so a score between two rows is a range.

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  Points Required for Entry to 2026 Level 8 Courses … MH206 Theoretical Physics and Mathematics 500

  maynoothuniversity.ie · bsc theoretical physics mathematics

  CAO Points … 500

  www2.cao.ie

  The indicative equivalence will be calculated, based on the average of the best 6 distinct recognised subjects taken in a single sitting as follows:

  Average Mark IPS 10 600 9 595 8 541 7 374 6 250 5 200

  5 more from this page

  NB Sample grades only. The steps between points shown are not necessarily even as they are based on statistical comparisons.

  Bonus points of 25 will be awarded for grade 6 or better in Advanced level Mathematics (i.e., B or D) where mathematics is one of the subjects counted for points.

  If two versions of the same subject are presented, the average score will be included in the calculation.

  The indicative equivalence will be calculated, based on the average of the best 6 distinct recognised subjects taken in a single sitting as follows: Table 2: Points Conversion … 10 600 … 9 595 … 8 541 … 7 374 … 6 250 … 5 200

  Bonus points for mathematics: Bonus points of 25 will be awarded for grade 6 or better in Advanced level Mathematics (i.e., B or D) where mathematics is one of the subjects counted for points.

  maynoothuniversity.ie · eu efta and uk applicants

  See EU & EFTA Qualifications for details of each European Union country's recognised examinations, matriculation requirements and the method of calculating indicative points score (IPS).

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Needs grades for at least 6 different subjects; you have entered 0. Add your grades

How places are given

• Cap on places (numerus fixus)
  Limited; the number is not published

  The 2026 figure; the 2027 one is not out yet.

  i

  Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  MH206 Theoretical Physics and Mathematics 500

  maynoothuniversity.ie · eu efta and uk applicants

  Please note: entry to undergraduate courses in Ireland, and especially Level 8, is competitive and attainment of the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee a place.

  Please note: entry to undergraduate courses in Ireland, and especially Level 8, is competitive and attainment of the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee a place. A points scoring system is in operation.

• How applicants are picked
  Ranked by school grades; the highest get the places i

  Applicants who meet the NUI matriculation and course requirements are ranked by CAO points (for VWO: converted from the average of the best six subjects in one sitting) and offers go from the highest score down; ties at the last place are broken by random number.

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.

  Sources

  maynoothuniversity.ie · eu efta and uk applicants

  Stage 3: Are ranked relative to other EU applicants since all EU applicants compete on equivalencies as outlined in the tables below.

  maynoothuniversity.ie · school leaver applicants leaving certificate

  The University offers places to applicants (via the CAO) in order of merit, once they meet the minimum entry requirements.

  www2.cao.ie

  If there are five applicants with an identical points score competing for one remaining place, random number selection applies and the place will be offered to the applicant with the highest random number.

• Past admission numbers
  In 2026 the lowest score that got in was 500 (CAO Round 1).

  In 2025 the lowest score that got in was 520 (CAO Round 1).

  In 2024 the lowest score that got in was 513 (CAO Round 1).

  In 2023 the lowest score that got in was 494 (CAO Round 1).

  In 2022 the lowest score that got in was 510 (CAO Round 1).

  i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  Points Required for Entry to 2026 Level 8 Courses … MH206 Theoretical Physics and Mathematics 500

  maynoothuniversity.ie · bsc theoretical physics mathematics

  CAO Points … 500

Once you have started

• First-year minimum to continue
  Pass at least 50 of 60 credits in the first year; if you do not, you can resit or repeat the year i

  Every course is worth a number of credits, which you earn by passing it; a full year is 60.

  In the university’s words: A student who passes all first-year modules progresses. A module passes at 40%; the year can also be passed by compensation (average at least 40%, no module below 35%, at least half the credits at 40% or more), or the student may progress carrying a deficit of up to 10 credits (modules below 35%), which must be made up later. Specific to this programme: 50% in Mathematics (Pure) is needed to proceed to year 2; with less, the student continues with Mathematical Studies in year 2. A student who falls short can resit or repeat (a period of study normally only once; repeat years are not covered by Free Fees).

  Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  maynoothuniversity.ie · bsc theoretical physics mathematics

  Students require 50% in Maths (Pure) to proceed to second year. Students continue with Mathematical Studies in second year if they attain less than 50%.

  maynoothuniversity.ie

  A student who passes all modules in a period of study will be allowed to progress to the next period of study.

  A "Restricted: compensation" rating will be given where: • The overall weighted average mark across all modules is 40% or above; • No module has a mark below 35%; • At least half of the credits taken in the period have been passed (i.e. 40% or above).

  3 more from this page

  A "Restricted: deficit" rating will be given where: • The modules with marks below 35% amount to no more than 10 credits; • The weighted average mark in the remaining modules, excluding the deficit modules, is over 40%; • At least half of the credits taken in the period have marks of 40% or above.

  A student who does not meet any of the above criteria is not allowed to progress.

  A student may normally repeat a period of study only once.

  maynoothuniversity.ie · undergraduate

  No - Exchequer Free Fees or grants are not available for repeat years except under exceptional medical circumstances

After you graduate

• Where graduates go
  Graduates go into research and development, quantitative finance, machine learning and AI, the quantum computing industry, computing and software engineering, and advanced analytics. Many continue to postgraduate study and research at Maynooth or at major international universities.

  What Maynooth University says its graduates go on to do; not measured.

  i

  Fairly sure — Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Source

  maynoothuniversity.ie · bsc theoretical physics mathematics

  Graduates progress into careers in areas such as: research and development quantitative finance machine learning & AI quantum computing industry computing and software engineering advanced analytics

  Many of our graduates move on to postgraduate study and research at our university or major international universities.

• Where graduates went (measured)
  Maynooth University honours-degree graduates of 2024 in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics, nine months after graduating: 44.5% working full-time, 10.5% part-time, 4.1% about to start a job; 28.2% in full-time and 1.8% in part-time further study; 8.2% unemployed; 2.7% other activities.

  Measured from all natural Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics graduates of Maynooth University, not just this programme (2024). Past graduates, not a promise.

  i

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Sources

  public.tableau.com · HEI Comparison

  Undergraduate Honours Degree Programmes … Field of Study: Natural Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics … Maynooth University … Working full-time 44.5% … Working part-time 10.5% … Due to start a job in the next 3 months 4.1% … Engaged in full-time further study, training or research 28.2% … Engaged in part-time further study, training or research 1.8% … Other Activity 2.7% … Unemployed and looking for work 8.2%

  hea.ie

  HEI level data (GO Class of 2024) … 3. HEI-Level Information (UG Honours Degree): This looks at employment outcomes for undergraduate honours degrees for each HEI