Courses / Subject

	Required	Ordinary level grade	Higher level grade
Irish		O6	H7
English		O6	H7
Language		O6	H7
Math		-	-
Science		-	-

This course requires 3 additional subjects

Mature Applicants 

Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time/flexible degrees the mature age is 21. 

Click here to be taken to our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on that page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability 

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require support for any required written exercise/interview/ online video audition which may form part of your application assessment, you must complete an online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2026. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline.

For further information on the supporting documentation required, as well as examination and other supports visit the Access Office website.

Leaving Certificate Applicants 

Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English, 3rd language. Round 1 points 2025: see above

HEAR and DARE

DARE: The Disability Access Route to Education is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.

HEAR: The Higher Education Access Route is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Contact the Access Office for more information about these access routes.

The Maynooth Education

Click here for details about optional Critical Skills courses, Electives and degree pathways.   

APPLY TO THE CAO - WWW.CAO.IE

The application process depends on the type of applicant you are. Click here for all information about how to apply.

Categories of applicant:

• School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
• Mature students (23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University/part-time degrees the mature age is 21)
• EU/EFTA/UK students
• International students (outside the EU)
• QQI (Further Education) students
• Transferring students
• Deferring students

Geography and one other subject to degree level as part of a Single Major, Double Major, Major/Minor or as as Minor.

1st year

Choose 15 or 30 credits of Geography from group 1 and/or 6 plus up to 3 other subjects, which may include Critical Skills, from the available groups (maximum 1 subject per group). 

If choosing Geography in Group 6, the only subject you may choose in Group 1 is Geography (this is due to timetabling of subjects in 2nd year).

Students can choose 15 or 30 credits of Geography in first year. The two separate 15 credit Geography options are:
Living Landscapes – in group 1 (15 credits)
This introduces students to the diversity of human and physical landscapes across the modern world, how we have come to know a little about them, and the processes shaping them, past and present.
Global Environments – in group 6 (15 credits)
This introduces students to the issues involved in modern global development within a highly modified, rapidly changing natural environment.

2nd & 3rd year

• Geography
• Plus continue with 1 of your first year subjects as a Major/Minor, Double Major or Minor
• Optional 10 credit Elective in 2nd year 

or

• Single Major Geography from 2nd year - at least 50 credits of Geography in each of 2nd and final year. 
• All combinations (Major/Minor, Double Major, Single Major, Minor) provide students with future-focused practical skills education, e.g. spatial data mapping is core across 2nd and final year, with a wide range of fundamental and emerging subject strengths offered as options, and exciting field courses in Ireland and overseas offering opportunities to apply this knowledge in the real world.
• Optional 10 credit Elective in 2nd year  

Students may apply to study overseas after second year (on Erasmus or Study Abroad) and graduate with a BA (International) after 4 years. See the International Studies website for details.

Duration: 3 years (BA) or 4 years (BA International)

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually. Please check periodically for updates.

Year 1

GEOGRAPHY Take either 15 or 30 credits of Geography. If choosing Global Environments (from Group 6) you cannot choose another subject in Group 1, other than Geography - Living Landscapes. Please note: Global Environments will be available in Group 6 only. This means that if you select GY161 and GY162 you may not take any other Group 6 subjects. GY1V30 - GEOGRAPHY Credits: 30 Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTS 1 GY161 7.5 1 GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTS 2 GY162 7.5 2 LIVING LANDSCAPES 1 GY151 7.5 1 LIVING LANDSCAPES 2 GY152 7.5 2 GEOGRAPHY Take either 15 or 30 credits of Geography. If choosing Global Environments (from Group 6) you cannot choose another subject in Group 1, other than Geography - Living Landscapes. Please note: Global Environments will be available in Group 6 only. This means that if you select GY161 and GY162 you may not take any other Group 6 subjects. GY1V30 - GEOGRAPHY Credits: 30 Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTS 1 GY161 7.5 1 GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTS 2 GY162 7.5 2 LIVING LANDSCAPES 1 GY151 7.5 1 LIVING LANDSCAPES 2 GY152 7.5 2

Year 2

DOUBLE MAJOR MAJOR WITH MINOR SINGLE MAJOR MINOR GEOGRAPHY GY2DM - GEOGRAPHY Credits: 30 Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory BIOGEOGRAPHY GY217 5 2 CLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GY263 5 2 CLIMATOLOGY GY213 5 1 ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY GY221 5 2 ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE GY262 5 1 GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP (IRELAND) GY205 5 2 GEOMORPHOLOGY GY214 5 2 HYDROLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES GY212 5 1 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY GY227 5 2 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY GY234 5 1 URBAN GEOGRAPHY GY222 5 1 GEOGRAPHY GY2MJ - GEOGRAPHY Credits: 40 Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory BIOGEOGRAPHY GY217 5 2 CLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GY263 5 2 CLIMATOLOGY GY213 5 1 ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY GY221 5 2 ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE GY262 5 1 GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP (IRELAND) GY205 5 2 GEOMORPHOLOGY GY214 5 2 HYDROLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES GY212 5 1 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY GY227 5 2 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY GY234 5 1 URBAN GEOGRAPHY GY222 5 1 GEOGRAPHY GY2SM - GEOGRAPHY Credits: 60 Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory BIOGEOGRAPHY GY217 5 2 CLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GY263 5 2 CLIMATOLOGY GY213 5 1 ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY GY221 5 2 ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE GY262 5 1 GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP (OVERSEAS) GY206 5 2 GEOMORPHOLOGY GY214 5 2 HYDROLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES GY212 5 1 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY GY227 5 2 READING GEOGRAPHY GY209 5 1 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY GY234 5 1 URBAN GEOGRAPHY GY222 5 1 GEOGRAPHY GY2MI - GEOGRAPHY Credits: 20 Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory BIOGEOGRAPHY GY217 5 2 CLIMATOLOGY GY213 5 1 ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY GY221 5 2 GEOMORPHOLOGY GY214 5 2 HYDROLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES GY212 5 1 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY GY227 5 2 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY GY234 5 1 URBAN GEOGRAPHY GY222 5 1

Year 3

DOUBLE MAJOR MAJOR WITH MINOR SINGLE MAJOR MINOR GEOGRAPHY Registration notes re. GY399A (semester 1) and GY399B (semester 2) Students who are interested in registering for GY399A or GY399B need to contact the module coordinator to discuss this, and get approval for this, a few months in advance of the start of the respective semester. Students who are approved to register for either module will not initially be able to register for them when online registrations commence in early September. However, their registration details will be sorted out by the Department during the first few weeks of semester 1 for GY399A and semester 2 for GY399B. It is not permitted to register for GY399A and GY399B.   GY3DM - GEOGRAPHY Credits: 30 Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory APPROACHES TO HUMAN GEOGRAPHY GY305 5 1 CLIMATE CHANGE GY313 5 1 ELECTORAL GEOGRAPHY GY347 5 1 ENVIRONMENTAL REMOTE SENSING GY314 5 1 FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY GY312 5 2 GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SCIENCE GY304B 5 2 GEOGRAPHY OF THE INFORMATIONAL ECONOMY GY321 5 1 GEOGRAPHY RESEARCH WORKSHOPS GY310B 5 2 GEOGRAPHY WORK PLACEMENT (SEMESTER 1) GY399A 5 1 GEOGRAPHY WORK PLACEMENT (SEMESTER 2) GY399B 5 2 GLACIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY GY315 5 2 MEDICAL GEOGRAPHY GY326 5 2 OCEANOGRAPHY GY369 5 1 PALAEOECOLOGY GY367 5 2 REGIONAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT GY330 5 2 URBAN GEOGRAPHY & PLANNING GY322 5 1 GEOGRAPHY Registration notes re. GY399A (semester 1) and GY399B (semester 2) Students who are interested in registering for GY399A or GY399B need to contact the module coordinator to discuss this, and get approval for this, a few months in advance of the start of the respective semester. Students who are approved to register for either module will not initially be able to register for them when online registrations commence in early September. However, their registration details will be sorted out by the Department during the first few weeks of semester 1 for GY399A and semester 2 for GY399B. It is not permitted to register for GY399A and GY399B. GY3MJ - GEOGRAPHY Credits: 40 Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory APPROACHES TO HUMAN GEOGRAPHY GY305 5 1 CLIMATE CHANGE GY313 5 1 ELECTORAL GEOGRAPHY GY347 5 1 ENVIRONMENTAL REMOTE SENSING GY314 5 1 FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY GY312 5 2 GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SCIENCE GY304B 5 2 GEOGRAPHY OF THE INFORMATIONAL ECONOMY GY321 5 1 GEOGRAPHY RESEARCH WORKSHOPS GY310B 5 2 GEOGRAPHY WORK PLACEMENT (SEMESTER 1) GY399A 5 1 GEOGRAPHY WORK PLACEMENT (SEMESTER 2) GY399B 5 2 GLACIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY GY315 5 2 MEDICAL GEOGRAPHY GY326 5 2 OCEANOGRAPHY GY369 5 1 PALAEOECOLOGY GY367 5 2 REGIONAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT GY330 5 2 URBAN GEOGRAPHY & PLANNING GY322 5 1 GEOGRAPHY Registration notes re. GY399A (semester 1) and GY399B (semester 2) Students who are interested in registering for GY399A or GY399B need to contact the module coordinator to discuss this, and get approval for this, a few months in advance of the start of the respective semester. Students who are approved to register for either module will not initially be able to register for them when online registrations commence in early September. However, their registration details will be sorted out by the Department during the first few weeks of semester 1 for GY399A and semester 2 for GY399B. It is not permitted to register for GY399A and GY399B. GY3SM - GEOGRAPHY Credits: 60 Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory APPROACHES TO HUMAN GEOGRAPHY GY305 5 1 CLIMATE CHANGE GY313 5 1 ELECTORAL GEOGRAPHY GY347 5 1 ENVIRONMENTAL REMOTE SENSING GY314 5 1 FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY GY312 5 2 GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SCIENCE GY304 5 1 GEOGRAPHY OF THE INFORMATIONAL ECONOMY GY321 5 1 GEOGRAPHY WORK PLACEMENT (SEMESTER 1) GY399A 5 1 GEOGRAPHY WORK PLACEMENT (SEMESTER 2) GY399B 5 2 GLACIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY GY315 5 2 LITERATURE REVIEW & THESIS PRESENTATION GY306 5 1 MEDICAL GEOGRAPHY GY326 5 2 OCEANOGRAPHY GY369 5 1 PALAEOECOLOGY GY367 5 2 REGIONAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT GY330 5 2 THESIS GY303 10 2 URBAN GEOGRAPHY & PLANNING GY322 5 1 GEOGRAPHY GY3MI - GEOGRAPHY Credits: 20 Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory APPROACHES TO HUMAN GEOGRAPHY GY305 5 1 CLIMATE CHANGE GY313 5 1 ELECTORAL GEOGRAPHY GY347 5 1 FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY GY312 5 2 GEOGRAPHY OF THE INFORMATIONAL ECONOMY GY321 5 1 GLACIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY GY315 5 2 MEDICAL GEOGRAPHY GY326 5 2 OCEANOGRAPHY GY369 5 1 PALAEOECOLOGY GY367 5 2 REGIONAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT GY330 5 2 URBAN GEOGRAPHY & PLANNING GY322 5 1

Maynooth University Department of Geography
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/geography

General enquiries

To:	ugadmissions@mu.ie
* Subject:
* Message:
* Your email:
	Please type the above security code into the field below.
* Security code:

Course enquiries

To:	geography.department@mu.ie
* Subject:
* Message:
* Your email:
	Please type the above security code into the field below.
* Security code:

After Graduation

• Geography students learn to think critically, analysing how and why our world changes. Geographers are flexible thinkers and learn a wide range of globally relevant career skills which appeal to employers in a fast-changing workplace. Such skills are attractive to employers throughout the public, private and voluntary sectors.
• Graduate careers include research, urban planning, community development, teaching, overseas aid and development, environmental monitoring and mapping, ICT, retail and marketing analysis, data analysis, environmental consultancy, business management, economic and industrial development agencies, public administration, environmental management and conservation agencies, to name but a few.

Visit the Department's website for more information about postgraduate options.

After Graduation

• Geography students learn to think critically, analysing how and why our world changes. Geographers are flexible thinkers and learn a wide range of globally relevant career skills which appeal to employers in a fast-changing workplace. Such skills are attractive to employers throughout the public, private and voluntary sectors.
• Graduate careers include research, urban planning, community development, teaching, overseas aid and development, environmental monitoring and mapping, ICT, retail and marketing analysis, data analysis, environmental consultancy, business management, economic and industrial development agencies, public administration, environmental management and conservation agencies, to name but a few.

Visit the Department's website for more information about postgraduate options.

For further information on Postgraduate options please go to the Graduate Studies site