AHSSL for Mature Students

You must be 22 or over on January 1st of the year you apply. 

If English is not your first language you must satisfy UCD’s English Language requirements. A score of 6.5 in an IELTS or equivalent exam is required.

Applications for the 2025/26 academic year are now open - apply now to start in September 2025. Please use this Step by Step Guide to assist you in completing the application. 

The closing date for young adult applications to AHSSL for the 2025/26 academic year is 20 August. 

Once you have submitted an online application you will be invited to come and meet with us for an informal interview. During this time you will also be asked to produce a short written piece. In the written assessment we want you to demonstrate engagement and interest in your response to the question. This written piece will form the basis of a conversation where we can explore how the course meets your needs and expectations.

The interviews are an opportunity for you to discuss your study plans, as well as allowing us to advise whether the access course will be suited to you. After the interview you will be informed of whether you are being offered a place on the course.

Interviews are typically scheduled during June, July and August by arrangement.

Students who achieve a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.6 or more can apply for a guaranteed minimum number of places on the following degree programmes in UCD.  Where there are more qualified applicants for entry (i.e., students with a GPA greater than 2.6, or 3.08 in DN720 BSc Psychology) than there are places, the allocation will be made by highest GPA.

• (opens in a new window)DN520 BA Arts
• (opens in a new window)DN530 BA Humanities
• (opens in a new window)DN600 BCL Law
• (opens in a new window)DN620 BSc Criminology with Psychology
• DN700 BSc Social Sciences
• DN720 BSc Psychology*
• (opens in a new window)DN750 BSocSc Social Policy and Sociology

*Minimum GPA for DN720 BSc Psychology is 3.08.

In addition to meeting the required standard on the course, you must be eligible to apply on the grounds of mature years and make an application through (opens in a new window)the CAO. 

University Access results are valid for two years only, i.e. results from this year are valid for entry in this year and next year only.

Classes are timetable during the day and in the evening. For more information on these modules, including what and how you will learn, please click on their title below. Timetables can be subject to change.

Access students take six modules during the academic year, three per trimester, including these three mandatory 'Core' Modules:

1. (opens in a new window)IDIS00010 First Steps - Introduction to Higher Education
2. (opens in a new window)IDIS00020 Digital Literacy
3. (opens in a new window)IDIS00030 Applied Academic Writing

and anythreeof the following 'Option' Modules:

• (opens in a new window)ARCH00010 Introduction to Archaeology
• (opens in a new window)ENG00010 Reading English Literature
• (opens in a new window)HIS00010 Making History
• (opens in a new window)LAW00030 Introduction to Law in Ireland
• (opens in a new window)SOC00010 Introducing our Social Worlds 

Scholarships:

• Sanctuary Scholarship- Scholarship for International Protection (Asylum Seeker), Refugee, Subsidiary Protection, or Leave to Remain (except deportation stage) status and who are not eligible for other state support. 

Bursaries:

• Student Assistance Fund- Means-tested payment for Irish / EU students who are studying part-time.

Please see our Financial Supports webpage for more information.

Please Note:

• UCD University Access Programmes are not currently eligible for the (opens in a new window)SUSI part time fee scheme

• These programmes are part-time, so they do not qualify for a student visa to study in Ireland. Please refer to these (opens in a new window)FAQ's for more information on coming to study in Ireland.