Pontifical University, St Patricks College

St Patrick’s College, Maynooth opened its doors as an educational institution in 1795 and, over the intervening two centuries, it has established for itself an impressive reputation for scholarship and learning.

Today, as a Pontifical University, the College specialises in the study of theology and philosophy and related areas. As a student, you will be a member of a friendly community at a beautiful location, dedicated to your flourishing in your chosen subjects and in university life, while sharing in the resources of Maynooth University, one of the leading young universities in Ireland and Great Britain.

The Pontifical University has close links with National University of Ireland, Maynooth. The two universities share the same campus and cooperate in a number of important academic programmes. The campus is also the seat of the National Seminary.

Today, Maynooth preserves much of its rural ambience and provides easy access to large tracts of peaceful countryside. At the same time, it is within easy reach of Dublin and is close to the high-technology industrial parks on the western edge of the city. It is home to a vibrant local community and offers students and others abundant opportunities to enjoy a busy and varied social life.

The south campus itself is beautiful with its elegant neo-gothic and Georgian architecture, while on the north campus the buildings are more modern and contemporary. The campus is also teeming with wild life; here you will find grey squirrels, rabbits and hares in abundance. On occasion, unusual birds such as hawks and kestrels have been observed. It is hard to imagine that this haven of tranquillity is so close to the capital of Ireland.

Along with our Undergraduate Degree porgrammes, which include the BA in Theology & Arts (BATh) and BA in Theology (BTh), the following postgraduate courses are offered:

Diploma / Higher Diploma Courses

• Diploma in Mission Studies
• Diploma in Theology
• Diploma in Religious Studies
• Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy
• Diploma in Pastoral Theology
• Diploma in Christian Communication
• Diploma in Catholic Education
• Higher Diploma in Theological Studies
• Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy
• Higher Diploma in Pastoral Theology  
• Postgraduate Diploma in Christian Communication and Development

Postgraduate Degree Programmes 

• Licentiate in Divinity (STL)
• Doctoral Degree in Divinity (DD)
• Master’s Degree in Theology (specialisation in Christianity, Human Rights and Society) (MTh)
• Master’s Degree in Theology (specialisation in The Bible and Its Worlds) (MTh)
• Master’s Degree in Theology (specialisation in the History of Christianity) (MTh)
• Master’s Degree in Theology (specialisation in Contemporary Systematic Theology)(MTh)
• Master’s Degree in Theology (MTh)
• Master’s Degree in Theology (with specialisation in Pastoral Theology) (MTh)
• Master’s Degree in Liturgical Music (MLM)
• Doctoral Degree in Theology (PhD)

Courses in Canon Law

• Licentiate in Canon Law (LCL)
• Doctorate in Canon Law (DCL)

Courses in Philosophy:

• Baccalaureate in Philosophy (BPh)
• Licentiate in Philosophy (LPh)
• Doctorate in Philosophy (DPh)
• Diploma in Philosophy
• Diploma in Philosophy and Arts
• Higher Diploma in Philosophy

Part-Time Courses

• Higher Diploma in Theological Studies