Applicants must have a minimum 2.1 primary degree or international equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. Applicants in possession of a primary degree with a grade lower than 2.1 will be considered if they have relevant experience. Applicants are welcome from all disciplines, however a clear appetite and interest in Design is required, which aligns with staff research interests within the Department of Design Innovation (please see Research Interests).

Minimum English language requirements:
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.

For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-maynooth/how-apply/english-language-requirements

Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850.

Applications are open for the 2025/6 academic year. Visit our online application portal to start your application.
We are here to support you throughout the admissions process.

For queries on your postgraduate course options please contact [email protected]
For queries or support on your application process please contact [email protected]

If you are an international (Non-EU) applicant please contact [email protected]

This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

A Design Innovation education prepares students for the challenges of the twenty-first century. Design Innovation occupies the space between traditional design disciplines and business/societal innovation. Graduates will be prepared to work across private and public sectors, in the capacity of both employee and or their own enterprise or consulting service. What this programme also offers however, is the opportunity to pursue a more academic path to applied research in the Design and Design Innovation field, as graduates will have the opportunity to progress on to PhD studies.