Mature primary teaching has a specific application process. For mature entry to primary teaching at DCU, Marino Institute of Education, Mary Immaculate College or Maynooth University, the 2027 handbook requires a CAO application by 1 February at 5pm. It is not covered by an assumption that mature applications can always be made later. CAO Handbook 2027, printed pages 17 and 33.
The supplementary form comes separately
The handbook says applicants meeting the eligibility criteria receive an email in March with instructions for a supplementary form. Use the email account registered with CAO and check its correspondence regularly. A completed CAO registration is not the end of the selection process. Handbook, printed pages 17 and 25.
The general Mature Applicant sections 1–11 are not required if primary teaching is your only mature-entry application. If you also seek mature assessment for other courses, those sections may still be required. Handbook, printed page 17.
Check course requirements before applying
Age alone does not establish eligibility. Ask the college to confirm the entry year's subject and language requirements, supplementary assessment and any interview arrangements. Use the official Marino application guidance or MIC Bachelor of Education page as starting points for those institutions.
2027-specific supplementary deadlines and assessment details are not verified here. The MIC page checked still includes a 2026 supplementary-form deadline. Do not change its year to 2027 in your diary. The 2027 handbook confirms the central application and subsequent email process, not a single shared assessment schedule.
Mature undergraduate entry is not a PME
The undergraduate Bachelor of Education route and a postgraduate Professional Master of Education application are different. The handbook generally directs postgraduate applications to the institution. Having a degree does not mean the mature undergraduate procedure is the correct one for the programme you intend to take. Handbook, printed page 33.
Use previous study and direct applications to prepare the right questions if you already hold a qualification.
Before the February deadline
Confirm the programme name and mature-entry code, check course eligibility with Admissions, submit the CAO application, and keep track of the later supplementary-form email. If another non-teaching course is on your list, check whether it also needs the general mature application and statement.
Sources and verification
Checked 7 September 2026 against CAO Handbook 2027, printed pages 17, 25 and 33, and the institution pages linked above. The college's current 2027 admissions notice must settle grades, assessments and supplementary deadlines; this page does not infer them from 2026.