Research
Foresight
University Social Responsability
Executive Training

Mary Immaculate College (MIC)

Ireland
www.mic.ul.ie/

Presentation

Founded in 1898, by Catholic Sisters of Mercy and the Bishop of Limerick, Edmund T O’Dwyer, Mary Immaculate College (MIC) is the oldest third level institution in Limerick. The College has expanded significantly since 75 young women were enrolled in 1901, not just in student numbers but in geographical footprint, academic provision and ambition.

MIC is currently undergoing one of the most exciting phases of growth and development in the history of the College with the overall student population witnessing a more than tenfold increase since 1992. The B Ed (Primary Teaching) programme is now joined by other innovative education programmes like the B Ed in Education & Psychology and the BA in Early Childhood Care & Education. Other landmark programme developments include the augmented Bachelor of Arts programme, in collaboration with the University of Limerick (UL), that offers students a wider range of subject choices—making it the largest jointly delivered programme in Ireland. The recently launched innovative BA in Contemporary & Applied Theatre Studies programme continues to go from strength to strength as it prepares graduates to enter the cut-and-thrust of the arts world.

MIC has recently expanded its geographical footprint following the incorporation of St Patrick’s College in Thurles—another well-established college offering four degree programmes preparing students to become second-level teachers.

The College’s undergraduate programmes are widely recognised and celebrated, nationally and internationally, for their academic excellence—offering learners the critical, analytical and transferrable skills central to the success of the ever evolving economy. Alongside these programmes, MIC offers a range of postgraduate programmes at Diploma, MA and PhD level.

MIC also offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses and is committed to improving access to higher education for adults with a range of tailored programmes and supports that make the journey for adult learners as easy as possible. More recently, a consortium led by MIC was awarded the contract from the Higher Education Authority for the delivery of the National Higher Education Programme for Inclusion Coordinators in Early Years Settings. The delivery of this programme will see an extra 3,600 students added to the already expanding population at MIC.

The programmes on offer at MIC continue to be amongst the most highly sought-after in Ireland as the College has a long standing reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research and is known for the high calibre of students it has attracted since its establishment well over a century ago. Student numbers are set to reach 5,000 by 2020.

This remarkable rate of expansion has brought with it significant growth and a broadening of MIC’s academic provision, as well as a redevelopment of the Limerick campus which now offers state-of-the-art teaching, learning and research facilities as well as excellent sports, events and conferencing facilities.

SOURCE: MIC Website

Geographical keywords: Ireland