UL Age Friendly University

Welcome to the UL Age Friendly University

Overview

This initiative reflects the University’s commitment to inclusive education and lifelong learning, offering older adults a chance to explore new interests, engage with academic ideas, and connect with peers in a vibrant university setting. Whether pursuing a long-held passion or simply curious to learn something new, participants will benefit from a rich learning environment without the pressure of formal assessment. With access to campus resources and support services, students can fully immerse themselves in the university experience, fostering intellectual stimulation, personal growth, and a renewed sense of community.

This programme is specially designed for older adults who are retired and/or consider themselves to be in the ‘third age’—a post-career phase of life focused on personal enrichment and lifelong learning. Open to individuals without any prior formal qualifications, the programme offers a unique opportunity to engage in university-level study in a supportive and flexible environment together with undergraduate students. All modules are integral parts of UL's regular undergraduate programmes.

Participants may enroll in one module per semester, places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Participation in assessments is optional. Regular attendance and engagement with course materials are expected, and students will enjoy full access to university facilities, including the library and sports amenities.

The modules offered are undergraduate modules and require no prior knowledge of the subject matter.

All modules are delivered in-person, on-campus. Students will require access to a home computer. The modules typically consist of three hours per week with a combination of lectures and practical, interactive tutorials but this can vary from case to case.

Upon completion, a certificate of attendance will be awarded to those who participate consistently.

Below you find more detailed information, provided by the lecturers, on each of the modules offered.

Browse our Spring 2026 modules below

Modules starting in Spring 2026

Module Code	Module Title	Brief Description	Lecturer	Status
MU4002	Critical Encounters with Popular Music and Dance Studies	Most of us have soundtrack to our lives – popular songs and dances that emplace us and are part of our sense of self or group identity. Some critics argue that the pop music/dance industries exist primarily to sell us things and to keep the status quo. This class explores how popular music and dance outputs may be understood as sites of critical engagement, creative agency, and social transformation, even as we acknowledge the passive and nostalgic nature of some of our consumption practices.	Aileen Dillane	Open
GY4012	Migration, mobility and place	Migration, the movement of people between places, is an intrinsically geographical process. Through a range of Irish and international examples the module explores why people move, how movement impacts on places of origin and destination and how migration and mobility can shape our sense of identity, belonging and connection to place.	Sara Hannafin	Open
HI4142	Games of thrones: gender power and identity, Ireland and the wider world, 1500-1900	The module examines conflict, power and identity in Ireland, Europe and the wider world in the early modern and modern periods. Its purpose is to examine power and conflict in past societies, and the impact violence and unrest had for men and women, families, localities, states and continents. The module will introduce students to key concepts including gender, representations of power and identity.	Aaron Donaghy/Leanne Calvert	Open
HI4158	Culture and anarchy: Ireland in the twentieth century	This module charts the history of Ireland from the Gaelic Revival years, through to the establishment of a Free State within the British Empire, to the emergence of a republic, and up to the signing of the Northern Ireland peace agreements of the 1990s.	Ruan O’Donnell	Closed
CU4026	Introduction to Film Studies	This module aims to introduce the student to film studies as an academic discipline and above all, to inculcate and nurture a love of cinema and appreciate it's role as an academic tool. The course introduces student to various cinematic genres e.g. Italian neo-realism, french new wave and aims to enable student to analyse and interpret a film in an academic setting by the end of the module.	Barrie Wharton	Open
CU4018	History of European Cinema II	This module looks at cinema produced in Europe since the 1960s onwards, with specific emphasis on films produced in the 21^st century. Lectures consider new trends in visual representation and avant-garde aesthetics, but they also explore the connections between selected films and the European societies in which they were produced. This approach pays attention to political, ideological, and cultural issues. No prior knowledge of cinema or history is required. Sessions are structured into lectures and seminars in which we closely discuss specific scenes from a selected corpus of films produced in a wide range of European countries.	Mariano Paz	Open
EH4046	Old and Middle English Literature: Texts and Contexts	In this module we read literary texts from the period 1000-1500, most of them in translation. We also consider the different contexts in which literature was written and transmitted (e.g. manuscripts, inscriptions).	Carrie Griffin	Open
CU4006	Travel Literature	Exploring the Unknown – this module maps the genre of travel literature, giving a background to its origins as well as following developments up to the present day by examining different forms of travel literature such as Dervla Murphy’s A Place Apart and James Cameron’s Avatar. Analysing questions of identity, cross-cultural awareness and language as a communication tool, this module begins at home with varying experiences on the island of Ireland before going further afield to explore many different genres of travel literature including satire and science fiction to name but a few.	Antoinette McNamara	Open
BR4921	Broadening: Beginners German	German might be known as the language of Mozart, Goethe and Beethoven but it is also the most widely spoken native language in the European Union. It is an official language in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and beyond. What’s more, German is fun and not as difficult as you might think with many words related to English. The interactive classes focus on developing basic communication skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), as well as giving an insight into cultural aspects of the German speaking regions. It is targeted at those who have not studied German previously.	Antoinette McNamara	Open

Modules starting in Spring 2026

Module Code	Module Title	Brief Description	Lecturer	Status
AR4032	History and Theory of Architecture	Bauhaus and beyond: A series of weekly lectures provides a focused survey of buildings for architectural education throughout the twentieth century. This particular programme has challenged the respective architects to formulate their theoretical position more clearly than any other programme or budling type. These select buildings are discussed within their specific historical and theoretical contexts.	Jan Frohburg	Open
BY4214	Principles of Human Nutrition	This module will examine nutrients, their function, metabolism and food sources as well as discuss the latest research in the role of nutrition for the promotion of optimal health and prevention of disease. The absorption, digestion and essential functions of the macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein and lipids) and the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) will be explored. Changes in nutritional requirements at different stages of the life cycle will discussed as well as special needs during pregnancy, lactation and aging.	Eibhlis O'Connor	Open

Spring 2026 – Applications Are Open! -

Spring 2026 Schedule

Lectures start on 26 January 2026 and run until 18 May 2026.

An induction (meet-and-greet) session will take place on:

Date: 19 January 2026 (or Monday of Week 0)
Time: 2pm
Location: TBC
All students are requested to attend.

Step 1: Choose the Module

Browse the list above and select the module you wish to apply for.
Note the specific module code (e.g., GY4051) — you’ll need this later.

Step 2: Start Your Application

Click Apply Now
If you're a first-time applicant
Click “New User” to create your account.
Choose a strong password (include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols).
You’ll see a checkbox next to a Privacy Notice - check this box ✅

Click CREATE USER to continue.
You’ll be redirected to the Application Page and receive an Account Creation Email. Check your email inbox.
⚠️ If you encounter issues, try using a browser other than Google Chrome.
If you have issues with your online application, contact us 
If you are an “Existing User” click Log In
Use your email address and password to log in.

Step 3: Complete Your Application

Enter the Module Code for your chosen course — this is required.
You can apply for more than one module, but will only be offered one per semester, based on availability.
Fill in each section of the form. ✅ A check mark will appear when a section is complete.

Step 4: Submit

Click SUBMIT to finish your application.

What Happens Next?

You will receive Submission Confirmation by email¹.
Your application will be reviewed by our Admissions Team.
If successful, you will receive an offer letter by email typically within 1 week– this will include instructions of how to accept your offer with a link to our Acceptance Form
The fee is €100, payable upon acceptance. The payment instructions below will be included in your offer letter.

How to pay:

The ��ɫ��Ƶ operates an automated telephone payment system for the processing of payments. The amount that you are required to pay is outlined above.
To pay please call +353-61-529097, and you will be asked for:
Application Number (indicted at the top of your offer letter)
Date of Birth
Bank Card Details

On approval of payment, you will be given a payment confirmation number which you should note and provide when accepting your offer.

You will receive an Acceptance Fee Receipt by email.

Click the link below to view screenshots of the Application Form. These visuals can assist in understanding the structure and content required when completing the form.

Application Form Screenshots

€100 per module.

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie.)

Application Queries

How do I know if my application was submitted successfully?

All applications completed will receive a Submission Confirmation email. If you have not received this, then your application is incomplete. Check your inbox (and spam folder) as you may have received an Application Reminder email prompting you towards completion.

I am having issues submitting my online application, who do I contact?

If you experience any issue when submitting your application online, please contact gps@ul.ie to assist.

What is my Application Number?

You will be assigned an Application Number (Student ID number) when you are made an offer. This is an important number as you will need it to accept the offer.

How many modules can I apply for?

The online form allows for up to three modules to be entered, but we recommend that to get the most out of the learning experience to apply for one module at a time. If capacity is exceeded before your application is processed, we will contact you to ask you if you would like to apply for another module.

What technology will I need to complete my application?

After you have accepted your offer, you will need to activate and authenticate your student account. For this, you will need access to a smart phone.

I have accepted an offer on a module but now cannot attend due to medical reasons. What can I do?

We appreciate that this scenario may occur. If it does, please contact us via /gps/contact for advice of how to withdraw your accepted place.

Will I receive a Student Card?

Yes, you have the option to request a Student ID Card when you are activating your Student Account. Instructions of how to request a Student ID Card will be emailed to you once you are a registered student.

Module Queries

When will the module be running?

Module timetables are confirmed 1-2 weeks before start of studies, though they don’t vary too much from year to year. These timetables are available here . If you have a specific query regarding the schedule, please contact the academic point of contact Email: Maria.Hickey@ul.ie

What technology will be required for my studies?

UL uses the virtual learning environment, Brightspace, to support face to face teaching and learning. You will require either a smart phone or laptop to engage with Brightspace….

Can I change my module after it has started?

Changing modules is not permitted due to the limited availability per module. We would ask that you only apply for a module if you plan to attend.

Do I have to do exams?

No. While we encourage you to participate in all the learning activities and tasks, you are not required to complete the assessment associated with the module. If you are interested in completed accredited forms of learning, have a browse of our [micro-credential listings] here /gps/microcredential-topics.

Will I be studying alongside undergraduate students?

Yes, participants join regular undergraduate classes and benefit from the same academic environment.

What is the format of the classes?

Modules typically involve three hours per week, combining lectures and interactive tutorials.

Do I need prior knowledge of the subject?

No prior knowledge is required for any of the modules.

Are the modules delivered online or in-person?

All modules are delivered in-person, on-campus ��ɫ��Ƶ.

How are places allocated?

Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with only limited places available on each module.

What campus facilities can I access?

Participants have full access to library services, sports amenities, and other campus resources.

Getting Started with Information Technology ��ɫ��Ƶ – Help is Here!

Whether you're 18 or 88, getting set up with technology ��ɫ��Ƶ should be simple and stress-free. The New Students IT webpage is your go-to-guide for getting started with your student account, email and Wi-Fi.

It walks you through the first steps like:

Activating your student account (see First steps to computing in UL)
Setting up your email (see Email access)
Connecting to Wi-Fi
Accessing Brightspace, Office 365, and other learning tools

You’ll also find links to video guides on the (@ITD_UL) videos like .

Need Help?

If you ever get stuck or need help, we are here to assist you:

Online Help
Visit to find answers to common IT questions. You can search for help without needing to log a support request.
In-Person Support
Drop by the ITD Service Desk on the ground floor of the Glucksman Library. Staff are available:
- Monday to Friday: 9am–9pm (during term)
- Saturday: 10am–2pm (during term)
- Outside term: Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm
Email Support
You can also email: service.desk@ul.ie

For all queries, please contact

Name: Maria Hickey

Email: Maria.Hickey@ul.ie

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