Applications

All candidates must meet minimum Matriculation subject entry requirements. The full entry conditions, including points concessions can be found here: 

2025 Ad Astra Academy Entry Requirements for Elite Sports and Performing Arts

All scholarships are awarded subject to the general conditions of the Ad Astra scholarships and specific Terms & Conditions for each strand. 

Opening Date:

Applications open from 1st November 2024.

Closing Date:

31st January 2025. The closing date is strictly adhered to.

Interview Dates:

Interviews will take place in March or April 2025 and students must be available to attend.

Notification:

Only students who are shortlisted for interview are notified.

All students who are interviewed will be notified of their outcome by the end of June 2025. Some students may be put on a reserve list.

Stage 1 - Application:

Students must complete the UCD Ad Astra Elite Sports application online no later than 31st January 2025.

(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window)Click here to apply

NB: The closing date of 31 January 2025 will be strictly adhered to.

Stage 2 - Interview:

The applications are reviewed by the University and suitable candidates are selected for interview. Students who make it to the interview stage will be notified in writing.

Stage 3 - Offers:

Following the interview stage, placement offers will be made to successful applicants. These applicants will be expected to achieve certain subject and grade requirements for their programme.

Who needs to supply a reference?

Prospective Students - School Leavers:We require two references-one academic and one sporting.

Current students of UCD:We require one sporting reference.An academic reference is not required.

1. Academic reference. A reference is required from the school the student is currently attending. This can be from the headmaster/headmistress or year head. It can also be from a Career Guidance teacher. The reference should be short, accurate and refer to the academic abilities of the candidate.

2. Sporting reference: A reference is required from the coach or National Governing Body and should be short, accurate and refer to the sporting achievements of the applicant and indicate their future potential.

Are Reference contact details enough?
No. We require a written reference to be submitted and this should contain the name/address/telephone number of the referee.

How do I upload the reference?
Under the Application Checklist, click the Upload box beside the Academic Reference and the Sporting Reference.

What size should be uploaded?
Submit either a passport photograph or a photograph from a sporting competition.

When logging in to an existing account, use your 2025 CAO number in the 'Email Address, ID Number or Connect Username' section, followed by your password.

Forgotten your password?Enter your CAO number where it says Email Address, ID Number or Connect Username.Click on the link that says 'Retrieve your Password', as shown below. It will ask if you would like the password sent to your email account or you can retrieve it via the security question you made when creating the account.

You should then be able to login using your CAO number, password and select 'Log in ' under the don't have a UCD connect account option as shown below. 

All candidates must meet minimum Matriculation subject entry requirements. The full entry conditions, including points concessions can be found here: 

2025 Ad Astra Academy Entry Requirements for Elite Sports and Performing Arts

All scholarships are awarded subject to the general conditions of the Ad Astra scholarships and specific Terms & Conditions for each strand.