Thanks to the generous support of the Newman Trust, the UCD Newman Centre for the Study of Religions offers up to two Newman MA Scholarships for students applying to the MA in Philosophy (General Programme). Students who wish to be considered for the Newman MA Scholarships must commit to write their MA dissertation on an aspect of the work or legacy of John Henry Newman and undertake the MA module PHIL41240 John Henry Newman: A Philosophical Perspective. Scholars will also be invited to present their MA research to the Newman Trust.

John Henry Newman (1801-1890) was a leading intellectual, religious thinker, philosopher and literary figure whose works include The Idea of a University (1852), An Essay in Aid of a Grammar of Assent (1870), and Apologia Pro Vita Sua (1864). Newman was the founder and first Rector of the Catholic University of Ireland, predecessor of University College Dublin. 

The Newman MA Scholarships are open to Irish, EU and International applicants and will provide a significant contribution to the cost of tuition fees (minimum 50% and up to a possible 100%). Previous Newman MA Scholars include:

2014: Nora Sullivan and Ulysses Ryan Flynn

2015: Ross Ferrara and Christopher DuPee

2017: Dhanya Raghavan and John Rogers 

2018: Paraskevi (Evi) Filea

2019: Andrew Doyle, Cormac Duffy, and Shane Hutchinson

2020: Duane Michael Brown

2023: Cathy Darling

How to Apply

If you wish to apply for a Newman MA Scholarship, then please apply for the MA in Philosophy (General Programme) at UCD:

https://www.ucd.ie/graduateadmissions/admissions/howtoapply/

When you have made your application, please send a document including: (i) a description of your interest in Newman's life, work, and/or legacy (up to 250 words); a description of your proposed MA dissertation project and how it relates to Newman’s work (up to 750 words, not including bibliography); and a specification of the proportion of your tuition fees that you would like to be covered by the award (50%-100%) by email to the Director the Newman Centre, Assoc. Prof. Daniel Esmonde Deasy, at daniel.deasy@ucd.ie, copying your email to philosophy@ucd.ie.

Please note that (i) receipt of the Scholarships is conditional upon acceptance onto the MA in Philosophy (General Programme); (ii) application for the Scholarships does not guarantee receipt of a Scholarship; (iii) unsuccessful applicants will not receive feedback on their applications.