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Academic

UCD offers academic scholarships on entry as well as an extensive range of scholarships, awards and prizes to students as they continue through their studies.

Ad Astra Academy Academic Scholars

The Ad Astra Academy is an initiative designed to recognise and nurture exceptional students in academia, sports and the performing arts. The UCD Ad Astra Academic programme is looking for students who have a proven record of academic excellence and a desire to continue to achieve at the highest level. Students on the Ad Astra Academy Academic Scholarship benefit from a scholarship, mentoring and a range of tailored supports. These include a €3,000 bursary for each year they are a member, guaranteed on-campus accommodation (scholars pay for this themselves), the support of a dedicated academic mentor, a programme of workshops and seminars by academics, distinguished alumni and guest speakers throughout the year to develop the scholars’ academic, personal and leadership potential, the opportunity to undertake an elective module in stage two called Ad Astra Professional & Personal Development, networking and development opportunities, access to the Scholars' Room, team building events
Each year up to eighteen scholarships are awarded to current undergraduate students across the University based on academic achievement at the end of stage one. The scholarships are awarded across all UCD programme areas.

The individual programme areas will nominate a small number of their top performing students who have a minimum GPA of 3.68. The Academy will then contact these students at the end of July/start of August and invite them to apply to the Academic Programme. Please note, you cannot apply directly to the Academy for an academic scholarship as a current student of UCD. You must receive an invite from the Academy to apply. It is your programme area that nominates students who are eligible to apply.

Minimum eligibility criteria are listed below and further programme specific criteria may apply:

  • A minimum stage GPA of 3.68 is required.
  • The student must have obtained 60 graded ECTS and meet the progression requirements of their programme

Prospective Students – School Leavers

Ad Astra Academic Scholarships from September 2015 onwards will be awarded on the basis of the academic criteria of 6 higher H1s in the first sitting of the Leaving Cert, as well as an online application. The application will consist of a personal statement and a statement of achievement ‘beyond the classroom’.  Applications will open on 1st February and close on 1st July. Following the release of the CAO offers, shortlisted students will be invited for interview and successful candidates will be notified before the start of the academic year. If a student meets the academic criteria but has not submitted an application they will not be considered for a scholarship.

Scholarships may not be deferred. Prospective students who are deferring their university place must reapply for the scholarship the following year.

Further details on Ad Astra academic scholarships can be found at http://www.ucd.ie/adastraacademy/academic/

Entrance Scholars

UCD recognises the calibre of its incoming high-achieving students with the award of UCD Entrance Scholar. Award to be given to the Leaving Certificate entrant with the highest points score from each school in the Republic of Ireland, provided the score is at least 500 points. Awards will also be made to applicants entering with the highest points score from each of the mainstream EU qualifications, provided the score is at least 500 points

Benefits - Recipients are presented with a recognition certificate at a ceremony in Spring each year and their achievements are recorded on their academic transcript.

UCD is home to some exceptionally talented students who are pursuing an academic degree while striving for excellence in their artistic discipline. Read more about our scholarships to support musical, vocal and acting talent through the schemes listed below.

Ad Astra Academy Performing Arts Scholars

The Ad Astra Academy is an initiative designed to recognise and nurture exceptional students in academia, sports and the performing arts. The Academy believes that young classical performing vocalists and instrumentalists, as well as actors, playwrights and directors who may have decided not to pursue a performance-related degree, but who have exceptional talent, should be given the opportunity to continue to train and perform at the highest level within the university environment. Applications are encouraged from top performing students who wish to continue to develop their artistic talents while at the same time pursuing a high-quality academic experience. The Ad Astra Performing Arts scholars benefit from a scholarship, mentoring and a range of tailored supports including a €3,000 bursary, guaranteed on-campus accommodation (scholars pay for this themselves), the opportunity to work with experienced performance professionals in seminar and workshop settings, the opportunity to participate in modules specific to their artistic pursuits, access to expert training, access to the Ad Astra Academy Performing Arts Studio, the support of a dedicated academic mentor, opportunities to perform live and access to the Scholar's room.

Current students must apply before January 31st of the year of entry. Full details, including how to apply, can be found at the Ad Astra website here.

UCD Choral Scholars

This is a scholarship-only ensemble of 18 singers which performs regularly in concert, at college events, on radio and television, tours and competes internationally on behalf of UCD and undertakes a high level of training activities with guest artists. UCD Choral Scholars have toured Holland, Luxembourg, the UK, Hungary and Italy. Bursaries are made to successful applicants.

Incoming UCD students may apply for audition and interview which are held in September of each year. For further information and application details see www.ucd.ie/choralscholars

UCD Symphony Orchestra Scholars

UCD Symphony Orchestra Scholarships are awarded to talented students in key positions within the UCD Symphony Orchestra. These scholars join other talented students in major performances in Ireland and in Europe. The orchestra's annual schedule regularly involves a concert at the National Concert Hall as well as events on campus, often featuring guest artists.  

Incoming or Current UCD students may apply for auditions, which are held in September of each year. For further information and application details, see www.ucd.ie/orchestra

UCD’s wide range of degree courses coupled with top class sporting facilities attract students with outstanding sporting ability. The university offers support to such students through two schemes - the UCD Ad Astra Elite Athlete programme and UCD Sports Scholarships. These scholarships enable students to achieve their full potential by helping them optimise their academic, training and competition commitments, and are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Ad Astra Academy Elite Athletes

The Ad Astra Academy is an initiative designed to recognise and nurture exceptional students in academia, sports and the performing arts. The UCD Ad Astra Elite Sports programme supports students who are competing and succeeding at the highest sporting levels. Ad Astra Elite Sports scholars regularly represent Ireland on the international stages. The Academy aims to maximise the potential of their elite sports scholars in their sporting and academic endeavours whilst studying at UCD. The Ad Astra Elite Sports scholars benefit from a scholarship, mentoring and a range of tailored supports including a €3,000 bursary, guaranteed on-campus accommodation (scholars pay for this themselves), academic mentoring, physiotherapy, nutritional and fitness monitoring, sports psychology, strength and conditioning, the latter taking place in their own High Performance Gym, under professional supervision and access to the Scholar's room.

Current students must apply before January 31st of the year of entry. Full details, including how to apply, can be found here.

UCD Sports Scholars

The aim of the UCD Sports Scholarship programme is to give talented students the opportunity of developing their sporting career by offering the highest standards in coaching, training, nutrition, strength and conditioning advice, while they are studying for a degree in UCD.

Recipients have the potential to compete at the highest national level, and above, in a particular sport. The value of each scholarship is assessed on an individual basis and may be used to off-set costs such as accommodation, books, fees and travel to competitions etc.

Applications will open on the 1st February and further information is available from www.ucd.ie/sport/scholarships

Undergraduate Scholarships for Non-EU Fee-paying Students

UCD Global administers a range of scholarships opportunities available prospective students on non-EU fee rates. This includes the prestigious Global Excellence Scholarship and partial Global Scholarships. A full list of scholarships administered by UCD Global, including application instructions and eligibility criteria are available here.

If you currently hold a Global Scholarship, UCD Global answers your questions here.

Other Academic Scholarships and Awards

International students may also be eligible for other UCD scholarships and awards. To find out more, go to www.ucd.ie/scholarships/prospectivestudents/prospectiveundergraduate/academic

The Gaeltacht UCD Irish Language Student Residence scheme aims to strengthen the use of the language on campus by providing students with the opportunity to live on campus in ‘Teach na Gaeilge’, while developing their individual talents through a range of social and cultural activities.

Scéim Chónaithe Ghaeilge Ghaeltacht UCD (Ionad Domhanda don Teanga & don Chultúr) / Irish Language Student Residence Scheme

Bunaíodh Scéim Chónaithe Ghaeltacht UCD chun neartú agus tógáil a dhéanamh ar úsáid na teanga ar champas. Taithí saoil faoi leith is ea mion-Ghaeltacht UCD.

Bíonn deis ag mic léinn de chuid réimsí éagsúla léinn maireachtáil agus obair le chéile as Gaeilge. Cuireann said faobhar ar a gcuid buanna faoi leith trí mheascán mórimeachtaí cultúrtha agus sóisialta. Tairiscíonn Gaeltacht UCD 24 scoláireacht do mhic léinn atá líofa sa Ghaeilge agus a dteastaíonn uathu í a chur ar aghaidh le tograí nua. Mairfidh an t-iarrthóir rathúil in ‘Teach na Gaeilge’ agus aischúiteofar céatadán den chostais chónaithe leis.

Cuirfear fáilte roimh iarratais ó mhic léinn na hollscoile ag a bhfuil tiomantas do chur chun cinn gníomhach na teanga léirithe san ollscoil. 

Gach eolas faoin Scéim Chónaithe le fáil ó: https://www.ucd.ie/bnag/ga/

The UCD Access Centre delivers a range of initiatives to facilitate widening participation in UCD, including outreach, admissions and student support. Through UCD Access and Lifelong Learning, students from a variety of backgrounds including mature students, school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and those with a disability are encouraged to progress and succeed at UCD. 

Each year a number of scholarships are available to students who enter UCD through the Higher Education Access Route, Disability Access Route to Education or Mature Years admissions route. Application Forms and guidelines will be available in September each year.

Further information can be downloaded from the news section of the UCD Access website here, or contact the Access Centre at all@ucd.ie

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