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.