The Minister for Education and Science - All Ireland Scholarships Scheme

All Ireland Scholarships Scheme

You will receive an annual grant, funded by the JP McManus Trust, for the entire duration of your Bachelor’s degree. If you are studying in the Republic of Ireland region, you will receive approximately 6,750 EUR per year. This payment will initially be made as a first instalment of 1,500 EUR in October, followed by seven monthly instalments of 750 EUR each from November to May, paid out via SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland, the Irish student finance agency). If you are studying from Northern Ireland onwards, you will receive approximately 6,900 EUR per year (5,850 GBP). Under the programme, 125 grants are awarded annually across all 32 counties on the island. If you take a gap year, payments will be suspended and resumed upon your return.

Who can apply

• Level: You are starting a full-time bachelor’s degree programme. A master’s degree programme is not covered.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Where you're from: You live in one of the 32 counties of Ireland, either in the Republic of Ireland or in Northern Ireland.
• Your school (Republic): You are attending a state school and are sitting your A-levels for the first time.
• Your school (Northern Ireland): You are attending a state-funded secondary school or a university of applied sciences and are sitting your A-levels or a Level 3 Extended Diploma for the first time.
• Financial need: You come from a low-income household. In the Republic, this means you receive a SUSI grant. In Northern Ireland, you receive the ‘Education Maintenance Allowance’ (EMA) during the exam period.
• Grades: You are one of the top-performing pupils in your region.
• No double funding: You are not currently receiving another Level 3 scholarship at the same time.

How to apply

In the Republic of Ireland, no application is required. SUSI and the Department of Education select candidates automatically on the basis of their scholarship applications. In Northern Ireland, you must submit an application using the form designated for your category (school or college) by 4 on 27 August at the latest. The award winners will be honoured at a ceremony in the University Concert Hall in Limerick.

How realistic are your chances?

The entry requirements are strict. Applicants must come from low-income backgrounds and have excellent grades, and each year there are only 125 places available across the whole island. The quota for Northern Ireland is set at 25, with at least two places available per county. In the Republic, there is no way to apply for these places, as selection is carried out automatically based on financial support data. If you can demonstrate a combination of financial need and outstanding exam results, and apply in Northern Ireland by the deadline, you have a genuine chance. However, the requirement to be among the top of your class makes the selection process extremely competitive.