University College Cork - UCC Sports Scholarships

UCC Sports Scholarships

You will receive a scholarship of 417 EUR to 2,000 EUR for one academic year, paid in two equal instalments in December and June. The exact amount depends on your financial needs and the funds available. In addition to the funding, you will receive a comprehensive support package: sport-specific coaching, strength and conditioning training with supervised access to the elite gym at the Mardyke Arena, fitness and physiological tests, cardiac examinations, sports medicine support, as well as workshops on balancing your studies, finances and time management alongside your training. The scholarship is administered by the Department of Sport and Physical Activity at University College Cork; sponsors include, amongst others, the Bank of Ireland and Macron. You may reapply each year, although renewal is not guaranteed.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are studying full-time at University College Cork or are applying there for a full-time degree programme for 2026/27. Applications for the degree programme are made separately via the CAO or – for applicants from non-EU countries – via the International Office.
• Admission: You meet the UCC’s standard admission requirements and have been offered a place.
• Sporting level: You take part in national or international competitions in your sport (at inter-county level in the Gaelic Games).
• Your sport: It is recognised by Sport Ireland. Covered team sports are hockey, rugby, soccer and Gaelic games (Gaelic football, hurling, ladies Gaelic football, camogie). Other team or individual sports go through the individual-sport strand.
• Field of study: Any subject, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply.
• Commitment: You join the relevant UCC club, take part in competitions for the UCC, and attend the induction session, workshops and training sessions at the gym. You can only apply for one of the two types of scholarship.

How to apply

You can apply online via the UCC Sport pages, where you should select the link for your sport. For 2026/27, the application period begins on 2 April 2026 and ends on 2 September 2026 at 20:00. If your application is successful, a two-month probationary period will apply following the offer.

You can find more scholarships in our guide Scholarships in Ireland.