The UCD Ad Astra Academic scholarship programme seeks to recruit exceptional, high-achieving students and provide them with additional support and unique opportunities as they study for a degree at UCD. These students will have a proven record of academic excellence, a desire to continue to achieve at the highest level and develop their leadership potential. The programme is designed to further foster their talents by providing these students with a range of benefits, mentoring and development opportunities to allow them to perform to their full potential.
There are close to120 Ad Astra Academic Scholars in undergraduate programmes across all University programmes including Architecture, Engineering, Social Sciences, Law, Commerce, Economics and Finance, Science, Medicine, Nursing, Health & Performance Science, Linguistics, English with Creative Writing, History, Actuarial & Financial Studies, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Nursing and more. Each year we offer up to sixteen places in the academic programme for school leavers applying to UCD and the Academy.
About University College Dublin
A leading European research-intensive university, UCD is the largest university in Ireland. With a history stretching back to 1854 and an impressive list of notable alumni, including the writer James Joyce and many current and former government ministers, we can rightly claim to have been a formative influence and an integral part of the Irish State since its foundation.
In recent years UCD has established itself as Ireland’s Global University, with operations around the world, and more than 5000 international students attending our Dublin campus coming from 124 different countries. T... continue reading
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UCD Ad Astra Academic Scholarship
Aim and Benefits of UCD Ad Astra Academic Scholarship
Ad Astra scholars benefit from a scholarship, mentoring and a range of tailored supports. The value of the scholarship for new scholars entering the programme in September 2023 is €3,000 for each year they are a member. If wishing to live on campus, Ad Astra scholars may avail of allocated on-campus accommodation but will have to pay for it themselves.
In addition to this scholars receive a range of academic privileges which include:
- 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
- The scholarship is tenable for the duration of the undergraduate programme, subject to meeting the criteria for scholarship renewal each year.
Requirements for UCD Ad Astra Academic Scholarship Qualification
Candidates entering the University are required to make a special application to the UCD Ad Astra Academy to be considered for the award of these scholarships. This includes the following criteria:
- To be eligible to apply to the scholarship, candidates must have received:
- 6 x H1s in the first sitting of the Leaving Certificate.
- In the case of the GCE Advanced (A-Level), applicants must present with four Grade A* at A level in the first sitting.
- In the case of the International Baccalaureate, applicants must contact UCD Admissions for it's advice on equivalency scores.
- All state examinations must have been completed in Ireland.
- Candidates must complete an online application form before the closing date/time of Monday, 28th August 2023 at 23:59.
- Any student shortlisted must be able to attend interview on the date and time given.
Interview date, Process and Venue for UCD Ad Astra Academic Scholarship
Stage 1 - Application:
Successful nominees will be contacted by the Academy on 28th July 2023 with an invitation to apply directly to the Academy with a series of questions.
The application consists of a personal statement guided by three questions, and a statement of achievement in which applicants are asked to describe their most outstanding extra-curricular achievement(s) to date.
The applications must be received by the Academy via email no later than 11th August 2023.
Stage 2 - Shortlisting/Interviews:
Eligible applications for shortlisting will be scored only on the basis of their application form, weighting of 60% statement of achievement and 40% personal statement. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.
Stage 3 – Offers:
Up to 18 successful applicants will receive scholarship offers before the start of the academic year. The decision of the selection panel is final. All scholarships are awarded subject to the general conditions of the Ad Astra scholarships and specific Terms & Conditions for each strand.
Documents Required for Application
The application will consist of a personal statement and a statement of achievement ‘beyond the classroom’. Achievement 'beyond the classroom' could include:
- Achievement in national competition in areas such as Science, Maths, Politics, Economics, Debating and more. Examples of what our scholars have competed in include: the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition; Irish European Union Science Olympiad; Irish Mathematical Olympiad; Soroptimist International Girls Public Speaking Competition; Irish EU Science Olympiad; becoming an Iveagh Scholar in the Department of Foreign Affairs; debating in the National Model UN competition; attending the Young Scientist Business Bootcamp; winning the Generation Euro Economics Competition; winning the Leinster Gael Linn Irish Debating competition and becoming semi-finalist at the All-Ireland Alliance Française debating competition.
- International Achievement. Examples of what our academic scholars have participated in include the following: achieved bronze in the International Junior Science Olympiad; represented Ireland at the 64-country International German Olympiad in Berlin; winnning gold at the Irish EU Science Olympiad; debated in the EU Parliament building in Strasbourg as part of the Euroscola competition; represented the Irish Sailing Association Youth Academy in places such as Youth Europeans in Norway and ISAF Youth Worlds in New Zealand, achieving 4th place; winning bronze in the European Union Science Olympiad; participation in the International Mathematical Olympiad; representing Ireland at the International Session of the European Youth Parliament.
- Evidence of active citizenship or volunteering. Examples of what our academic scholars have done include: winning Silver or Gold Gaisce Awards; volunteering to go to overseas to places such as Lourdes in France, Zambia and India; awarded The Mayo Young People of the Year Award and raising over €4,000 for The Hope Foundation.
- Evidence of innovation or entrepreneurship. Our academic scholars have done several different things such as organising Mental Health Week in their schools; setting up the volunteer group ’Students for CRY’, which supported 13 ‘hamlets’ in the Kutch area of Gujarat, India for a year with funds of just under €4,000 - providing over 930 children and their families with food, water, electricity, education, birth registration and healthcare; creating mini companies in transition year with high success rates; entering competitions such as the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition and more.
- Evidence of leadership in a school, club or sporting context. Examples of what our academic scholars have achieved include: Head Girl/Boy; member of the student council team; captain of the junior Irish debating team; captain of school senior football team; captain of school hockey team; captain of the school athletics team; elected to participate in the McKinsey Leadership Academy; elected as Vice Chairperson of Monaghan Youth County Council and more.
- Achievement in cultural, musical or artistic pursuits. Examples of what our academic scholars have achieved include: becoming a Gaelic games referee; runners-up in the hockey All-Ireland Schoolgirls Cup; been the youngest member of the local club Senior Hurling and Football teams; becoming a qualified sailing instructor; been a member of and touring abroad with the National Youth Orchestra; been a member of the Dublin Minor football team and winning Leinster League Champions; reaching the final of the 200m in the European Youth Olympics; winning county championships with local hurley and football teams; becoming captain of the school's senior football team; achieving Grade 8 piano, violin etc.; nominated as youth sailor of the year; Feis Ceoil winner; runners up in Leinster Schoolgirls Hockey Senior Cup finals; qualifying as a lifeguard; being an active member of Scouting Ireland; being a member of music bands and performing in venues such as The Globe, The International, Bloom in the Park and winning the opportunity to perform at Longitude Music Festival.
You will be required to provide evidence of the achievements outlined in your application by uploading relevant support documents.
Application Deadline
August 28, 2023
How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to
University College Dublin on sisweb.ucd.ie to apply
Scholarships for school leavers entering UCD in September 2023 will be awarded based on the academic criteria, an online application and an interview.
Students must complete an application form online no later than Monday, 28th August 2023.
The application consists of a personal statement guided by three questions, and a statement of achievement in which applicants are asked to describe their most outstanding extra-curricular achievement(s) to date.
Supporting Documentation is requested for achievements outlined and could include certificates, evidence of official recognition, or letters from coaches, teachers or organisations.
Students must upload a photograph of their leaving certificate results, or, equivalent examinations. Please note these results will be verified by UCD Admissions. Students can submit all other aspects of their application before this date but must upload their leaving certificate results before the closing date of Monday, 28th August 2023.
For more details visit: UCD website.
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