Scholarships
There are currently 60 UCD Ad Astra Elite Sports Scholars in the programme in a range of sports including Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Camogie, Cycling, Football, Gymnastics, GAA, Hockey, Hurling, Karate, Modern Pentathalon, Rugby, Soccer, Sailing, Swimming and Table-tennis.
A comprehensive battery of support is available to the Academy’s Elite Sports scholars, including guaranteed on-campus accommodation, academic mentoring, physiotherapy and medical assistance, nutritional and fitness monitoring, sports psychology and strength and conditioning, the latter taking place in our own High Performance Gym, under professional supervision.
Flexible admission arrangements are offered to the Elite Sports Scholars, acknowledging that dedication to elite sport may potentially detract from academic achievement in the latter stages of schooling. As a result, conditional offers to successful applicants are given pending the achievement of subject and grade requirements.
Scholarship Benefits
Ad Astra Elite Sports 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 2025 is €3,000 which can be used to offset the cost of fees, accommodation, or used as a bursary. If wishing to live on campus, Ad Astra Elite Sports Scholars may avail of allocated on-campus accommodation.
The scholarship is usually awarded for the first four years of study, subject to meeting the criteria for scholarship renewal each year.
Watch our video "Innovation in Sports at University College Dublin"
Closing date for applications to the Ad Astra Elite Sports Scholarship for entry in September 2025 is 31st January 2025