UCD Sport Scholarship

Applications for 2024/25 will open 01 February 2024.

UCD Sport Scholarships can only be awarded where a student has applied for and gained a place on any UCD degree programme or Masters. Scholarship awards are subject to renewal on an annual basis. the UCD Sport Scholarship programme is independent of the Ad Astra Elite Athlete Programme with the exception of the unsuccessful applications for Ad Astra being transferred to the UCD Sport Scholarship applications upon the written consent of such applicants.

The aim of the Sports Scholarship programme is to give talented young people the opportunity of developing their sporting career by offering the highest standards in coaching, training, nutrition, strength and conditioning advice, while also completing their chosen course of study. By combining sports participation with academic work in an ideal environment within the University, a safety net is provided for the student and career prospects are, to a large extent, guaranteed. Therefore, career-threatening injuries or illness or some other unforeseen circumstances do not have the same traumatic impact. The individual is encouraged through judicious balancing of the time available to ensure that neither academic nor sporting interests are compromised.

Benefits may include

Access to the UCD High Performance Centre
Free pool membership
Access to on-campus accommodation
Tuition fees
Books
Equipment
Sport medicine and testing facilities
Reduced physiotherapy costs
Travel to national and international competitions
Academic support and flexibility

The value and benefits of each sports scholarship is assessed on an individual basis. The assessments are conducted by UCD Sport and the relevant UCD club.

Criteria

There are several important criteria, which must be met - academic qualification for a course must be achieved and the recipient of a scholarship must be prepared to commit him/herself to involvement in the respective UCD sports club. The scholarship student must represent UCD and only UCD in competition. Clubs, which offer scholarships compete at a very high level and have to possess the necessary infrastructural components to facilitate a scholarship award. A satisfactory level of academic and sporting progress is essential, if the scholarship is to be renewed on an annual basis. Sports Scholarships are intended for persons of outstanding sporting ability.

When a sports scholarship application is received, it is passed on to the respective club for processing. Candidates may be shortlisted and invited to attend for interview and / or trial. Final decisions in regard to sports scholarship awards usually rest with the clubs concerned.

For a full breakdown of the award criteria see the below linked document.