UCD Global Excellence Scholarships – Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

🌟 About the Scholarship

Opens
Closes28 Feb, 2026

The UCD Global Excellence Scholarships are competitive, merit-based awards offered by University College Dublin (UCD) in Ireland. UCD awards a limited number of scholarships each year. These scholarships cover either 100% or 50% of tuition fees for the full duration of the student’s program. The award applies only to tuition fees.

🎓 Scholarship Snapshot

Here’s everything you need at a glance: the documents to prepare, what the award covers, and key dates so you don’t miss a beat. From transcripts and essays to tuition and living support, this gives you a clear picture of the UCD Global Excellence Scholarships before you apply.

Eligible Countries

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Korea, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Seirra Leone, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Korea, South Sudan, South-Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Study Fields

All fields

GPA / Grade

60%, GPA 3.3

Languages

B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, DuoLingo English Test 120, IELTS 6.5, PTE A 63, TOEFL iBT 90

Tests

Study Levels

BS, MS

Total Scholarships

Transcripts

Yes

Degrees

Yes

Essay

Yes

Passport ID

Recommendation Letters

Yes (2)

Result Date

Program Start

September 2026

Tuition Fee

Covered

Living Allowance

Travel Allowance

Research Grant

Health Insurance

Visa Assistance

📞 Contact Information

Call if you want a quick answer, send an email for detailed questions, or follow the university’s social channels to keep an eye on updates and reminders. Use whatever fits your style and timezone.

Scholarship Summary

Award Amount
Deadline28 Feb, 2026
LevelBS, MS
InstitutionUniversity College Dublin
CountryIreland
ModeOnline
TypeFully funded

Apply Now

The UCD Global Excellence Scholarships are competitive, merit-based awards offered by University College Dublin (UCD) in Ireland. They support outstanding international students from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. The scholarships apply to both undergraduate and graduate taught programs. UCD uses these awards to attract high-performing students and to encourage early applications to its academic programs. Only students who hold an offer, a conditional offer, or accept or conditional accept status for an eligible full-time program can apply.

Background and Purpose

UCD created these scholarships to promote academic excellence and global diversity. The program seeks to bring talented students from around the world to Dublin. By doing so, UCD strengthens its international academic community. Moreover, the scholarship motivates strong applicants to commit early to UCD’s high-quality education and research environment.

UCD Global Excellence Scholarships Benefits

UCD awards a limited number of scholarships each year. These scholarships cover either 100% or 50% of tuition fees for the full duration of the student’s program. The award applies only to tuition fees. Therefore, students cannot use it for living or travel costs. Additionally, scholars are not eligible to hold another tuition-fee scholarship concurrently. This structure ensures that UCD directs support to a larger number of high-achieving students.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must qualify as international students from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. They must hold an offer or acceptance for a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate taught program at UCD in Dublin. UCD excludes part-time, online, clinical, offshore campus, and certain business school programs. Selection focuses on academic merit and the overall strength of the applicant’s profile.

UCD Global Excellence Scholarships Application Process

Students apply through UCD’s online scholarship system after receiving a program offer. UCD reviews applications by geographic region. Each region has its own deadline, usually in February or March, for the September intake. UCD announces decisions about seven weeks after each deadline.

Opportunities for Scholars

Scholars gain access to UCD’s world-class academic environment in Dublin. They benefit from reduced tuition costs and strong academic support. As a result, they can focus fully on achieving academic and professional success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply?

Only incoming international students classified as non‑EU for tuition fee purposes with an offer or conditional offer for an eligible full‑time UCD program may apply.

Which programs are eligible?

Eligible programs include full‑time undergraduate and graduate taught courses based in Dublin; check the official eligible programs list for details.

How do I apply?

Follow the official Global Excellence Scholarship application instructions linked on the UCD website after securing an offer for a qualifying program.

Is the scholarship renewable?

Scholarships are reviewed annually; they are not automatically renewed and continuation depends on meeting academic criteria.