A Prestigious Scholarship Opportunity to Study in Northern Ireland

To thank U.S. colleges for hosting Study USA students, some Northern Ireland institutions offer limited spots on the Irish American Scholars Program. This allows a few U.S. students from Study USA-supporting schools to study tuition-free for one or two semesters in Northern Ireland.

Every fall, representatives from U.S. Catholic, Presbyterian, and United Methodist colleges and universities reach out to schools participating in Study USA. They invite these schools to submit up to three applications from sophomore or junior students with a GPA of 3.2 or higher.

Eligibility

  • Current sophomores and juniors at U.S. colleges participating in Study USA may apply to the Irish American Scholars Program. [Note: You can apply even if there is no Study USA student currently at your campus.]
  • Students cannot attend a Northern Ireland school for their final semester and must return to the U.S. to complete their education. Juniors can only apply for the fall semester. Freshmen are not eligible due to insufficient coursework in their major.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 is required. Northern Ireland schools limit the number of accepted students, based on space and GPA. Students typically apply for one semester, though full-year placements are limited. There are fewer spring semester opportunities.

Application Process

To be accepted into the Irish American Scholars program, students must fulfill several requirements:

  1. Nomination by their home institution: 2024 IAS Nomination Form.
  2. Completed IAS application form: 2024 IAS Application.
  3. Official academic transcript through the most recent fall semester.
  4. Two letters of reference (one from the academic advisor and one from a faculty member or administrator).
  5. A 500-word essay describing educational objectives while studying in Northern Ireland.
  6. Additional requirements based on the course of study as described below.

Participating Schools

The programs and faculty at these institutions are of high quality and U.S. students can
expect a fulfilling year in Northern Ireland through placement at any of these schools.

“My semester abroad in Northern Ireland was more than just a 3-month break from King’s College. I met people from all across Europe, Asia, and even various parts of the US.  Belfast transformed me. It invited me to become one with a culture and to know what it means to be Irish—to learn the histories, the lifestyles, and the traits of the people. Looking back, it was easily the best decision I made in my life.”

– Brandon McNulty

Frequently Asked Questions

All international students need either a visa or immigration permission to study in the UK / Northern Ireland. The type of immigration permission you will require will depend on the duration of your studies and the passport that you hold.  Your Northern Ireland institution will provide further guidance about this – please read it carefully!  Information is also available on the UK Visas and Immigration website here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

If you arrive in the UK without the appropriate visa or immigration permission which permits you to study for the duration of your studies, you may not be allowed to register on your course until this is corrected.  In some cases, you may have to leave the UK in order to get your immigration permission corrected.

The British Council offers some additional information here:

http://www.educationuk.org/global/articles/student-visas/

There are a number of ways in which students can get information about the program. If your school hosts a Study USA student, they will be a great wealth of information about life in Northern Ireland. Study USA host schools will also have information available through their study abroad office.

Participating students should be in good academic standing with a minimum of a 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must also complete an application form and submit; An academic transcript through the most recent semester, A 500-word essay describing the student’s educational objectives while studying in Northern Ireland and two letters of reference—one from the student’s academic advisor and one from a faculty member or administrator at the applicant’s home institution.

Participants can apply to study for one semester or one academic year. As places are limited, those who apply for a full year may be offered one semester. Placement in the spring semester is limited.

This is very unlikely; often multiple Irish American Scholars will be placed in the same institution. Also many other study abroad students will be in attendance at universities in Northern Ireland.

The British pound.

If students decide to travel south of the broader in their free time the Euro is the currency in the south of Ireland.

Participants must fly into a UK airport. Not Shannon or Dublin. This is due to immigration and visa controls. Belfast is serviced by two airports: Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City airport.

Living at Queens

Irish American Scholars who have the opportunity to study at Queen’s are guaranteed a room in University accommodation provided they apply by the published deadlines.  Residences are located within easy walking distance of the University.

Elms BT9 and Queen’s Houses are located in a pleasant residential area in south Belfast.  Elms BT1 and Elms BT2 are located in Belfast city centre.

All rooms are self-catered, which means that students share kitchen facilities and make their own meals.  Rooms are either ensuite (with a private shower room) or standard (with shared bathroom facilities).  All rooms are single study bedrooms.  Some accommodation blocks are for male students only, some are for female students and others are mixed.

The staff at the Student Centre at One Elmwood are there to help you have the best possible experience in Belfast.  They can provide you with information before you arrive or upon your arrival in the UK/Belfast… you can email them or you can visit the Student Centre at One Elmwood.

At the start of each semester Queen’s University holds a welcome program for new international students.  The program includes lots of useful and interesting sessions and exciting activities to help you make new friends and get settled into life at Queen’s.

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Living at Ulster University

During your time in Northern Ireland you will be placed at one of the Ulster University’s  four campuses: Jordanstown, Magee, Belfast or Coleraine.

Jordanstown, Magee and Coleraine offer on campus housing. The Belfast campus does not have on campus housing.

Accommodation is provided for international students in a range of accommodation types to suit every budget and preference. International students applying using the allocation criteria are guaranteed a room in accommodation. Generally International students can apply for accommodation using the online accommodation portal available here.

There are two forms of accommodation available at the Jordanstown campus; The courtyard apartments and the Dalriada student village.

  • The courtyard apartments offer a high standard of space and privacy. Within the courtyard, apartments/flats will have access to broadband through the university network. Six or nine residents share an apartment, with individual study bedrooms that contain wash-hand basins and built in wardrobes, as well as study desks and chairs. The courtyard complex is mostly reserved for Final Year and international students. More information is available here.
  • Dalriada Student Village officially opened in September 2009. The accommodation is mostly in the form of 5 person apartments, clustered around seven attractive courtyards with on-site parking facilities. In addition, there is a small convenience store and self-service launderette, as well as administration offices. The site is just five minutes walk from the main University buildings. More information is available here.

Accommodation for students placed at the Magee Campus is located in two locations; Coppin House and Duncreggan Village.

  • Coppin House is adjacent to the Magee Campus and fronts the Strand Road, one of Derry’s main thoroughfares. This makes it instantly accessible for local shops and entertainment centers. More information can be found here.
  • Duncreggan Village offers 14, three storey blocks constituting a mix of self-catering accommodation ranging from ensuite study bedrooms to a selection with shared bathrooms. More information can be found here.

There are five forms of accommodation available at the Coleraine campus; Errigal/ Knocklayge, the Cranagh student village, Cromore Court, Maple Lodge and Agherton Village.

  • The Cranagh student village consists of 350 bed spaces contained within 70 apartments. Each apartment has five en-suite bedrooms. There are three wheelchair accessible rooms and 38 rooms of a superior standard giving students access to a bigger room. More information can be found here.
  • Errigal/ Knocklayge consists of an on-campus terraced housing development adjacent to all university facilities. This complex consists of 17 houses which are designed for six or nine students to share. More information can be found here.
  • The Cromore Court development offers apartments and houses ideally located opposite the main entrance to the University campus on the Cromore Road, beside the railway station. Click here for more information.
  • Maple Lodge is ideally located adjacent to the university campus. This development consists of both four and five bedroom apartments. From this site you have ready access to all the University facilities such as the Learning Resource centre, 24-hour computer labs, Students Union and sports facilities. Click here for more information.
  • Agherton Village consists of apartments and townhouses located in the beautiful seaside town of Portstewart, the heart of student night life and approximately three miles from campus. For more information click here

The University does not have it’s own accommodation associated with its Belfast campus. Students studying at the Belfast Campus have a number of options. Although the Belfast Campus is about six miles from Jordanstown, there are good rail, bus and taxi links between the two campuses, and students may apply in the normal way for accommodation at Jordanstown. The University is working in partnership with student living provider, Student Roost, to offer brand new, high quality accommodation right next to the Belfast campus, more information can be found here. Alternatively students interested in living in Belfast can seek guidance on private sector housing here.

Useful links:

https://www.ulster.ac.uk/accommodation

https://www.ulster.ac.uk/campuses

http://international.ulster.ac.uk/

Living at Stranmillis

Stranmillis University College offers a great value catered package for students who prefer a more structured style of living.  Situated within the College grounds in an attractive, quiet setting among trees and shrubs are over 400 modern comfortable rooms laid out in six blocks..

The accommodation is single study standard bedrooms with their own wash basin and shared bathrooms.  Common rooms on all floors offer students flexibility to have their own privacy and for being sociable if they choose.  The accommodation blocks offer internet access and a coin operated Laundry facility is provided..

Useful links:

Perspective international student website:

Classes in Northern Ireland are quite different to those in America. Class sizes are larger and students will generally have lectures followed by tutorials. There is a greater focus on essay based assessment in university in Northern Ireland.

Tuition and fees in Northern Ireland will be waived. Irish American Scholars must check with their study abroad office to determine if they must register and pay any tuition and fees at their home college or university. Students are responsible for housing, food, travel, books and other living expenses, some of which may be covered by financial aid. Students should contact the financial aid office at their home college or university to learn how this will apply in their particular situation.

Northern Ireland is recognized by the British Council as having the lowest cost of living in the UK.  We estimate, as a guide, that you should allow approximately £7500 [approximately $12,000] to cover your personal expenses for one academic year.

Accommodation

Accommodation is particular to each individual university / college.  Please see the Traveling to & Living in Northern Ireland section for more detailed information.

Application Process

Application Requirements:

There are several requirements that must be fulfilled before acceptance onto the IAS program:

  • Students must be nominated by their home institution.
  • A completed IAS application form.
  • A copy of the applicant’s official academic transcript through the most recent fall semester.
  • Two letters of reference—one from the student’s academic advisor and one from a faculty member or administrator at the applicant’s home institution
  •  A 500-word essay describing the student’s educational objectives while studying in Northern Ireland.
  • Additional requirements based on course of study as described below.

Additional program requirements:

  • Art: Students planning to study art must submit a portfolio of their work on CD with their application materials or via a Web site. Art students should have completed significant course work before applying.
  • Science or Math: Students planning to study science or math should have completed significant coursework in their field prior to studying in Northern Ireland.
  • Education: Education/Teaching is available only at Stranmillis or St. Mary’s. Preference is given to students who have some in-classroom experience. Spring semester in Northern Ireland includes an in-school placement. Education students must, therefore, obtain a background check and bring the results to Northern Ireland.
  • Music: Students interested in studying a musical instrument at Ulster University– Magee will be required to pay extra fees not included in the tuition/fee waiver from UU.

Coursework and campus selection considerations:

  • Art: Students planning to study art must submit a portfolio of their work on CD with their application materials or via a Web site. Art students should have completed significant course work before applying.
  • Science or Math: Students planning to study science or math should have completed significant coursework in their field prior to studying in Northern Ireland.
  • Education: Education/Teaching is available only at Stranmillis or St. Mary’s. Preference is given to students who have some in-classroom experience. Spring semester in Northern Ireland includes an in-school placement. Education students must, therefore, obtain a background check and bring the results to Northern Ireland.
  • Music: Students interested in studying a musical instrument at Ulster University– Magee will be required to pay extra fees not included in the tuition/fee waiver from UU.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by February 1.

Applicants will be notified of their placement before the end of March and must accept or decline by April 1.

Irish American Scholars Application Form

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  IN ASSOCIATION WITH

STUDY USA of Northern Ireland