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.