UVERSITY: Higher Education Scholarships for Adult Learners

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE TO APPLY HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL THE 20TH OF APRIL 2020

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP

Uversity’s Scholarships are intended to unlock adult learners’ potential.  By providing multi-annual financial support, Uversity’s Scholarships aim to remove the financial barriers to pursue a Bachelor’s degree for the first time.  Scholarships are not limited to specific subject areas and enable individuals 23 years or older to complete a Bachelor’s degree in one of the participating institutions in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.

Uversity understands that there are many financial barriers preventing people from realising their ambitions to receive a Bachelor’s degree.  Aside from the direct costs of tuition, fees, books and IT there are day to day living costs such as childcare and transport to pursue a degree.  Uversity’s Scholarships take account of each successful candidate’s circumstances to provide financial support for the entire period of study.  Payments are made over the course of the degree programme and are subject to continued academic registration and progress.

Scholarship amounts vary depending on the successful recipients’ circumstances and need.  In May 2019, Uversity was granted an income disregard for its Scholarships by Ireland’s Department of Education & Skills and the Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection.  For successful candidates in the Republic of Ireland, Uversity’s scholarships to a maximum value of €7,000 will not be considered reckonable income for means-tested social welfare benefits and SUSI maintenance grants.

Since Uversity’s Scholarships were launched in January 2018, 49 Scholarship have been awarded and Uversity is creating a community of Scholars and stakeholders through events and programming.  What distinguishes Uversity’s Scholars is their commitment to being transformed and transforming others as a result of the Scholarship and educational experience.

WHO CAN APPLY

Uversity’s Scholarships support adult learners, to enrol on and complete a Bachelor’s degree that will transform their lives and those around them. Preference will be given to candidates enrolling on a full-time Bachelor’s degree that can normally be completed in a maximum of four years in any subject in one of the participating institutions.

Please note that Waterford Institute of Technology is one of the particpating institutions. For a full list of particpating institutions please click on the following link https://u-versity.eu/index.php/participating-institutions/

To be eligible applicants must:

• be 23 years and older by 1st January 2020
• be a citizen of an EEA member state or Switzerland AND resident in Ireland or Northern Ireland for 3 years or more by 1st March 2020
• be returning to higher education in 2020/21 after a break from education of 3 years or more or have recently completed a higher education progression / preparation course
• be admitted to a Bachelor’s degree or have a deferred offer for the 2020/21 academic year.
• be able to demonstrate:
• academic potential
• a clear motivation and ambition for returning to education
• a drive to succeed and a strong work ethic
• an ability to be transformed and transform others as a result of this scholarship and educational experience

PLEASE NOTE:

• non-EEA citizens resident in Ireland / Northern Ireland must have permanent leave to remain by the closing date for application, 1st March 2020.
• applicants who currently possess or are enrolled on a Bachelor’s degree ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.
• applicants DO NOT need to have an offer at the time of application but if selected for a scholarship they must receive an offer on a Bachelor’s degree in one of the participating institutions to receive their scholarship.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must check check eligibility criteria before completing an application (see eligibility details above) and should take some time to read Uversity’s Privacy Notice, to make sure that you are happy with how we will use your data.

TIMELINE & KEY DATES

4th NOVEMBER 2019: APPLICATION PROCESS OPENS via Uversity’s online application system at https://apply.u-versity.eu/

The following information is required:

• biographical / contact details
• details of your education to date
• details of any employment / volunteering (if applicable) to date
• a motivation statement of maximum 500 words
• details of two referees

15th JANUARY 2020: Deadline for most UCAS undergraduate courses in Northern Ireland.  Please note that it is the applicant’s responsibility to apply to and receive an offer of a place on a Bachelor’s degree at a participating institution.

1st FEBRUARY 2020: Deadline for applications to most undergraduate courses in the Republic of Ireland through The Central Applications Office.  Please note that it is the applicant’s responsibility to apply to and receive an offer of a place on a Bachelor’s degree at a participating institution.

20th APRIL 2020: CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS via Uversity’s online application system. All applications will be reviewed by Uversity for eligibility and may be shortlisted for interview.

APRIL – JUNE 2020: Interviews of shortlisted candidates will take place.  All candidates will be notified of their status after interview.

BY 1st JULY 2020: Scholarship offers will be made to successful candidates subject to financial assessment, confirmation of admission to a Bachelor’s Programme in a participating institution and acceptance of Uversity’s terms and conditions.  Scholarship payments will be made monthly throughout the duration of the Bachelor’s degree subject to continued academic registration and progress.

FURTHER INFORMATION & CONTACT DETAILS

• For more information on this scholarship and for further details around the the application process and eligibility criteria please go to the Uversity website at https://www.uversity.org/
• Contact us by email at [email protected] or phone 01-6875998