University College Cork Scholarships 2025: Complete Guide

University College Cork also known as UCC draws bright students from across the world with its well-known academic success and vibrant campus life. On the other hand, the financial burden of pursuing higher education in Ireland can sometimes seem difficult. University College Cork has many different types of scholarships to help you to study in Ireland. Each scholarship is designed to help students with unique skills, good academic performance, and specific needs. International students who want to reach their full potential at UCC can get a scholarship, whether they are fresh high achievers, dedicated researchers, or looking to explore new fields. If you want to find the best scholarship for you, this blog details many well-known scholarships. Looking at the table will help you learn more about the scholarships, eligibility criteria, and application process. 

Institution Name	University College Cork
Established on	1845
Acceptance Rate	40%
Location	Ireland
Scholarships For	Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral Degree programs
Website	https://www.ucc.ie/en/scholarships/

Top Scholarships of University College Cork

Continuing from the previous overview of University College Cork’s global opportunities, the university offers a comprehensive range of scholarships to support international students. Each year, UCC provides over 1,000 scholarships and bursaries across all fields of study, combining financial assistance with recognition of academic excellence, leadership, and diverse experiences. The following are scholarships that international students can apply for, demonstrating UCC’s commitment to promoting inclusivity, merit, and global engagement in education.

1. Undergraduate Scholarships

The SEFS International Undergraduate Scholarship is offered by the College of Science, Engineering & Food Science (SEFS) at University College Cork. It supports non‑EU international undergraduate students by recognising academic merit and providing financial assistance throughout their degree. The scholarship is automatically awarded upon acceptance of an offer in the UCC application portal and is renewable each year, encouraging students to maintain consistent academic performance. Only one scholarship may be applied per student, with the higher value award taking precedence if multiple scholarships are applicable.

The table below summarises the important undergraduate scholarships available to international students:

Name of Scholarship	SEFS International Undergraduate Scholarship
College  or Undergraduate Programme	College of Science, Engineering & Food Science (SEFS)
Level of Scholarship	Undergraduate (non‑EU international students)
Value of Scholarship	EUR 2,000 per year
Renewal of Scholarship	Renewable for 4 years or full course duration, subject to successful yearly progression
Eligibility Mechanism	Automatically awarded upon acceptance of offer in UCC application portal (CRM); no separate application required
Additional Notes	Applicants may not avail more than one scholarship; if eligible for multiple, the higher value will apply

2. SEFS International Student Merit‑Based Scholarship

Following the previous overview of UCC’s commitment to supporting international students, the SEFS International Student Merit‑Based Scholarship provides financial assistance to non‑EU students enrolling in taught postgraduate (Master’s) programs within the College of Science, Engineering & Food Science (SEFS). This merit-based award recognises outstanding academic achievement and helps reduce tuition costs for high-performing students. The scholarship is automatically applied at the offer stage, promoting a seamless process for incoming students.

The table below summarises the key features of the SEFS International Student Merit‑Based Scholarship:

Name of Scholarship	SEFS International Student Merit‑Based Scholarship
College or Programme	College of Science, Engineering & Food Science (SEFS) – Postgraduate Taught Masters
Level of Scholarship	Taught Master’s (non‑EU international students)
Value of Scholarship	Varies depending on academic results; e.g., First Class Honours (1H) or equivalent: 20% tuition fee reduction
Eligibility Mechanism	Automatically awarded at offer stage upon acceptance through UCC application portal (CRM); no separate application required
Additional Notes	Capitation fees are payable by all students and are subject to change

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3. College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences International Undergraduate Scholarship

As part of UCC’s efforts to support international learners, the CACSSS International Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences (CACSSS). The scholarship recognises academic merit among non‑EU undergraduate students and provides financial assistance to help reduce tuition costs. It is automatically applied at the offer stage, encouraging students to maintain academic progress throughout their degree. Only one scholarship may be applied per student, with the higher value award taking precedence if eligible for multiple scholarships. A summary of the scholarship’s details is presented in the table below:

Name of Scholarship	College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences International Undergraduate Scholarship
College or Programme	College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences (CACSSS)
Level of Scholarship	Undergraduate (non‑EU international students)
Value of Scholarship	EUR 2,000 per year
Renewal of Scholarship	Renewable for 3 years or the full duration of the degree, subject to successful yearly progression
Eligibility Mechanism	Automatically awarded at offer stage; no separate application required
Additional Notes	Applicants may not combine with more than one scholarship; if eligible for multiple, higher value applies

4. College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences International Merit‑Based Scholarship (Taught Masters)

Following the previous overview of UCC’s support for international students, the CACSSS International Merit‑Based Scholarship for taught Masters recognises outstanding academic achievement among non‑EU postgraduate students. The scholarship provides financial assistance by offering a tuition fee reduction for high-performing students and is automatically applied at the offer stage. Students should note that capitation fees are payable and programme-specific requirements may apply. A summary of the scholarship’s details is presented in the table below:

Name of Scholarship	College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences International Merit‑Based Scholarship (Taught Masters)
College or Programme	College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences (CACSSS) Taught Masters
Level of Scholarship	Taught Masters (non‑EU international students)
Value of Scholarship	20% tuition fee reduction for students with First Class Honours (1H or equivalent) upon acceptance of offer
Eligibility Mechanism	Automatically awarded at offer stage
Additional Notes	Capitation fees apply; students must check specific programme details

5. College of Business & Law International Undergraduate Scholarship

Continuing UCC’s commitment to supporting international students, the College of Business & Law (CBL) International Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded to non‑EU students enrolled full-time in the Cork University Business School or the School of Law. The scholarship recognises academic merit and provides financial assistance to help offset tuition costs. It is automatically applied at the offer stage and cannot be combined with other UCC scholarships, with the key features summarised in the table below.

Name of Scholarship	College of Business & Law International Undergraduate Scholarship
College or Programme	College of Business & Law (CBL) – Cork University Business School or School of Law
Level of Scholarship	Undergraduate (full-time non‑EU international students)
Value of Scholarship	EUR 2,000 per year
Eligibility Mechanism	Automatically awarded upon acceptance of offer in UCC application portal (CRM); no separate application required
Additional Notes	Cannot be combined with any other UCC scholarship offering

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6. School of Nursing & Midwifery International Scholarships

Following UCC’s commitment to supporting international students, the School of Nursing & Midwifery International Scholarships provide financial assistance to both undergraduate and postgraduate non‑EU students. These awards are designed to support applicants from countries with lower Human Development Index (HDI) rankings, helping reduce tuition fees while recognising academic potential. Scholarship eligibility is tied to specific nursing programmes, and applicants must be self‑funding. The important features of the scholarship are outlined in the table below:

Level of Scholarship	Undergraduate & Postgraduate (non‑EU international students)
Value of Scholarship	MSc Nursing (Non‑EU): Tuition fee EUR 19,700; 50% reduction for applicants from HDI-ranked countries 116‑191 (EUR 9,850) BSc Nursing Studies (Top‑Up Degree): Tuition fee EUR 11,400; 15% reduction for applicants from HDI-ranked countries 116‑191 (EUR 9,590), 10% reduction for other self-funding applicants from HDI 67‑115 (EUR 10,260)
Eligibility Mechanism	Applicants must be self-funding and domiciled in HDI-ranked countries as specified above
Additional Notes	Scholarship details are specific to nursing programmes; international nursing applicants should consult their programme page for application and eligibility

7. Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships

As part of Ireland’s national initiative to attract talented international students, the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships provide financial support for postgraduate study at Irish higher education institutions, including UCC. These scholarships recognise outstanding academic achievement and are intended for non‑EU/EEA students who have received a conditional or final offer to study in Ireland. The award includes both a tuition fee waiver and a living stipend to support one year of full-time study. The important details of the scholarship are summarised in the table below:

Name of Scholarship	Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship
Level of Scholarship	Postgraduate (NFQ levels 9 or 10)
Eligible Institutions	Irish higher education institutions, including University College Cork
Eligibility	Non‑EU/EEA students with outstanding academic achievement; conditional or final offer to study in Ireland required
Value of Scholarship	Full tuition fee waiver for one year plus a stipend of EUR 10,000 for one year of full-time study
Additional Notes	Administered nationally by the Higher Education Authority; UCC participates as one of the institutions. Candidates must apply separately per call

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Factors Affecting Selection for University College Cork Scholarships

Building on the overview of scholarships available for international students at UCC, it is important to understand the important factors that influence selection. Eligibility and award decisions depend on a combination of academic performance, personal achievements, programme-specific requirements, and other criteria. The following elements typically play a role in determining scholarship recipients:

1. Academic Merit is one of the most important considerations. UCC evaluates applicants based on academic excellence, previous experience, and research potential. For postgraduate non-EU students, the university generally requires qualifications equivalent to a UCC Bachelor (Hons) degree, with grades corresponding to First-Class Honours Grade 1 or Second-Class Honours Grade 2, depending on the programme. Several scholarships also provide tuition reductions specifically for students achieving first or second-class honours equivalents.

2. The offer of admission and fee-paying status are also critical. To be considered for most scholarships, students must hold a confirmed accepted offer in the UCC Apply Portal, as conditional offers usually do not qualify until all conditions are met. Some scholarships specifically target self-funding international students, those paying the international tuition fees themselves rather than through a sponsor, often within specific colleges or programmes.

3. Progression and renewal conditions play a significant role for multi-year programmes. Scholarships awarded for more than one year generally require students to maintain satisfactory academic progression to continue receiving funding. For instance, earlier Quercus scholarships mention renewal based on sufficient contribution to studies and progression to the next academic level. The broad scholarships criteria at UCC also consider suitable academic progression and background when determining continued eligibility.

4. Many scholarships are designed for non-EU or international students, and being a fee-paying international student is frequently part of the eligibility. This ensures that scholarships target those who are self-funded and coming from abroad to pursue higher education in Ireland.

5. Some scholarships are college- or programme-specific, meaning eligibility is tied to enrolment in certain faculties or courses. For example, the College of Science, Engineering & Food Science (SEFS), the College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences (CACSSS), and the College of Business & Law (CBL) each offer scholarships for students entering their respective programmes. In addition, some scholarships may require a specific academic background or prior qualifications relevant to the programme. For instance, UCC’s entry requirements for Indian students include consideration of three-year degrees or certain institutional standards.

6. Automatic versus application-based can affect selection. Several scholarships are automatically awarded once applicants meet the eligibility criteria and hold a confirmed offer, providing a seamless process for students. Other scholarships require a separate application, where the selection panel may evaluate additional factors such as references, leadership qualities, research experience, or engagement in relevant activities. The Quercus scholarships, for example, assess evidence of leadership, participation, and academic presentations when considering applicants.

In conclusion, University College Cork offers a range of scholarships that support international students in achieving academic and personal excellence. By understanding the eligibility criteria, selection factors, and renewal requirements, students can strategically apply for awards that align with their strengths and goals. These scholarships not only provide financial assistance but also encourage students to excel in their studies, engage in university life, and gain a globally recognised education at UCC.

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