Ad Astra Elite Sports Scholars

Overview

There are currently 60 UCD Ad Astra Elite Sports Scholars in a range of sports, including 1 female and 3 male rowers, one of whom is an Olympic Silver Medallist and World Champion; 4 athletes, one of whom reached the semi-finals of the mens' 800m at Rio Olympics; 3 Modern Pentathletes, one of whom came 8th (out of 36) at the Rio Olympics; 6 male GAA scholars and 1 female camogie player; 10 male Rugby players (4 are currently representing Ireland) and 1 female member of the Irish squad; 3 members of the Women’s Senior Hockey squad, 3 male hockey players, 2 Equestrian Eventers and 2 Equestrian Showjumpers, 3 members of the Irish women’s Soccer squad, 5 members of the UCD AFC, 3 swimmers, 2 Canoeists, and a para Table Tennis player.  

A comprehensive battery of support is available to the Academy’s Elite Sports scholars, including guaranteed on-campus accommodation, academic mentoring, physiotherapy and medical assistance, nutritional and fitness monitoring, sports psychology and strength and conditioning, the latter taking place in our own High Performance Gym, under professional supervision.

Flexible admission arrangements are offered to the Elite Sports Scholars, acknowledging that dedication to elite sport may potentially detract from academic achievement in the latter stages of schooling. As a result, conditional offers to successful applicants are given pending the achievement of subject and grade requirements.

Scholarship Benefits

Ad Astra Elite Sports Scholars benefit from a scholarship, mentoring and a range of tailored supports. The value of the scholarship for new scholars entering the programme in September 2020 is €3,000 which can be used to offset the cost of fees, accommodation, or used as a bursary. If wishing to live on campus, Ad Astra Elite Scholars may avail of allocated on-campus accommodation.

The scholarship is tenable for the duration of programme,  subject to meeting the criteria for scholarship renewal each year.

You can apply from 1st November until the January 31st deadline online via our website. Please note, the online application is not available until November each year.