The ‘Aspire 2010’ Scholarship Programme

This exciting new initiative offers you a unique opportunity to study at one of Ireland’s leading business schools starting next September. Smurfit School have received generous funding from a donor - who has chosen to remain anonymous - to provide:

Up to 3 MBA scholarships; and up to 9 scholarships for any other Masters programmes starting in September 2010.

These scholarships are intended by the donor as a contribution to the recovery of the Irish economy. They are specifically for those who could not otherwise afford to study at UCD Smurfit School.

If you have the talent, the drive and the initiative to study successfully at UCD Smurfit School and to go on to a successful career in Ireland, but are being held back by your personal financial circumstances, one of these scholarships could be for you.

What do the ‘Aspire 2010’ scholarships provide?

The scholarships are for half the fees for the relevant courses.

In addition, if you receive a scholarship and you need to borrow the other half of the fees, there are special arrangements in place to enable you to do so.

If you do borrow the other half of the fees, repayments on your loan will start two years after completing the course.

How do I qualify for an ‘Aspire 2010’ scholarship?

You will need to be normally and legally resident in Ireland and meet the entry requirements for the course you want to study. In other words, for example, if you want to do an MBA, you will need to be qualified to do an MBA at UCD Smurfit School.

You will also have to demonstrate clear evidence of financial need in order to qualify for an ‘Aspire 2010’ scholarship. A special Review Committee has been established to decide on who will be awarded these scholarships. A short list of applicants will be interviewed by the committee, who will look for documentary and/or written evidence to support financial need. This will be discussed with short-listed candidates at interview.

How do I apply?

You can only apply online, by completing the special application form and in no more than 300 words explain why you would like to study at UCD Smurfit School and why you need an ‘Aspire 2010’ scholarship to be able to study there.

What’s the Time Table?

Applications must be received by Monday 28th June 2010. Interviews will take place during July and the Review Committee will make offers by the end of July.