UCD Global Excellence Scholarships : What you need to know and how to apply

• The Global Excellence Scholarships (GES) are offered by University College Dublin (UCD) in Ireland, targeted at outstanding international (non‑EU) students. eLatest+2University College Dublin+2
• They are available for both full‑time undergraduate programmes and taught master’s programmes (postgraduate taught courses) at UCD — provided the programme is eligible. www.FindAMasters.com+2eLatest+2
• The scholarships come in two main variants: 100% tuition‑fee waiver or 50% tuition‑fee waiver, depending on applicant merit and number of scholarships available. University College Dublin+2Scholarship Learn+2

✅ Who Can Apply — Eligibility & Key Requirements

To be eligible for UCD GES, you must meet the following conditions:

• You must be classified as a non‑EU (international) student for tuition‑fee purposes. University College Dublin+1
• You must have already received an offer (or conditional offer) for a full‑time eligible UCD programme (undergraduate or taught master’s). University College Dublin+2University College Dublin+2
• The programme must be among the listed eligible programmes — many programmes (clinical, part-time, online, “off‑shore campus”, certain business/Smurfit programmes) are excluded. Scholarship Learn+2DAAD Scholarships 2026+2
• You must be a self-funding candidate (i.e. not already receiving another UCD tuition‑fee scholarship). DAAD Scholarships 2026+2Scholarship Learn+2

🎓 What the Scholarship Covers — Benefits

• 100% tuition‑fee waiver — full scholarship for tuition fees. University College Dublin+1
• 50% tuition‑fee waiver — partial scholarship for tuition fees (if awarded the 50% variant). University College Dublin+1
• Scholarship applies for the duration of the programme (subject to meeting the renewal criteria, if any). University College Dublin+1

Note: The scholarship only covers tuition — costs for accommodation, living expenses, food, travel, etc., are not covered. You will need to make separate arrangements or look for additional funding.

📝 How to Apply — Process & Deadlines

Here’s the general procedure if you want to apply for GES:

1. Apply to UCD for an eligible full‑time programme and receive an Offer (or Conditional Offer).
2. When the annual call opens, submit a separate scholarship application via UCD’s portal (the GES application — it’s not automatic with your course application). University College Dublin+2University College Dublin+2
3. Answer the ‘general questions’ in the application, and provide any required documents as per instructions. University College Dublin
4. Watch the deadlines — for the 2026/27 cycle (as per latest schedule):
   • For Middle East / Africa / Pakistan undergraduate & graduate taught: deadline 28 February 2026. University College Dublin+1
   • For other regions (or where applicable): deadline 31 March 2026. University College Dublin+1
5. Check results — GES results are typically announced about 5–7 weeks after the relevant regional deadline via UCD’s student portal. University College Dublin+1

Important: The scholarship cannot be combined with other tuition‑fee scholarships at UCD. Scholarship Learn+1

🎯 Who GES is Best For — Ideal Candidates

You should consider applying for UCD GES if you:

• Are an international (non‑EU) student aiming to study abroad (undergraduate or master’s) and need financial support for tuition.
• Have a strong academic record (good grades) and can secure an offer (or conditional offer) from UCD.
• Are willing to finance living costs (accommodation, food, transport) on your own or via additional funding/savings — since GES only covers tuition.
• Are applying to a full‑time programme (not part-time, online or ineligible under GES rules).
• Understand that competition is high and number of scholarships is limited — application must be strong, complete, and submitted before deadlines.

For students from Africa (or other regions outside EU), GES represents one of the most accessible ways to study at a top‑tier European university while reducing the financial burden of tuition.

✅ My Assessment — Is UCD Global Excellence Scholarship Worth It — Yes, Definitely a Strong Option

In my view, the UCD Global Excellence Scholarship is one of the most attractive and realistic scholarships available for international students applying to Europe, because:

• It offers full or partial tuition fee waiver, which significantly reduces cost of study — a major burden otherwise.
• It applies to both undergraduate and master’s programmes — giving flexibility depending on your stage of study or future plans.
• UCD is a reputable, globally ranked university, offering quality education and good international exposure — so scholarship + degree = strong CV combination.
• For many international students (especially from developing countries), tuition costs are often the biggest barrier — GES helps overcome that.

Caveats to consider:

• Living costs (housing, food, transport) are not covered — you will need separate funding or savings.
• Scholarship competition is high; only a limited number are awarded per region.
• Not all programmes are eligible — so you must check the eligible‑programmes list before applying.
• Scholarship is not automatically renewed — to continue funding, you must meet performance/renewal criteria.

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