What is it?

The UL University of Sanctuary Scholarship provides tuition fee waivers (i.e. no fees) to first-time higher education applicants who identify as a refugee, asylum seeker or a person in a refugee-like situation as defined by the UNHCR 1951 Refugee Convention and who have made an application for International Protection.  The Scholarship only applies for Undergraduate Programmes.

The Mature Student Access Certificate (MSAC) will not run for the 2024/25 academic year. While UL fully believes in an access programme to support students on their education journey the programme is now undergoing a full review in order to ensure it is fit for purpose and is providing the best possible learning outcomes for potential students.

Who should apply?

International Protection Applicants who have applied through the CAO to any full-time undergraduate programme in UL as a Leaving Certificate, QQI or Mature Student applicant.

For information on applying for an undergraduate programme at UL please visit: Apply to UL | University of Limerick

Eligibility criteria and the selection process

Before making an application for a Scholarship please ensure that you meet our eligibility criteria as follows, and be able to prove that:

  • You are an international protection applicant, or have been granted Refugee Status, Subsidiary Protection or Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR) as a result of your application for International Protection, where evidence has been provided.
  • You have applied through the CAO for a place on a full-time undergraduate course in UL as a Leaving Certificate, QQI or Mature Student applicant.
  • You are not currently eligible for ‘free fees’ for a full-time undergraduate course or for a SUSI fee grant

2024/2025 University of Sanctuary Application process will open on 1 April and close on 31 May 2024.

If you have any questions about whether or not you should apply for a scholarship, please read the Guidance Notes or contact: ULSanctuary@ul.ie.

Other Information

All displaced Ukrainian nationals in receipt of Temporary Protection, looking to apply for a place in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for the 2024/25 academic year, should do so by applying through the Central Applications Office (CAO) at www.cao.ie. A list of the courses is available at www.cao.ie/courses.

Ukrainian applicants who wish to apply for an undergraduate programme at UL and who do not have Temporary Protection in Ireland are to apply directly to the university: Apply to UL | University of Limerick

There is no update yet on fees and funding for 2024 entrants. However, you are encouraged to check on the following website periodically as any government decisions will be published here: www.gov.ie