At UCD, we believe that talent, ambition and potential should not be limited by personal circumstances. Our exceptional community of alumni and supporters plays a vital role in making that belief a reality. Thanks to their generosity, students from every background are not only accessing a world-class UCD education; they are enjoying the full experience of university life.
UCD Cothrom na Féinne is Ireland’s largest needs-based access scholarship programme, currently supporting over 500 students. These scholarships do far more than ease financial pressure. They provide security at a pivotal moment in a student’s life, allowing them to focus on learning, build meaningful friendships, participate fully in campus life and make the most of every opportunity UCD has to offer.
For many students, a scholarship means fewer hours spent working to cover essential costs and more time investing in their studies, well-being and future aspirations.
Scholarships such as UCD’s Réalta (Engineering), Aspire (Business), and Declan McCourt (Law) help students progress to postgraduate study that prepares them for rewarding careers. The impact of scholarship support extends far beyond graduation. Scholarship recipients become healthcare professionals, teachers, researchers, entrepreneurs, engineers and community leaders who use their education to make a positive difference in society.
JONAH
UCD Cothrom na Féinne Scholar
“I am incredibly grateful to everyone who contributes to the UCD Champions fund. The scholarship has given me a real sense of opportunity and encouragement. It has given me the space and confidence to focus on my future and take the next steps forward.”
TALA
UCD Humanitarian Fund Scholar
“Facing death every moment wasn’t easy at all. But it also showed me how vulnerable life is and how it can be taken away in just one second. My family encouraged me to go and not look back. This opportunity is a life-changing turning point for all of us. I am grateful for every single person that made this possible. One day, I will tell my children that I had the chance to live this life because of them.”
OUR SHARED HUMANITY
Generous support from our community also empowers UCD to respond to emerging needs and global challenges. The UCD Humanitarian Fund was established in August 2025 as a direct response to the displacement of students from Gaza. Humanitarian scholarships offer sanctuary and hope to students like Tala, who have been forced to flee conflict, providing them with the opportunity to rebuild their lives through education in a welcoming academic community.
Looking back on what we have achieved together over the past year fills us with gratitude and pride. Every scholarship awarded represents the belief of alumni and friends in the transformative power of education. Together, we are unlocking potential, changing lives and ensuring that UCD students have the confidence, opportunity and support to shape a brighter future for us all.
■ To find out how to get involved, visit ucdfoundation.ie/supporting-students.