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Scholarships and funding opportunities

There are a number of funding opportunities available to Ulster students wishing to study abroad.

Some of these are internal and available only to Ulster students whilst others are external opportunities provided by the British Council, Student Finance NI or other organisations.

Scholarships and grants available to undergraduate students

Undergraduates studying at Ulster who wish to carry out a semester or year's study in the USA, Europe or worldwide, can apply to do this through the Study USA, Erasmus+ and ISEP programmes.

The scholarship and grant opportunities below can provide further external funding for Ulster students to pursue their global education.

  • China

    The websites below are useful resources for finding government study scholarships in China:

  • Europe

    DAAD Foreign Student Summer Courses

    DestinationGermany

    Description – This programme aims to help students and graduates improve their knowledge of German and their cultural understanding of the country.

    Scholarship type – Short-term study

    Duration – Courses run for at least 18 teaching days with a minimum of 25 hours of teaching a week. Courses usually run from June to November.

    Eligibility

    • Applications are open to students in Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in any subject area.
    • Bachelor students must have completed at least two academic years at the start of the scholarship period.

    Dates and deadlines – Application opens 15 September each year and closes 1 December

    Support – One-off scholarship payment of €1,061 and payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover.

    Website Get more information about DAAD Foreign Student Summer Courses


    Erasmus+ Mobility Grant

    Eligibility and how to apply:
    Students studying at one of Ulster University’s European partner institutions under the framework of the European Erasmus+ exchange programme will automatically be put forward for an Erasmus mobility grant assuming their mobility is known about by the Study Abroad team by September of the academic year in which they go abroad.

    Further information:
    This grant is administered by the Student Mobility Department and is commonly paid in two instalments at the beginning and upon completion of the mobility.

  • Global

    ACU Global Summer School Grants 2022

    DestinationWorldwide

    Description – ACU Summer School is a transformative opportunity which connects students across the Commonwealth. The grants are tenable at summer schools at ACU member universities overseas. Participants can expect:

    • Talks by leading international speakers
    • Engaging and challenging group project work
    • Networking opportunities
    • Intercultural sessions
    • Skills development

    Scholarship type – Short-term study

    Duration – Short-term/summer

    Eligibility – Grants are available to students who meet both of the following criteria:

    • registered as a current undergraduate student
    • a UK citizen, or with UK refugee status

    Students in the final year of their undergraduate degree who expect to move to postgraduate study, or those already studying for a postgraduate degree (full or part time) are eligible to apply to attend.

    Dates and deadlines – Application for Summer 2022 will open in January 2022

    Support – Grant of up to £2,000

    Get more information about ACU Global Summer School Grants


    John Speak Language Scholarships

    Destination –  Worldwide

    Description – The John Speak Language Scholarship can provide students with funding to assist with travel overseas to study a language. The trust has funded many scholarships to countries such as Argentina, Spain, Italy, Japan, China, France, Germany and Burma, to name but a few.

    Scholarship type – Study

    Duration – Short/Long-term (between 3 and 12 months)

    Eligibility – Applicants must:

    • be natural born British citizens/Be over 18 years old and have a basic knowledge of the language to be studied (at least GCSE or equivalent).
    • reside in accommodation while abroad within the local community rather than with English speakers.
    • study at a recognised college or university.

    Dates and deadlines – Applications are open from 1 September to 22 October

    Support – Award ranging from £500 up to £2,000

    Get more information about John Speak language scholarships


    Jack's Flight Club

    Destination –  Worldwide

    Description – Jack's Flight Club are offering 2 x £500 grants throughout the year to two separate winners.

    Scholarship type – Travel Grant

    Duration – Short/Long-term

    Eligibility – The travel grant from Jack’s Flight Club is for all accredited college and University students undertaking placements connected to their course.

    Dates and deadlines – 2022 applications will open on 25 August 2021 and close 1 December 2021

    Support – £500

    Get more information about Jack's Flight Club

  • Japan

    JASSO Scholarships

    Destination –  Japan 

    Description – JASSO offers student scholarships for short-term study in Japan. They are open to those accepted by Japanese universities under student exchange agreements, or other student exchange arrangements with their home university.

    Scholarship type – Short/Long-term study

    Duration – 8 days – 1 year

    Eligibility

    • Students must be accepted by a Japanese university under a student exchange agreement or other student exchange arrangement with their home institution.
    • Students can apply that do not have the financial means to study in Japan.
    • Students eligible for a 'Student Visa.' (For study in Japan for 90 days or less, the Japanese institution will arrange the status of residence).

    Dates and deadlines – Applications open late March and close early May.

    Support – Monthly stipend of 80,000 JPY

    Get more information about JASSO scholarships

  • USA

    BAFTX Undergraduate Scholarship (British American Foundation of Texas)

    Destination –  Texas

    Description – The undergraduate award is intended for low income families and is intended to alleviate the financial burden of funding tuition fees in Texas, whether at a 4 year or a 2 year college.

    Scholarship type – Long-term study

    Duration – 1 year

    Eligibility – Applicants must:

    • Be enrolled in full time education at University in the UK
    • Be aged 18 or above
    • Study Science, Technology, Engineering, Math or Business
    • Come from a low income household.
    • Maintain a 2.1 average grade

    Dates and deadlines – Applications open in September 2021 and will close on 31 March 2022

    Support – Scholarships are awarded to cover tuition fees.

    Get more information about  BAFTX Undergraduate Scholarship

Scholarships and grants available to postgraduate students

The scholarships and grants below can provide Ulster graduate, master and PhD students with the opportunity to take their studies/research worldwide.

  • Canada

    Canada UK Foundation Research and Travel Grants

    Destination –  Canada

    Description – Foundation Travel Awards of £1000 are available to assist faculty and doctoral students pursuing Canadianist research in UK universities to make a research visit to Canada, lasting a minimum of at least one week.

    Scholarship type – Short-term/research

    Duration – At least one week

    Eligibility – Applicants must:

    • be doctoral students registered at a UK university
    • be prepared to present the outcomes of their research visit at the BACS annual conference or at another Canadianist event in the UK

    Dates and deadlines – Application is currently open and closes January 2022

    Support – £1000

    Apply for the Canada UK Foundation Research and Travel Grant


    Canada Memorial Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship

    Destination – Canada

    Description – Full scholarships are available to British students applying for any year-long postgraduate course with an accredited Canadian further education provider annually.

    Scholarship type – Long-term

    Duration – 1 year

    Eligibility – Applicants must:

    • be UK citizens and live within the United Kingdom
    • hold, or expect to hold, a first or upper second-class Honours degree
    • Hold, or expect to hold, a first or upper second-class Honours degree
    • Be able to demonstrate leadership and ambassadorial qualities as well as strong academic credentials.

    Dates and Deadlines – Opens 1 September 2021 and closes 31 January 2022

    Financial Support – Support will cover all tuition fees for one academic year and provide scholars with a total cash award of £10,000.00 to cover:

    • A monthly stipend of £800.00 for 11 months, paid into the scholar’s UK bank account.  The first payment would be on the 1st August (about one month before the start of the programme) and the last would be on the 1st of June.
    • An initial payment of £1,200.00 to cover the cost of a return airfare and other travel expenses, payable on 1st July before the programme starts).

    WebsiteApply for the Canada Memorial Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship

  • China

    The websites below are useful resources for finding government study scholarships in China:

  • Europe

    DAAD Foreign Student Summer Courses

    DestinationGermany

    Description – This programme aims to help students and graduates improve their knowledge of German and their cultural knowledge of the country.

    Scholarship type – Short-term study

    Duration – The courses run for at least 18 teaching days with a minimum of 25 hours of teaching a week. Courses usually run from June to November.

    Eligibility

    • Applications are open to students in Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in any subject area.
    • Bachelor students must have completed at least two academic years at the start of the scholarship period.

    Dates and deadlines – Application opens 15 September each year and closes 1 December

    Support – One-off scholarship payment of €1,061 and payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover.

    Get more information about DAAD Foreign Student Summer courses


    Erasmus+ Mobility Grant

    Eligibility and how to apply:
    Students studying at one of Ulster University’s European partner institutions under the framework of the European Erasmus+ exchange programme will automatically be put forward for an Erasmus mobility grant assuming their mobility is known about by the Study Abroad team by September of the academic year in which they go abroad.

    Further information:
    This grant is administered by the Student Mobility Department and is commonly paid in two instalments at the beginning and upon completion of the mobility.

  • USA

    BAFTX Graduate Scholarship (British American Foundation of Texas)

    DestinationTexas

    Description – The graduate award is designed for aspiring individuals from the UK or Texas, USA who are intent on furthering their education in their chosen STEM or business field. This is an opportunity for students to study at graduate level, whether Texas residents in Texas, Texas residents in the UK or UK residents in Texas.

    Scholarship type – Study

    Duration – Long-term (1 year)

    Eligibility – Students must:

    • Be a resident of Texas or the United Kingdom
    • Be enrolled in full time education within the Texas or UK education system
    • Major in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math or Business
    • Maintain a GPA of 3.25 or above
    • Be aged 21 or above
    • Come from a low income household

    Dates and deadlines – Application open 1 September 2021 and will close 31 March 2022

    Support – Scholarship covers tuition fees.

    Get more information on the BAFTX Graduate Scholarship


    Kennedy Scholarship

    Destination – USA   Harvard & MIT

    Description – The Kennedy Scholarship is an academic award for study at Harvard and MIT. It can be used to fund a wide variety of programmes at MIT and across all the graduate schools within Harvard - from PhD to LLM, from MPH to March. It can also fund a Special Studentship for those wanting a general programme of non-degree study.

    Scholarship type – Long-term PG

    Eligibility – Applications must be:

    • British citizens at the time of application (this does not include those with indefinite leave to remain)
    • ordinarily resident in the UK
    • wholly or mainly educated in the UK and (will be) graduates of a UK university

    Support - A Kennedy Scholarship provides full tuition fees, health insurance, and a means-tested bursary for living expenses.

    Dates and Deadlines – Application opens in August and closes in October of each year

    Apply for the Kennedy Scholarship

The Student Finance NI Travel Grant

The Student Finance NI Travel Grant can provide undergraduates with assistance with travel expenses.

  • Student Finance NI Travel Grant

    The full-time undergraduate Travel Grant is offered by Student Finance NI is funding to help cover reasonable costs for travel for eligible study related periods abroad or medical and dental placement courses.

    It's only available to students on eligible courses, when you give your course information as part of your student finance application, you will be informed if you are eligible for the travel Grant.

    Get more information on the Student Finance NI Travel Grant