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Why do a Postgrad at UL?
In an increasingly competitive jobs market, a postgraduate degree is one of the biggest advantages you can have.
You learn new skills, improve your job prospects, and forge the first steps to the career you want.
Thousands of students are taking up postgraduate studies every year – but one big question remains. Is funding available and, if so, how do you go about getting it?
Funding options
While it is a worthwhile investment in your future, the financial cost of a postgraduate degree can be a roadblock for some students, with courses costing upwards of €5,000 a year. However, some options are available to prospective students:
- SUSI grants
- Scholarships & bursaries
- Funding for professional learners
- Bank of Ireland: Postgraduate Student Loans
Tax relief is also available on postgraduate tuition fees, up to €7,000 per person per course. You can read more about that on the Citizens Information website.
Budgeting for your Future
Our 'Budgeting for Your Future' guide is designed to take all of the stress out of your financial planning, clearly laying out a path for you to fund for your postgrad.
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SUSI grants for postgraduate students
Students enrolling in a postgraduate course may be eligible for financial assistance in the government’s student grant scheme.
The courses must be in Ireland or Northern Ireland and will cover some/all of the cost of tuition fees.
SUSI awards grants on two levels:
- A flat rate fee contribution of €4,500 if you pass a fee contribution means test (essentially based on your earnings and living situation).
- Cover for all tuition fees and essential field trips (up to €6,270) if you meet the qualifying conditions of the special rate of grant for disadvantaged students.
To qualify, you’ll also need to meet the criteria for nationality, immigration status, and residency.
So how does the means test for fees work?
The means test will apply to either your income or your parents’ income, depending on whether or not you’re independent or dependent on your parents (i.e. if you’re living with your parents from October 1st of the year before you start your postgraduate degree).
If you’re dependent, the means test will assess any income you have alongside your parents’ income. The means test doesn’t include any earnings you made up to €4,950 outside of term-time (summer holidays, etc.).
Independent students are over the age of 23 and live away from their parents, from the 1st of October of the year before they start their postgraduate degree. You’ll be assessed on your income, and any income of your spouse/civil partner/cohabitant if applicable.
If you’re applicable for full assistance (all fees covered) from any other source (for example a scholarship), you won’t qualify for the postgraduate fee contribution. Likewise, if you’re eligible for partial assistance, your postgraduate fee contributions will be reduced by the amount of assistance you get.
Income limits for the fee contribution
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The reckonable income limits (the proportion of gross income that SUSI considers when doing its calculations) may be increased by €4,950 for each additional family member who is also doing a full-time course of at least a year.
The bracket you fall into will determine how much (if any) funding you’ll be able to get.
If you’re an independent applicant, your income will count, as well as the income of your spouse/civil partner/or cohabitant (this doesn’t include housemates).
To learn more about the income limits and deductions, etc., head over to the SUSI website.
What are the special rates for disadvantaged students?
Some applicants may be applicable for special rates, which covers tuition fees and essential field trips up to €6,270.
The conditions are:
- You must meet the same conditions as the standard maintenance grant under the Student Grant Scheme for the academic year. You can read more about that here: grants for student in further and higher education.
- Your total reckonable income in the tax year prior must not be more than €24,500.
- You must be getting certain social welfare payments or participating in a designated programme at the end of the year prior, i.e. long-term social welfare payments; Family Income Supplement; Designated programmes (for example a Community Employment Scheme).
How do you apply for postgraduate grants?
SUSI is the go-to single grant-awarding authority in Ireland.
If you’re a new applicant, you’ll need to go to the SUSI website, sign up, and fill out the application form. Thankfully, the process is relatively straightforward and SUSI explains some of the trickier bits in its guide, which you can follow here.
The application form follows six sections:
- Section A: Your personal details.
- Section B: Nationality and residency.
- Section C: Course details, previous education, and info about any financial support you’ve received.
- Section D: Personal details of your parents/guardians/partner, etc.
- Section E: Info on any dependent children or relevant people in your household.
- Section F: Income information.
Before you start filling out your application form, you should know:
- Your CAO number if you have applied through the Central Applications Office.
- Your UCAS number if it’s relevant, i.e. from the UK application system.
- PPSN numbers for yourself, your parents/guardians, your partner etc.
- Income details for yourself, your parents/guardians, your partner etc.
Faculty Scholarships
School of Law:
LLM/MA (Human Rights in Criminal Justice):
Judge Michael Reilly Scholarship: 33% fee waiver open to an Garda Síochána.
2x 33% fee waiver open to an Garda Síochána.
LLM (International Commercial Law)
50% fee waiver.
Eversheds, Solicitors: The international corporate law firm offers a very generous scholarship to the student registering for the LLM with the highest undergraduate degree award.
LLM Funding 50% fee waiver (2 Scholarships available):
The School of Law offers a half-fee waiver award to one candidate on the LLM (General) and one candidate on the LLM (International Commercial Law) degrees.
For further details on how to apply for the above School of Law Scholarships, please see the link here.
School of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics
5 x €1000 fee waivers for taught MA programmes (EU Applicants only). As part of the award, the successful candidates must complete two hours of teaching per week per semester.
School of English, Irish, and Communication
4 x €1,000 part-fee waivers to cover students taking the following Masters programmes: MA English, MA Creative Writing, MA Gaeilge, MA Journalism, MA Technical Communication and E-Learning
*Please note for those taking the part time version of these programmes only year one is covered under this fee waiver.
Arts Humanities and Social Sciences Scholarships contact point:
For more information on taught postgraduate funding and scholarships, please contact: ahsspg@ul.ie
Irish World Academy of Music and Dance:
Fee waiver
A limited number of full and/or partial fee waivers for research students at MA and PhD level. Distributed on an annual basis, the decision will be made by the Academy Director.
RTÉ Lyric FM Scholarships
A number of scholarships for talented string players who wish to study at UL. Recipients may be required to engage in work at the Academy, aimed towards professional development.
Universal Music UK Sound Foundation
Two Bursaries in Community Music is available to an IWA student from Universal Music UK Sound Foundation, the independent charity.
Stepping Stones Scholarship
3x €1,000 general scholarships for IWA students on taught MA programmes. Students must have a demonstrable record in a performance and/or academic specialisation relevant to a programme of study at the Academy.
Stepping Stones Scholarships for Non EU student. These scholarships target international students on taught MA programmes at the Academy who have a demonstrable record in performance and/or academic specialisation relevant to a programme of student at the Academy.
The IWA scholarships have different application processes and deadlines, so please check the Academy’s webpage about scholarships throughout the year to find relevant information for you.
Contact ahsspg@ul.ie for information on funding and scholarships
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Full-time Taught Postgraduate Programme Scholarships
Terms & Conditions
The Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Limerick is offering 10 taught postgraduate fee waiver scholarships for the 2023/2024 academic year. A fee waiver scholarship to the value of €2,000 will be awarded to ten EU students undertaking a fulltime taught postgraduate programme in Science and Engineering commencing in AY2023/2024. The successful candidates will receive the scholarship in the form of a reduced fee paid directly to the Fees Office.
Criteria & Eligibility
Only EU applicants who have applied on-line to the University of Limerick for entry onto a fulltime taught postgraduate programme for the 2023 academic year, by 5pm on 16th June 2023, will be considered for a scholarship award.
Applicants must have a
- First class honours primary degree (1.1) (Level 8 – NQAI or equivalent) or
- Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2h1) primary degree (Level 8 – NQAI or equivalent)
Applicants must also
Satisfy the entry requirements for the University of Limerick fulltime taught postgraduate programme they intend to undertake.
Ineligibility
The scholarships are not open to those who have already commenced a Masters programme. Applicants for Research Masters programmes are not eligible. Students interested in research programmes should consult www.ul.ie for information on research scholarships.
Value of the Scholarship
Ten scholarships available across all S+E fulltime taught postgraduate programmes valued at €2,000 each. The successful applicant will receive the scholarship in the form of reduced fees.
Assessment
The Scholarships will be allocated by a Faculty of Science and Engineering Assessment Panel, on the basis of information provided in your completed scholarship application form and your eligibility for entry onto your chosen programme.
Scholarship Application Process
- Application should be submitted online by 5pm on the 16th June 2023.
- Have applied online at www.ul.ie/gps for a fulltime taught postgraduate programme including primary degree award and transcript by 16th June 2023. (Applicants who have not yet received their final degree transcript must upload their most up to-date transcript).
- The successful applicants will be notified in late June. The applicant will not receive a payment from the University of Limerick. The scholarship will be deducted from the course fee at the start of Autumn semester.
Remember
Applicants must have applied online at www.ul.ie/gps for a fulltime taught postgraduate programme by 5pm on the 16th June 2023.
Conditions for allocation
- Where an applicant does not achieve the necessary award in their primary degree for admission to the programme, the applicant will not be eligible to receive the scholarship.
- Should the successful applicant not take up a place or accept the scholarship, the scholarship will be made to the next ranked applicant.
- The taught postgraduate scholarship may not be deferred to the following academic year.
- The scholarship may not be transferred to another student by the applicant.
- Late applications will not be accepted or reviewed.
- The award of a scholarship does not guarantee entry to a programme or the conferring of an award, on the completion of a programme
- Applicants must enrol and register on their fulltime programme in September 2023.
- The decision of the assessment panel is final.
- Fulltime Taught Masters Bursary awardees for 2023-24 who subsequently continue into PhD or other research programmes at UL may apply for further scholarships/funding as per any other applicant.
- Any fee above the value of the scholarship must be paid as per the fees regulations.
- The scholarship will be paid once only, and does not entitle the recipient to reduced fees, in any other semester/year, subsequent programme, or repeat module.
- The scholarship may not be used in conjunction with any additional University of Limerick scholarships, fee waivers or other direct or indirect financial assistance programmes.
Closing Date and Enquiries
Fully completed application forms should be submitted online on or before 5pm on 16th June 2023. Late applications will not be accepted or reviewed.
Enquiries regarding the application process can be made via email to Johanna.Griffin@ul.ie
Each year the Kemmy Business School support students on eligible postgraduate programmes through its Athena Swan scholarship initiative and through partnerships with key stakeholders. Details on eligible programmes and application process will be available in the coming weeks.
For more information contact: Deirdre O’ Dwyer, Taught Postgraduate Studies, Kemmy Business School on Deirdre.ODwyer@ul.ie
School of Medicine
Scholarship –Financial assistance of 100% Student fees and a moderate maintenance bursary to students who previously entered third level education via a recognised Access route.
Details relating to School of Medicine scholarships are available from Josephine.Lynch@ul.ie
Nursing & Midwifery
Scholarship – Edith and Leslie Downer Entrance Scholarship - €1,000 pa.
Scholarship – MSc Nursing Studies programme €3,000 to each student.
Scholarship –BSc Nursing Studies programme €1,500 to each student.
Psychology
Details relating to scholarships and bursaries that may be available will be advertised on our website; please keep an eye on it: https://www.ul.ie/psychology
The Global MINDS programme is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme. There are two types of scholarships available in each intake:
• 10 full scholarships that cover the participation costs and a stipend of 1400 EUR per month throughout the duration of the programme
• 15 partial scholarships that cover the participation costs
In order to be considered for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship, applicants should include a request for funding and relevant justification in their supporting statement.
Education & Health Sciences - Research
EHS Fee Waivers/Scholarships for Structured PhD/Masters and Research PhD/Masters for all EHS disciplines depending on Funding availability.
For more information on taught postgraduate funding and scholarships, please contact the relevant department:
- School of Allied Health: Mairead.Gavin@ul.ie
- Physical Education & Sport Science: Maeve.Gleeson@ul.ie
- Psychology: https://www.ul.ie/psychology
- EHS General: Lynn.ODoherty@ul.ie
Sports Scholarships
The UL Sports Scholarships are designed to support top athletes in pursuing and excelling in their sport while also undertaking academic study at the University of Limerick.
The scholarships are open to all current, full time, UL students or those who are applying to come to UL for the first time either through CAO or transferring at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Applicants must be a member of a national governing body of sport recognised by the Irish Sports Council, in the sport in which they are applying for a scholarship.
Information on funded postgraduate research opportunities is available here. (Postgraduate Masters / PhD)
Postgraduate Research Funding AY 2023-24:
The following Postgraduate Research scholarships are on offer to students undertaking a full-time research postgraduate degree during the Academic Year 2023/24
Postgraduate Research Residential Scholarships (Sponsored by Campus Life Services/Plassey Campus Centre)
The H Thomas Hallowell Jr. Graduate Scholarship (Sponsored by UL Foundation)
Applications must include (one PDF copy incorporating the covering letter, CV, summary of the research project and letter of support, maximum 5 pages).
Applicants must indicate within their covering letter the name of the specific scholarship(s) they wish to be considered for.
The subject title of the email must include PGR Scholarships Application 2023.
Applications must be submitted via email to DoctoralCollege@ul.ie closing date: Tues 23 May 2023 @ 5pm.
Funding for professional learners
Skillnet and Springboard+ Funding for Professional Learners
Skillnet funding
Skillnet Ireland, the national agency responsible for the promotion and facilitation of workforce learning, supports over 15,000 companies through 60+ enterprise-led learning networks annually.
Skillnet supports Irish businesses by helping them to identify relevant training requirements and working with them to source the best option to meet their needs. Its ambition is to develop Ireland’s talent base and enable Irish SMEs to reach their full potential through lifelong learning and professional development.
Skillnet fosters an enterprise-led approach to workforce development. It operates under a joint investment model, part-funded by participating businesses in one of our 60+ learning networks. Each network, funded by Skillnet Ireland, is a cluster of companies from the same sector or geographical location. This approach has received international recognition as a model of best practice from the OECD and ILO, amongst others.
Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Education and Skills.
Click here to go to learn more about funding via Skillnet.
Executive Apprenticeships
The University of Limerick is Ireland's first University to offer a suite of executive apprenticeships from Level 7 Diploma to Level 10 Doctorate. These new executive apprenticeships have been created in collaboration with industry and are aimed at building Ireland's capacity to be world industry leaders through enhancing the skills of its existing workforce. The programmes at UL are designed for people who are already working and wish to gain additional knowledge and experience within their role. As such, all of our participants already have employment contracts that meet or exceed the duration of the apprenticeship. All of the programmes are designed to minimise the employees time away from the workplace using a 70:30 ‘on-the-job’ to ‘off-the-job’ ratio. This is achieved through the use of blended and online programme delivery for maximum benefit.
We currently offer the following apprenticeships:
- Principal Engineer Level 10
- Equipment Systems Engineer Masters Level 9
- Lean Sigma Manager Masters Level 9
- Supply Chain Manager Masters Level 9
- Supply Chain Specialist Degree Level 8
- Supply Chain Associate Diploma Level 7
- Cybersecurity Practitioner L8 (September 2022)
All apprenticeships are subject to an application and approvals process.
Fees are highly subsidised for approved applicants and represent 80-90% saving on programmes fees. If you are interested in undertaking one of our executive apprenticeships, please contact us on apprenticeships@ul.ie for further information or to speak to a programme manager. Details on the programmes can be found at www.ul.ie/apprenticeships
Springboard+ Funding
The springboard+ upskilling initiative in higher education offers free courses at certificate, degree and masters level leading to qualifications in areas where there are employment opportunities in the economy.
Springboard+ is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF programme for employability, inclusion and learning 2014-2020. The majority of courses are part-time for a maximum of 12 months and are open to all eligible applicants regardless of their employment status. For more information go to https://www.springboardcourses.ie.