Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald is encouraging A Level and Level 3 Extended Diploma students to apply for the 2025 All Ireland Scholarship Scheme.
Established in Northern Ireland in 2009 and funded by businessman JP McManus, the annual scholarships support high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds who plan to begin full-time undergraduate studies in the autumn. Each scholarship is worth £5,500 per year for the duration of the recipient’s degree programme.
Highlighting the impact of the scheme, Minister Archibald said:
“Education has the power to transform lives, yet many students are held back by financial pressures. These scholarships are designed to help ease that burden and create more opportunities. To date, 351 students from Northern Ireland have received this support, and it’s fantastic news that 25 more scholarships will be awarded this year.”
Current recipients have shared their experiences:
Taylor McGrath-McAllister, a second-year Natural Sciences student at Homerton College, University of Cambridge, said:
“The All Ireland Scholarship has significantly reduced the financial pressure of studying in England. It covers most of my rent, which is a huge help, especially in a costly city like Cambridge. Beyond the financial aid, the scholarship also offers a strong alumni network and valuable opportunities to connect with others.”
Elizabeth Poucher, a second-year Medicine student at Queen’s University Belfast, added:
“My teachers encouraged me to apply based on my results, and I’m incredibly thankful they did. The application process was straightforward, and the scholarship has helped relieve financial stress, allowing me to concentrate more on my studies. I’d recommend all eligible students to apply and really put in the effort ahead of exams.”
This year, 25 scholarships will be awarded in Northern Ireland: 19 to the highest-performing A Level students from grant-aided post-primary schools and six to top-performing Level 3 Extended Diploma students from further education colleges.
To be eligible, applicants must have received the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) at the time of their examinations and plan to begin an undergraduate degree in September or October 2025.
The deadline for applications is 4pm on Thursday, 28 August 2025.
More information and application details are available via nidirect and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).
