Key information
- Value: £3,000 per year (up to a maximum of £9,000)
- Study Level: Undergraduate
About this opportunity
At Ulster University, we understand that lack of finance may be the only reason that many people with potential do not progress to university.
In order to address this inequality, we believe that we need to support more people on their university journey to ensure that they graduate with the qualifications, experiences and skills that will secure a better future.
Ulster University has therefore been working to raise funds to provide financial scholarships to a number of students entering their first year at Ulster University.
In September 2025, we are able to support 26 students with a scholarship of £3,000 a year for each year of their degree (placement year excluded) up to a maximum of £9,000.
You must be studying a full-time degree based on one of Ulster University's three campuses in Belfast, Coleraine or Derry~Londonderry.
Do you have any questions for us?
If you have any queries please send your enquiry by email to: communityscholarships@ulster.ac.uk
How to Apply
The call for applications for entry to the 2025-26 academic year will open shortly.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| To be confirmed | Applications for Ulster Futures Inspire Scholarships Open |
| If you receive your last decision on or before 14 May 2025, your reply date is 5 June 2025 (except if you're using Extra to find a place). If you receive your last decision on or before 17 July 2025, your reply date is 23 July 2025 (including Extra choices). | Deadline for accepting course in UU |
| 16 June 2025 11.59pm | Applications for Community Scholarships Close |
| July 2025 | Provisional offers of Scholarships will be made pending evidence being provided by the applicant and their referee |
| 14 August 2025 | A-Level Results Day |
Once all supporting evidence has been gathered and verified from provisional awardees, an offer of a scholarship will be made and terms and conditions will be sent to awardees. You must return your signed terms and conditions before you will be made a firm offer of an Ulster Futures Inspire Scholarship.
Eligibility criteria
The Ulster Futures Inspire Scholarships are open to individuals who are currently in final year of an acceptable Level 3 qualification such as A-Levels, BTEC or equivalent at a Northern Ireland educational institution, and who also have a permanent home address in Northern Ireland.
Applicants must:
- Be in receipt of an offer from Ulster University and have confirmed Ulster as your first choice.
- Have a permanent home address in Northern Ireland.
- Be in their final year of an acceptable Level 3 qualification such as A-Levels, BTEC or equivalent at a Northern Ireland educational institution.
- Meet agreed financial criteria, i.e. have an annual household income of £22,500 or less e.g. be in receipt of FSM/EMA.
- AND/OR be care experienced.
In addition to the above criteria, all applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Be first in family (this means your parent(s) have not gone to university) to undertake an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in the UK, Ireland or abroad. However, if a parent is currently studying for their first degree or has graduated within the last 5 years, the application will still be considered. You can apply if you have siblings who are at university or who have graduated.
- Be the main carer for a family member or dependent.
- Be Estranged i.e. a student not financially supported by their parents/guardians. (As assessed by Finance NI/Student Loan Company).
- Be care experienced.
- Be in receipt of disability living allowance/personal independence payments.
- Permanently reside in an area of high deprivation/low participation.
If you are not sure if you meet the criteria, please read the definitions below. You can also contact Leighann at communityscholarships@ulster.ac.uk if you have any questions.
Definition of carer
A carer is anyone who provides unpaid care to a family member who could not cope without their support. This may be due to illness, disability, a mental health issue, or substance misuse or be someone who is the sole carer/provider for dependent children.
Definition of estranged
Generally, estrangement means the student has no contact with their parents (either biological or adoptive) and this is unlikely to change.
Common examples include students who are living:
- with friends
- in supported accommodation
- with other family members such as aunts, uncles or grandparents
In some cases, students may have very limited contact with their parents for specific reasons, for example, they're still in touch with their siblings. These students may still be considered as estranged from their parents.
Each application for estrangement will be assessed on the student's individual circumstances.
Definition of care experienced
Experience of being placed in care (fostering/adopted/care home or other supported residential care) for 3 months or longer.
This includes individuals who have lived in public care or as a looked-after child, including placements with foster carers under local authority care or kinship care, in a residential children's home, or who have been adopted after being in care. You must have been in care for three months or more.
Definition of deprivation rank
Applications will be ranked according to NIMDM deprivation rank.
High deprivation is indicated with a score of 356 or less.
Applicants can check eligibility using the NISRA postcode checker.
If unsure, please include your postcode and we will check if you meet this criteria.
Benefits
There are a number of benefits to receiving an Ulster Futures Inspire Scholarship. Successful students will:
- Receive a £3,000 per year scholarship (up to a maximum of £9,000) to alleviate the financial burdens of undertaking a degree.
- Be given the opportunity to take part in a bespoke information session to introduce you to life as a student at Ulster University. We will explore what to expect, for example, accommodation and student finance, well-being, budgeting and what student life looks like including clubs & societies, socialising and finding the balance of it all.
- Meet other students from across Northern Ireland and take part in workshops designed to support you.
- Receive dedicated ongoing support with the transition to Higher Education.
- Be given guidance on securing a placement.
How scholarships have helped our students in the past
xxxxx
xxxxx
Information for parents
To find out more about student life at UU and how your child will be supported you can read more about our undergraduate degrees.
Disclaimer
The Ulster Futures Inspire Scholarships (previously the Ulster University Community Scholarships) were established to celebrate the opening of our new city centre campus, recognising the impact of the new campus and the opportunities it presents to our local community.
They are open to students applying to Ulster University and residing in Northern Ireland.