Dreaming of earning your degree in Ireland without the financial burden? You’re in luck! Ulster University, one of the most inclusive and supportive universities in the UK and Ireland, has just opened applications for its Inspire Scholarships 2025/2026 — a golden opportunity for eligible students to study almost tuition-free at a world-class institution located in the heart of Northern Ireland.
Let’s dive into how you, as an international student already residing or studying in Northern Ireland, can grab one of these fully funded spots and study at Ulster for up to four years — absolutely free!
What Is the Inspire Scholarship?
The Inspire Scholarships are part of Ulster University’s mission to make higher education more accessible, especially for those who may be held back by financial hardship. In September 2025, 27 students starting the first year of their undergraduate degrees will be selected for this generous scholarship.
These scholarships are designed to support local and international students living in Northern Ireland who are about to start a full-time undergraduate program at Ulster’s Belfast, Coleraine, or Derry~Londonderry campus.
Scholarship Value
You can receive:
- £3,000 per year (excluding placement year), for a total of up to £9,000 – 20 scholarships available
- £2,000 per year (excluding placement year), for a total of up to £6,000 – 7 scholarships available
This funding can be used to cover tuition fees, living costs, learning resources, and other academic expenses.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the Inspire Scholarship, you must be living in Northern Ireland and meet the following criteria:
Basic Eligibility:
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- Be in the final year of a Level 3 qualification (A-Levels, BTEC, or equivalent) at a Northern Ireland-based institution
- Hold an offer from Ulster University for September 2025 intake
- Have confirmed Ulster as your first choice
- Have a permanent home address in Northern Ireland
- Belong to a household with an annual income of £22,500 or less
(or be in receipt of FSM, EMA, or be care experienced).
Additional Eligibility (You must meet at least ONE):
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- First in your family to attend university
- Main carer for a family member or dependent
- Estranged from parents/guardians
- Care experienced (e.g., foster care, adopted, residential care)
- In receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or PIP
- Reside in an area of high deprivation (based on postcode rank ≤356).
Apply: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/scholarships/inspire-scholarships
Application Processing Timeline
Applications for the Ulster Futures Inspire Scholarships 2025/2026 are currently open and must be submitted by 16 June 2025 at 11:59 PM (UK time). Applicants who receive their final UCAS decisions by 14 May 2025 must reply by 5 June 2025, while those receiving their last decision by 17 July 2025 must respond by 23 July 2025.
Provisional scholarship offers will be made in July 2025, pending verification of submitted evidence from both the applicant and their referee. Following the release of A-Level results on 14 August 2025, final scholarship offers will be confirmed once all required documentation is validated.
