Studying outside of the EU
Eligibility Criteria:
MU undergraduate students on a programme with an approved semester or full year abroad.
Academic results of 650 (65%) and above in weighted average for first year of study.
Scholarship Budget and Awards:
Students going abroad for one semester will be eligible to receive up to €5k and students going abroad for a full year will be eligible to receive up to €8k.
The scholarship will be paid in two instalments:
Students who go abroad for a semester will receive 80% of the total award after confirmation of arrival at the host university.
They will receive the remaining 20% mid-way through the semester, once the IO receives confirmation that they are still at the host university and is satisfied the student is
engaging with the IO in relation to their ambassador duties.
Students going abroad for a full year will receive 50% of the total award after confirmation of arrival at the host university and the remaining 50% at the beginning of the second
semester. Students will only receive the remaining balance if they are progressing in their studies abroad (successful completion of semester 1) and engaging with the International Office in relation to their ambassador duties.
Eligible Partner Universities:
Students will be able to choose to study at any of the student exchange partner universities outside of the Erasmus programme. See full list of partner universities here
Application process:
Interested students will be able to apply for the scholarship as part of the Expression of Interest process to study abroad in non-EU countries. The Expression of Interest Form
will be available on Going Abroad with Maynooth webpage and on Moodle. The Expression of Interest Form will open on 15th November 2024 and will close on 1st December 2024.
Evaluation criteria and process:
Students can score a total of 100 points, and they must score a minimum of 70 points to be eligible for the scholarship. Applications with less than 70 points will be deemed ineligible.
Students will be asked to provide the following information:
Financial Plan (30/100)
Please provide an estimated cost breakdown of the semester/year abroad and how you plan to finance it. Provide a clear budget outline. (25/30)
Are you receiving a SUSI award? (5/30)
Students in receipt of a SUSI award will receive 5 points, students who do not receive a SUSI award receive 0 points. Students will have to provide proof of their award.
Motivation (50/100)
How will the scholarship help you achieve your goals and ambitions? (30/50) max. 600 words
In your opinion, what are the opportunities and challenges of studying abroad? How might you overcome any challenges that arise for you? (20/50) max. 600 words
Ambassadorship (20/100)
How are you going to be a good ambassador for Maynooth University while you are abroad? (10/20) max. 250 words
When you return, how will you assist the International Office to promote the Study Abroad programme to prospective students? (10/20) max. 250 words
Terms & Conditions
Successful candidates must submit provisional results for first semester of their second year or a report on progress if majority of modules are assessed in May (e.g. LLB students).
The International Office reserves the right to revoke the scholarship award if the candidate is not successfully progressing in their second semester of second year.
Successful candidates must be progressing into third year after May exams. Students sitting autumn exams are not eligible). Progression with a deficit or by compensation is permitted.
The International Office reserves the right to make a final decision on the outcome of the applications.
The International Office reserves the right to offer the scholarship(s) based on a strategic objective of the University (e.g. specific partner university, etc.) identified after the promotion/application period.
The International Office reserves to right to adjust the award should circumstances change for the successful candidate (e.g. they will receive additional scholarship, etc.)
Students must comply with the MU Code of Discipline for Students while on mobility.