Adult Continuing Education (ACE) at University College Cork is proud to offer:

• Sanctuary Scholarships to adult learners seeking international protection, including those with refugee or asylum status.
• Sanctuary Scholarships for Palestinian Passport holders who have been displaced/affected by the ongoing conflict.

This initiative is part of our mission and commitment to inclusivity, access, and lifelong learning. Please note that there are two separate application routes. Please ensure you complete the correct application form 

ACE Sanctuary Scholarships open for applications on 15 May 2026 and close on 11 June 2026. 

List of eligible programmes are listed further down this page. Please note that the scholarship for Palestinian passport holders are for programmes delivered online only. 

What the Scholarships Cover

ACE Sanctuary Scholars will receive a full tuition fee waiver for their chosen part-time ACE programme (Please see list of eligible courses below).

Please note:

• The scholarship does not include accommodation, travel costs, or any other financial support.

• The scholarship is non-transferable and cannot be applied to another programme if you do not meet the entry requirements for your original choice.

Who Can Apply

General Sanctuary Scholarship Applicants

To apply, you must:

1. Be an international protection applicant, asylum seeker, refugee or Ukrainian national availing of the EU Temporary Protection Directive, who is not eligible for the state Free Fees scheme, SUSI grants and/or the International Protection Student scheme (documentation of status will be required)*
2. Be in receipt of a qualifying DSP (Department of Social Protection) payment
3. Be living in the Republic of Ireland
4. Meet the programme requirements for your chosen programme
5. Meet the English language requirements 
6. Be able to attend sessions for courses not delivered wholly online

Priority will be given to:

• Applicants who have lived in Ireland for more than 12 months
• Applicants who are on the International Protection Priority list (see https://www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie/prioritised-countries) 
• First time Sanctuary Scholarship applicants (as places are limited, first time applicants will be prioritised, but if there are places available we will try to support progression for past scholarship holders) 
• Applicants who are unemployed (applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and we anticipate some scholars will be employed) 

Online Scholarships for Palestinians

To apply, you must:

1. Palestinian passport holder who has been displaced/affected by the ongoing conflict and I am not currently eligible for the Irish State Free Fees scheme, SUSI grants and/or the International Protection Student scheme. (documentation of status will be required)*
2. Meet the programme requirements for your chosen programme
3. Meet the English language requirements 
4. Be able to attend sessions for courses - please note all programmes for this scholarship route are delivered wholly online

Priority will be given to:

• First time Sanctuary Scholarship applicants (as places are limited, first time applicants will be prioritised) 
• Applicants who are unemployed (applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and we anticipate some scholars will be employed) 

The Application Process

Click the boxes to see the application steps and deadlines:

Application Timeline

Programme Delivery

• ACE offers a mix of online, in-person, and blended programmes.
• Please check your chosen programme’s delivery mode in advance to ensure it suits your needs.
• Some programmes require in-person attendance at UCC’s main campus.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I apply to more than one programme?
You may only apply for a Sanctuary Scholarship for one programme. There are limited scholarships available. As places are limited, first time Sanctuary Scholarship applicants will be prioritised, but if there are places available we will try to support progression for past scholarship holders

What if I miss the scholarship deadline?
Unfortunately, late applications cannot be accepted under any circumstances.

When will my chosen programme commence?
Scholarships are now open for application for the academic year commencing from September 2025. Start dates vary per programme and can be viewed on each of the programme pages. Please note that programmes will run subject to viability. In the event that a programme is not viable, scholarships are unfortunately non-transferable. 

Do I need to submit original documentation?
Scans or clear photos of official documents are acceptable for the application process.

Can I defer the scholarship to next year?
No. Scholarships are awarded for the current academic year only and cannot be deferred. You may apply again for the coming year.

What happens if my application is declined?
There are a limited number of scholarships available each year. If your application is declined, don't be discouraged, you may still apply to the programme as a full fee-paying student, or you may choose to wait and apply for a scholarship again when scholarship applications re-open for the 2027 intake. 

Can I apply for a scholarship that is not in the programme list above?

ACE Sanctuary Scholarships are only available for the ACE programmes listed above. Independent scholarship requests for individual ACE programmes outside of this list cannot be considered.

There are, however, a number of other scholarship opportunities available across UCC. You can see the full list here.