2026-2027 Application Process

Application Requirements:

The following requirements must be fulfilled in order to qualify for consideration as an Irish American Scholar:

  • A candidate must be nominated by an advisor at their home institution using the 2026-27 IAS Nomination Form
  • A candidate must submit a completed 2026-27 IAS Application along with a copy of an official academic transcript through the most recent fall semester.
  • A candidate must submit two letters of reference–preferably one from the student’s academic advisor and one from a faculty member or administrator at the applicant’s home institution
  • A candidate must submit a 500-word essay describing the student’s educational objectives while studying in Northern Ireland
2026-27 IAS Application Form
2026-27 IAS Nomination Form

NOTES:

  • The application and nomination forms can be filled out online and saved. These completed forms should be combined with the other required items and submitted by the advisor as a single PDF file via email. (Emailing instructions provided below.)
  • While students may choose any course of study, certain academic areas have additional requirements (as described below).

Additional program requirements for certain courses of study:

  • Art: Students planning to study art must submit a portfolio of their work in and electronic format (or via a link to a website) along with their other application materials. Art students should have completed significant course work in their major before applying.
  • Science or Math: Students planning to study science or math should have completed significant coursework in advanced areas of their discipline prior to studying in Northern Ireland.
  • Education: Education/Teaching is available only at Stranmillis or St. Mary’s. Preference is given to students who have some in-classroom experience. The Spring semester in Northern Ireland includes an in-school placement. Education students must, therefore, obtain a background check and bring the results to Northern Ireland.
  • Music: Students interested in studying a musical instrument at Ulster University– Magee will be required to pay extra fees not included in the tuition/fee waiver from UU.

Coursework and campus selection considerations:

  • Ulster University (UU) has several campuses in addition to their main campus in Belfast. Students interested in attending UU are required to take all of their courses at one campus. Applicants should, therefore, make sure that all of the courses they wish to take are available at a particular UU campus.
  • Applicants should talk with their adviser or director of international study to determine how participation in the IAS program will affect progress toward graduation and whether credits will count toward degree programs at the home institution.
  • Registration for specific classes happens after a student arrives in Northern Ireland to begin study. Students should be flexible in selecting courses and should not assume that a particular class will be offered during the time they are in Northern Ireland.
  • All of the participating Northern Ireland institutions prefer applicants for the Fall semester, especially for education students considering attendance at Saint Mary’s University College or Stranmillis University College. However, this is a preference and does not prevent students from being considered for the Spring semester.

How the selection and placement process works:

Final selection and placement of students at the participating schools is done by a selection committee comprised of representatives from each of the participating institutions in Northern Ireland. The selection committee will first consider a student’s field of study to see if there are matching courses in Northern Ireland. Students who cannot advance their studies in a chosen field or who have not completed a sufficient number of courses in their major will not be invited to participate. The committee will also consider a student’s involvement in non-academic activities, especially those that relate to the student’s field of study.

Qualified applicants who are not initially invited to participate in the IAS program may be put on a reserve list and offered a placement if another student declines. Applicants who are invited to participate will be notified in March and must accept or decline by April 1. Students will receive information from the  school where they have been placed for study in Northern Ireland usually in April or early May. Placements are final and are not subject to negotiation. Accepted students must complete all required paperwork from their assigned school in Northern Ireland as requested.

Emailing instructions:

Advisors at Catholic institutions should email all application materials to:

Pamela Galligan-Stierle
Consultant, Study USA & Irish American Scholars
University of St. Thomas – William J Flynn Center for Irish Studies
pamelagalliganstierle@gmail.com

Advisors at Presbyterian (APCU) institutions should email all application materials to:

Casey Bajack
Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities
casey.bajack@presbyteriancolleges.org

Advisors at United Methodist (GBHEM) institutions should email all application materials to:

Tammy K. Gieselman, Executive Director of Schools, Colleges & Universities
General Board for Higher Education and Ministry
tgieselman@gbhem.org

Have a question? Visit our Contact Page.