When to apply
Applications for entry September 2025:
Opens Monday 28th April 2025
Closes Friday 6th June 2025.
To be eligible for a Sanctuary Scholarship, you must:
- Be a non-EU citizen who is, or has been, in the International Protection process, and has permission to reside in the State and to study. Or, be a member of the Irish Traveller or Roma communities.
- Not be eligible for a SUSI grant, or other supports for student fees or student contribution costs.
- Meet the academic eligibility criteria for your chosen programme, including English Language Requirements.
- For undergraduate applicants: have completed within the last 2 years (or intend to complete in 2025) either:
- the Leaving Certificate examination or an equivalent school-leaving examination,
- a QQI/FETAC full award, or
- be a Mature Applicant (over the age of 23 on January 1, 2025).
- Be living in the Republic of Ireland at the time of application.
- Be attending higher education for the first time (for undergraduate applicants) or progressing in higher education (for postgraduate applicants).
- Receive an offer of a place on an IADT undergraduate or postgraduate course.
- Meet an income threshold. This can be confirmed by providing evidence that:
- you or your family are in receipt of a medical card/GP visit card,
- you or your family receives a means tested payment from the department of social protection, or
- you or your family income falls on or below the following income limit for 2024:
Number of dependent children * in your family Income Limit Fewer than 4 €46,790 4-7 €51,325 More than 8
€55,630
Add €4,785 to the total family/household income for every sibling/parent enrolled in a full-time college, university or Post Leaving Certificate course.
Please note:
- You must produce evidence to verify your eligibility for a scholarship.
- Scholarship applications will be confirmed after you receive an offer of a place via CAO or direct entry on an IADT undergraduate or postgraduate programme.
- You must start your programme of study and be a registered student at IADT for the scholarship to be valid.
- You must arrange your own accommodation. IADT does not provide accommodation.
- You must be able to complete all of the requirements of the course including professional placements/travel etc.
What is included in the scholarship
These scholarships cover all fees (tuition, registration etc.), and an annual grant of €3,600 per academic year.
You will also receive funds towards food, travel, and student medical centre visits as needed, and one to one support from the Access Service.
These supports will cease if you become eligible for the Free Fees initiative and/or the SUSI grant scheme.
Steps to prepare for your application
- Check you are eligible. Look at the eligibility criteria above. If you are unsure please email access@iadt.ie.
- Download a copy of the form to read through before you apply online. This will be available to download from the 28th of April 2025.
- Prepare your documents. You will need to prepare some or all of the documents below to upload in your application. You can also email documents to access@iadt.ie:
| Eligibility criteria | Documents required |
| You are a non-EU citizen who is, or has been, in the International Protection process, and has permission to reside in the State and to study. | Proof of your legal status in Ireland if you are or have been in the International Protection system from the Department of Justice. |
| You are a member of the Irish Traveller or Roma communities. | A letter from a school, healthcare professional, social worker, community worker or other professional to confirm you are a member of the Irish Traveller or Roma communities. |
| You currently live in Ireland/ you live in a Direct Provision. | Proof of address. |
| You or your family receives a means tested payment from the department of social protection. | Proof of payment, for example receipts, bank statements or correspondence with the Department of Social Protection. |
| You or your family are in receipt of a medical card/GP visit card. | Proof of an in-date card, including the card number and a photo of the card or correspondence. |
| Your household income was below €46,790 in 2024. | Statement of Liability or Self-Assessment from Revenue for 2024. |
How do I apply for a sanctuary scholarship?
To apply, contact the IADT Access Service at access@iadt.ie for more information and application details.
If you meet the eligibility criteria for the scholarship and have been offered a place on an IADT course, you will be asked to attend an in-person meeting with at least two members of the IADT Sanctuary Scholarship Committee on the IADT campus.
If there is competition for scholarship places, an IADT committee will assess applications based on eligibility criteria and the information provided.
If you have any questions about the Central Applications Office (CAO), or about direct application to courses in IADT, please contact Admissions: admissions@iadt.ie