Irish American Exchange

Irish American Scholars

From the British Council, Northern Ireland:  Colleges and Universities that participate in the Business Education Initiative (BEI) may send up to three students each year to study in Northern Ireland through the Irish American Scholars program.

The student may apply to study at the following Colleges/Universities:

• Belfast Metropolitan College - www.belfastmet.ac.uk

• Queen's University Belfast - www.qub.ac.uk

• Saint Mary's University College - www.stmarys-belfast.ac.uk

• Stranmillis University College - www.stran.ac.uk

• University of Ulster - www.ulster.ac.uk

Application and Selection Process

Applicants must be juniors or seniors and have a minimum 3.2 GPA.  Applications normally must be postmarked by February 1.  Applicants will be notified of their placement by the end of March.

Students will be nominated by their home institution and must submit:

• A completed application form

• An academic transcript from their most recent semester

• 500 word essay describing their educational objectives for studying in Northern Ireland

• Two letters of reference - one from their academic advisor and another from a faculty member or administrator from their home institution

Students planning to study art must also submit a portfolio of their work.  Final selection and placement of students is completed by the institutions and the US Church Executives in Northern Ireland.  The selection committee will consider a student's field of study to check if there are similar courses in Northern Ireland.  Students who cannot advance their studies in a chosen field or who have not completed courses in their major will not be accepted.  The committee will also consider a student's extra-curricular activities, especially those activities that relate to the student's field of study.

For More Information

Each Church Executive will mail out IAS information to their US Colleges each year.  Below are their contact details:

Church Executive - Gary Luhr
Email: Gluhr@ctr.pcusa.org
T: 888-728-7228 ext 5364
Website: www.presbyteriancolleges.org/irishamericanscholars.htm