Sport Scholarships

Here are the answers to the commonly asked questions about the CAO Points Concession and Sport Scholarships.

Q: What is the difference between the CAO Points Concession and Sport Scholarships?

• CAO Points Concession is an academic entry scheme for performance athletes at undergraduate level. A number of academic places offering a CAO points concession are reserved for outstanding candidates who have achieved a very high level of sporting performance and who are committed to continuing to develop their sporting and academic careers. Successful applicants who have presented all relevant entry requirements and met the sports assessment criteria may be eligible for a points reduction of up to 25 points below the CAO points cut-off for the programme they have applied for. To be considered for this entry scheme, applicants must achieve a minimum of 300 points.
• Sport Scholarships is a post-entry support programme that gives a student a number of benefits to assist them to successfully manage their sporting and academic commitments. Sports Scholarships are intended for persons of outstanding sporting ability.

Q: How can I apply?

Applications are by an online application form.  Applications for programmes for the 2024-2025 academic year will open on the 1st of February 2024 and the closing date for receipt of applications is the 1st of May 2024 at 5.15pm. There is one application form for CAO Points Concession and Sport Scholarships. Upon application, you will need to indicate if you wish to be considered for one or both of these programmes. Please note the CAO Points Concession and Sport Scholarships are separate programmes. If you choose to apply for both programmes your application will be assessed separately and you will be notified of the outcome in each programme separately. 

Q: Can I apply for both the CAO Points Concession and Sport Scholarships?

Yes, you can apply for both the CAO Points Concession and Sport Scholarships and you may be successful in one, both or neither.  Please note the CAO Points Concession programme is for students applying to enter 1st year of an undergraduate programme in DCU.

Q: What sports are considered?

We accept applications in our priority sports of Athletics, Basketball, GAA Sports, Soccer and Rugby.  We also consider applications in other sports from athletes of a Junior or Senior International standard, with participation at European/World Championship or Olympic level and part of a high-performance squad with their NGB. We consider applications in other sports in which there is a respective DCU Sports Club and discipline in DCU. For a list of DCU Sports Clubs visit www.dcuclubsandsocs.ie. For more information see the section 'What Sports are considered'.

Q: Can I apply in more than one sport?

You can make an application in more than one sport.  You only need to submit one application and detail the information for all your sports. Please note Sport Scholarships are only offered in one sport and students are expected to commit to the respective DCU Sports Club in which their Sport Scholarship is offered.

Q: Can I edit my application or submit additional information after it has been submitted?
 

You cannot edit or amend your application after submission, however if your achievements have significantly changed or improved after submission please list these and email to sports-wellbeing@dcu.ie 

Q: I have missed the application deadline can I still apply?

The deadline for receipt of online applications for CAO Points Concession and Sport Scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year is the 1st of May 2024 at 5.15pm. Late applications past the deadline will not be accepted. Sport Scholarships are offered on an annual basis so if you did miss the deadline you can apply each year that you are a student in DCU.

Q: What should I include in the information in support of my application?

The personal statement is an opportunity or you to make your application stand out and to add any other information that you feel will support your application such as your academic aims, how a DCU Sport Scholarship would benefit you and how you will impact sport in DCU.

Q: Who should I list as a referee?

You need to provide the contact details for two referees. One referee should be from your National Governing Body of Sport and the second referee should be from your Coach, Manager or Teacher. For GAA applicants one referee should be from your Intercounty Manager or County Board, and the second referee should be from your Coach, Manager or Teacher, Please note DCU may contact the referees and/or the National Governing Body of Sport, High-Performance Manager and/or Team Coach to verify an applicants sporting achievements 

Q: When will I know the outcome of my application?

For CAO Points Concession
Applicants who have applied through CAO and have submitted the application form by 1st May will initially be assessed. Those deemed eligible will progress in the assessment process. Ineligible applicants for this entry scheme will receive e-mail communication from DCU before the 1st of July 2024. Their ineligibility for this specific scheme does not prevent them from progressing with their application through CAO for assessment based only on their qualifications.  Eligible applicants are made offers through the CAO in mid-August. This academic entry scheme and any potential offer of a place at DCU through CAO does not include an offer of a Sports Scholarship.

For Sport Scholarships
Sport Scholarship applications are assessed in May and June.  Applicants that are deemed ineligible by DCU for Sport Scholarships will receive e-mail communication from DCU before the 1st of  July 2024. Applicants that are deemed eligible by DCU will receive e-mail communication from DCU before the 1st of  July 2024 and will progress in the assessment process.  

The outcome of applications for CAO Points Concession and Sport Scholarships will be communicated by e-mail using the e-mail address listed in the application form. 

To apply for the DCU Sports Scholarship programme athletes must fulfil the general eligibility criteria as listed below. Information on what sports are considered is available in the next section.

• Applications will be considered from current students and also from prospective students. In order to be considered for a sport scholarship prospective students must meet the DCU admission requirements through the CAO system and must enrol on a programme of academic study at DCU. Current students must show academic progression and maintain a satisfactory academic standard throughout the duration of their course.
• Only sports recognised by Sport Ireland will be considered. Please contact Sport Ireland for more information on Tel: 01 860 8800 or visit www.sportireland.ie 
• Only sports whereby DCU has a respective sports club and sporting discipline will be considered.  To view the list of DCU Sports Clubs visit https://dcuclubsandsocs.ie/
• Maintain an appropriate level of commitment to the DCU sports club in your sport, in intervarsity and other competitions and/or training.
• Contribute to the administration, coaching, promotion and development of the DCU club

Sports Scholarships are intended for persons of outstanding sporting ability. We accept applications in our priority sports of Athletics, Basketball, GAA Sports, Soccer and Rugby.  We also consider applications in other sports from athletes of a Junior or Senior International standard, with participation at European/World Championship or Olympic level and part of a high-performance squad with their NGB. The minimum standard of entry in each of DCU's priority sports is listed in the table in the Minimum Criteria section below. These criteria are set to give applicants a guideline to follow when understanding the term ¡®performance sport¡¯, however, the University may adapt its criteria depending on the sport in question. 

Please note the following:

• Meeting all the criteria does not mean an automatic offer of a CAO Points Concession and/or Sport Scholarship.
• The eligibility and selection criteria reflect the evolving nature of CAO Points Concession and Sport Scholarships, and DCU reserves the right to amend the criteria for selection according to the requirements of the scheme.
• DCU reserves the right to set the definition of performance and the sport-specific eligibility criteria to reflect the performance level of athletes based at the University.

Please note the following:

• Meeting all the criteria below does not mean an automatic offer of a CAO Points Concession and/or Sport Scholarship.
• The eligibility and selection criteria reflect the evolving nature of CAO Points Concession and Sport Scholarships, and DCU reserves the right to amend the criteria for selection according to the requirements of the scheme.
• DCU reserves the right to set the definition of performance and the sport-specific eligibility criteria to reflect the performance level of athletes based at the University.

To apply for the Performance Sport CAO Points Concession and/or the Sport Scholarship programme applicants must complete an online application form available here.

Please note:

• Applications for programmes for the 2024-2025 academic year will open on the 1st of February 2024 and the closing date for receipt of applications is the 1^st of May 2024 at 5.15pm
•  Applicants that apply for the CAO Points Concession programme must also make an application for a DCU programme of study through the CAO.  Applicants should apply through the CAO by the normal closing date of 1st February or before the late closing date of 1st May and complete a DCU Performance Sport online application form.
• Paper applications or late applications will not be accepted.