Graduates from across Ireland are being given the opportunity to secure a business school scholarship beginning this September. The UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School Aspire scholarship programme 2015 offers up to three MBA and nine MSc scholarships to graduates who may have thought a business masters was beyond their means.
Aspire began in 2010 after an anonymous benefactor of the school committed €500,000 to launch the programme. The donor provided the funds specifically for those who could not otherwise afford to study at UCD Smurfit School and as a contribution to the recovery of the Irish economy. Since 2010, more than 40 previous students have graduated.
Scholars secured jobs in companies like Google, Citi, KPMG, Ulster Bank, PepsiCo, Microsoft, AIB, Accenture, Mitsubishi and PwC. The scholarship covers half of the course fees. Students can choose from any of the MBA and MSc courses on offer. A selection committee, chaired by Cormac McCarthy, chief financial officer, Paddy Power, will decide on the winners.
The closing date for entry is Friday, April 17 2015. Applications can be made at www.smurfitschool.ie/scholarships/aspirescholarship.
Pictured at the Aspire scholarship programme launch in UCD’s Smurfit Graduate Business School are past scholars Danny Dillon, Sharon Commins, Ciarán Reilly, Serge Nyange, Cian McGinn, Ailish Boyle, Amy Whelan with Professor Tony Brabazon (centre).
