Attending third level education across the border

The Common Travel Area (CTA) provides Irish and UK citizens the right to access education and associated student support, in each other’s state, on terms no less favourable than those for the citizens of that state. This includes rights to home fee status, tuition fee loans and maintenance support subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.  

Funding overview

Funding supports for third level students differ on both sides of the border, but fortunately our cross-border students may find they can avail of options from both jurisdictions (provided they meet the criteria).  This is only a snapshot, please keep reading for further information.

Live North, Study South

Grants 

• You may be eligible for a Maintenance Grant from Student Finance NI to cover some of your non-fee related costs.
• Alternatively, you may be eligible for a grant from the Irish government. 

The Irish Government’s Student Grant Scheme is commonly referred to as SUSI because it is run by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). You can use the SUSI Eligibility Reckoner to quickly and easily self-assess whether you may be entitled to a grant. 

Please note: SUSI does not supply funding for maintenance grants for NI students studying Post-Leaving Cert (PLC) courses.  See: SUSI, What Grants are Available? | SUSI

Loans 

NI residents studying in ROI can apply to Student Finance NI for a

• Student Contribution Loan, which will help cover the contribution fee charged by ROI higher education institutions.
• Maintenance Loan to help cover non-fee related expenses.
• However, first check to see if you are entitled to a SUSI Grant, it’s non-repayable! See information below, sourced from www.studentfinanceni.co.uk on 2 October 2024:

Some students studying in the Republic of Ireland may be able to get a grant from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). This grant is non-repayable. You may wish to speak with SUSI before applying for a loan from Student Finance NI.

If you are unable to get a grant from SUSI you can apply for a loan from Student Finance NI. You can also apply to Student Finance NI for any additional available finance even if you will receive a grant from SUSI.

You can’t get funding from both SUSI and Student Finance NI for the same purpose, so if you’re getting funding from SUSI for your contribution fee, you cannot also get funding towards the contribution fee from Student Finance NI.

The deadline for applying to Student Finance NI is 9 months from the first day of your academic year.

 See also: 

• HEA / studentfinance.ie
• nidirect – Tuition fees 
• Student Finance – Contact details 

Live South, Study North

Grants 

The Student Grant Scheme is the main financial support scheme for students studying in ROI and ROI students studying abroad. Under this eligible ROI students studying in UK higher education institutions (including NI) can apply for a student Maintenance Grant from the Irish Government. For more see: Citizens Information. 

Please note:

• The Maintenance Grant is the only funding available from the Irish State to eligible Undergraduate Students pursuing approved courses outside the Irish State. 
• The Fee Grant is not available to students studying outside the State. The only exception to this is for students attending postgraduate courses in four approved institutions in Northern Ireland.  You can read more about the four approved institutions for postgraduate study here.

The Student Grant Scheme is commonly referred to as SUSI because it is run by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). You can use the SUSI Eligibility Reckoner to quickly and easily self-assess whether you may be entitled to a grant. 

Loans

ROI students studying in NI can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from Student Finance NI which will help cover the tuition fee charged by NI higher education institutions. 

Where you’re from and where you live helps determine what kinds of funding you can get. On the Student Finance NI website you can read the options and decide which one applies to you here: What type of student are you? – Student Finance NI 

 See also: 

• nidirect – Tuition fees 
• Citizens Information: Student Grant Scheme 

Cross-border Scholarships 

• The All Ireland Scholarship Scheme provides significant financial support to high achieving students from challenging economic backgrounds from the island of Ireland. Check the eligibility criteria 
• North South scholarships: Universities Ireland offers bursaries to students undertaking a recognised master’s course (taught or research) in the other Irish jurisdiction – www.universitiesireland.ie 
• NOTE: these are awarded annually, so check the website to see when the applications for the scheme open. 

See also: 

• Border People: Advice organisations
• Border People: Applying to higher education across the border 
• Border People: Third level education: student banking

Page last updated 2nd October 2024

This webpage is for general information purposes only and while we endeavour to keep it up-to-date, errors may occur. It is very important that you check with the relevant body to ensure the information is current and is applicable to your situation.

If you would like to suggest amendments or highlight new information that could be useful to others please don’t hesitate to get in touch.