Welcome from the Director of the UCD Ad Astra Academy I am delighted to welcome you to the UCD Ad Astra Academy. UCD is strongly committed to encouraging students with exceptional talents to develop their abilities to their full potential. The UCD Ad Astra Academy realizes this commitment in its three strands. UCD Ad Astra Academic Scholars have demonstrated exceptional ability in their studies; UCD Ad Astra Elite Athletes in their sporting endeavours, many performing at national or international level, and UCD Ad Astra Performing Arts Scholars in their demonstration of real talent and commitment to their performance. The UCD Ad Astra Academy provides these students with a range of benefits, mentoring and innovative supports to allow them to achieve at the highest levels. The students in turn are expected to make a significant contribution to the Academy, the University and when they graduate, to society at large. The UCD Ad Astra Academy provides students with academic and discipline specific supports appropriate to the Scholar and their strand. A tailored plan to manage a scholar’s talent is developed in concert with Academic Mentors, Strand Directors and the Scholar. The UCD Ad Astra Academy is the latest in a range of initiatives to encourage and reward students performing to their full potential. We believe in creating an environment where students with exceptional ability, creativity and drive will be motivated, challenged and inspired. As Director of the Academy, I’m delighted to witness the development of these great talents as they mature through the UCD Ad Astra Academy and their programme of study.
Professor Mark Rogers UCD Registrar & Deputy President
Excellence underpins everything we do at UCD, and the University recognises exceptional students when they join, as well as those who develop their talents while studying at UCD. The UCD Ad Astra Academy offers unique opportunities and supports to a diverse group of high-achieving and highly talented students across the University. Through membership of the Academy, students displaying elite potential to international standards in academic pursuits, sports or performing arts are encouraged and supported to develop their talent further. There are multiple opportunities for eligible students to join the UCD Ad Astra Academy community; on acceptance of a place on a UCD undergraduate programme or based on their subsequent performance as they progress through their studies. The UCD Ad Astra Academy Scholars are recognised by the University as an exceptional group of students with particularly high potential. UCD is committed to helping motivated students with unrealized potential not only to meet but also exceed their expectations. The UCD Ad Astra Academy offers exceptionally motivated students the opportunity to maximise their undergraduate educational experience.
Within the UCD Ad Astra Academy there are three strands:
UCD Ad Astra Academic Scholars
UCD Ad Astra Elite Athlete Scholars
UCD Ad Astra Performing Arts Scholars Each strand offers a tailored package of supports that will foster and challenge its students not only to achieve and but also excel in their individual pursuits and academic performance.
UCD Ad Astra Academy UCD Student Recruitment, Roebuck Castle, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4 Tel: +353 (0) 1 716 7889 Email: adastraacademy@ucd.ie Web: www.ucd.ie/myucd/adastraacademy The information contained in this booklet is correct at the time of going to press, however, the University accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions. The University reserves the right to make changes at any time, before or after a student’s admission. Interested applicants should check www.ucd.ie/myucd/adastraacademy regularly.
Welcome from the Director of the UCD Ad Astra Academic Scholars The UCD Ad Astra Academic scholarship programme seeks to recruit exceptional high-achieving students and provide them with additional support and unique opportunities as they study for a degree at UCD. These students will have a proven record of academic excellence and a desire to continue to achieve at the highest level. The programme is designed to further foster their talents by providing these students with a range of benefits, mentoring and development opportunities to allow them to perform to their full potential. There are currently 75 UCD Ad Astra Academic Scholars in undergraduate programmes across the University. These include: Arts, Science, Law, Business, Medicine, Health Sciences, Nursing, Engineering, Actuarial & Financial Studies, Psychology, Physiotherapy and Veterinary Medicine. During your time as a UCD Ad Astra Academic Scholar you will receive the support of a dedicated mentor who will have a close knowledge of your academic commitments and provide guidance on how best to develop your potential. Through a series of seminars and workshops in areas such as leadership, innovation and creative thinking scholars learn to make the most of their opportunities within the University and develop skills that will allow them to excel in their chosen careers. The UCD Ad Astra Academic programme seeks motivated students who already demonstrate high intellectual achievement yet want to reach further through undertaking a challenging university programme. The Academy will provide a supportive environment in which to help you meet the challenge.
Professor Liam Kennedy Director, UCD Ad Astra Academic Scholars
Scholarship Benefits Academic privileges include: • The support of a dedicated academic mentor • Access to advanced modules • A place on graduate programmes subject to meeting normal entry requirements • A series of workshops and seminars is given by academics, distinguished alumni and guest speakers throughout the year to encourage the scholars’ academic and personal development. The scholarship includes a 50% fee remission (subject to a maximum remission of €4000), an allowance towards the cost of on or off campus accommodation and a bursary. Academy membership and benefits are awarded for the normal duration of the degree, subject to annual review of continued high performance.
Academic Mentors View Professor Peter Duffy, UCD Ad Astra Academy Academic Mentor Science, UCD School of Physics. “As a UCD Ad Astra Academic mentor in Science, and someone involved in first year teaching, I’m reminded of the saying that you don’t really understand your subject until you have to explain it to somebody else. This is especially true for the calibre of student in the Academy and UCD – it is a privilege to teach them.”
Eligibility Eligibility - Prospective students Students who achieve 6 x A1s (higher level) or equivalent in a single sitting automatically enter the Academy. Eligibility – while studying at UCD Each year up to 17 academic scholarships are awarded to current students across the University based on academic achievement at the end of first year.
Student Profile Orla McManamly Ad Astra Academic Scholar 2nd year Actuarial & Financial Studies
Mark McDonell Ad Astra Academic Scholar 2nd year Engineering
I can honestly say that receipt of this scholarship puts students in a very privileged position commencing third level. Of greatest value in my experience is the provision of an academic mentor from the scholars’ chosen field of study. This is an immeasurably useful resource when seeking reassurance, guidance, or support and it also allows the student to get to know some of the most informed members of the UCD staff on a one-to-one basis. The Academy inspires students to see their course undertakings as more than just lectures to attend and assignments to complete being part of Ad Astra promotes academic curiosity and motivates students to broaden their academic horizons beyond the traditional confines of their course.
The Ad Astra seminars and workshops have been enormously beneficial in preparing me for both future exams and my life outside UCD. The seminars have helped me improve my studying and exams techniques and have ignited my interest in attaining internships or volunteering overseas. These and the organised activities have provided me with a wonderful opportunity to develop relationships with other scholars and I have made friends in numerous other programmes. Overall, I think the programme has been highly effective at bringing together academically driven students.
Contact information For all enquiries relating to the UCD Ad Astra Academic scholars, please contact UCD Ad Astra Academy UCD Student Recruitment, Roebuck Castle, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4 Tel: +353 (0) 1 716 7889 Email: adastraacademy@ucd.ie Web: www.ucd.ie/adastraacademy/academic The information contained in this booklet is correct at the time of going to press, however, the University accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions. The University reserves the right to make changes at any time, before or after a student’s admission. Interested applicants should check www.ucd.ie/adastraacademy/academic regularly.
Welcome from the Director of the UCD Ad Astra – Elite Athletes The UCD Ad Astra Academy – Elite Athlete Scholarship programme was launched in 2009, specifically for students who wish to compete and succeed at the highest sporting levels while simultaneously attaining a university degree. It is therefore important that the Academy’s Elite Athletes, in addition to being exceptional sports performers, are also academically committed and capable of undertaking their preferred degree programme alongside their training and competition schedules. The UCD Ad Astra Elite Athletes will be supported along this “twin-track” path, so that by the end of their degree programme, they will have had the best possible chance of success in both fields. There are currently 55 UCD Ad Astra Elite Athletes in a range of sports, including six GAA scholars, six Rugby scholars (three of whom were selected for the Ireland u20 Six Nations Rugby squad in 2011 and the 2012 IRB Junior World Championships), five members of the national women’s senior Hockey squad, a World Championship rower, two members of the Irish women’s Soccer squad, two members of the UCD Men’s Soccer team, world-class middle distance runners and swimmers, as as well as a sailor (Annalise Murphy) and Modern Pentathlete (Arthur Lannigan O’Keefe) who competed at the London Olympic Games. We aim to expand the to its full complement of around 65 athletes. A comprehensive battery of support is available to the Academy’s Elite Athlete, including subsidised fees and on-campus accommodation, academic mentoring, physiotherapy and medical assistance, nutritional and fitness monitoring, sports psychology and strength and conditioning, the latter taking place in our own High Performance Gym, under professional supervision. Flexible admission arrangements are offered to the Academy’s Elite Athlete, acknowledging that dedication to elite sport may potentially detract from academic achievement in the latter stages of schooling. As a result, conditional offers to successful applicants are given pending the achievement of subject and grade requirements. If you feel, after reading the rest of this section, that you might be eligible for entry to the UCD Ad Astra Academy – Elite Athlete Scholarship programme, we would welcome an application from you.
Professor Colin Boreham Director, UCD Ad Astra Elite Athlete Scholars
Scholarship Benefits Elite Athletes receive: • A guaranteed place in on-campus accommodation if required • The support of a dedicated academic mentor • Access to expert training, coaching and discipline specific facilities • Sport Science Mentoring »» Programme workshops/master classes with the Institute of Sport and Health »» Sport medicine/Physiotherapy support »» Travel to national and international competitions »» Physiological and biomechanical monitoring and feedback »» Elite strength and conditioning »» Sports nutrition »» Sport psychology • Free access to UCD sports facilities and relevant sports clothing • Individualised career advice on completion of programme The scholarship includes a 50% fee remission (subject to a maximum remission of €4000), an allowance towards to the cost of on or off campus accommodation and a bursary. Academy membership and benefits are awarded for the normal duration of the degree, subject to annual review of continued high performance at sporting level and attainment of academic standards for progression.
Eligibility The UCD Ad Astra Academy – Elite Athlete Scholarship programme has been developed for students who are competing at the highest available level in their chosen sport and who have identifiable potential for further improvement. There are a limited number of places to be divided between all applicants. The following are minimum standards of entry: Athletics Junior international representation. Rugby Age grade international and/or provincial representation. Soccer Junior international representation/ attached to an academy. GAA Normally Minor County level and capable of competing at a higher age level. Hockey Junior International representation Rowing Junior International representation Other Sports As defined by the recognised sporting body and a strong competitive record at the highest level of their chosen sport.
Application Process The UCD Ad Astra Academy – Elite Athlete Scholarship programme entry procedure is additional and separate to that of the Central Applications Office. Students should complete their CAO forms as usual by the 1st February for undergraduate admission (Graduate applicants should apply directly to UCD in the normal way). In addition to this process, eligible graduate and undergraduate applicants should submit a supplementary application to the UCD Ad Astra Academy – Elite Athlete Scholarship programme no later than the 31st January..
Procedure: from application to offer
The application procedure is divided into three stages: Stage 1 - Application: Students should complete the UCD Ad Astra Academy – Elite Athlete Scholarship programme application form, which is available from: www.ucd.ie/adastraacademy/eliteathlete. The form, along with all necessary accompanying documentation, should be submitted to a.ohanlon@ucd.ie no later than 31st January. Stage 2 - Interview: The applications will be reviewed by the University and candidates will be selected for interview. Students who make it to the interview stage will be notified in writing and informed of the time, date and panel members. Stage 3 – Offers: Successful candidates will be offered a place in the Academy subject to an offer and acceptance of a course in UCD. Some provision may be made for successful interview candidates who do not attain the required points for their chosen degree but who can show evidence of ability to undertake their chosen course. This concession is intended to reflect the time commitment and discipline invested by scholars in their sporting pursuits. However, all candidates must meet minimum Matriculation subject entry requirements.
Student Profile Brenda Flannery UCD Ad Astra Elite Athlete – Hockey Irish Senior Squad member 3rd Year Physiotherapy
Arthur Lanigan O’Keeffe UCD Ad Astra Elite Athlete Modern Pentathlon – Olympian 2nd Year Sports and Exercise Management
“The UCD Ad Astra Academy Elite Athlete Programme has given me the opportunity to pursue both an academic and sporting career that I’ve long had a passion for. The support network provided gives me the best chance in achieving my goals as both a hockey player and a Physiotherapy student. To be immersed in the high quality sporting environment of UCD has given me a great opportunity in reaching my highest potential as a hockey player. I am delighted to Captain the UCD Hockey team and to train with the Irish Senior Women’s Hockey team daily. I’m very proud to represent UCD and the Ad Astra Elite Athlete Programme, and I thank everyone who has given me the opportunity to live the dream.”
“The UCD Ad Astra Academy – Elite Athlete Programme has provided enormous support to me during the past two years. I couldn’t have made it to the Olympics without all the help and assistance from the Academy. The negotiation of a flexible study path with the help of the Academic Mentor, Dr. Eamonn Delahunt, played an integral part in my build up to Olympic qualification. I always feel cared about by everyone at the Academy and so it was great that the Programme Administrator, Ann O’Hanlon came over to support me at the Olympics.
Contact information Application forms and all queries relating to the UCD Ad Astra Elite Athlete Scholars Email: a.ohanlon@ucd.ie Web: www.ucd.ie/adastraacademy/eliteathlete The information contained in this booklet is correct at the time of going to press, however, the University accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions. The University reserves the right to make changes at any time, before or after a student’s admission. Interested applicants should check www.ucd.ie/adastraacademy/eliteathlete regularly.
Welcome Welcome from the Director of the UCD Ad Astra Performing Arts Scholars UCD offers wonderful opportunities to young musicians and actors through the UCD Ad Astra Performing Arts Scholarship Programme. Applications are encouraged from top performing students who wish to continue to develop their artistic talents while at the same time pursuing a high-quality academic experience. UCD does not require applicants to follow a performance-related degree course and actively encourages applications from talented performing artists whatever degree they choose. The first group of UCD Ad Astra Performing Arts Scholars were admitted in September 2011. This group comprised of 3 young actors drawn from both new entrants and second and third-year students. Our 2011 musical scholars comprised 3 singers and 3 instrumentalists. With the 2012 intake, the entire group will expand and now comprises 5 actors and 10 musicians. We believe that young vocalists, instrumentalists and actors who may have decided not to pursue a performance-related degree, but who have exceptional talent, should be given the opportunity to continue to train and perform at the highest level within the university environment. The UCD Ad Astra Performing Arts Scholarships are awarded, on an application and merit basis, to students who demonstrate talent and dedication to their art alongside commitment to their chosen academic degree.
Mr Tony Carey Director, UCD Ad Astra Performing Arts Scholars
Scholarship Benefits
Application Process
Performing Arts scholars receive:
The UCD Ad Astra Academy Performing Arts programme entry procedure is additional and separate to that of the Central Applications Office. Students should complete their CAO forms as usual by the 1st February for undergraduate admission (Graduate applicants should apply directly to UCD in the normal way). In addition to this process, eligible graduate and undergraduate applicants should submit a supplementary application to the UCD Ad Astra Academy Performing Arts programme, Room 212, Tierney Building, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4 no later than the 31st January.
• The support of a dedicated academic mentor • The opportunity to work with experienced performance professionals in seminar and workshop settings • Access to expert training Additional benefits for music scholars: • the opportunity to work with professional Musical Directors • the opportunity to perform at least one high-profile solo recital during the academic year. Additional benefits for drama scholars: • the opportunity to work with a professional Director-inResidence; • automatic inclusion in professional theatre training and development modules designed by the Director-inResidence; • an intensive training week with an internationally acclaimed voice specialist; • regular engagement with professional practice through attendance at professional productions, post-show discussions and master-classes with visiting theatre practitioners; • participation in high-quality theatre productions. The scholarship includes a 50% fee remission (subject to a maximum remission of €4000), an allowance towards the cost of on or off campus accommodation and a bursary. Academy membership and benefits are awarded for the normal duration of the degree, subject to annual review of continued high performance.
Eligibility For prospective UCD students Candidates should apply for their chosen academic degree in the normal way through the CAO. There is no restriction on degrees chosen. For current UCD students Students from all courses are eligible to apply.
Candidates will be chosen for audition on the basis of the information provided on the application form, which is available online at www.ucd.ie/adastraacademy/performingarts. Candidates should give as much information as possible about their musical or dramatic studies, past experiences and any information that might support the application for an audition.
Audition and Interview Drama The auditions will involve three elements: • Two contrasting pieces of up to 3 minutes each (to be approved beforehand by UCD); • A workshop led by Kellie Hughes, Ad Astra Director-inResidence; • An interview Music The audition will involve three elements: • The performance of a 10-15 minute recital with at least two contrasting pieces (to be approved beforehand by UCD); • The performance of an unseen quick-study; • An interview Successful candidates will be offered a place in the Academy subject to an offer and acceptance of a course in UCD. Some provision may be made for successful audition candidates who do not attain the required points for their chosen degree but who can show evidence of ability to undertake their chosen course. This concession is intended to reflect the time commitment and discipline invested by scholars in their artistic performance. However, all candidates must meet minimum Matriculation subject entry requirements.
Student Profile Caoimhe Finn Ad Astra Scholar 2nd Year English and Drama
Killian Grumley Traynor, Ad Astra Scholar Final Year Astrophysics
“Drama in UCD has been a fantastic experience so far. Ad Astra has really helped with both my academic and practical drama work. I have been able to concentrate on my acting and staging techniques as well as being able to apply them to my academic work and fully see how the two collaborate perfectly together. Having the opportunity to work closely with our Director in Residence Kellie was truly rewarding and having the chance to attend other performances with her broadened my horizons and outlook on theatre and drama today.”
“The Ad Astra Performing Arts programme has opened up a whole new world of music at UCD. It has given me the opportunity to combine my passion for music with my academic degree. The highlight of the year was performing a piece specially commissioned for the sextet of Ad Astra Music Scholars in the National Concert Hall, where we also got the opportunity to perform solo works.”
Contact information All queries relating to the UCD Ad Astra Performing Arts scholars should be addressed to adastraperform@ucd.ie Web: www.ucd.ie/adastraacademy/performingarts
The information contained in this booklet is correct at the time of going to press. However, the University accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions. The University reserves the right to make changes at any time, before or after a student’s admission. Interested applicants should check www.ucd.ie/adastraacademy/performingarts regularly.
Welcome from the Director of the UCD Ad Astra Academy I am delighted to welcome you to the UCD Ad Astra Academy. UCD is strongly committed to encouraging students with exceptional talents to develop their abilities to their full potential. The UCD Ad Astra Academy realizes this commitment in its three strands. UCD Ad Astra Academic Scholars have demonstrated exceptional ability in their studies; UCD Ad Astra Elite Athletes in their sporting endeavours, many performing at national or international level, and UCD Ad Astra Performing Arts Scholars in their demonstration of real talent and commitment to their performance. The UCD Ad Astra Academy provides these students with a range of benefits, mentoring and innovative supports to allow them to achieve at the highest levels. The students in turn are expected to make a significant contribution to the Academy, the University and when they graduate, to society at large. The UCD Ad Astra Academy provides students with academic and discipline specific supports appropriate to the Scholar and their strand. A tailored plan to manage a scholar’s talent is developed in concert with Academic Mentors, Strand Directors and the Scholar. The UCD Ad Astra Academy is the latest in a range of initiatives to encourage and reward students performing to their full potential. We believe in creating an environment where students with exceptional ability, creativity and drive will be motivated, challenged and inspired. As Director of the Academy, I’m delighted to witness the development of these great talents as they mature through the UCD Ad Astra Academy and their programme of study.
Professor Mark Rogers UCD Registrar & Deputy President
UCD Ad Astra Academy UCD Student Recruitment, Roebuck Castle, UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4 Tel: +353 (0) 1 716 7889 Email: adastraacademy@ucd.ie Web: www.ucd.ie/myucd/adastraacademy The information contained in this booklet is correct at the time of going to press, however, the University accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions. The University reserves the right to make changes at any time, before or after a student’s admission. Interested applicants should check www.ucd.ie/myucd/adastraacademy regularly.
Within the UCD Ad Astra Academy there are three strands:
UCD Ad Astra Academic Scholars
UCD Ad Astra Elite Athlete Scholars
UCD Ad Astra Performing Arts Scholars Each strand offers a tailored package of supports that will foster and challenge its students not only to achieve and but also excel in their individual pursuits and academic performance.
Excellence underpins everything we do at UCD, and the University recognises exceptional students when they join, as well as those who develop their talents while studying at UCD. The UCD Ad Astra Academy offers unique opportunities and supports to a diverse group of high-achieving and highly talented students across the University. Through membership of the Academy, students displaying elite potential to international standards in academic pursuits, sports or performing arts are encouraged and supported to develop their talent further. There are multiple opportunities for eligible students to join the UCD Ad Astra Academy community; on acceptance of a place on a UCD undergraduate programme or based on their subsequent performance as they progress through their studies. The UCD Ad Astra Academy Scholars are recognised by the University as an exceptional group of students with particularly high potential. UCD is committed to helping motivated students with unrealized potential not only to meet but also exceed their expectations. The UCD Ad Astra Academy offers exceptionally motivated students the opportunity to maximise their undergraduate educational experience.