Rugby Players Ireland MBA Scholarship

Other eligibility requirements

UCD Smurfit School and Rugby Players Ireland are offering two 50% Full-time MBA scholarships (one male, one female) for 2026/27. Open to current or former rugby players who have competed at the highest level - international or professional. Recipients will serve as brand ambassadors for UCD Smurfit School.

Candidates Key Attributes: 

• Any nationality but must be eligible to study in Ireland.
• Demonstrates leadership in their working or playing lives.
• Exhibits an initiative to give something back to the community.
• One male and one female candidate only
• Meet entry criteria as set out by UCD

Successful candidates must be able to demonstrate not only an excellent academic record but a capacity to understand emerging business trends, problem solving and the ability to inspire others through their actions.

Open to:

• Successful applicants for the UCD Smurfit Full-time MBA who meet the programme entry criteria, and who are current or former rugby players who have competed at the highest level - international or professional - across men’s or women’s, 7s and/or 15s 

Successful candidates will be selected on merit, paired with a holistic review of their MBA application.

The scholarship will be awarded to candidates deemed to be of the highest calibre by the UCD MBA Admissions Committee. UCD Smurfit School reserves the right not to award scholarships if no candidates of the required calibre are identified. The decision is final, and any further correspondence will not be considered.