Ireland Is Ending Free Tuition for New Ukrainian Students
The Irish government has decided to stop accepting new applications from Ukrainians with temporary protection status for tuition fee relief programs at institutions of higher education. The changes will take effect starting with the 2026/2027 academic year.
However, the new rules will not immediately affect all Ukrainian students. Separate changes are also being prepared for those who joined the program in the 2025/2026 academic year and are continuing to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
The new rules stipulate that Ukrainians who enroll in new bachelor’s degree programs, postgraduate programs, or other higher education programs in the 2026/2027 academic year will no longer be eligible for special support programs for beneficiaries of temporary protection.
Specifically, new applicants will no longer have access to the temporary tuition support scheme, scholarships for beneficiaries of temporary protection (BoTP), or PLC scholarships.
However, these changes will not affect all Ukrainian students who are already enrolled. For those who began their studies in the 2025/2026 academic year and are continuing to pursue a bachelor’s degree, preferential terms may remain in effect.
Specifically:
- support will continue for students who were granted temporary protection status less than three years before the start of the 2026/2027 academic year;
- if the status was granted more than three years ago, the BoTP scholarship will be discontinued, but students will be eligible to participate in the Temporary Tuition Support Scheme.
To continue participating in the programs, Ukrainian students will need to provide an updated document confirming their temporary protection status, as well as proof of their residential address in Ireland.
Despite the cancellation of certain benefits for Ukrainians, the option for free or partially subsidized tuition will remain. Students will be able to apply for national support programs—the Free Fees Initiative and SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).
These programs operate under the same rules for all applicants. During the review of applications, the duration of legal residence in Ireland, family income level, and compliance with other requirements will be taken into account.
This was reported by the Judicial and Legal Gazette.
The Union of Ukrainian Students in Britain has brought together 56 universities and is reaching out to the EU.
Additionally, since the start of the full-scale war, European universities have begun actively recruiting Ukrainian students by offering them more favorable admission terms.
