The 2023-24 application deadline is now closed.

Spend a full academic year at a US college or university studying business or business with pure sciences/engineering.

Each year between 50-60 students from Northern Ireland participate in the Study USA programme, which has been running since 1994.

Download our application guidance

Where can I go?

British Council works in partnership with over 140 institutions across the United States of America.

From East coast to West coast, opportunities are spread across many states - giving students the chance to experience the huge cultural and geographical diversity of the US.

 

What are the costs?

Study USA is funded by the Department for the Economy.

The scholarship funding package (worth approximately £35,000) includes;

  • Room and board for the academic year
  • A generous text book allowance
  • One return flight to the US

Participant finance;

  • US student visa costs - £400-£550 approximately
  • Travel and health insurance – £400 - £600 approximately
  • Participation fee of £1500.  If a student is in receipt of a maintenance grant this fee will be waived.

 Tuition fees are waived by the participating US colleges and universities.

Am I eligible?

  • The British Council is committed to eliminating any barriers to inclusion and seeks to make reasonable adjustments to overcome any aspect that could prevent your full involvement.  We welcome any information that will allow us to support you throughout recruitment and participation.
  • Students must be in full time education at a College or University in Northern Ireland.
  • Students from Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University and Stranmillis University College may apply during their Level 2 year of study, for participation in the programme the following year. QUB Medical and Dental students must also obtain permission to participate from their School.
  •  Students from Saint Mary’s University College should apply during their pre-final year for participation in the programme. 
  • Students studying a full-time HND or Foundation Degree course at a College in Northern Ireland should apply in their first year. 
  • Applicants attending a Further Education College studying a full-time undergraduate degree course must apply by the undergraduate degree deadline.
  • Applicants must be UK/EU Nationals.
  • Participation in the programme is conditional on satisfying your university / college's requirements for participation. Students must be in good academic standing; an examination failure may invalidate your application.
  • Students must be permitted by their University/College to participate on the programme, particularly if this will be used as an alternative to an industrial placement.   
  • In the event of a large number of applications, only those with a first year minimum average result of 60% or higher will be short-listed. The exact minimum percentage will be determined by British Council as desirable criteria based on the number of applications received.
  • Students who have previously participated in a higher education student mobility programme lasting 4 weeks or longer, funded by a Northern Ireland Government Department, are not eligible to apply for the Study USA programme (e.g. Erasmus, IAESTE, Language Assistants, Washington Ireland Program). 

What Northern Ireland institutions are applicable?

Students attending the following Higher Education and Further Education institutions can apply for the programme:

  • Queen’s University Belfast
  • Ulster University
  • Stranmillis University College
  • St Mary’s University College 
  • Belfast Metropolitan College
  • South Eastern Regional College
  • Southern Regional College
  • Northern Regional College
  • North West Regional College
  • South West College

See also

External links