Study USA
Study USA is the Department’s flagship outward mobility programme, offering full-time Further Education and Higher Education undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in a funded scholarship to spend a full academic year at a US university or college.
Study USA programme
Through study outside their home country, it is intended that students will gain additional confidence, an international outlook, and enhanced core employability skills that will directly benefit the local economy.
Course content
Students study a combination of subjects related to their home subject plus business related subjects, which may include Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Communications, Public Speaking, Marketing and Public Relations, Management, Finance, Economics, Human Resources, Public Speaking, Information Technology, or Foreign Languages
Eligibility
Students must be enrolled in full-time education college or university in Northern Ireland.
If you are studying at a Northern Ireland Institution and are classified as having Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland or Great Britain residency for tuition fee purposes, you are eligible for the programme. Students classified as having International or EU (excluding ROI) residency are not eligible for Study USA.
Higher Education (HE) Students
- Students from Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University and Union Theological 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 on a four-year BEd programme at St Mary's University College or Stranmillis University College may apply in either Year 2 or Year 3 of their degree programme, with one application opportunity only.
Further Education (FE) Students
- Students studying a full-time Foundation Degree course at a further education college in Northern Ireland should apply in their first year.
- Students attending a further education college studying a full-time undergraduate degree should apply in their second year.
- Students studying Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes are not eligible to apply for the Study USA programme.
Shortlisting and interviews take place in November/December each year.
Applications are now open for the 2027-2028 academic year.
Closing date for Higher Education students is Sunday 8 November 2026 at 23:59
Closing date for Further Education students is Sunday 3 January 2027 at 23:59
Cost
The programme receives significant support from the US. The annual contribution which the US institutions make to the programme is in excess of $2 million, which covers the student’s college fees.
The Department pays for:
- Term time accommodation on campus
- A full meal plan
- A generous book allowance
- One return flight
Students are required to pay for:
- Travel and medical insurance
- Visa and SEVIS fee
- Non-term time living costs
- In addition, a £1000 bursary paid directly to all students
- Commitment fee - £200: Students who are successful at interview will be required to pay a £200 Commitment Fee to secure their place on the programme. Students who accept a place on the programme will progress to the college matching stage. If, following this process, a suitable host college cannot be identified, the Commitment Fee will be refunded in full.
Should a student fail to pay the Commitment Fee within seven calendar days, their place on the programme will be revoked and offered to a candidate on the reserve list.
In the event of withdrawal, the Commitment Fee is non-refundable (except in extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the British Council). The £200 Commitment Fee will be repaid to the student along with their £1000 bursary at the start of the second semester in the USA.
Normal NI student financial support arrangements are not available while students are participating in the Study USA programme.
All Ireland Scholarship
The All Ireland Scholarship Scheme provides twenty-five Scholarships to the top-performing students in receipt of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) who reside in Northern Ireland. The scheme offers financial support of £5,850 per academic year to students intending to pursue an undergraduate degree course at university or college.
Scholarships awarded will be renewed annually and continue until the completion of the chosen undergraduate course. For further information on eligibility and how to apply please refer to All Ireland Scholarships | nidirect.
Contact details
Aisling Hill
HE Student Finance Branch
Adelaide House
39-49 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8FD
United Kingdom