Home » Education » Careers » Foley Scholarship
Foley Scholarship
INTRODUCTION:
The National Building Agency Limited, in consultation with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland and in line with the Agency's role in social housing, has established the NATIONAL BUILDING AGENCY FOLEY SCHOLARSHIP FOR ARCHITECTURE. The Scholarship commemorates the late Dermot Foley who had been successively Managing Director and Chairman of the Agency for some 25 years. The Scholarship is designed to provide the opportunity to study Architecture to persons who, because of a disadvantaged background, might not otherwise be in a position to undertake the course of study.
The study of Architecture is a full-time course requiring attendance generally for five years at a School of Architecture accredited by either the R.I.A.I. or R.I.B.A. The funding of attendance at the course, even with the various supports available, is a real burden for students and families from disadvantaged backgrounds. A student obtaining a scholarship would be assured that a measure of financial assistance would be available to him/her for the duration of the course of study.
Note:
The National Building Agency Limited is a State company which provides a multi-disciplinary professional design consultancy service principally to Local Authorities and Voluntary Housing Bodies in the construction of social housing. The Agency is also involved in the design and construction of public buildings, urban renewal projects, architectural conservation, urban design and urban planning.
Who is eligible for the Scholarship?
Applications are invited from persons who wish to study Architecture but who, because of economic or social disadvantage or other barriers, are prevented or impeded from doing so unless they can obtain some additional financial assistance.
The disadvantage or barriers must be such that individuals with talent and ability are precluded from reaching their full potential without assistance. They include one or more of the following considerations but are not confined exclusively to these:
- the income of the household being insufficient to allow the candidate to participate fully in third-level education;
- attendance by the candidate at a second-level school designated within the scheme of the Department of Education and Science for disadvantaged schools;
- disability;
- living in an area which is disadvantaged because of low household incomes, relatively high unemployment, poorly developed community facilities, low participation in second-level and third-level education or other factors which contribute towards social exclusion.
Candidates must obtain a place in a School of Architecture accredited by either the R.I.A.I. or R.I.B.A. and be able to demonstrate the ability, motivation and commitment to complete the 5-year course of study successfully. The criteria which will apply to the selection of candidates are outlined below.
How many Scholarships will be awarded?
Two or more Scholarships, amounting to a total of up to €8,000, will be awarded each academic year provided there are suitable candidates meeting the eligibility criteria. A Scholarship will continue, at the same amount as awarded for the first year, for each of the succeeding four years' of attendance at the accedited School of Architecture, subject to certification by the Head of the School of the candidate's satisfactory performance, including examinations, for each academic year.
How to apply
Each candidate must submit a completed application providing information in relation to the candidate (including a personal statement), his/her household circumstances and an assessment by an academic referee (school principal or year head/form teacher) of the candidate's abilities and potential. The application form is in 3 PARTS which should be completed as follows:
- PART 1 by the candidate who is applying for the Scholarship;
- PART 2 by a parent /guardian of the candidate;
- PART 3 by the candidate's academic referee.
PARTS 1 and 2 of the application form, when completed, should be given to the academic referee to enable PART 3 to be completed. When being given to the academic referee, Section B of PART 1 and PART 2 may, if desired on grounds of confidentiality, be enclosed in a sealed envelope showing the candidate's name on the outside. The academic referee should complete PART 3 and forward the three parts of the form in one envelope to the Agency.
The closing date for receipt of applications by the Agency is 30th April annually.
While the application form is to be submitted to the Agency by the referee, candidates may wish to check some days before the closing date that the application form has been forwarded in time. The Agency will acknowledge applications within two weeks of the closing date.
Selection Criteria
The criteria by reference to which the suitability, merits and eligibility of candidates will be assessed by the Agency are:
- the interest, ability and potential of the candidate to study Architecture;
- the existence and severity of the disadvantage and barriers which may prevent or impede the candidate from the study of Architecture;
- the candidate's motivation, commitment and disposition to benefit from third-level education and to complete the course of study successfully.
The onus is on the candidate, in completing the application form particularly the personal statement, to demonstrate the degree to which he/she meets these criteria.
Selection Process
The National Building Agency Limited in consultation with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, will appoint a selection panel to assess the merits and eligibility of candidates on the strength of the information provided in the application form and to shortlist candidates for interview. The interviews will principally focus on the candidate's application and the degree to which he/she meets the selection criteria. The interviews will be conducted after completion of the Leaving Certificate. Candidates to be called for interview will be given one week's notice of the date, time and location of the interview. Those not short-listed for interview will be advised accordingly.
Award of Scholarship
The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of a candidate's application and interview subject to any necessary verification of:
- information provided in relation to the application;
- an offer of a place in an accredited School of Architecture.
The latter consideration may result in an offer of a Scholarship being made on a conditional basis initially or shortly before commencement of the academic year. The conditions governing the Scholarship will be outlined in detail to the successful candidate at the time the offer is made.
Application Forms, Information etc.
Copies of the information leaflet and of the application form have been supplied to each second-level school; these may, if necessary, be photocopied. Additional copies may be obtained from the National Building Agency Limited. The documents may also be downloaded from the website of the Agency, www.nba.ie, or of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, www.riai.ie.
For any further information contact: National Building Agency Ltd., 'Hatherton', Richmond Avenue South, Milltown, Dublin 6.
Tel: 01 4979654 Fax: 01 4972540 Email: info@nba.ie. Website www.nba.ie