Could you be Ireland’s next Undergraduate of The Year?

What are the Undergraduate of the Year Awards?

The gradireland Undergraduate of the Year Awards is an annual competition aimed at finding the best undergraduates in Ireland. This year, we’ve partnered with 11 of Ireland’s top employers to offer all sorts of undergraduates the opportunity to showcase their talents and achievements. Each award comes with a fantastic prize courtesy of our Award Partners.

Why get involved?

So, whether you’ve made an impact in your local community, má tá tú paiseanta faoi do theanga dhúchais, are heading towards a class career in law or are up for some career building competition, we have an award for you!

This year’s categories are:

• The Real Impact Undergraduate of the Year Award

• The Law Undergraduate of the Year Award

• Gradam Fhoras na Gaeilge Undergraduate of the Year Award

• The Future Business Leader Undergraduate of the Year Award

• The Future CTO Undergraduate of the Year Award

• The Difference Maker Undergraduate of the Year Award

• The Engineering Undergraduate of the Year Award

• The Female Leadership Undergraduate of the Year Award

• The Undergraduate of the Year Award for Opportunity Through Adversity

• The Undergraduate of the Year Award for Innovation

• The First Generation Undergraduate of the Year Award

The final shortlist of ten students for each award will be invited to the awards ceremony in April, where the winners are announced. This event is both a celebration of your achievements and an excellent networking opportunity.

What are the benefits of winning an Award?

We’ve kept in touch with previous award winners. Here’s what they’ve had to say about how the awards have benefited their lives and careers.

Throughout the process of the application, I was surrounded by brilliant people who became my first real network in the professional world. Winning the award also led to my enrolment and successful application to Lidl's prestigious graduate programme.

- Jessica Turner, Management Undergraduate of the Year, 2022

Applying for graduate positions can be a very tough and difficult process. Having an award for innovation by gradireland with such a fantastic sponsor like Deloitte has really helped me stand-out in the application process regardless of what position I am applying for.

I would strongly encourage students to enter and apply for the awards. It is a fantastic ceremony where lots of big companies will be present, it is a great opportunity to network, and the experience as a whole is greatly beneficial.

-Con Maher, Undergraduate of the Year for Innovative Sustainable Thinking, 2023

Winning the 2023 Female Undergraduate of the Year Award expanded my network with peers and potential employers. I was scouted by an organisation, asked to be their student ambassador, and now volunteer at various events with them!

Participating in the awards provided valuable networking opportunities with like-minded students across Ireland. The application process allowed me to challenge myself and gain valuable experience at each stage, involving online assessments and an interview. Additionally, the recognition received through the award has enhanced my ability to showcase acknowledged skills and experiences, proving advantageous when pursuing new opportunities with professional bodies.

-Caitlin Chee, Female Leadership undergraduate of the Year, 2023

When I entered the awards, I never thought I’d have a chance... Since winning the award, I’ve realised that it’s okay to have faith in yourself. It’s encouraged me to seek out opportunities no matter how far out of reach they seem. I think for a lot of young people, we don’t put ourselves forward because we’re scared of rejection. However, the worst that can happen is someone tells you “No”. But you won’t lose anything from that no, rather you’ll learn some lessons. You’ll gain more knowledge and be prepared for the next opportunity. As of now, my career sees me in Brussels working in the European Parliament. It’s an incredible work environment, one that sees me learning and growing every day.

-Ciara O’FLynn, Difference Maker Undergraduate of the Year, 2023

You can find out more about previous winners here .

How do I enter?

The process starts when you select which award category best fits you and your ambitions. You can only apply for one award so read the criteria for each award through before making your decision. Criteria for the awards are diverse so you’re sure to be eligible for an award. You don’t have to be an aspiring Nobel Laurate to apply! We’re looking for all kinds of undergraduates including ones who have made a positive impact in their community, aspire to work in a sector such as law, business, engineering or tech or are simply fluent in Irish.

The application will then take you through a few assessments from SHL Talent Measurement ™, and up to four questions from the award partner.

The students who perform best in the tests and who best match the requirements of the partner are selected for the second stage, which often involves meeting other finalists at a partner-led assessment centre, as well as undergoing an interview. From there, the best ten students are then invited to the Awards Ceremony in April, where the winner is announced.

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity! Applications must be submitted by the 23rd of February.