Higher education can take people further than they ever expected. Sometimes that’s because the right support is there at the right moment, helping someone stay on track when finances are tight. Sometimes it’s because a door opens that they never expected to walk through, such as the chance to study abroad.
For many students, the journey into higher education begins with questions about costs, support and settling in. Yet many are unaware of the range of opportunities and services available, from financial assistance and disability supports to international experiences through Erasmus+.
Financial concerns are often the starting point. What financial supports are available to me? Who can I speak with about accessing supports? Where can I find out more information?
One of the key sources of support is the Student Assistance Fund, provided by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The fund helps full- and part-time students experiencing financial difficulty with costs such as books and class materials, rent and utility bills, food, essential travel, childcare and medical expenses.
While it does not cover tuition or registration fees, it can provide valuable assistance when it’s needed most. Students who find themselves under financial pressure should contact their higher education institution’s access office to learn more about the help available.
The HEA also administers the Fund for Students with Disabilities on behalf of the Department. The fund helps higher education institutions provide the necessary support and equipment students with disabilities may need to access, participate in and successfully complete their studies.
This can include assistive technology, transport costs and academic learning supports. Students are advised to register with their access or disability office to ensure they can avail of the assistance available to them.
Students preparing for higher education can consult studentfinance.ie, which provides clear information on the financial assistance schemes available. The website explains eligibility criteria, application processes and other sources of support, helping students, families and teachers navigate their options with confidence.
At the heart of this support network are the access offices found in every higher education institution in Ireland.
Access teams aim to remove barriers to education by providing information on entry routes, answering questions about financial assistance, and helping people navigate their higher education journey. Anyone attending, or considering attending, a higher education institution should contact its access office for information on the services available.
For many students, this guidance is the first step towards higher education. It can also open the door to opportunities they may never have considered. An Erasmus+ experience can be one of those opportunities.
Erasmus+, the EU’s flagship mobility programme, has transformed the lives of more than 16.7 million people. In Ireland alone, around 200,000 people have benefited from the programme.
The experiences take many different forms. A year spent studying abroad is the image a lot of people have of Erasmus+. That remains a popular option, but today’s programme is far more flexible than many realise. Alongside semester and year-long exchanges, participants can complete traineeships or take part in blended intensive programmes (BIPs), which combine online collaboration with a short period abroad, from a few days to a few weeks.
University of Limerick student Ciaran Kelly chose a BIP in Spain while completing his master’s degree.
“It combined an international and virtual experience with a topic directly relevant to my future career as a language teacher in Ireland,” he says. “The shorter format also suited my master’s, as it allowed me to gain an international perspective without being away for an entire semester.”
For students balancing work commitments, family responsibilities or intensive courses, this flexibility can make an international experience feel much more achievable.
“Making higher education accessible is not only about helping people get through the door. It’s also about ensuring they can take full advantage of the opportunities that come with it. One of our priorities is making sure international opportunities are accessible to all students. Financial supports, inclusion funding and flexible options are helping more students take part and benefit from Erasmus+,” says Sheena Duffy, head of international at the HEA.
Erasmus+ opportunities are not limited to Europe. Depending on the institution and course, participants may study or train in destinations ranging from Japan and Canada to South Africa and New Zealand.
Funding is available towards travel and living costs, with additional support available for students who may face financial, health-related or other barriers to taking part. This includes students in receipt of SUSI, those with disabilities or ongoing health conditions, carers, lone parents, care-experienced students, members of the Traveller and Roma communities, and refugees. Participants also pay no tuition fees to their host institution and their studies or training abroad are fully recognised as part of their Irish degree.
“More people are now able to take part than ever before. In Ireland, the proportion of Erasmus+ participants from backgrounds that have traditionally been less likely to participate in international mobility increased from 6 per cent in 2014 to 31 per cent in 2024, reflecting the programme’s growing reach and accessibility,” Duffy says.
The benefits continue long after graduation. Research shows that graduates who studied abroad are more likely to find work quickly, have higher levels of employment, and often earn more than peers who stayed at home. Employers value the skills that come from living and working in a different environment.
While research points to the long-term professional benefits of Erasmus+, participants often speak first about the personal impact.
Royal Irish Academy of Music student Grace Mercer remembers setting off for Finland, not quite knowing what lay ahead.
“My biggest worry was the unknown, moving to another country where I knew no one,” she says.
Her year abroad completely changed her perspective on what she was capable of.
“I can now put myself in unfamiliar situations and trust that I’ll be able to figure it out. I found that it became easier and easier to try new things and go new places. What struck me the most was how I could walk up to a group of new people and introduce myself without feeling socially nervous at all.”
The opportunity to study alongside musicians from around the world was equally transformative.
“I’ve been so lucky … being surrounded by so many talented people has helped me grow and become more open-minded as a musician.”
Looking back, it’s the independence she gained that stands out most.
“I’m no longer nervous to travel by myself … now it’s just no big deal. It’s like, ‘pop on a plane, be grand’”
Ciaran experienced similar growth. “I learned a lot about myself and how I communicate. The BIP helped me develop communication and collaboration skills that hadn’t been tested before.”
He encourages students that may be unsure to take the leap. “I know some students worry about money and language, but there are so many supports available. Just apply. Feeling nervous is normal, and confidence often comes from taking the first step.”
Financial assistance, disability supports and opportunities such as Erasmus+ may initially seem like very different things. But, in reality, they all serve a shared purpose at the HEA: helping people participate fully in higher education and make the most of everything it has to offer.
For information on the Student Assistance Fund, Fund for Students with Disabilities, and other supports, students should contact their institution’s access office or visit studentfinance.ie.
Those interested in Erasmus+ should speak to the international office at their institution, where staff can provide guidance on destinations, funding, application processes and deadlines. Further information is available at erasmusirelandhe.ie