Cork-based financial services company invests in two bursaries for students at UCC

CORK-based financial services company Provest has committed to providing two bursaries to help students complete their studies at UCC through the university’s Access UCC PLUS Programme.

The Access UCC PLUS Programme, which was founded in 1998, seeks to target students within second-level schools linked to the university and provides them with motivational, educational, and financial assistance throughout their secondary schooling, to enable them to compete for third-level places.

Students wishing to progress to third level can apply through the HEAR (Higher Education Access Route), which is the third-level alternative admissions scheme for school leavers, resident in the Republic of Ireland, who are underrepresented in Higher Education, due to their socio-economic background.

When these students enter UCC, the Access UCC PLUS Programme provides them with a wide range of critical support to enable them to reach their full potential. To date, over 2,300 students have graduated from UCC through the programme.

Mark O’Sullivan, Managing Director, Provest Private Clients Limited said: “We hope that our support can influence and encourage other companies to also support the programme. Breaking down the barriers to education for those who may not have the same level of support as other students in second-level schools, to compete for entry into higher-level education is hugely important."

Professor John O’Halloran, President of UCC, stated: “Support from the corporate sector has allowed the programme to continue helping young people who may have all the academic ability, but unfortunately are not in a position to proceed to third-level education. We are grateful to businesses like Provest to make that happen.”

“This generous support from Provest was facilitated by Alumni and Development UCC and Cork University Foundation,” said Kerry Bryson, CEO of Cork University Foundation. “Provest’s gift to UCC is indicative of their commitment to supporting student success.”