TU Dublin, THINKHOUSE and GSA Group Launch the Breakthrough Scholarship

Niamh Banks, City Manager Dublin, Uninest Student Residences, David Byrne, THINKHOUSE Board Member and Head of Creative Studio, Dr Etain Kidney, Head of School of Marketing, TU Dublin, Hamza Jamaa, VP for Education, TU Dublin Students Union, Mary Meany, Registrar and Deputy President of TU Dublin

Research shows that minority groups and people from disadvantaged backgrounds are under-represented at Higher Education in Ireland today.

TU Dublin, THINKHOUSE & Global Student Accommodation Group (GSA Group) announce the Breakthrough Scholarship to make the transition to third level easier for an exceptional student 

Today, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin),  youth marketing company THINKHOUSE and Global Student Accommodation Group(GSA Group) have announced a scholarship with life changing potential for an exceptional student. The Breakthrough Scholarship is a career changing opportunity for the chosen candidate. The scholarship will consist of funding for a full-time Masters degree, comprehensive agency experience and student accommodation for the entire academic year. 

Research by the Royal Irish Academy and the British Council in Ireland found that minority groups and people from disadvantaged backgrounds are under-represented in Higher Education, with research from the Data and Marketing Association finding an entrenched lack of ethnic, socio-economic and gender diversity within the wider marketing industry. Although the barriers to entry for these communities differ, socioeconomic background remains a consistent barrier for all. The Breakthrough Scholarship aims to encourage individuals from these under-represented communities into the marketing industry. 

The first pillar of the Breakthrough scholarship, to break the barrier in access to third level education, TU Dublin will offer the chosen candidate a full scholarship to the Masters in Digital Marketing in the 21/22 academic year, This includes tuition - over €8,500 course fees are fully paid as part of this award. 

Speaking about the Breakthrough Scholarship, Dr Mary Meaney, Registrar and Deputy President of Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), said, “We are a young University, but for more than a century our legacy institutions have provided accessible learning opportunities to the communities that we serve. Building on this rich heritage, TU Dublin is proud to have the most diverse community of students and staff in Irish Higher Education. However, we are acutely aware that more work is needed to ensure that traditionally underrepresented groups across many industries are supported as they take the first steps in their careers. The Breakthrough Scholarship has removed the financial and social barriers that often stifle young careers, empowering a remarkable student to break into the competitive but hugely rewarding industry of Marketing Communications.’’

The second pillar of the scholarship will give the candidate the opportunity to put the skills they learn into practice, giving them valuable work experience and the opportunity to build industry contacts. THINKHOUSE, a leading independent global youth marketing company, will offer the selected student a role at the agency with a graduate salary. The candidate will work one day per week during the academic year, designed to flex around academic commitments followed by a full-time work placement from April-June 2022. 

Claire Hyland, Head of The Youth Lab at THINKHOUSE said “For the last 20 years we have developed our niche as experts in youth marketing and communications, and on that journey we’ve become an advocate and voice for young people and their values. From fighting for marriage equality to creating campaigns to support refugees in Ireland, THINKHOUSE has a long heritage in working toward a more diverse and inclusive society.  We want to do our bit to challenge inequality in education and support greater diversity in the marketing and creative communications industry, through action and real support. This programme is about helping to reset student’s lives for the better; to create opportunities and pathways that didn’t exist before; to tell new stories. We can’t wait to see what emerges from this venture for someone.” 

Accommodation is the third crucial pillar of the programme. In order to make this opportunity feasible and accessible for all, GSA Group will offer the successful recipient free accommodation in their Uninest Student Residencenear the TU Dublin Campus in Grangegorman for the entire academic year.  Speaking on the programme, Niamh Banks, City Manager Dublin, Uninest Student Residences said “We know that finding the right accommodation can be a real pressure point for students. For many, accommodation concerns can dictate the educational opportunities available. It can be make or break. A quality education relies on having access to classes, space to study and a place you feel safe. As a global organisation equality, diversity, and inclusion is central to our approach in all we do. We are so proud to be able to support this important, life-changing initiative with our partners.”

As this programme is built on the concept of equal opportunity, applications are open to anyone. However, the scholarship is specifically designed to provide opportunity to disadvantaged and under-represented groups. The targeted outreach programme and recruitment campaign will reflect this by focussing on these communities. By providing the candidate with a graduate wage and removing the financial strain of college fees and rent, this programme has the potential to completely transform someone's life and change their future trajectory. 

Scholarship application pack here.

How to Apply

Applicants should have a minimum 2.1 honours business degree, other applicants will be considered based on their experience, attitude and aptitude. Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend an interview in August. To apply for this scholarship candidates must commit to both the programme and the role in THINKHOUSE, and be a successful candidate for both.

To apply, send a CV and a cover letter to [email protected], with ‘Breakthrough Scholarship’ in the subject line of the email. The deadline for applications is July 31st 2021.' Scholarship application pack here.

We are TU Dublin

Deeply embedded in our region, TU Dublin has campuses in Dublin City Centre, in Blanchardstown and in Tallaght, and, through our major infrastructural development plan, we are currently investing over €500 million in new, state-of-the-art, technology-enabled facilities to enhance our students' experience.

A leader in STEM disciplines, TU Dublin also supports the largest cohorts of students of business, media, culinary arts, and the creative and performing arts. We are passionate about life-long learning and, as the largest provider of part-time education, we make an important contribution to the economic life of Ireland, enabling capacity building for the future.

Our distinguished researchers and innovators are pioneers in science and technology discovery, play active roles in informing policy and standards, and contribute to the creative life of Ireland. Our award-winning technology transfer and business incubation activity has delivered over 400 new sustainable businesses with an economic value of almost €700 million.

With an international outlook, we welcome students and staff from around the world while our strong international partnerships provide opportunities for student and staff exchange programmes, major cross-collaboration research projects, and employment opportunities. We are immensely proud of our network of 100,000+ TU Dublin graduates who are making their careers here in Ireland and in 70 countries worldwide.

Joining the ranks of exceptional technological universities around the world, TU Dublin is planning an exciting future... Infinite Possibilities. https://www.tudublin.ie/

About THINKHOUSE

Named one of the world’s leading independent agencies, THINKHOUSE is a full-service, digital-first marketing company that’s powered by youth culture. THINKHOUSE transforms and empowers organisations, and teams, by helping them shift their mindset and adopt new ways of looking at the world, through the lens of the next generation. 

THINKHOUSE services span creative (advertising, social & digital, PR, events), strategy and the big picture for society and the planet. These include:

• Fame: World-class creativity powered by youth culture insights and innovative production models.
• Transformation: Making brands and organisations relevant for the next generation audience by transforming for a rapidly changing, hyper-connected, fragile world.
• Planet: Advising brands and organisations to embrace purposeful action and deliver it in a way that benefits people and planet. From brand activism to purpose driven and sustainability initiatives, we work with visionary change-makers that measure ‘growth’ in multiple ways. 

About Global Student Accommodation Group (GSA Group):  

Global Student Accommodation Group (GSA Group) is an international market leader in the provision of student accommodation, providing an unrivalled student experience in 9 countries across 4 continents. 

Global Student Accommodation’s strategy has four key pillars: 

• To create an unrivalled portfolio of PBSA in the world’s leading university cities 
• To be the trusted partner for our investors and the trusted partner for universities, parents and students 
• To go beyond a place to live by creating for our customers safe and welcoming communities 
• To champion the benefits of the global PBSA sector 

GSA currently operates 4 x brands globally (The Student Housing Company, Uninest Student Residences, Nexo Residencias, GSA USA).

For further information please visit: www.gsa-gp.com