Real Impact Undergraduate of the Year Award

Are you the Real Impact Undergraduate of the Year?

We're searching Irish universities to find the Real Impact Undergraduate of the Year.

In partnership with Grant Thornton, this award, is looking for students that go above and beyond to make an impact in their academic and personal experiences, making a difference to the people & communities they are surrounded by.

To enter you need to:

Be an undergraduate student with an interest in making a real impact with your future employer

Be in your penultimate or final year at university

Be on track to attain a 2:1 in any discipline

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Apply

PRIZES

What could you win?

You could win exclusive mentoring and coaching opportunities in your final year of university, as well as €1,000 in prize money to spend on whatever you choose!

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Apply

WHAT IT TAKES

What makes an award winner?

Being a true leader who wants to make an impact on the world we live in. We are looking for students who are making real impact come alive in any cause they are passionate about. We encourage applications from any student who believes they are committed to the betterment of their school, community and society at large. We encourage and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and creative thinking of people who want to make a real impact. It can be at your college or university through clubs or in the community locally. Submit a video or graphic design, along with your answers to the questions, on what you believe makes an impact on any subject.

Apply

FROM OUr PARTNER

Grant Thornton and the Real Impact Undergraduate of the Year Award

Grant Thornton is a global provider of professional services, spanning more than 145 countries with a team of 68,000 professionals working to build sustainable, scalable solutions to address real-world problems. In Ireland, our team comprises of nearly 3,000 professionals providing a full range of Audit, Tax and Advisory services to clients of all sizes and industries. We work with companies that are dynamic, growth minded who impact our society and the business community at large. Our unique culture creates an environment in which you are encouraged to make a difference, or A Real Impact! We are always looking for people that share our values as passionate, grounded, collaborative with high integrity. This translates to people who want to make a difference in the world around them.

How do I win?

Register Online

Complete the application form and answer three questions set out by Grant Thornton Ireland.

Deadline:

February

2026

Online tests

Receive an email inviting you to complete two assessments designed exclusively by our partner SHL.

Deadline:

February

2026

Submit by

2 February

2026

Your details & online assessments must be submitted and completed by the 2nd of February 2026.

If you are successful in getting through to the next stage, you will hear from us by 18th of February 2026.

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Assessment centre

The top 10/15 shortlisted candidates will be reviewed by Grant Thornton Ireland.

The process to determine the award winner may involve a virtual or face-to-face interview.

This will be confirmed by the sponsor at a later date.

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Grand final

The final shortlist of ten students will be invited to the awards ceremony on 1st of April 2026, at the Aviva Stadium where the award winners will be announced.

Apply