There are countless reasons why students from all over the world want to study in Ireland. These include its world-class education, renowned universities, cultural heritage and welcoming community. It has a high success rate for student visa applications. It also offers a post-study route through its Third Level Graduate Scheme. Ireland also happens to be an emerging leader in tech, providing students with unparalleled opportunities for learning and career growth.
For many international students though, pursuing an Irish education is only possible with financial aid and sponsorship. Luckily, Ireland is abundant in scholarships for international students. In this article, we’ll go through the different ways students can apply for a scholarship in Ireland.
Where to get a scholarship in Ireland
Here are some of the best ways international students can apply for and secure a scholarship in Ireland:
Government-funded Ireland scholarships
- The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES): This program is funded by the Government of Ireland in partnership with Irish higher education institutions and managed by the Higher Education Authority. It supports “high-calibre international students” who want to study at a master’s or PhD level by awarding 60 scholarships every year. This scholarship in Ireland consists of a stipend amounting to €10,000 for one year of full-time study at a master’s or PhD level and is open to students who have a domiciliary of origin outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland/ United Kingdom.
- Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme: This highly competitive program is an established national initiative funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and managed by the Council. It champions “pioneering proposals addressing new and emerging fields of research or those introducing creative, innovative approaches.” This scholarship offers a value with a maximum of €28,000 per annum, including a stipend, fees and research expenses.
- Ireland Fellows Programme: This program is fully funded by the Irish Government and is offered under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and aligns with many of the Irish government’s goals. There is a wide range of different strands offered under the program, each with a different focus in terms of eligible countries and subject areas.
University-based scholarships in Ireland
- Trinity College Dublin Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship in Ireland is open to students with a non-EU status. The award is valued between €2000 to €5000 and is applied as a reduction to the tuition fees of a full-time postgraduate program for the first year of study.
- University College Dublin (UCD) Global Excellence Scholarships: UCD is one of the most popular universities in Ireland amongst international students. Its scholarship program makes it even more attractive as it allows international students to choose from a list of eligible programs and offers them a 100% or 50% tuition fee coverage.
- University of Limerick (UL) Scholarships: UL offers various partial and merit-based Ireland scholarships for international students, on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, which are categorised into the university’s different faculties and departments.
Field-specific scholarships in Ireland
- The Teagasc Walsh Scholarships Programme: This program by Teagasc (the Agriculture and Food Development Authority) offers Ireland scholarships for graduates to “undertake postgraduate research in agriculture, food, environmental science, agri-food economics, rural development, horticulture and other related disciplines and carry out their research with established research teams under the supervision of Teagasc and academic staff”.
- University of Galway Hardiman PhD Scholarships: This program is offered to high-achieving individuals with an appetite for the research world and the creativity to pursue a structured PhD focused on one of the university’s five key areas of research: enhancing policy and society , enriching creativity and culture, improving health and wellbeing, realising potential through data and enabling technologies and sustaining our planet and people. This Ireland scholarship is fully funded for four years, with a stipend of €22,000 per year plus tuition fee covered.
These are just some of the promising scholarships for international students who wish to pursue an education in Ireland. To learn about more options and stay updated with scholarship opportunities, our business development experts would be delighted to assist you.
