Overview

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships Program is designed to promote Ireland as a leading destination for international education. It aims to attract high-caliber students from around the world to study at Irish universities, institutes of technology, and other higher education institutions. The program is open to students from non-European Union (EU) countries, making it an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to gain a world-class education in a culturally rich environment. The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) programme supports high-calibre international students who wish to study at master’s or PhD level in Ireland. The programme is funded by the Government of Ireland in partnership with Irish higher education institutions and managed by the Higher Education Authority. Under the initiative, 60 scholarships are awarded each year for one year of full-time study at master’s or PhD level. The programme is open to applicants studying in any field.

Who Can Apply?

• In order to be eligible for a Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship, applicants must have a domiciliary of origin outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland/ United Kingdom.
• Candidates will need to apply for admission to a relevant master’s or PhD programme offered by an eligible higher education institution as per that institution’s admission procedures.
• Applicants must have a conditional or final offer of admission to that higher education institution at the time of application and will be required to submit a copy of same.
• The offer letter must confirm that the student has been offered a place on a full-time programme as an international fee-paying student. 
• In the context of the continued aggression of Russia in Ukraine, Russian and Belarussian nationals are not eligible to apply.

Application Procedure

• To receive an offer, the applicant must first apply to an Irish higher education institution for a course of study. The Higher Education Authority cannot offer any assistance in this process. To apply for a course of study at an Irish higher education institution that is eligible for the GOI-IES, candidates are advised to:
• Consult the list of eligible higher education institutions in Appendix 1 of the call document.
• Search the websites of eligible higher education institutions to see if the institutions offer any programmes they would like to apply for.
• Choose a programme that meets the GOI-IES eligibility criteria, i.e. master’s and PhD programmes that are full-time, in-person, with a duration of at least one academic year.
• Double-check with the higher education institution to see if they accept GOI-IES scholars on that programme.
• Follow the application instructions provided on the webpage of the respective programme or on the website of the respective institution.
• Direct any queries about this application process to the respective institution.
• Prospective PhD students should first contact a potential supervisor and obtain this academic’s agreement to supervise their project.

What Financial Support is Available?

• A Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship consists of a stipend amounting to €10,000 for one year of full-time study at master’s or PhD level.