If you are planning to study in Ireland, you’re already heading toward one of the best education destinations in Europe. But high-quality education often comes with high costs — that’s where scholarships in Ireland for international students become extremely helpful.
Ireland offers a wide range of government-funded universities, and private scholarships for undergraduate, postgraduate, and research students. These scholarships significantly reduce tuition fees, cover living cost, and make study in Ireland more affordable and stress free
This guide covers all major scholarships, eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how you can increase your chances of winning one.
Why Apply for Scholarships in Ireland?
Thousands of international students apply for Irish scholarships because:
✅ Financial Relief
Scholarships reduce the academic burden, covering 25–100% tuition fees, and in some cases, living expenses.
✅ High Acceptance Rate
Ireland offers generous funding to attract global talent — giving students a better opportunity compared to other countries.
✅ Opportunities Across All Levels
You can get scholarships for:
Bachelor’s
Master’s
MBA
PhD / Research programs
✅ Boosts Your Visa Profile
If you have scholarship, it strengthens your Ireland student visa application by showing financial preparedness.
# Top Scholarships in Ireland for International Students (2026)
Here are the most popular and widely awarded scholarships if you want to study in Ireland.
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)
Funding: Full tuition + €10,000 stipend
Level: Bachelor’s (final year), Master’s, PhD
Competition: Highly competitive
The GOI-IES is one of the most prestigious scholarships offered by the Government of Ireland. Only 60 students worldwide receive it each year.
Eligibility
Excellent academics
Strong leadership qualities
A clear motivation to study in Ireland
Why It’s Popular
It covers nearly everything you need during your study period.
Irish Research Council Scholarships
Types of funding:
Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship
Enterprise Partnership Scheme
Level: Research-based Master’s & PhD
These scholarships support innovative research projects across science, technology, engineering, arts, humanities, and social sciences.
Benefits
Full tuition
Annual stipend (around €16,000+)
Research allowances
University College Dublin (UCD) Global Scholarships
Funding: 25% – 100% tuition fee waiver
Level: Masters, MBA, Undergraduate
Popular Awards
UCD Global Excellence Scholarship
UCD Smurfit Business School Scholarships
These scholarships are ideal if you want to study in Ireland at a top-ranked business, engineering, or science school.
Trinity College Dublin Scholarships
Funding: €2,000 – €5,000+ tuition fee reduction
Level: Undergraduate & Postgraduate
Popular Awards
Trinity College Dublin India Scholarship
Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship
TCD offers dozens of merit-based scholarships to attract bright international students.
University of Galway International Student Scholarships
Funding: €1,000 – €15,000
Level: UG & PG
These scholarships are awarded based on academic performance and are quite popular among Indian students choosing to study in Ireland.
University College Cork (UCC) Scholarships
Funding: Up to 20–50% tuition fee waiver
Level: Undergraduate, Masters, PhD
Popular UCC scholarships:
SEFS International Student Merit Scholarship
UCC Excellence Scholarships
Dublin City University (DCU) International Scholarships
Funding: Up to €2,000 – €4,000
Level: Bachelor’s & Master’s programs
DCU offers several scholarships designed for high-performing international students applying to STEM, Business, and Humanities programs.
Technological University Dublin (TUD) Scholarships
Funding: €2,000 – €5,000
Level: UG & PG
Ideal for students pursuing engineering, computing, design, and business courses.
Maynooth University Scholarships
Funding: Up to €2,000–€5,000
Level: Undergraduate, Postgraduate
Maynooth supports international students through several merit-based and need-based funding schemes.
NUI Galway Postgraduate Scholarships
Funding: Partial fee waivers
Level: Masters & PhD
These are excellent for students pursuing research-oriented or industry-linked degrees.
Types of Scholarships in Ireland
- Merit-Based Scholarships
Awarded based on academic excellence, outstanding achievements, or strong profiles.
- Need-Based Scholarships
Given to students who require financial support to study in Ireland.
- Government-Funded Scholarships
Provided by the Government of Ireland, making them highly prestigious.
- University-Specific Scholarships
Every university in Ireland offers its own fee waivers and grants.
- Research Scholarships
Popular among students pursuing Masters by Research or PhD.
Eligibility Requirements for Scholarships in Ireland
Eligibility criteria vary, but most scholarships require:
- Strong academic performance
- English language proficiency (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL)
- A well-written Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
- Extra-curricular achievements
- Work experience (for MBA scholarships)
Having a strong study in Ireland motivation in your SOP increases your chances significantly.
Documents Needed to Apply for Scholarships
Academic transcripts
Passport copy
SOP / Motivation Letter
Letters of Recommendation
English test score
CV/Resume
Research proposal (for PhD)
Portfolio (for design/architecture programs)
How to Apply for Scholarships in Ireland (-by-)
1: Choose your university & course
2: Check scholarship eligibility
3: Prepare documents (SOP, LORs, CV)
4: Apply early — most scholarships are limited
5: Attend scholarship interview (if required)
6: Receive approval & accept the award
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Winning Scholarships
- Apply Early
Scholarship deadlines often close months before the intake.
- Write a Powerful SOP
Highlight your goals, achievements, and why you want to study in Ireland.
- Show Academic Excellence
High grades significantly improve your selection chances.
- Highlight Leadership & Community Work
These qualities matter for government-funded scholarships.
- Maintain a Clean, Professional CV
Make your achievements easy to read and impactful.
Is Studying in Ireland Affordable With Scholarships?
Absolutely! With the right scholarship, you can reduce your tuition fees by 25% to 100%. Many students studying Masters in Ireland or undergraduate programs manage their costs very comfortably because of these financial supports.
Final Thoughts
Ireland is one of the best destinations for global education, offering world-class universities, excellent job opportunities, and generous financial aid. With the right preparation and early applications, you can secure valuable scholarships in Ireland for international students and make your dream to study in Ireland both affordable and achievable.
