Calling all ambitious students! Do you dream of studying abroad in Ireland, the land of rolling green hills and historical castles, but are worried about the cost? Here’s some good news: a plethora of scholarships are readily available to provide significant financial relief, making your dream of studying in Ireland a reality.
This blog is exclusively for you. Here we’ll explore the popular free scholarships in Ireland that are available to international students.
An Overview Of Scholarships In Ireland
Ireland is now in the steady race to become the sought-after option for students to choose for their higher studies. The perks offered by the Irish government, universities, etc., attract students to enrol in their study programs. The cost of living in Ireland is around EUR 7000-12,000 annually, which is way cheaper than in other countries.
However, even after the low cost of living, students are looking for free scholarships in Ireland. So, here is an overview of the different types of scholarship opportunities in Ireland, which are easily accessible and make pursuing higher education a little easier and more affordable, instilling a sense of hope and encouragement. Here are the different scholarships in Ireland offered by various channels:
- Government of Ireland Scholarship
- Scholarships Offered by Universities
- Scholarships By Trust or Other Organization
Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Program
There are various opportunities for scholarships in Ireland which are offered by the government to talented students. This program is managed by the Higher Education Authority, under which 60 scholarships are awarded to students pursuing a master’s or PhD in any field. Students get a stipend of 10,000 EUR for one year’s study.
Eligibility Criteria
Specific eligibility criteria are to be met by the students to avail these scholarships in Ireland:
Nationality: Not be from EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK.
Age: Candidates of any age can apply.
Study Level: Masters or PhD program.
Admission: Apply directly to an eligible Irish higher education institution.
Offer Requirement: Have a conditional or final offer for a full-time, international fee-paying program.
Application Process
The application process for the scholarships in Ireland is simple and hassle-free:
Read Call Documents: Applicants must review the call documentation carefully to confirm eligibility.
Application Form: A sample application form is available for reference only. Applications must be submitted through the HEA online portal.
Two Reference Letters: Upload two reference letters with your application via the HEA online portal.
Submit Early: Apply well before the deadline to avoid technical issues caused by high server traffic.
Deadline & Submission: Applications must be submitted or changed before the deadline.
Note: Government-funded scholarships can be availed of in the universities that are eligible for them.
Scholarships Offered By Universities
Many students search for questions like how to get a scholarship to study in Ireland but need clarification because of the many available sources. Here, you will get a curated list of universities which offer scholarships in Ireland which fund their cost of studying in Ireland:
Trinity College Dublin Scholarships
Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin offers various scholarship programs to students wanting to research or study there. They offer undergraduate, postgraduate and E3 scholarships. Full scholarships for international students’ masters in Ireland are:
Global Excellence Post Graduate Scholarships
A value of €2000 to €5000 each is applied to reduce tuition fees for one year only. This scholarship is not for business programs, but they can mail to their official email ID to enquire about the potential scholarship programs. The selection will depend on the academic excellence of the candidate.
AQ Scholarship
This scholarship is offered to students pursuing an M.Sc. in Quantum Science and Technology. It is given to 2 outstanding postgraduate students, given that they are not the holders of other scholarships in Ireland offered by Trinity. The holder is also expected to have an undergraduate degree in physics, maths, computer science or equivalent experience.
Irish Research Council Scholarships
This scholarship funds research towards master’s or doctoral degrees in all areas. Any candidate eligible for the postgraduate program can apply. This scholarship provides various funding programs. To know more about these scholarships, visit their official website.
University College Cork Scholarship
University College Cork offers various scholarships in Ireland, including undergraduate and postgraduate programs. These scholarships are:
SEFS International Student Merit-Based Scholarship
This scholarship is available for students in the College of Science, Engineering, and Food Science. It is automatically awarded and does not require an application. A 20% reduction in fees is given to UCC first-class honours and 10% to UCC second-class honours.
College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences International Merit-Based Scholarships
As the name suggests, this scholarship is awarded to students pursuing taught masters in these respective fields. It is automatically granted at the offer stage and cannot be combined with any other UCC scholarship.
NUI Galway International Student Scholarships
The University of Galway offers merit-based scholarships in Ireland. The scholarships are provided to undergraduate and postgraduate students in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies. The application deadline has been extended to 1 June 2024 at 5 PM(GMT).
The scholarships offered by this university are:
Business Post Graduate Merit Scholarship
J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at the University of Galway offers this scholarship for business-taught master’s programs. One scholarship is available per program, and 50% of the tuition is awarded for most programs.
Hardiman Scholarships
This scholarship is fully funded for four years. It offers a stipend of €22,000 p.a. plus a tuition fee waiver. Certain English language requirements must be fulfilled to qualify for this scholarship, and they accept the scores of TOEFL iBT, IELTS, and PTE. It also includes five areas of research, namely:
- Enhancing Policy and Society
- Enriching Creativity and Culture
- Improving Health and Wellbeing
- Realizing Potential through Data and Enabling Technology
- Sustaining our Planet and People
Maynooth University Scholarships
Maynooth University offers diversified scholarships in Ireland, which range from external research to taught master’s programs. They have attractive offerings which help students manage their cost of living. These scholarships include:
Maynooth University Graduate Teaching Studentships
This scholarship offers funded student teaching assistant opportunities, which are self-financed by each department. The perks of this scholarship include fully funded tuition fee support and a fixed amount of €9,007 per annum. The student will get five years to complete the PhD program, and the applications will begin on a rolling basis.
Taught Master’s Scholarships
Maynooth University offers €2,000 scholarships to full-time Taught Master’s students. Students can apply for these scholarships based on their academic excellence. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is 30 June 2024. The minimum honours requirement for this scholarship is a minimum of 2.1 in an undergraduate degree.
Also read – Ways to Fund Overseas Education
Scholarships By Trust or Other Organization
Also read – Ways to Fund Overseas Education
Trusts and other organizations provide these scholarships in Ireland to encourage students to pursue their masters in Ireland:
The Walsh Fellowship
The Walsh Scholarships Programme, a postgraduate development initiative by Teagasc, concurrently supports around 140 students enrolled in PhD programs. All facets of agriculture, horticulture, food production, agricultural economics, rural development, and rural environment, along with particular areas designated for priority funding annually. Typically, a PhD lasts for three to four years. In rare cases, MSc funding can be approved for up to two years.
Centenary Scholarship Program
The Centenary Scholarship Program is a charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the skills and abilities of future leaders and expanding the talent pool of the global workforce by promoting education. This scholarship is available for students from India, Brazil, China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the USA. There is a reduction of 1 year of tuition fee for the students availing of this scholarship.
Also read – Why Study In Ireland?
Benefits of Fully Funded Scholarships
Here are 5 benefits of fully funded scholarships in Ireland for students:
- Financial Freedom: This is the most obvious perk. Scholarships in Ireland cover all your tuition fees and often provide a stipend for living expenses. This eliminates a huge financial burden, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies and avoid student debt.
- World-Class Education: Ireland boasts a prestigious education system, with universities consistently ranking high globally. A scholarship allows you to gain this high-quality education without financial constraints.
- Career Advancement: A degree from a top Irish university can significantly enhance your resume. The international experience and specialized knowledge gained can open doors to exciting career opportunities worldwide.
- Research and Networking Potential: Many scholarships in Ireland are linked to specific research projects. This provides valuable research experience and the chance to network with leading academics in your field.
Also read – Cost of Living in Ireland 2024
Bottom Line
This was a comprehensive blog to inform you about the various scholarships in Ireland. You can now have a fair idea of which university you want to choose for these scholarships. If you are a meritorious student, you can easily avail of these scholarships and manage your cost of living in Ireland.
FAQs
How much is the percentage required to avail of scholarships in Ireland?
All non-EU candidates who have scored first-class (70%) or upper second-class (60%) honours in their U.G. can apply for scholarships in Ireland.
Is IELTS required for Ireland?
For an Irish student visa, you must secure a score of 6.5 to 7 in IELTS to apply to a university in Ireland.
Is it tough to avail of scholarships in Ireland?
No, it’s not a tough task if you meet the guidelines for the scholarship, which depends upon the university, courses and certain academic eligibility criteria
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
