Scholarships in Ireland | Criteria, financial aid, and much more!

While studying abroad can be a life-changing experience, it can also be costly. For this reason, it is essential to plan. You can make your study abroad experience quite affordable and significantly easier in your pockets with proper planning. If you have chosen Ireland as your study abroad destination, you can apply to a range of great scholarships to help you with the finances of your trip. Additionally, the Irish higher education institutions, the Government of Ireland, and various private and public establishments offer hundreds of scholarships. So, here is all you need to know about scholarships in Ireland and the best way to apply.

Criteria for applying for a scholarships in Ireland for international students

With a wide range of scholarships in Ireland available for international students, you’ll likely find one that best suits your needs and financial constraints. However, these are highly competitive and have strict selection criteria. Every scholarship has its selection criteria. While only an application may be required in some cases, others may need you to meet several requirements. For example, in the case of research-oriented programs, applicants are typically required to submit lengthy written assignments. 

While an essential eligibility criterion is good academic performance, it can also vary according to your academic level and subject. Nevertheless, for specific scholarships, your eligibility can also depend on factors like volunteering experience and extracurricular activities. In case of any doubts or confusion related to a scholarship’s eligibility criteria, you can directly contact the awarding agency. 

In most cases, to get scholarships in Ireland, an international applicant must have:

• Good academic scores
• Volunteering experiences
• Research-centric programs usually require written proposals
• Letter of recommendations, if required
• Acceptable scores in English language proficiency tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE

Provision of financial aid through scholarship in Ireland

The type of award and the sum of money awarded varied with every scholarship. Some research programs provide generous scholarships that cover up to 100% of the tuition fee in addition to covering a part of your accommodation expenses. However, specific private scholarships may only cover a part of your tuition fee. You may even face higher competition when applying for the more generous scholarships, usually offered by government organizations. 

Top 5 scholarships in Ireland for international students

Some of the most popular and sought-after scholarships in Ireland among international students include:

1. The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships

Under the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships Program, the Irish government provides international students with 60 scholarships for one year. 

• Who Can Apply: This scholarship is granted at Bachelor, Masters, or PhD levels in all fields of study. In addition, students from non-EU/EEA countries who have successfully received an offer to study at an eligible Irish higher education institution are eligible to apply. 
• Benefits: Successful applicants will receive a concession of ⚬10,000 for one year’s study. Also, a full waiver of all tuition fees and other registration costs at the respective higher education institution. 

2. The Walsh Fellowships

Walsh Scholarships receive a budget of ⚬3.2 million each year from Teagasc’s postgraduate development program. Annually, up to 35 scholarships are given out to advance food and agricultural research in Ireland.

• Who Can Apply: These scholarships are granted to international postgraduates seeking research opportunities in the fields of agriculture, food, horticulture, agri-food economics, rural environment, and rural development are granted these scholarships.
• Benefits: A grant of ⚬24,000 per year is provided to successful applicants for a term of three or four years for a PhD and a maximum of two years for an MSc. However, Teagasc Research Centre is the preferred location for research.

3. Hardiman Scholarship by NUI Galway

Hardiman Scholarships are awarded to high-achieving individuals who wish to pursue their Ph.D. at NUI Galway, a notable research-oriented university in Ireland.

• Who Can Apply: Eligible applicants include meritorious students looking to pursue a Structured PhD at NIU Galway in one of the five key areas of research. Moreover, the eligible fields of research include enhancing policy and society, enriching creativity and culture, improving health and wellbeing, realizing potential through data and enabling technologies, and sustaining our planet and people
• Benefits: The university fully funds successful applicants for a period of four years. They receive a stipend of ⚬18,500 per annum in addition to a full waiver of their tuition fee. 

4. Global Excellence Undergraduate Scholarships by Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College Dublin provides Global Excellence Undergraduate Scholarships based on the applicants’ academic achievements and potential to contribute to the Trinity community. 

• Who Can Apply: Meritorious students seeking to pursue a full-time undergraduate program merituous students at the institution are awarded these scholarships. However, only the students who hold non-EU status are eligible to apply for this scholarship. 
• Benefits: These scholarships are valued at up to ⚬5,000, which is applied as a reduction to the total tuition fee of the respective full-time undergraduate program only for the student’s first year of study. 

5. DCU International Student Scholarships by Dublin City University

Dublin City University (DCU) offers International Student Scholarships to students from India, the USA, Japan, and China. Both undergraduate and postgraduate levels award these scholarships to deserving students looking to pursue a full-time program at the university.

• Who Can Apply: To be eligible to apply, you should be a resident of one of the eligible countries and also have been admitted to a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate program at DCU. 
• Benefits: Undergraduate applicants receive a scholarship of ⚬3,000 for the first year and ⚬2,000 for subsequent years for the entirety of their undergraduate program duration. Postgraduate applicants receive a scholarship of ⚬2,000. 

In a nutshell

There is no shortage of great scholarships in Ireland for international students. Therefore, those looking to pursue higher education in Ireland should look for a suitable scholarship opportunity and complete the application process on time. Students can also apply for multiple scholarships to avoid relying on just one opportunity.

Liked this Blog? Read more: 6 steps to get the Ireland Student Visa | Requirements, fees, and more!

FAQs

1. How to apply for scholarships in Ireland?

While filling in their applications for the scholarships in Ireland, international students must remember to –

• Be accurate and fill in all the relevant details that might help in their selection
• Create a competent CV
• Also, collect a glowing letter of recommendation from their home university
• Fill in all the fields in the application form
• Write a clear and concise letter of motivation that mentions how you will be a valuable addition to the prospective institution
• Submit your application way before the deadline

2. Which are some of the other Irish colleges and universities that provide international students with scholarships?

In addition to NIU Galway, Dublin City University, and Trinity College Dublin, some of Ireland’s other higher education institutes that provide international students with scholarships include-

• University College Dublin
• University of Limerick
• Waterford Institute of Technology
• University College Cork
• Maynooth University. 

3. What do I do after I receive a scholarship in Ireland?

On receiving one of the scholarships in Ireland for international students, you must-

• Write a formal letter to the awarding agency to accept or decline their scholarship offer. 
• Once you’ve formally accepted the offer, request the scholarship coordinator for proof of scholarship in order to apply for the student visa.

If you feel like we missed out on something or have any doubts, please reach out to us or drop a comment!