Top Scholarships In Ireland For International Students in 2025

The grand scheme of study abroad in Ireland has really been picking up steam. According to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) of Ireland, the number of international students enrolled in Irish higher education institutions has been steadily increasing over the past few years - in the 2022/23 academic year, there were 35,140 international students, accounting for 13.7% of the total student population. This is a major increase from 31,720 students in the previous year.

For 2023/24, data indicates that international enrolment has reached a new high of approximately 40,400 students, marking a 15% increase over the previous year. Clearly, there’s a lot going for Ireland at the moment, and behind this surge is the value proposition that Ireland represents - you’re getting a fantastic education without the rest of the hoopla, in the sense that Ireland actually seems to want international students to come and study.

Much of its policies have indicated so - study visa application timelines have been shortened to 4-8 weeks at max, documentation requirements have been simplified, they offer a Stamp-2 visa for non-EU students which allows them to study and work 20 hours/week during their term and 40 hours/week during holidays. Quite some time ago, with respect to Indian students in particular, their government announced a target to host 5,000 Indian students annually each year by 2025. That’s a massive statement of intent right there.

There’s also the matter of cost - Ireland is fairly affordable as far as finding genuine world-class courses taught in English go. The living costs tend to hover between 7000 - 12,000 Euros per year, which is quite alright compared to some of the other major English-speaking countries. However, we also understand that this isn’t an amount to scoff at. Towards making things easier for bright students, Ireland offers a variety of scholarship programs which we can broadly categorise into three types:

1. Ireland Government Scholarships

2. University Scholarships

3. Other Scholarships

Ireland Government Scholarships

There are quite a few scholarship programs offered on the government’s part that help students far and wide to come study in Ireland. For the sake of easy viewing, we’ve put it all together for you to check out: 

How Can I Apply?

1. Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)

Steps to Apply:

1. Verify that you meet the criteria for academic excellence and leadership qualities.

2. Choose from the participating higher education institutions and programs in Ireland.

3. Prepare Application Documents:

• Academic transcripts.

• Personal statement highlighting your achievements and motivation for choosing Ireland.

• Two letters of recommendation.

• Proof of English proficiency (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL).

4. (i) Apply through the online portal managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
   (ii) Include all required documents.
   
   

5. Applications typically open in November and close in March.

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2. Irish Research Council Postgraduate Scholarship Program

Steps to Apply:

1. Secure a supervisor from an Irish institution willing to oversee your research.

2. Create a well-detailed proposal outlining your research objectives and methodology.

3. Prepare Documents:

• Research proposal.

• Academic transcripts.

• Personal statement.

• Letters of recommendation.

• Proof of English proficiency.

4. Use the Irish Research Council’s online application portal.

5. Fill out all sections of the application, including project details and supervisor endorsement.

6. Applications typically open in September/October, with deadlines in late October.

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3. Fulbright Ireland-USA Program

Steps to Apply:

1. U.S. citizenship is required. You must align your study/research proposal with Fulbright’s mission.

2. Select a master’s or PhD program at an Irish university that fits your field of interest.

3. Provide Detailed proposal explaining the purpose and impact of your study/research along with academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and résumé/CV.

4. Apply through the Fulbright Online Application System. Include all supporting documents and pay the application fee.

5. Applications open in April and close in October.

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4. Erasmus+ Program

Steps to Apply:

1. Confirm your home university is a partner of an Irish institution under Erasmus+. Verify your program’s inclusion in the program.

2. Approach the international office at your home institution for Erasmus+ application guidance.

3. Provide transcripts, proof of language proficiency, and other required documents to your home institution. Your application will be forwarded to the Irish institution.

4. Deadlines vary by institution, but applications typically begin in early spring.

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5. Irish Aid – Fellowship Training Program

Steps to Apply:

1. Open to applicants from select developing countries. Focus areas include public health, sustainable development, and climate change.

2. Inquire about the fellowship opportunities in your country.

3. Prepare Documents:

• Academic transcripts.

• Personal statement.

• Recommendation letters.

• Proof of English proficiency.

4. Complete the application form and submit it to the Irish Embassy in your country.

5. Deadlines vary by country, usually around January–March.
   
   

University Scholarships

Aside from government scholarships, there are also plenty of scholarships offered by the universities themselves. A lot of universities in Ireland are “legacy players” in terms of welcoming international students and encouraging diversity, so it plays into that. We’ve again arranged all the scholarships, so sit back and check them out.

How Can I Apply?

Trinity College Dublin Global Excellence Scholarship

Documents Required:

- Academic transcripts

- Copy of admission offer letter

- Personal statement

- Proof of English proficiency (if required)

Application Steps:

1. Apply and secure an offer of admission to TCD.

2. Download and complete the scholarship application form from the TCD website.

3. Submit supporting documents, including academic transcripts, a personal statement, and a copy of your offer letter.

4. Send your application to the email address provided by the university.

5. Await confirmation of scholarship results.

UCD Global Excellence Scholarship

Documents Required:

- Academic records

- Offer letter

- References

- Motivational statement

- Proof of English proficiency (if required)

Application Steps:

1. Apply for an eligible program at UCD and receive an offer letter.

2. Complete the scholarship application through the UCD online portal.

3. Attach your academic records, personal statement, and references.

4. Submit the application before the specified deadline.

5. UCD’s scholarship committee will evaluate and notify successful applicants.

University College Cork Merit Scholarship

Documents Required:

- Academic transcripts

- Offer letter

- Statement of Purpose (SOP)

- Proof of English proficiency (if required)

Application Steps:

1. Apply to an eligible UCC program and secure admission.

2. Fill out the merit scholarship application form (available on UCC's official website).

3. Attach required documents like transcripts, offer letter, and an SOP explaining your merit.

4. Submit through the university portal or email.

5. Await evaluation results.

Maynooth University International Scholarship

Documents Required:

- Academic records

- Admission offer letter

- Motivational essay

- Proof of English proficiency

Application Steps:

1. Secure admission to an eligible program at Maynooth University.

2. Fill out the scholarship application online.

3. Submit documents like academic transcripts, offer letter, and proof of English proficiency (if required).

4. Submit a motivational essay showcasing your goals and alignment with the program.

5. Wait for the selection results.

NUI Galway International Student Scholarship

Documents Required:

- Academic transcripts

- Admission offer letter

- Personal statement

- Proof of English proficiency

Application Steps:

1. Apply and receive an offer letter from NUI Galway.

2. Submit the scholarship application form via the university portal.

3. Include academic achievements, proof of offer, and personal statement.

4. Await the committee’s decision and notification.

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)

Documents Required:

• Academic transcripts (high school diploma for undergraduate or bachelor's degree for postgraduate).

• Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.).

• Personal statement highlighting motivation for applying.

• Letters of recommendation (usually 1–2).

• Valid passport copy.

• Additional documents as per the program (e.g., healthcare-related certifications for medical courses).

Application Steps:

1. Visit the RCSI website and explore available undergraduate and postgraduate programs in medicine, pharmacy, and health sciences.

2. Review the specific entry requirements for your program.

3. Gather all required documentation.

4. Submit Through the Portal:

• For undergraduate programs:

• Irish/EU students: Apply via the Central Applications Office (CAO).

• Non-EU students: Apply directly through RCSI's application portal.

• For postgraduate programs:

• Use the RCSI Postgraduate Application Portal.

5. Pay Application Fee

6. Attend an Interview (if required)

7. Monitor your application through the portal.

Other Scholarships

You may have thought that this was it - but you were wrong cause beyond the government and universities themselves, there are organisations offering scholarships too!



How Can I Apply?

1. The Walsh Fellowship

Application Process:

1. Research Funding Projects:

• Visit Teagasc’s Walsh Fellowship portal to identify ongoing or upcoming research projects.

• Select a project aligned with your academic and research interests.

2. Contact Project Supervisors:

• Reach out to the designated project supervisors with your resume and a letter of interest.

3. Submit Your Application:

• Apply through Teagasc’s online system or the partnering university’s portal.

4. Interview Process:

• Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview to discuss their research proposal.

Documentation Required:

• Academic transcripts.

• A detailed research proposal (if applicable).

• Personal statement.

• Two letters of recommendation.

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2. GoOverseas Ireland Scholarship

Application Process:

1. Access the Application Portal:

• Visit the GoOverseas website during the scholarship application window.

2. Complete the Online Form:

• Fill out the application form with your personal and academic details.

3. Submit a Creative Project:

• Applicants are often asked to submit a short video or written essay explaining why they want to study in Ireland.

4. Track the Status:

• Stay updated via email regarding your application status.

Documentation Required:

• Offer letter from an Irish institution.

• Video or essay submission.

• Academic transcripts.

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3. The Ireland Funds

Application Process:

1. Check Eligibility:

• Visit The Ireland Funds website to explore available opportunities and their specific requirements.

2. Prepare Your Application:

• Gather the required documents, including essays tailored to the organization’s mission.

3. Submit Online:

• Applications are generally submitted online through The Ireland Funds portal.

Documentation Required:

• Academic records.

• Personal statement (aligned with community leadership or the chosen field).

• Letters of reference.

• Proof of community engagement (if applicable).

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4. Rotary International Scholarships

Application Process:

1. Find a Local Rotary Club:

• Locate and contact a Rotary Club in your area or in Ireland.

2. Submit Pre-Application:

• Express your interest in writing, focusing on alignment with Rotary’s values (e.g., service to humanity).

3. Interview:

• Attend an interview session to present your academic aspirations and community projects.

4. Full Application:

• Submit the complete application, including all required documents.

Documentation Required:

• Academic records.

• Community project plans.

• Essays outlining alignment with Rotary’s mission.

• Recommendation letters.

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5. The Mitchell Scholarship

Application Process:

1. Register Online:

• Create an account on the Mitchell Scholarship official website.

2. Submit Academic Documents:

• Provide certified transcripts and proof of admission to an Irish institution.

3. Personal Essay:

• Write a compelling essay on your achievements and goals.

4. Interview:

• Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview.

Documentation Required:

• Academic transcripts.

• Personal statement.

• Two recommendation letters.

• Evidence of extracurricular achievements.

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6. The Global Study Awards

Application Process:

1. IELTS Requirement:

• Ensure you’ve taken the IELTS test and scored well.

2. Apply Online:

• Fill out the application form on the British Council or ISIC website.

3. Submit Statement:

• Write an essay highlighting your reasons for studying in Ireland and future aspirations.

4. Final Selection:

• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment.

Documentation Required:

• IELTS test report.

• Personal essay.

• Proof of admission.

Conclusion

Alright, so that’s it! So if you’ve been planning to study in Ireland but have been stressing about the costs involved, you know now that it’s not a problem you cannot solve if you’ve got the endeavour and inclination. However, we also understand that various aspects of pursuing an education in Ireland can feel a bit overwhelming - be it applying for scholarships or getting yourself an Ireland student visa.

You needn’t stress over that either - with EduGo Abroad’s experienced counsellors, you’d run through the whole jig in a jiffy. From handling your admissions and visa applications, all the way to helping you settle in when you reach the promised land - they’ve got you covered. Feel free to reach out and get your journey underway in the best manner possible!