Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) programme is a prestigious initiative designed to attract top international students to study in Ireland. It provides financial support to talented individuals pursuing master’s, postgraduate diploma, or PhD programmes (NFQ levels 9 or 10) at Irish higher education institutions (HEIs). By offering 60 scholarships annually, the programme aims to strengthen Ireland’s global reputation for high-quality education and foster international connections.

Scholarship Benefits

Recipients of the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship enjoy the following benefits:

1. Financial Support: A stipend of €10,000 is provided for one year of full-time study at NFQ levels 9 or 10.
2. Tuition Fee Waiver: Host higher education institutions fully waive tuition fees and other registration costs for the scholarship year.
3. International Recognition: Being part of a prestigious scholarship programme helps recipients stand out globally in their academic and professional pursuits.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Non-EU/EEA Residency: Applicants must have a domiciliary of origin outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
2. Programme Admission: Candidates must apply for and receive a conditional or final offer of admission to an eligible master’s, postgraduate diploma, or PhD programme at a participating Irish higher education institution.
3. No Prior Scholarship: Applicants who have previously been awarded a GOI-IES scholarship are not eligible to apply again.
4. Nationality Restrictions: Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, nationals of Russia and Belarus are ineligible to apply.

Application Process

The application process for the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship involves the following steps:

1. Sign Up and Profile Creation:
   • Visit the GOI-IES portal and click ‘Sign Up’.
   • Enter your email, password, and agree to the Data Collection Notice.
   • Create your profile by entering your first and last name.
2. Complete Initial Sections:
   • Begin your application by selecting ‘Get Started’.
   • Fill in the Personal Details section with your name, contact information, and nationality.
   • Complete the Eligibility Check section by answering three key eligibility questions.
   • Save your progress by clicking ‘Save Draft’ and finalize each section by selecting ‘Mark Complete’.
   • Submit these sections only when satisfied, as edits are not allowed after submission.
3. Check Eligibility Status:
   • After submission, the system assesses your responses. Eligible applications will be labeled ‘Eligible’, allowing you to proceed. Ineligible applications will receive a notification and cannot advance further.
4. Complete Remaining Sections:
   • Fill in the following sections:
     • Details of Offer: Provide course details and upload your admission offer.
     • Academic/Work History: List qualifications, work experience, and relevant achievements.
     • Personal Statements and Referees: Submit a statement explaining your motivation and upload two references.
     • Declarations and Signature: Agree to the terms and conditions and confirm accuracy.
   • Save drafts as you work and finalize each section by marking it complete.
5. Submit Application:
   • Once all sections are complete, the ‘Submit’ button will become active.
   • Submit your application only when you are satisfied with your responses.
   • After submission, you will receive a confirmation email, and your status will be updated to ‘Submitted’. Edits are no longer allowed.
6. Optional Multiple Applications:
   • You may submit up to three applications if you have multiple offers from eligible institutions.
   • Use the ‘Add Another’ option to create additional applications, noting that only three applications are permitted per cycle.

Required Documents

Applicants must prepare and submit the following documents when applying for the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship:

1. Proof of Admission: A conditional or final offer letter from an eligible Irish higher education institution.
2. References: Two reference letters uploaded via the online application portal. Ensure the referees provide detailed and relevant information.
3. Personal Statement: A written statement explaining the applicant’s academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and reasons for choosing to study in Ireland.
4. Academic Transcripts: Certified copies of previous academic records, including degrees or diplomas earned.
5. Passport Copy: A valid passport to confirm the applicant’s identity and nationality.
6. Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed CV highlighting academic, professional, and extracurricular experiences.

Selection Process

The selection process for the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship is structured as follows:

1. Application Submission:
   • Applicants must first apply for and receive an offer from an eligible higher education institution (HEI).
   • After securing an offer, candidates submit their GOI-IES application.
2. HEI Review:
   • The host HEI reviews the GOI-IES applications to ensure alignment with their institutional objectives and shortlists eligible candidates.
3. Independent Assessment:
   • Shortlisted applications are assessed by an independent panel of experts based on criteria such as academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and alignment with the scholarship’s goals.
4. Ranking and Selection:
   • Applications are marked and ranked. The top 60 applications are selected as awardees.
   • Applicants ranked beyond the first 60 are placed on a reserve list.
5. Host Institution Confirmation:
   • The host HEI is contacted to confirm acceptance of each selected candidate.
   • If a host HEI cannot accept a candidate, the application is unsuccessful, and the next candidate on the reserve list is considered.
6. Final Offer:
   • Awardees receive an official scholarship offer, which must be accepted to secure the funding.

Duration of the Program

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship is awarded for a duration of one academic year.

Application Deadline

The deadline to submit applications for the 2025 cycle is 5:00 PM (Irish time) on March 5, 2025.