Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES), administered by the Higher Education Authority, supports high-calibre students from outside the EU/EEA for one year of study in Ireland — the final year of a bachelor's, a one-year taught master's, or a year of a research programme. The host institution waives its fees and the scheme provides a stipend for the year.

It is a merit competition across all disciplines, and the personal statement carries substantial weight: the scheme looks for evidence of excellence and of the applicant as a future ambassador for Irish education.

Ireland's national scheme, administered centrally by the Higher Education Authority rather than by universities — a small programme, and correspondingly competitive.

• Nationality outside the EU, EEA, UK and Switzerland.
• An offer of a place on an eligible full-time programme at a participating Irish higher education institution, for the coming academic year.
• One year of study — the award funds a single year, so it suits taught master's programmes and final years rather than longer degrees.
• An excellent academic record, which is the primary criterion.
• Evidence beyond grades — the scheme also weighs extracurricular achievement, leadership and how you would contribute.

The award funds one year only. If your programme runs longer, the remaining years have to be funded some other way, and that arithmetic should be done before you apply rather than after.

A one-year award combining a fee waiver with a stipend, which together make a taught master's in Ireland realistic.

• A full fee waiver paid to the host institution for one year.
• A stipend at the rate the scheme publishes, towards living costs for that year.
• Recognition as a Government of Ireland scholar, with the associated events and network.

It does not cover travel, the visa, or living costs beyond the stipend, and it does not extend to a second year. It is a strong single-year award rather than a comprehensive multi-year one.

Submitted through the scheme's own portal, and the offer letter is the piece that governs your timeline.

• Proof of an offer from an eligible Irish institution — the practical prerequisite, so the course application has to come first.
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
• A personal statement covering academic achievement, extracurricular activity and your reasons for choosing Ireland.
• References, as specified in the current call.
• Proof of nationality, and English proficiency evidence.

Because the offer must be in hand, the course application effectively has an earlier deadline than the scholarship. Applying to Irish institutions early is what keeps this award reachable.

A single central round each year, assessed nationally rather than by the university.

• Apply to and secure a place at an eligible Irish institution.
• Apply to the scheme through its own call when it opens, usually in the earlier part of the calendar year.
• Central assessment by an independent panel.
• Results, then confirmation with your host institution.

Dates move every cycle, so treat the Higher Education Authority's call for the current year as the authority on them rather than any second-hand summary — including this one. We will confirm the current timeline with you before you commit to a plan built around it.