Scholarships to Study in Ireland
Ireland is a world leader in education, particularly in the fields of nursing, English, literature, the natural sciences, and engineering. An increasing number of students have been seeking higher education courses in Ireland over the past several years due to the high degree of education and research that Ireland has to offer, as well as other factors that make Ireland a desirable place for international students.

A growing number of scholarship opportunities have been created by Ireland's leading institutions in response to the inflow of students looking to enroll in undergraduate and graduate programmes at the country's numerous top universities. These scholarships are of the utmost importance to prospective students looking to pursue higher education in Ireland and are offered at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Top Universities in Ireland
Ireland is home to some of the top colleges in the world that provide educational programmes in a variety of fields, including veterinary sciences, nursing, engineering, and architecture. Universities with a reputation for providing the best undergraduate and graduate programmes as well as being top schools for international research include Trinity College Dublin and the National University of Ireland, Galway.
The top universities in Ireland are:
Top Universities in Ireland
Irish University | QS World Ranking |
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin | 98 |
University College Dublin | 181 |
National University of Ireland, Galway | 270 |
University College Cork | 303 |
Dublin City University | 471 |
University of Limerick | 531-540 |
Maynooth University | 801-1000 |
Technology University Dublin | 801-1000 |
Scholarships in Ireland for International Students
Almost all of Ireland's leading universities provide a variety of scholarships for students at all levels of study. These are often merit-based Irish scholarships and include course-specific as well as course-independent grants. In addition to this, there are several centrally supported Irish scholarships that are available to students at all of Ireland's leading universities. Using this as a foundation for categorization, there are two major categories of scholarships in Ireland:
Nation-wide
University specific
Nation-wide Scholarships to Study in Ireland
Students seeking admission to any of Ireland's leading colleges may apply for any of the centralized organizations of the Irish government's nationwide scholarships. The most well-known and well-liked national scholarships for studying in Ireland are:
1. Government of Ireland Scholarships
International students who wish to pursue undergraduate or graduate studies in Ireland are eligible for the Government of Ireland Scholarships. Students from the USA, India, Brazil, and China are among those who get these Irish scholarships. The Government of Ireland Scholarship is given to 60 individuals each year and is good for the whole academic year.
Eligibility: These Irish scholarships are awarded to students who are citizens of the mentioned countries and are:
In the final year of an undergraduate program
Enrolled in a taught masters program in Ireland
Enrolled in a research program in Ireland
Duration: 1 year (renewable)
Scholarship Benefits: The Government of Ireland scholarships cover the full tuition fee of the prospective program of study in Ireland. Additionally, students are provided with a yearly stipend of €10,000 to meet living expenses in Ireland.
2. The Walsh Fellowships
The Agriculture and Food Development Authority, or Teagasc, sponsors the Walsh Fellowships, which are available to prospective postgraduate students looking to study in Ireland. These Irish scholarships are intended exclusively for students who wish to enrol in research-focused courses at prestigious universities in Ireland in the fields of food, agriculture, agri-food economics, horticulture, rural environment, and rural development. The Irish government offers 30 scholarships each year to people who desire to study there.
Eligibility: The candidate must be enrolled in a full-time master’s by research program or PhD program in any of the specific areas of interest for Teagasc at a recognized Irish university. The application must be made through collegiate staff members associated with Teagasc and cannot be made by independent candidates.
Duration: 2 years for Masters students and up to 4 years for PhD students.
Scholarship Benefits: €22,000 per annum
3. Irish Research Council Scholarships
Both postgraduate and postdoctoral students are eligible to receive one of the Irish Research Council's scholarships for international students. These Irish scholarships cover a range of fields and are available to both domestic and international students for research and study in Ireland. The Irish Research Council provides a number of significant scholarships in Ireland, including the following:
Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Awards
Enterprise Partnership Scheme
Ulysses
European Space Agency Traineeship Scheme
Employment-based Postgraduate Program
New Foundations
University Specific Scholarships to Study in Ireland
The best universities in Ireland offer scholarships that are specific to the prospective institution of higher learning in Ireland. Depending on the degree of study, each university provides a variety of different scholarship possibilities for enrolled students. The following are a few examples of university-specific scholarships for studying in Ireland:
1. Trinity College Dublin Scholarships
One of the best universities in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin (TCD), provides a variety of scholarships for international students. The majority of these scholarships are program-specific and are renewable yearly based on the student's performance in the classroom.
Some of the top scholarships in Ireland for international students at TCD are:
Top Scholarships in Ireland at Trinity College Dublin
Irish Scholarship | Scholarship Amount | Level of Study | Eligibility Requirements |
Global Business Scholarship | €5,000 | Undergraduate level | Must be admitted to the Bachelor in Business Studies program at TCD |
Global Excellence Scholarships | €5,000 | All levels of study | Must be enrolled in a full-time program at TCD |
India Undergraduate Scholarship | €5,000 | Undergraduate level | Must be an Indian student enrolled in a full time UG program (except medicine, acting and dental science) |
School of Business Scholarships | €5,000 | Master’s level | Must be accepted to any MSc program at TCD’s School of Business |
Scholarship for Irish Studies | €35,000 | Master’s level | Must be enrolled in either:
|
The Grattan Scholars | Full tuition + annual stipend | Doctoral level | Must be enrolled in the PhD program in Social Sciences or Philosophy |
The Hamilton Scholars | Full tuition + annual stipend | Doctoral level | Must be enrolled in the PhD program in Mathematics |
School of Law Scholarships | Varies with the specific program/scholarship | Postgraduate level | Must be enrolled in a postgraduate program at TCD’s School of Law |
Ussher Fellowship | Full tuition + annual stipend of €13,000 | Doctoral level | Must be enrolled in a PhD program at TCD |
2. Maynooth University Scholarships
Numerous undergraduate and graduate scholarships are available from Ireland's Maynooth University. These Irish scholarships are available to international students and given each year to Maynooth University students engaged in academic programmes. There are several choices for undergraduate scholarships that are particular to the intended field of study in Ireland.
Some of the top scholarship options for postgraduate scholarships in Ireland at Maynooth University are:
Top Scholarships in Ireland at Maynooth University
Irish Scholarship | Scholarship Amount | Number of Awardees | Eligibility Requirements |
Taught Master’s Scholarship | €2,000 | 60 | Must have an undergraduate degree of 2.1 level or higher |
Maynooth University Doctoral Scholarship | Full tuition fees + €18,000 | 30 | Must be enrolled in a doctoral program at Maynooth University |
Full tuition fees + €10,000 | |||
Full tuition fees | |||
Maynooth University Teaching Studentships | Full annual tuition support (approx. €6,200 per annum) + Stipend of €9,007 per annum | Not specified | Must be enrolled in a PhD program at Maynooth University |
3. University College Dublin Scholarships
Irish scholarships are widely available at University College Dublin (UCD) for both undergraduate and graduate education. These merit-based scholarships in Ireland are available to students enrolled full-time at UCD and vary depending on the subject of intended study. Depending on the student's academic record, several UCD scholarships are renewed annually.
Some of the best scholarships in Ireland for international applicants at UCD are:
Top Scholarships in Ireland at University College Dublin
Irish Scholarship | Scholarship Amount | Eligibility Requirements |
Global Excellence Scholarship 100% | Full tuition fees | Must be enrolled in a UG program (except medicine) |
Global Excellence Scholarship 50% | 50% of the published tuition fees | Must be enrolled in a UG program (except medicine) |
V.V. Giri Scholarship | Tuition fee remission | Must be an Indian student enrolled at a full-time program at UCD |
Smurfit Business School Scholarships | Varies with the specific program/scholarship | Must be enrolled in a full-time program at Smurfit Business School at UCD |
Sutherland School of Law Scholarships | Varies with the specific program/scholarship | Must be enrolled in a full-time program at Sutherland School of Law at UCD |
4. DIT Centenary Scholarship Programme
The Dublin Institute of Technology's Centenary Scholarship Program provides a number of scholarships for aspiring masters students looking to pursue postgraduate study in Ireland. International students who wish to enrol in any of the four colleges of DIT—Business, Engineering and Build Environment, Arts and Tourism, and Sciences and Health—in Ireland are eligible for these scholarships.
Eligibility: In order to be eligible for the DIT Centenary scholarships, participating candidates must satisfy the following:
The candidate must have accepted his or her DIT offer in a full-time taught master’s program.
The candidate must have a first class honors degree from undergradaute education.
The candidate’s IELTS score must be at least 0.5 band greater than the minimum required score for his or her prospective masters program of study in Ireland.
Duration: 1 year
Scholarship Benefits: The scholarship covers 50% of the published tuition fees for the prospective master’s program of study in Ireland.
Popular Exams
5. Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology Scholarship
Potential undergraduate and graduate students can apply for the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, or GMIT, scholarships for international students to study in Ireland. These Irish scholarships might cover up to 30% of the cost of the student's Irish study programme.
Eligibility: In order to be eligible for the GMIT non-EU scholarships for international students, candidates must be enrolled in a postgraduate or undergraduate program at GMIT.
Duration: 1 year
Scholarship Benefits: The GMIT non-EU scholarship may be worth up to 30% of the candidate's intended course of study's tuition. According to the following criteria, a candidate's IELTS score and country of origin both affect the percentage of scholarships that are available:
GMIT Scholarships for Study in Ireland
Course of Study in Ireland | IELTS Score of Applicant | Bursary Value of Scholarship |
Undergraduate | 6.5 or above | 15% |
Postgraduate | 6.5 or above | 15% |
Country of Origin of Applicant | Bursary Value of Scholarship | |
Countries with GDP of USD $5,000 or less per year | 15% | |
Countries with GDP in the range of USD $5,000 -- $20,000 per year | 10% | |
Countries with GDP greater than USD $20,000 per year | 5% |
6. National College of Ireland Scholarships
The National College of Ireland (NCI) generally awards merit-based scholarships and bursaries as part of its Irish scholarship programme. These awards, which rely on the course of study in Ireland and are given to applicants with superior academic records on a first-come, first-served basis, are valid for one academic year.
Top Scholarships in Ireland at National College of Ireland
Irish Scholarship | Scholarship Amount | Level of Study | Eligibility Requirements |
Academic Merit Scholarship | €4,000 | Master’s level | At least a higher second class (2.1) honors degree. |
Achievement Scholarship | €3,000 | Not specified | Exceptional achievements in extra-curricular activities such as sports and charitable work. |
MSc in FinTech | €5,000 | Master’s level | Must be admitted to the MSc in FinTech program. |
MSc in Entrepreneurship | €5,000 | Master’s level | Must be admitted to the specified program in any of the topics:
|
School of Computing Bursaries, UG | €6,000 | Undergraduate level | Must be admitted to any of the 4 year UG programs offered by the School of Computing. |
School of Business Bursaries, UG | €4,500 | Undergraduate level | Must be admitted to any of the 3 year UG programs offered by the School of Business. |
Community and Church Scholarship | €5,000 | Master’s level | Must be admitted to the MA in Leadership and Pastoral Care |
7. National University Ireland (NUI) Galway International Student Scholarships
International students who desire to study in Ireland have access to a wide range of NUI Galway scholarships, which differ depending on the candidate's country of origin and degree of study. These merit-based Irish scholarships are available to NUI Galway students studying full-time in academic programmes.
Some of the NUI Galway scholarships for study in Ireland are:
Top Scholarships in Ireland at NUI Galway
Irish Scholarship | Scholarship Amount | Number of Awardees | Eligibility Requirements |
UG Merit Scholarships | €2,000 | 10 | Must be enrolled in a full time UG program at NUI Galway (except for medicine) |
PG Merit Scholarship | €2,000 | 20 | Must be enrolled in a taught Master’s program at NUI Galway |
Max Arthur Macauliffe Special Merit Scholarship | Full tuition fees | 2 | Must be an Indian national enrolled in a Master’s program at NUI Galway |
Sir Peter Freyer Special Merit Scholarship | Full tuition fees | 2 | Must be an Indian national enrolled in a Master’s program at NUI Galway |
NUI Galway Hardiman Scholarships (PhD) | Full tuition fees + Annual stipend of €16,000 | Not specified | Must be a prospective research student at NUI Galway |
Also Read -
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - Scholarships to Study in Ireland
Question: Which country easily gives scholarships?
Answer:
These days, applying to China is the simplest. International students might receive fully financed scholarships from the Chinese government and colleges. Your entire cost of living while studying in China is covered by these scholarships.
Question: How many points do you need to get a scholarship in Ireland?
Answer:
In appreciation of their academic success thus far, scholarships are awarded to first-year students who receive 400 points or more on their Leaving Certificate (or comparable second-level test).
Question: Can you get a scholarship in Ireland?
Answer:
Numerous organizations, including the Government of Ireland, Irish higher education institutions, and others, offer hundreds of scholarships to international students.
Question: How to get conditional or final offers from an Irish higher education institution?
Answer:
The applicant must first submit a programme of study application to an Irish higher education institution in order to be considered for such an offer. If the institution determines that the student qualifies for their course, they will subsequently make an offer to them.
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Questions related to Ireland
Where can I get details about the various UG courses available in various Ireland universities. I am looking for specifically in Humanities stream (Geography, etc.)
Hello aspirant,
Best Universities in Ireland offering UG Humanities courses. Varies courses offered are B.A Hons. in Applied Theology, B.A. Hons. in Digital Humanities and Information Technology, etc.
- Maynooth University
- Dublin Business School
- Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
- University College Dublin
- National University of Ireland, Galway
- University College Cork
- Dublin City University
May this information was helpful to you.
Good Luck!!
what arevthe exams to be written to study masters in Ireland?
Hey there
Your profile suggest that you are a medical aspirant so I am mentioning below about master's medical degree:
- There are various entrance examinations for different universities and colleges for taking admission in PG Medical courses in Ireland.
- These entrance exams include GAMSAT, HPAT, IELTS.
what could be the pay in india after mim from ucd smurfit or Trinity college of Ireland?
Hello aspirant.
you need to select the right countries for the MIM. France, the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden have 12–18 month stay back periods during which you can search for a job. You should be able to secure one after an MIM even with limited work experience because the degrees carry a lot of value in those countries. As of 2020, the UK is offering a 2-year stay back period for your job search as well. Hence you can consider these destinations.
what salary can I expect in india after doing mim from Ireland?
The MIM degree takes people in without work experience. Hence the curriculum being exactly like an MBA can work to your disadvantage sometimes. You have great classroom and case-study based knowledge in the areas of strategy, marketing, and finance. However, when an interviewer is thinking about hiring you, he will want to know the prior real-world experience you have with the relevant products/processes you have that will help handle matters effectively at your prospective company.
if I am working in Ireland for 2-3 years with a package of 30000 euros after mim will I be able to get a 24 lacks+ package coming back to india?
Not much information is available regarding the same as the demand keeps changing