15 Best Ireland Scholarships For International Students 2025-26

Planning to study in Ireland? You’re in good company—each year, more than 32,000 international students from over 160 countries choose Ireland for its high-quality education and welcoming atmosphere. Of course, studying abroad comes with its costs. Tuition fees in Ireland typically range from €3,000 to €5,000 per year, depending on the program and university. While that might seem like a lot, there’s plenty of support available. A wide range of scholarships for international students—including government-funded and fully funded options—can help ease the financial pressure.

Whether you're applying for a master’s, PhD, or undergraduate program, scholarships like the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship and others offered by top universities could be your ticket to a more affordable education. Here, you’ll find some of the best scholarship opportunities in Ireland, plus practical tips on how to apply and what to expect. Let’s get started!

Types of Scholarships In Ireland For International Students

There are various types of Ireland scholarships available, and most of them are divided into two categories - government scholarships, private scholarships, and university scholarships in Ireland. We have listed some of the top Ireland scholarships according to their categories and required details!

Government Scholarships In Ireland

Ireland scholarships are provided by a variety of entities, with one of them being the government. Ireland government scholarships are funded by the Ireland international education scholarship programme, and a total of 60 government of Ireland scholarships are expected to be awarded. Here are the top Ireland government scholarships.

Government Scholarships In Ireland

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Scholarship	Amount Offered	Offered By	Deadline
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship	€10,000 stipend for one year + full tuition fee waiver	Government of Ireland	March 5, 2025
Fulbright Irish Awards	Covers tuition, travel, and living costs for study/research	Fulbright Commission Ireland	October 2025 (TBA)
Teagasc Walsh Scholarships	Stipend + tuition fees for postgrad research	Teagasc	Varies
Central Bank of Ireland Scholarship Programme	Annual salary + education support for undergrad studies	Central Bank of Ireland	August 2025 (TBA)
Scholarships for Ontario College Graduates	15% tuition fee reduction at select Irish HEIs	Irish Higher Ed Institutions	Varies per institution

University Scholarships In Ireland

Apart from the limited government Ireland scholarships, you can find luck with the numerous Ireland university scholarships. University scholarships are offered on a varied basis and cover different aspects of monetary support to students. It’s always recommended to check your university website for more information and eligibility on graduate and undergraduate scholarships.

University Scholarships In Ireland

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Scholarship	Amount Offered	Offered By	Deadline
NUI Galway International Student Scholarships	Partial to full tuition waiver	University of Galway	Varies by course
Maynooth University International Scholarships	€2,000–€3,000 tuition fee reduction	Maynooth University	Varies
UCC CACSSS PhD Excellence Scholarships	Full EU fees + €10,000 annual stipend	University College Cork	May 1, 2025
Trinity Global Excellence Scholarships	Up to €5,000 tuition fee reduction (1st year)	Trinity College Dublin	Varies by region/course
DCU International Merit Scholarships	Up to €2,000 tuition fee reduction	Dublin City University	Varies by intake
University of Limerick International Scholarships	€1,500–€4,000 tuition discount	University of Limerick	Varies by program

Private Scholarships In Ireland

Beyond government support, a number of private organisations also provide scholarships in Ireland for international students to manage their education costs. Below are five of the most notable private scholarships, along with essential details to guide your search.

Private Scholarships in Ireland

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Scholarship	Amount Offered	Offered By	Deadline
Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme	€7,000 stipend over two years + travel/research bursaries	Laidlaw Foundation	Varies by institution
KPMG Women’s Leadership Scholarship	€5,000 tuition support + mentorship opportunities	KPMG Ireland	May 31, 2025
AmberScholar	upto $12,000	Amber	August 16, 2025
Google Europe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities	€7,000 grant + networking opportunities	Google	April 30, 2025
Ireland Fellows Programme – Africa	Full tuition, flights, accommodation, and living costs for a one-year master's program	Irish Aid (Department of Foreign Affairs)	Varies by country; typically opens mid-year

Selection Criteria for Ireland Scholarships

Apart from doing well in your academics, there are a few more things you would require to get a scholarship, like:

1. High academic standing
2. Should have a volunteering background
3. If necessary, have written submissions for research program scholarships.
4. Recommendation letter, if needed.
5. English language proficiency, which international students can demonstrate through TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, and other exam results.

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Every scholarship has different selection criteria; some may only require an application, while others may have more. You can also contact the granting agency for more specifics on the selection criteria.

Application Requirements for Scholarships in Ireland

Before submitting an online application for Ireland scholarships, students should remember the following:

1. Include whatever information your application reviewer might want to examine and consider.
2. Create a strong resume.
3. Letters of recommendation from your alma mater might be beneficial.
4. Communicate clearly to prevent unexpected misunderstandings
5. Clearly state your need for a scholarship and why you should be considered for one.
6. Write a persuasive letter/essay to a professor asking for a postdoctoral or PhD position in their lab. Take a look at how to write scholarship essays to ensure you don’t miss out on any important details.
7. The motivational letter must include information regarding the advantages you typically provide to the host university.
8. Apply as soon as possible before the deadline.

Scholarships in Ireland – Application Requirements

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Scholarship	Application Requirements
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)	Completed application form, academic transcripts, offer letter from Irish institution, personal statement, references.
Fulbright Irish Awards	Application form, academic transcripts, personal statement, research proposal, references.
Teagasc Walsh Scholarships	Research proposal, academic transcripts, CV, references.
Central Bank of Ireland Scholarship Programme	Application form, academic records, personal statement, references.
Scholarships for Ontario College Graduates	Proof of Ontario college graduation, application to participating Irish institution, academic transcripts.
NUI Galway International Student Scholarships	Academic transcripts, offer letter, personal statement.
Maynooth University International Scholarships	Academic records, admission offer letter, motivational essay, proof of English proficiency.
UCC CACSSS PhD Excellence Scholarships	Academic transcripts, research proposal, references, personal statement.
Trinity Global Excellence Scholarships	Academic records, offer letter, personal statement.
DCU International Merit Scholarships	Academic transcripts, personal statement, references.
University of Limerick International Scholarships	Academic records, program application, personal statement.
Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme	Academic transcripts, leadership essay, research proposal, references.
KPMG Women’s Leadership Scholarship	Academic records, personal statement, references, proof of leadership activities.
AmberScholar	Academic transcripts, offer letter, personal statement, fee receipt.
Google Europe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities	Academic transcripts, personal statement, references.

What After Being Granted Scholarships in Ireland?

So, what do you do after applying for Ireland undergraduate scholarships for international students or postgraduate scholarships? The government of Ireland scholarships process is straightforward:

1. Respond to the offer: Send a formal acceptance (or decline, if needed) to the scholarship coordinator.

2. Request official documentation: Ask for written proof of your scholarship. This is essential for your Ireland student visa application.

3. Plan your finances: Estimate your living expenses for the upcoming academic year and create a budget. Your scholarship might cover tuition, but other costs—like accommodation, transport, and food—can add up. Budgeting your finances will help you greatly!

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Now that you’re equipped with the key steps and scholarship options in Ireland, it's time to take action—whether that means starting your application or exploring more Ireland scholarships for international students to match your goals. And once your funding is sorted, the next big step? Finding comfortable student accommodation in Ireland that fits your lifestyle and budget.