Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) offers 60 scholarships each year to international students from outside the EU/EEA. The scholarship is for students who want to pursue a full-time Master's, Postgraduate Diploma or PhD in Ireland at NFQ Level 9 or 10.

Here are the key highlights of the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship:

Scholarship Particular	Scholarship Details
Scholarship name	Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship
Study destination	Ireland
Level of study	Postgraduate
Eligible applicants	International students from outside the EU/EEA
Scholarships awarded	60 each year
Eligible programmes	Master's, Postgraduate Diploma and PhD
NFQ level	Level 9 or 10
Living stipend	€10,000 (approx. INR 10.92 lakh) for one academic year
Tuition fee	100% fee waiver for the scholarship year
Registration fee	Waived for the scholarship year

In the sections below, we will cover GOI-IES eligibility, benefits, eligible courses, application process, deadlines, selection process, application status and scholarship renewal.

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship Eligibility

Good academic marks alone do not make you eligible for the Ireland Government Scholarship for Indian students. You also need to meet the scholarship's rules for your domicile of origin, course and admission status. 

The programme is open to eligible international students whose domicile of origin is outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland and UK.

Let’s look at them one by one.

Academic Requirements

You should have a good academic record and meet the entry requirements for the programme you want to study. The scholarship is available for full-time postgraduate study at NFQ Level 9 or Level 10.

You’ll need to:

• Apply for an eligible master’s, postgraduate diploma, research master’s or PhD programme.
• Study full-time and in person at an eligible Irish higher education institution.
• Meet the academic requirements set by your chosen university.
• Apply for a programme that meets the scholarship’s duration requirements.

Your academic performance is also considered during the scholarship selection process, so make sure the marks and qualifications in your application match your official documents.

Admission Requirements

You must have a conditional or final offer of admission from an eligible Irish higher education institution before applying for the scholarship.

The offer should be for an eligible full-time programme starting in the relevant academic year. You also need to provide the required admission details as part of your scholarship application.

Your application is assessed on more than your academic record. You should be able to show your extracurricular activities and achievements, such as involvement in humanitarian work, arts, politics or sports.

You’ll also need to:

• Submit two references as part of your scholarship application.
• Explain why you want to study in Ireland.
• Show how you could contribute as a future ambassador for Irish higher education.
• Not have received the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship previously.

Please Note: Russian and Belarusian nationals are not eligible for the GOI-IES programme.

 English Language Requirements

You must meet the English language requirements of the university and programme you are applying for.

The required score can differ between courses. For example, a university may ask for IELTS or another accepted English language qualification as part of its admission process.

So, check the English language requirement for your chosen course before applying.

Read More: Masters Abroad | MBA Abroad

Benefits of the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship

The cost of studying abroad can add up quickly, especially when you consider tuition fees, registration charges, and living expenses. This scholarship helps reduce that financial burden by covering your fees for one year and giving you a stipend for your living costs. 

You also get the opportunity to study in Ireland and gain international academic experience.

Here’s what selected students can get:

• €10,000 living stipend (approx. INR 10.92 lakh): You receive €10,000 for one academic year to help with your living and other student expenses. The amount is paid in two instalments.
• Full tuition fee waiver: Your host institution provides a 100% waiver of tuition fees for the scholarship year.
• Registration fee waiver: The scholarship also covers the registration fee for the designated scholarship year.
• Different postgraduate programmes: The scholarship is available for eligible master’s, postgraduate diploma and PhD programmes at NFQ Levels 9 and 10 across different fields of study.
• International exposure: You get the opportunity to study at an eligible Irish higher education institution, meet students from different backgrounds and gain international academic experience.
• Support for your visa application: The scholarship provides evidence that you have financial support for your studies, which can be useful when preparing your Irish student visa application. However, receiving the scholarship does not guarantee visa approval.

Courses Covered Under the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship

You do not need to choose a particular subject to apply for this scholarship. Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma and PhD programmes across different fields can be covered, as long as the course meets the required NFQ Level 9 or Level 10 criteria and other scholarship conditions.

Here’s a quick look at the types of programmes you can consider:

Programme Type	NFQ Level	Examples of Study Fields
Master’s	Level 9	Arts, business, science, engineering, technology, medicine, humanities and social sciences
Postgraduate Diploma	Level 9	Business, science, technology, arts and other eligible disciplines
Research Master’s	Level 9	Research-based programmes across eligible academic fields
PhD	Level 10	Research programmes across different academic disciplines

The programme must be full-time and offered by an eligible Irish higher education institution. Online, part-time and executive programmes are not covered under the scholarship.

Before applying, check the NFQ level, programme duration, study mode and institution to make sure your chosen course meets the scholarship requirements.

Check out: Top Courses in Demand Abroad

How to Apply for the GOI-IES Scholarship?

You need to apply to an eligible Irish higher education institution first and receive a conditional or final admission offer before applying for the scholarship. Once you have the offer, you can submit your GOI-IES application through the HEA online portal.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Produce an eligible programme: Apply for one or more of the following: Full-time Masters' programme, Postgraduate Diploma or PhD programme at an eligible Irish institution.

• Apply for admission: Fill out the university's application and submit the necessary documents.
• Get an admission offer: Conditional or final offer from the institution.
• Fill out the HEA application: Fill the GOI-IES application with the personal, academic and programme information.
• Submit your references: Give two references and send the required reference letters.
• Complete personal statements: Answer the three required questions on the scholarship form, and describe the academic goals, plans, for involvement in Irish society and for long term connections with Ireland.
• Review & submit: Make sure that you have reviewed everything and you submit your application before the deadline.

Please Note: One GOI-IES Application is to be submitted per cycle. After application, changes cannot be made to the application so review the information and documents beforehand. 

Documents Required for the GOI-IES Scholarship

You should keep these documents and details ready:

• Admission offer letter from an eligible Irish institution
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• CV or resume
• Two recommendation letters (Check out: Letter of Recommendation Format)
• Personal statements
• English language qualification, if required by your chosen programme
• Any other information requested in the application portal

It is a good idea to start preparing your documents and contacting your referees before the scholarship application window opens. This gives you enough time to review everything before submission.

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship Deadline

The applications for the 2026-27 Ireland Government Scholarship for Indian students are now closed. Students could apply from January 2026 until 5 March 2026 at 5:00 PM (Irish time).

If you are planning to apply in the next cycle, the exact dates are not out yet. For your reference, here is an expected timeline based on the previous cycle:

Scholarship Activity	Expected Timeline for Next Intake
Applications Open	January 2027
Applications Close	March 2027
University Assessment	March to April 2027
Final Results	May or June 2027
Scholarship Starts	September 2027

The dates mentioned above are based on the previous cycle and are subject to change.

GOI-IES Scholarship Selection Process

The selection process starts after the application deadline. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) first shares applications with the relevant Irish higher education institutions. 

The institutions review the applications and shortlist candidates based on their own requirements and priorities. The shortlisted applications are then sent to an independent panel for assessment.

How Are GOI-IES Applications Scored?

The final assessment is based on 100 marks. Your academic background, personal statement and references all form part of the score.

Assessment Area	Marks
Academic qualifications, achievements and work experience	40
Personal statement	45
Two references	15
Total	100

The 45 marks for the personal statement are divided across three areas:

• Benefits of becoming a GOI-IES scholar – 15 marks
• Plans to take part in Irish society and cultural exchange – 15 marks
• Long-term interest in Ireland and plans to build links with the country – 15 marks

The HEA then ranks the applications based on their scores. For the 2026 cycle, 60 scholarships were expected to be awarded.

Is There a GOI-IES Interview?

There is no interview stage mentioned in the official 2026 HEA selection process. The applications are assessed through the written application, including the academic record, personal statement and two references.

The final outcome for the 2026 cycle is scheduled for early June 2026.

How to Check Your GOI-IES Scholarship Status?

You can check updates about your GOI-IES scholarship application through the HEA application portal. The email address used in your application is also important, as the HEA uses it to send updates about your application.

The status of your application can change as it moves through the review process. Here is what each stage generally means:

• Submitted: Your application has been successfully submitted through the HEA portal.
• Under review: Your application is being checked as part of the selection process.
• Shortlisted: Your application has been selected by the Irish higher education institution for further assessment.
• Final decision: The assessment is complete and the scholarship result is available.

If you are selected for the scholarship, the HEA will provide information about the award and the next steps. If you are not selected, you will also be informed of the outcome.

Make sure you keep the email address linked to your application active and check it regularly for any updates from the HEA.

GOI-IES Scholarship Renewal

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship is given for one academic year. There is no option to renew the scholarship for another year if your course continues beyond the funded period.

During the scholarship year, you receive the €10,000 (approx. INR 10.92 lakh) living stipend, along with the applicable tuition fee and registration fee waiver.

If your course lasts longer than one year, you will need to arrange funding for the remaining period. This can include your own funds, other scholarships or financial support from another source.

Note: GOI-IES funding does not automatically continue beyond the one-year scholarship period.

Conclusion

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship can help cover a large part of the cost of studying in Ireland. It provides a €10,000 (approx. INR 10.92 lakh) stipend along with a full tuition fee and registration fee waiver for the scholarship year.

If you are considering the scholarship, check the eligibility rules, course requirements and application dates before applying. You also need an admission offer from an eligible Irish institution, so your university application and scholarship application need to be planned together.

For help with your Ireland university options, scholarships or study abroad plans, you can book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad’s study abroad experts today!