Top Scholarships for MS in Ireland 2025: Eligibility, Deadlines & Benefits - Complete Guide

The availability of scholarships in Ireland for MS is very high. Both the government and external organizations, along with universities, offer scholarships to international students to study MS in Ireland. The scholarships are generally offered to academically meritorious students. However, some scholarships are specifically funded for students with strong leadership, research experience, and potential in extracurricular activities.   

The scholarships for MS in Ireland are very competitive. The average success rate of MS scholarships in Ireland is around 15-20%. The universities and funding authorities set their own eligibility requirements for international students. Therefore, to increase your chances of securing an MS Ireland scholarship, follow the significant tips and tricks mentioned in this article below for international students. 

Also Read: Education System in Ireland

Why Pursue an MS in Ireland?

Ireland offers numerous specialized Master of Science (MS) courses for international students. The top universities in Ireland provide academic excellence, post-study opportunities, and a multicultural learning environment for overseas candidates. Here are some important reasons to study an MS in Ireland. 

• Ireland has various top-ranked universities that offer a wide range of MS specializations for international students. 
• Many Irish universities have been listed among the top world universities as per the QS World University Rankings 2025. To name a few, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and University College Cork (UCC), and Dublin Business School. 
• The medium of instruction of all the MS programs in Ireland is English. This can be beneficial to most of the international student bodies who speak English as their native or second language.
• Ireland offers a 2-year post-study work visa under the Third Level Graduate Scheme, allowing overseas learners to live and look for work there. 
• Irish universities charge comparatively lower tuition fees from international students compared to the USA and the UK.
• The cost of living in Ireland is also cheaper for Indian students than in many top countries that offer MS education.
• Students get the opportunity to live, travel, and explore EU countries. 
• Ireland offers various job opportunities for MS graduates to work in top companies like Google, Apple, Facebook, and Microsoft. 

Also Read:

• Ireland citizenship for Indian 
• Post-study work permit in Ireland

Top Scholarships for MS in Ireland

Indian students can apply for an ample number of top scholarships in Ireland to pursue their MS degree in Ireland. These scholarships offer a significant reduction in tuition fees, a monthly stipend, and other additional benefits. To get an MS scholarship in Ireland, the candidate has to be meritorious with an excellent academic profile and GPA. 

The Ireland MS scholarships are offered by the Irish government and the universities you have enrolled in. Some specific research and fellowships, external/private scholarships, and program-specific scholarships are offered to international students to support their MS education in Ireland. However, their number is very few!

Fully and Partially-Funded Scholarships to Study in Ireland

Government Scholarships in Ireland for Master’s

The Irish government offers scholarships and funding to potential overseas candidates. These scholarships intend to support talented individuals financially to pursue a PG in Ireland. There is a diverse range of government scholarships available to Indian students. The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme and Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships are two major scholarships that have attracted the interest of many students due to their extensive financial support. 

Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme

The scholarship is funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for international students who show impressive merit in their undergraduate studies. 

Key Features of the Scholarship Programme:

• Scholarship Benefits: 
  • €22,000 (INR 2106060) annual stipend.
  • €5,750 (INR 550447.50) max annual contribution towards tuition fees 
  • €3,250 (INR 311122.50) annual support for eligible direct research expenses.
• Application Deadline: Typically between October to November
• Application Process: Applicants must submit an online application to apply for the funding. 
• Competitiveness: Highly competitive among international students
• Success Rate: Average success rate of 18% over the past 5 years.

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) is funded by the Government of Ireland in partnership with Irish higher education institutions (HEIs). 

Key Features of the GOI-IES:

• Scholarship Benefits: 
  • €10,000 (INR 957300) stipend for one year of full-time study in Ireland.
  • Full tuition fee waiver provided by the host Irish higher education institution.
• Eligibility Criteria: Applicants from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and the UK with a conditional or final offer from an eligible Irish university. 
• Assessment Criteria: 
  • Academic performance.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Active participation in extracurricular activities
• Application Deadline: Typically in March
• Email: goi-ies@hea.ie

University-specific Scholarships in Ireland for Master’s

Most Irish universities offer scholarship opportunities to Indian students to pursue an MS degree in Ireland. The assessment criteria and benefits may vary for universities. 

University/College	Scholarship	Requirement to Apply
Trinity College Dublin	Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarships	Scholarships valued between €2,000–€5,000 (INR 191460- INR 478650)(first-year tuition fee reduction).
Business School Scholarship	Automatically awarded, merit-based.	Varies
University College Dublin	Global Excellence Scholarship	Varies
Smurfit School Scholarships	Automatically considered	Varies
University of Galway	Business Postgraduate Merit Scholarships, College of Arts and Sciences Scholarships	Varies
Dublin City University	Humanities and Social Sciences Bursary	Merit-based; €2,000 (INR 191460) fee reduction
Engineering & Computing International Scholarship	Automatically considered for programs like MEng Mechanical Engineering, MSc Computing, MSc Electronic and Computer Engineering.	€6,400 (INR 612672) fee reduction
University of Limerick	Kemmy Business School Scholarships	Merit-based; €2,000 (INR 191460) per year tuition fee reduction
Scholarships for Science, Arts, and Humanities Faculties	Merit-based	€2,000 (INR 191460) per year tuition fee reduction
University College Cork	SEFS International Student Merit Scholarship	20% fee reduction for First Class Honours (1H), 10% for Upper Division (2H1), and €1,000 for Lower Division (2H2).
Business and Law Excellence Scholarship	SEFS International Student Merit Scholarship.	Varies
Technological University	Shannon Midland Midwest Merit Scholarship	Scholarships up to €4,000 (INR 382920)
South-East Technological University Scholarship	Automatically awarded	Varies
Griffith College	Automatic Merit-Based Scholarship	Scholarships up to €3,000 (INR 287190)
Dublin Business School	Automatic Merit-Based Scholarship	Scholarships up to €3,000 (INR 287190)
National College of Ireland	Automatic Merit-Based Scholarship	€5,000 (INR 478650) for applicants with 75%+ GPA; €3,000 for applicants with 60–74.99% GPA.

All costs are updated to INR using the exchange rate of 1 EUR = 95.73 INR. Might change in the future as per the conversion rate.

MS Scholarships in Ireland for Indian students: Eligibility Criteria

Indian students planning to pursue a Master’s (MS) degree in Ireland can apply for a variety of scholarships offered by the Irish government, universities, and other institutions. However, to be eligible for MS scholarships in Ireland, students need to fulfill all the eligibility criteria as per the scholarship they are applying to. The most common criteria applicable to MS students in Ireland are as follows:

• Academic Excellence: A strong GPA in a relevant undergraduate programme from a recognized university.
• Admission Offer: You should have an admission offer letter for a full-time Master’s programme in Ireland.  
• English Language Proficiency: The medium of instruction in Ireland MS universities is English. Therefore, demonstrating adequate English language knowledge through any English language tests in an academic setting is mandatory for international students. 
• IELTS exam: A minimum overall band score of 6.5.
• TOEFL: A score of 88 or above.
• PTE: Commonly accepted with a score above 61.
• Citizenship and Residency: You must be an Indian citizen and should not hold any dual citizenship. 
• Application Timing: Applicants should meet both university admission and scholarship deadlines.
• Documents Requirement:
  • Statement of purpose
  • Personal Essay
  • Recommendation letter
  • Passport
  • Academic transcripts
  • Scholarship-specific Essay or Motivation Letter

Ireland Masters scholarships for international students: Application Process

The application process for Ireland MS scholarships for international students includes the following steps:

• Research Scholarships: Search for scholarships that best suit your academic goals, program of study, and nationality.
• Prepare Required Documents: Gather all the necessary documents beforehand actually starting to apply. You should check the specific requirements for documents on the official website of the university and the government page.
• Apply for Admission: Before applying for the scholarship, you need to apply to Irish universities offering the MS program to get an admission letter.
• Submit Scholarship Applications: While most universities select eligible students through their admission applications. But some universities ask for a separate scholarship application. You should submit your application before the deadline. 
• Wait for the Results: Wait for a few weeks to get confirmation from the university or the funding authorities. Prepare for your MS journey to Ireland. 

Also Read:

• best courses to study in Ireland 
• Top Public Universities in Ireland for Indian Students
• Ireland intakes

Tips to Enhance Scholarship Applications

Getting an MS scholarship in Ireland is highly competitive. The average success rate of securing a scholarship for MS in Ireland is also approximately 15–20%, lower for government scholarships. Therefore, you should prepare your scholarship application carefully. Some important tips that will help you enhance your chances of getting a scholarship in Ireland are as follows:

• Do not wait for the deadline. Submit your application as soon as possible.
• Write a strong Statement of Purpose describing your passion towards the subject and your suitability.
• Highlight academic achievements and leadership roles.
• Show strong proof of extracurricular and volunteer work with necessary documents.
• Get strong, personalized recommendation letters.
• Ensure all application materials are free from errors and clearly present your qualifications.

Conclusion

The available scholarships to study an MS in Ireland for international students open doors to a world-class education. Knowing all about the scholarship for MS in Ireland will help international students ease their financial burden. Candidates willing to study in Ireland but having queries related to the same can connect with upGrad experts.

If you are planning to study abroad, get a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad's experienced advisors. Get expert tips and personalized guidance to help you achieve your dream of studying at a top university abroad.