Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)
by Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science · All eligible Irish Higher Education Institutions (including Trinity College Dublin, UCD, UCC, University of Galway, UL, DCU, Maynooth University, TUD, and various Institutes of Technology)
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
🏆 Fully Funded🔴 Active (Annual program)🎓 Final year Undergraduate, Taught Masters, Research Masters, or PhD🌍 Ireland📌 Government-funded
1 year (The scholarship is for one year only, even for multi-year programs)
Deadline
March 13, 2024 (Annually in mid-March)
Level
Final year Undergraduate, Taught Masters, Research Masters, or PhD
Acceptance
Highly Competitive
Difficulty
Extremely High
Quick Summary
Aimed at international students (non-eu/eea), Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) is a fully funded scholarship for study in Ireland. The award covers The scholarship provides a 10,000 stipend for one year's living expenses and a full tuition and registration fee waiver from the host Irish higher education institution. and is open to final year undergraduate, taught masters, research masters, or phd students studying all academic disciplines. The scholarship runs for 1 year (the scholarship is for one year only, even for multi-year programs). Eligibility is generally based on open to high-achieving international students from outside the European Union/EEA who have applied for a full-time program at an eligible Irish university or college. The application deadline is March 13, 2024 (Annually in mid-March), with an acceptance rate of approximately Highly Competitive. EduAtlasHub tracks updated deadlines, coverage details and eligibility requirements for this scholarship as they change.
✨ Should I Apply for Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
30-45 hrs
Time Required
Approximately 1.5%
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
€10,000 stipend plus 100% tuition coverage
⏳
Duration
1 year (The scholarship is for one year only, even for multi-year programs)
📅
Deadline
March 13, 2024 (Annually in mid-March)
🌎
Fields
All academic disciplines
🏆
Awards/Year
60
🌏
Study Country
Ireland
🏛️
Provider
Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
📊
Acceptance
Highly Competitive
The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) is a flagship program for high-achieving students from outside the EU/EEA to study in Ireland. The award is highly prestigious and aims to foster long-term international relations between Ireland and its partner countries.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to high-achieving international students from outside the European Union/EEA who have applied for a full-time program at an eligible Irish university or college.
🏛️ Host University
All eligible Irish Higher Education Institutions (including Trinity College Dublin, UCD, UCC, University of Galway, UL, DCU, Maynooth University, TUD, and various Institutes of Technology)
🤝 Sponsor
Higher Education Authority (HEA) Ireland
🌎 Fields of Study
All academic disciplines
✨ Key Benefits
The scholarship provides a €10,000 stipend for one year's living expenses and a full tuition and registration fee waiver from the host Irish higher education institution.
100% (The host institution waives all tuition and registration fees)
Living Stipend
€10,000 for one year of study (paid in two installments)
Total Award
€10,000 stipend plus 100% tuition coverage
✈️ Travel: No (Expected to be covered by the €10,000 stipend)🏠 Accommodation: No (Expected to be covered by the €10,000 stipend)💊 Health Insurance: No (Student must arrange their own private medical insurance as required for the visa)🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
100% (The host institution waives all tuition and registration fees)
🏠 Living Stipend
€10,000 for one year of study (paid in two installments)
🏡 Accommodation
No (Expected to be covered by the €10,000 stipend)
✈️ Travel Allowance
No (Expected to be covered by the €10,000 stipend)
💊 Health Insurance
No (Student must arrange their own private medical insurance as required for the visa)
🎁 Other Benefits
Prestige of being a Government of Ireland Scholar and access to networking events with other international scholars
🔄 Renewable
No
📋 Renewal Conditions
Not applicable; scholarship is strictly for one year of study
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Must be a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country; must have an offer (conditional or unconditional) from an eligible Irish HEI; must demonstrate high academic achievement and excellence.
🎓 Academic Level
Final year Undergraduate, Taught Masters, Research Masters, or PhD
📊 Minimum GPA
First Class Honours or equivalent (Top 5-10% of class)
🗣️ English Requirement
Must meet the host institution's English language requirements (typically IELTS 6.5 or higher)
💼 Work Experience
Not required, but relevant experience is considered for postgraduate applicants
🏆 Leadership
Strong emphasis on the potential to be a future ambassador for Ireland and contribute to Ireland's international relations
💰 Financial Need
Not the primary selection criterion, though socio-economic background can be considered during final selection
🎯 Target Students
International students (Non-EU/EEA)
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Personal statement regarding the rationale for choosing Ireland and the host institution, and future career plans)
Rec Letters
Yes (Two reference letters from academic or professional sources)
Interview
No
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Two reference letters from academic or professional sources) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Must meet the host institution's English language requirements (typically IELTS 6.5 or higher)
Interview: No
Min GPA: First Class Honours or equivalent (Top 5-10% of class)
📋 Application Process
Highlight your potential to act as a brand ambassador for Ireland. Ensure your personal statement explicitly links your course choice to your long-term professional goals and Ireland's global standing.
💡 Insider Tip: Obtain an admission offer from an Irish institution before the deadline, as the GOI-IES portal requires proof of an offer or application to the university.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
December 2023 (Annually in mid-December)
⏰ Deadline
March 13, 2024 (Annually in mid-March)
🎤 Interview
No
🎓 Study Starts
September 2024
December 2023 (Annually in mid-December)
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
March 13, 2024 (Annually in mid-March)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
No
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September 2024
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic excellence (40%), personal statement on rationale for Ireland (30%), recommendation letters (15%), and potential to be a global ambassador (15%)
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)Current
Ireland
Full Funding
Final year Undergraduate, Taught Masters, Research Masters, or PhD
Open to high-achieving international students from outside the European Union/EEA who have applied for a full-time program at an eligible Irish university or college.
This scholarship covers: The scholarship provides a €10,000 stipend for one year's living expenses and a full tuition and registration fee waiver from the host Irish higher education institution.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is March 13, 2024 (Annually in mid-March). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Approximately 1.5%. Acceptance rate: Highly Competitive. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Must meet the host institution's English language requirements (typically IELTS 6.5 or higher), Yes (Two reference letters from academic or professional sources) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.