• Dec 28, 2023
• Kawaljeet Kaur

Know the Scholarships Provided by Both the Government and Various Institutions in Ireland

As Ireland continues to attract a growing number of Indian students seeking to study abroad, it is worth exploring the various scholarships available in the country. According to Apply Board, a global education technology platform, India is the largest source of international students worldwide and is on track to become the largest international student population in Ireland. In the academic year 2022-23, Indian students accounted for 4,735 enrollments, representing a significant 17.8% increase compared to the previous year. With this upward trend, it is anticipated that Indian students will soon surpass their American counterparts to become the largest student population in Ireland. Given the popularity of studying in Ireland among Indian students, it is an opportune time to consider the scholarships offered by the Irish government, Irish higher education institutions, and other organizations, specifically tailored for non-European Union (EU) students, including those from India.

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship:

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship program is designed to support highly qualified international students who are interested in pursuing a master's or doctoral degree in Ireland. This program is funded by the Government of Ireland in collaboration with Irish higher education institutions and is overseen by the Higher Education Authority of Ireland. Each year, 60 scholarships are granted to individuals who wish to study full-time at the master's or PhD level for one year.

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must have received an offer of admission from an approved Irish higher education institution. The scholarship includes a stipend of INR 925498 for one year of full-time study at the master's or PhD level, as well as a complete waiver of tuition fees. Starting in January, interested individuals can apply for this annual scholarship program.

Institution-specific scholarships

Irish universities and colleges have their own scholarship programs specifically designed for international students, including those from India. These scholarships differ from one institution to another but are all awarded based on academic excellence.

1. Trinity College Dublin: Trinity provides Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarships, which are partial scholarships valued between INR 231375 and INR 462749 and are granted based on academic achievement. These scholarships partially cover the tuition fees. They are available to students enrolled in non-business and non-CS programs. Trinity also offers India Undergraduate scholarships, valued up to INR 462749, which are awarded based on academic merit. These scholarships waive the tuition fees for the first year only and are open to students enrolled in non-STEM programs.

2. University College Dublin (UCD): UCD offers several Global Excellence Scholarships to international students who are starting a course in September and are not from the EU. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, students must first receive an offer (or conditional offer) to study in a qualifying UCD course. The deadline for post-graduate students applying for the 2024 intake is February 28, 2024, while for under-graduate students it is March 31, 2024. The Global Excellence Scholarship will only cover the tuition fees of the selected recipient.

3. National College of Ireland: There are three types of scholarships available for international students. For undergraduate students, there is an automatic scholarship of INR 185100 based on achieving a merit of 70% or above in Grade 12. Postgraduate students can receive a scholarship ranging from INR 185100 to INR 370200 based on their academic merit. Additionally, applicants for the MSc Entrepreneurship and MSc Artificial Intelligence programs (specifically for Business students) are eligible for a tuition fee waiver of INR 462749.

4. University of Galway: The Global Achievement Scholarships 2024/2025 have been recently introduced by the university, offering a INR 185100 reduction in the first-year tuition fee for eligible undergraduate students. Additionally, the application process for the fully funded Hardiman Scholarship for PhD candidates for 2024 is now open. Moreover, Shannon College of Hotel Management has launched the High School Star competition specifically for Indian students, which holds a value of INR 555299.

5. Technological University of the Shannon (TUS): All international students are eligible for merit-based scholarships ranging from INR 92550 to INR 370200. Similarly, other Irish universities and colleges also provide scholarships, which can range from INR 92550 off to a 50% reduction in tuition fees. Details about these scholarships can be found on their respective websites.

Other scholarships:

Several scholarships are accessible for non-EU students, including Indian students. These scholarships are provided by organizations such as:

1. The Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme
2. The Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)
3. The European Union Erasmus+ program

How to apply for scholarships:

The process of applying for scholarships differs between different scholarships. However, most scholarships typically necessitate students to provide the following paperwork:

1. A fully filled-out application form
2. Academic records
3. Recommendation letter(s)
4. A personal statement

Additionally, students might be asked to take an English language assessment, such as the IELTS or TOEFL.

Studying in Ireland may be one of the best destinations for Indian students to get quality-oriented education at affordable prices. Avail wonderful scholarship opportunities with Career Clinic and get updated with the latest study abroad news.