Government of Ireland – International Education Scholarships

The Irish government has a plan to make their universities more international and attract more students and staff from around the world. They offer scholarships to students from non-EU/EEA countries who want to study in Ireland for one year. The scholarships are seen as prestigious and can help students in their future careers. This plan is part of a larger strategy to make Ireland a center of international education, research, and innovation, and to strengthen the relationships between Irish universities and target markets around the world.

The Government of Ireland offers 60 scholarships worth €10,000 to high-performing students from non-EU/EEA countries to study in Ireland for one year. The scholarship covers living expenses and may be used for a taught master’s degree program or a research program. Institutions must provide a full fee waiver to awardees, and scholarships are available across all disciplines. Gender balance and underrepresented cohorts are prioritized. Successful scholars must commence their studies in September/October 2023.

In order to be considered, applicants should have:

• A history of exceptional academic performance
• Impressive communication abilities
• Engagement in extracurricular activities such as humanitarian work, politics (local, national or international), arts or sports
• A compelling reason for choosing to pursue their studies in Ireland and how the GOI-IES scholarship fits into their future plans.

To be eligible for the scholarship, you must:

• Apply for admission to a relevant Master or PhD program offered by an eligible Irish Higher Education Institution (HEI) and follow the institution’s admission procedures. (See Appendix 1 for a list of eligible HEIs.)
• Have a conditional or final offer of admission to the HEI at the time of application and provide a copy of it.
• Submit separate applications for each course offer if you have received more than one offer.
• Know that if you are an Indian citizen and start the program less than six weeks after arriving in Ireland, you will be considered Indian for the duration of your studies.
• Enquire directly with the relevant institution before submitting an application on the online system.

Your application will be evaluated based on:

• Your academic qualifications, achievements, and/or work experience (40 marks).
• Your Personal Statement, in which you must demonstrate:
  • The benefit of becoming a GOI-IES Scholar to yourself, the institution, Ireland, and your country of origin (15 marks).
  • How you will get involved in Irish society to maximize your academic and cultural exchange experience and promote the GOI-IES scheme (15 marks).
  • Your long-term interest in Ireland and how you will promote links with Ireland during and after your time as a scholar (15 marks).
• Two references uploaded via the online application portal. Note that references submitted via email or other sources outside of the online application portal will not be accepted (15 marks).

The applications will be evaluated by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the relevant Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The HEIs will provide feedback to the HEA on how well the applicants align with their international education strategies, based on factors like the applicant’s country of origin, proposed study cycle, field of study, and the institution’s capacity. An independent International Assessment Panel will then evaluate the applications based on the criteria outlined in the call. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the evaluation criteria and ensure they meet the minimum threshold of 60 out of 100 marks. The top 12 ranked applications will be automatically funded based on excellence, and the remaining 48 will be allocated based on factors like the institution, field of study, and potential social and development benefits. The HEA will give priority to applicants who are not in receipt of other scholarships or funding support. Applicants should also consider the possibility of philanthropic contributions or rebranding existing institutional scholarships to increase the number of awards available.

Applications must be submitted by 5pm on 24 March 2023 (Irish Time), after which the application window will close. Any applications submitted after this time will not be considered.

Here are 5 tips on how to increase your chances of being successful in getting it:

1. Research the institutional international strategic objectives of the relevant HEIs: Since the HEA will share your application with the relevant HEIs who will provide feedback in relation to your alignment with their institutional international strategic objectives, it’s important to do your research on these objectives before applying. Make sure to highlight in your application how your proposed study cycle, field of study, and country of origin align with these objectives.
2. Familiarize yourself with the evaluation criteria: The Assessment Panel will allocate scores in accordance with the evaluation criteria detailed above. Applicants are advised to familiarize themselves fully with the evaluation criteria prior to making an application to the scheme. Make sure to review the criteria carefully and address each one in your application.
3. Highlight potential social and development benefits: In addition to academic excellence, the HEA will also consider potential social and development benefits that might accrue to the country of origin in areas like education, social work, health promotion, and infrastructural development. Therefore, make sure to highlight how your proposed study can contribute to these areas in your application.
4. Ensure you meet the minimum threshold: Only applications that meet a minimum threshold can be considered for the awarding of a scholarship (60 out of 100 marks). So, make sure to put in the effort to ensure your application meets this minimum threshold.
5. Apply early and seek guidance: The top 12 ranked applications will be automatically funded on the basis of excellence, as they represent the top 20% of the 60 awards to be funded. Therefore, it’s important to apply early and seek guidance from your institution’s international office or scholarship office, as they may be able to provide additional support and guidance in crafting a strong application.

Any non-EU student who is interested in pursuing higher education in Ireland should consider applying. However, it’s important to carefully review the eligibility criteria and ensure you meet all requirements before applying.

We understand that applying for a scholarship to study abroad can be a challenging and competitive process. That’s why we’ve developed an online course that focuses on writing scholarship essays. Our two-week program is designed to help international students learn the skills needed to write a compelling essay that highlights their strengths and qualifications.

Here are the key features of our scholarship essay writing course:

• The course runs for two weeks, with two classes held each week.
• Students will learn how to write a winning scholarship essay that stands out from the rest.
• We will cover various essay formats and styles, and students will have the opportunity to practice writing and receive personalized feedback on their essays.
• Our instructors will help students improve their academic writing and proofreading abilities.
• Upon completion of the course, students will have a final essay submission check.
• We will also provide a list of scholarship options to apply for, depending on your subject area and personal circumstances.
• Our team will guide you in selecting the best course and institution for your needs and help you complete the application process smoothly.
• As a bonus, students will receive a 20% discount on visa support fees.

By taking this course, students will have the skills and knowledge they need to write a strong scholarship essay that increases their chances of being awarded a scholarship. Apply now and take the first step towards studying abroad!

You can book the course here or contact us to learn more about the course by email: info@timetomove.ie.