About This Opportunity

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship is a competitive, merit-based award offered by the Irish government to attract outstanding international students to study at Irish higher education institutions. The scholarship supports both Master's and PhD students and is open to applicants from across the world, including African countries, who demonstrate strong academic potential and a genuine interest in contributing to Ireland's global education and research links.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Open to international students from outside Ireland and the EU/EEA, including applicants from Ghana and across Africa
  • Must apply for, or already hold, an offer of admission to an eligible Irish higher education institution for a Master's or PhD programme
  • Strong academic record demonstrating excellence in your chosen field
  • Applications are typically submitted through your host Irish institution's international office, not directly to the government

What You Get / Benefits

  • A stipend of €10,000 to support your year of study
  • A full tuition fee waiver for the duration of the scholarship period
  • Access to Ireland's growing research and innovation ecosystem
  • Opportunity to study at one of Ireland's well-regarded universities or institutes of technology

How to Apply

  • Identify an eligible Irish university or institution and a Master's or PhD programme that matches your interests
  • Apply for admission to your chosen programme, noting that scholarship applications are often coordinated through the institution's international office
  • Confirm with your chosen institution whether they are participating in the current scholarship round and what their internal nomination process requires
  • Prepare a strong personal statement, transcripts, and references as part of your combined admission and scholarship application
  • Submit before your institution's internal deadline, which typically falls ahead of the national March deadline

    • Tips

    • Because this scholarship is closely tied to your host institution's nomination process, your choice of university matters as much as your application quality — research which Irish institutions actively support this scholarship.
    • Apply for admission well ahead of the scholarship deadline, since you generally need an admission offer in hand (or in progress) before scholarship consideration begins.
    • Highlight any unique contribution you would bring to your host institution's research or academic community — Ireland's scholarship committee values applicants who add distinct value, not just strong grades.

    ⏰ Deadline: Typically early March (Annual) — confirm your specific Irish institution's internal deadline, which is often earlier than the national date.