How to Find Scholarships for International Students in Ireland
You don't have to figure this out alone, the team at Studentbuddy is here to support you every step of the way.
Scholarship searching rewards systematic effort, students who search broadly across multiple funding tiers generally secure more total support than those relying on a single application.
University-specific scholarships
Check each target university's scholarships page directly, many Irish institutions offer merit-based awards specifically for international applicants, often with their own separate deadline and application process distinct from your course application.
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships
This national scholarship programme, administered through the Higher Education Authority, offers significant funding for international students at Irish institutions, research current eligibility and application windows well ahead of your intake.
Irish Research Council funding for postgraduate study
For research-focused postgraduate study, the Irish Research Council funds a range of scholarships and fellowships, though eligibility for some funding streams may be more restricted for non-EU applicants, check current specific eligibility.
Bilateral and home-country funding sources
Many governments and organisations in students' home countries fund study abroad, sometimes with a return-service requirement, check your home ministry of education or relevant professional bodies for active programmes supporting study in Ireland specifically.
Building a scholarship application system
Track every scholarship's deadline, requirements, and status in one place, prioritise smaller, less competitive awards alongside larger ones, since smaller awards add up and often face less competition.
Get a personalised scholarship search based on your profile.
Explore Scholarships →FAQs
What is the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships programme?
A national scholarship programme administered through the Higher Education Authority, offering significant funding for international students at Irish institutions.
Can non-EU students access Irish Research Council funding?
This varies by specific funding stream, some may be more restricted for non-EU applicants, always check current specific eligibility for your situation.
Should I apply to university-specific scholarships separately from my course application?
Yes, generally these have their own separate deadline and application process distinct from your course admission itself.
Are home-country funding programmes worth researching for Ireland specifically?
Yes, many governments and organisations fund study abroad, sometimes with a return-service requirement, check your home ministry of education for active programmes.
How many scholarships should I apply for?
As many as you're genuinely eligible for and can complete high-quality applications for, prioritising smaller, less competitive awards alongside larger ones.
