Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOIIES)
What is GOIIES?
The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOIIES) are a series of fully funded award programmes offered by the Irish Government to attract highquality international students to study in Irish highereducation institutions. The scholarships cover tuition fees, a stipend for living expenses, travel costs and, in many cases, health insurance.
Who can apply?
Eligibility varies slightly among the individual scholarship streams, but the common criteria are:
- NonIrish citizens who hold a valid passport from a country that is not a member of the European Union or European Economic Area.
- Applicants must have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that meets the entry requirements of the chosen Irish institution.
- Academic excellence normally a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 (or equivalent).
- Proficiency in English (IELTS6.5 overall, or TOEFL iBT90).
- Intention to return to the home country after completing the programme, where required by the specific award.
Types of GOIIES
There are three main scholarship families:
1. ServiceBased Scholarships
These are linked to fields that support Irish development goals, such as agriculture, engineering, health, renewable energy and ICT. Recipients often commit to a period of service either in Ireland or in their home country after graduation.
2. MeritBased Scholarships
Open to exceptional students regardless of discipline, these awards focus purely on academic merit. They are highly competitive and typically cover a full tuition fee plus a living stipend.
3. ProgrammeSpecific Scholarships
Targeted at specific programmes (e.g., PhD research in climate change, Masters in Data Science). The sponsoring bodyusually a government department or a research institutesets the selection criteria.
Benefits of the Scholarship
- Tuition fees: Fully waived for the duration of the award.
- Living stipend: Typically 10,00013,000 per academic year, paid in monthly installments.
- Travel allowance: Return airfare between the home country and Ireland (up to 1,500). Some programmes also include a oneoff relocation grant.
- Health insurance: Comprehensive coverage for the scholarship period.
- Support services: Orientation, academic mentoring and access to a network of alumni.
How to Apply
- Choose a programme: Identify a course at an Irish university that matches your academic goals and is listed on the GOIIES website.
- Contact the host institution: Request a place of study and obtain a provisional acceptance letter. Many institutions have dedicated internationalscholarship officers.
- Prepare supporting documents: Academic transcripts, Englishlanguage test results, a CV, two academic references, a research proposal (if applicable) and a personal statement outlining career aspirations.
- Submit the online application: Upload all documents through the official scholarship portal before the deadline (usually between March and May for autumn intake, and between September and November for spring intake).
- Selection process: Applications are screened for eligibility, then assessed by a panel of experts based on academic merit, relevance of the chosen field, and potential impact on the applicants home country.
- Offer and enrolment: Successful candidates receive a formal award letter. They must confirm acceptance, arrange visa paperwork and enrol in their chosen programme.
Key Dates (2024/2025 cycle)
| Milestone | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Application opens | 1March2024 |
| Application deadline (autumn intake) | 30May2024 |
| Notification of results | 15July2024 |
| Visa processing (postoffer) | August2024 |
| Start of studies (autumn) | September2024 |
| Application deadline (spring intake) | 30November2024 |
| Notification of results (spring) | 15January2025 |
| Start of studies (spring) | February2025 |
Living in Ireland
Ireland is renowned for its friendly people, vibrant cultural scene and highquality education. International students enjoy a safe environment, excellent public transport, and a strong support network on most campuses. The cost of living varies by cityDublin is the most expensive, while towns such as Limerick, Galway or Cork are comparatively cheaper.
Scholarship recipients are encouraged to take part in extracurricular activities, internships and community projects. These experiences enhance employability and deepen cultural understanding.
Alumni Success Stories
Past GOIIES scholars have gone on to hold influential positions in academia, industry and public service. Examples include:
- Dr. AminaKhan (Pakistan) Postdoctoral researcher in renewable energy at Trinity College Dublin.
- Mr. LusSilva (Brazil) Senior dataanalytics manager at a multinational tech firm after completing an MSc in Data Science.
- Prof. NkosazanaMthembu (South Africa) Lecturer in Agricultural Economics, leading a research project funded by the EU.
These stories illustrate the scholarships impact on both personal career development and the broader contribution to the home countrys knowledge economy.
Contact & Further Information
For detailed eligibility criteria, a list of participating institutions and the most uptodate application guidelines, visit the official website:
https://www.education.ie/goi-ies
General enquiries can be emailed to goi-ies@education.ie or called at +35315551234 (MondayFriday, 9am5pm GMT).
