When you think “fully funded scholarship in Ireland,” the first programme that comes to mind is the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES). Backed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), GOI-IES awards 60 scholarships annually to exceptional non-EU/EEA students—including Africans and Asians—pursuing a one-year Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma or PhD at Level 9 or 10 of Ireland’s National Framework of Qualifications.
What’s Included?
- Full tuition fee waiver (HEI matches funding)
- €10,000 stipend for living costs (paid in two instalments)
- Recognition at a Spring 2026 awards ceremony
Note: GOI-IES does not formally include travel or flight allowances. You must budget separately for visa fees and airfare.
Why GOI-IES?
- Prestigious, government-backed award
- Open to all disciplines
- Flexible at 25+ eligible institutions
- Supports academic excellence, leadership & cultural exchange
Learn more on the HEA site: Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES).
Scholarships for African Students in Ireland 2025
The Ireland Fellows Programme – Africa is delivered by Irish Aid to nurture early-mid career professionals from specific African countries. This one-year fully funded Master’s scholarship offers a deeper package—including flights & generous allowances—that enables you to focus entirely on your studies and leadership development in Ireland.
Eligible Countries
Angola ┃ Burundi ┃ DR Congo ┃ Djibouti ┃ Eritrea ┃ Eswatini ┃ Ethiopia ┃ Kenya ┃ Lesotho ┃ Liberia ┃ Malawi ┃ Mozambique ┃ Nigeria ┃ Rwanda ┃ Senegal ┃ Sierra Leone ┃ Somalia ┃ South Sudan ┃ Sudan ┃ Tanzania ┃ Uganda ┃ Zambia ┃ Zimbabwe
(Plus targeted fellowships for certain SIDS & special fellowships e.g. Roger Casement for Nigeria; see detailed list in the guidance note.)
Programme Benefits
- Full tuition & registration fees
- Economy flights to/from Ireland
- Visa application fees & medical/travel insurance
- Residence permit fee
- Settling-in allowance on arrival
- Monthly living stipend: €700 (semester 1&2)
- Accommodation: provided for Semesters 1 & 2; stipend for Trimester 3 (€650–€850)
- Completion & departure allowance at end of studies
“This award gave me the freedom to concentrate on my research without worrying about finances.”
— Former Africa Fellow, Global South
How It Works
- Stage 1 (Preliminary)
- Opens 1 July 2024 – Closes 28 July 2024
- Short form & eligibility check
- Stage 2 (Detailed)
- Selection of top Stage 1 applicants
- Interviews & documentation
- Stage 3 (Confirmation)
- Final award letters issued June/July 2025
- Arrivals in August/September 2025
Full guidance note: Ireland Fellows Programme – Africa (PDF).
Scholarships for Asian Students in Ireland 2025
Likewise, the Ireland Fellows Programme – Asia (also termed the Irish Aid Fellowship Asia Training Programme) empowers early to mid-career professionals from eligible Asian countries to pursue a fully funded Master’s programme in Ireland.
Eligible Countries
Typically includes: Bangladesh ┃ Cambodia ┃ India ┃ Indonesia ┃ Myanmar ┃ Nepal ┃ Pakistan ┃ Philippines ┃ Sri Lanka ┃ Vietnam
(Note: exact country list and deadlines published by your local Irish Embassy.)
Programme Highlights
- Tuition & registration fees fully covered
- Economy class flights
- Visa & insurance costs borne by the programme
- Monthly stipend to cover living expenses
- Settling-in and departure allowances
- Extra training & volunteering opportunities
Application Timeline (Asia)
- Stage 1: Opens June 2024 – Closes July 2024
- Stage 2: Detailed application & interview in late 2024
- Award Confirmation: June/July 2025
- Commence Studies: September/October 2025
More details: Irish Aid Fellowship Asia Training Programme.
Flight & Allowance Benefits
| Scholarship | Flight Covered | Monthly Stipend | Settling-In Allowance | Completion Allowance | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOI-IES | No | €10,000/year | N/A | N/A | HEI hostel/private (self-arranged) |
| Ireland Fellows – Africa | ✔️ Economy class | €700/month | ✔️ (arrival items) | ✔️ | ✔️ Sem 1&2; stipend Sem 3 |
| Ireland Fellows – Asia | ✔️ Economy class | Competitive rate | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ Provided or stipend |
- Flights: Ireland Fellows Programmes cover return economy tickets. GOI-IES scholars arrange their own travel.
- Stipends: GOI-IES issues a lump €10,000 stipend. Fellows Programmes pay monthly allowances for living costs.
- Allowances: Only the Fellows programmes include explicit settling-in and completion allowances.
Ireland Scholarship Deadlines 2025
| Scholarship | Deadline | Award Year |
|---|---|---|
| GOI-IES 2025/26 | 05 March 2025 (17:00 Irish Time) | 2025-2026 |
| Ireland Fellows Programme – Africa | Stage 1 closed 28 July 2024* | 2025-2026 |
| Ireland Fellows Programme – Asia | Stage 1 closed 28 July 2024* | 2025-2026 |
While Stage 1 deadlines have passed for the 2025-26 intake, watch for re-opens in mid-2025 for the 2026-27 cohort.
How to Apply for Ireland Government Scholarships 2025
- Research & Decide
- Choose between GOI-IES (open to all non-EU/EEA) or a Fellows Programme (targeted Africa/Asia streams).
- Review eligible institutions or programmes—particularly for Fellows, select three Master’s options.
- Secure Admission Offer
- For GOI-IES, you must hold a conditional or final offer at the application deadline.
- For Fellows Programmes, you list programme choices in Stage 1; formal HEI offers come at Stage 2.
- Prepare Documents
- Academic transcripts & degree certificates
- English language proof (IELTS ≥6.5 or Duolingo 110 for Fellows)
- CV, references & personal statement
- Submit Online Application
- GOI-IES via the HEA portal: goi-ies.heanet.ie
- Fellows via your country’s Irish Embassy link (see guidance note)
- Interview & Selection
- GOI-IES: independent review panel scores applications (min 60/100), shortlist via HEI
- Fellows: multi-stage assessment including institutional, embassy, and DFAT review
- Await Results
- GOI-IES: announced early June 2025
- Fellows: confirmed June/July 2025
Government of Ireland Scholarships Eligibility Criteria
GOI-IES
- Domiciliary of origin outside EU/EEA, UK & Switzerland
- Offer letter from an eligible Irish HEI for NFQ Level 9/10
- Not a previous GOI-IES recipient; Russian & Belarus nationals excluded
- Demonstrate academic excellence, extracurricular involvement & commitment to Ireland
Ireland Fellows Programme (Africa & Asia)
- Nationality of one of the designated partner countries
- Bachelor’s degree (first/second class honours) awarded within last 12 years
- 2–3 years’ work experience relevant to proposed Master’s field
- English proficiency (IELTS ≥6.5 or equivalent)
- Leadership potential & commitment to SDGs in home country
Top Irish Universities Participating
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Dublin (UCD)
- University of Galway
- University College Cork (UCC)
- University of Limerick
- Dublin City University (DCU)
- Maynooth University
- Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin)
- Munster Technological University
- South East Technological University
Each institution hosts GOI-IES scholars; Fellows Programme applicants choose from a curated directory of relevant Master’s courses across these HEIs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What’s the difference between GOI-IES and the Ireland Fellows Programme?
GOI-IES is open to all high-calibre non-EU/EEA students in any discipline, providing a tuition waiver & €10,000 stipend. The Ireland Fellows Programme is targeted at early-mid career professionals from specific African or Asian countries, and includes flights, allowances, visa costs, and comprehensive support.
Q2: Can I apply to both programmes?
Yes, if you meet each programme’s eligibility, you may submit separate applications. Note application limits: GOI-IES allows up to three course applications; Fellows Programmes follow a three-stage process.
Q3: Do I need to cover my own flights for GOI-IES?
Yes. While GOI-IES does not formally cover airfare, you can budget from the €10,000 stipend or seek additional funding.
Q4: How competitive is GOI-IES?
Extremely. Only 60 awards are granted annually worldwide. You must score ≥60/100 on academic, personal statement, references and review criteria.
Q5: When should I start preparing?
At least 6–9 months in advance:
- Secure your HEI offer
- Schedule IELTS or Duolingo tests early
- Draft & refine your personal statement
- Line up two referees
Q6: What should go into my personal statement?
Demonstrate:
- Your academic & professional track record
- Clear rationale for studying in Ireland (economic/societal impact)
- How you’ll contribute to Irish society & promote the scholarship abroad
Q7: Who do I contact for queries?
- GOI-IES: goi-ies@hea.ie
- Fellows Programmes: Your local Irish Embassy’s Fellowship office
Conclusion
Securing a fully funded scholarship in Ireland in 2025 is within your grasp if you:
- Align your profile with the programme’s strategic goals
- Prepare a standout application with solid references & a compelling personal statement
- Master the deadlines and requirements for each scholarship
Whether you aim for the prestigious GOI-IES award or the holistic Ireland Fellows Programme, these Government-backed opportunities can launch your academic and professional journey in one of Europe’s most dynamic education hubs.
Your next steps:
- Review the detailed call documents linked above
- Mark 5 March 2025 for GOI-IES
- Watch for the mid-2025 reopening of Fellows Programme for the 2026 cohort
- Reach out early to potential referees
Ireland awaits. Take action today to turn your global aspirations into reality!
All hyperlinks point to official programme pages and guidance documents to ensure you have the most accurate, up-to-date information.
