Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in Ireland

Ireland has become one of the most sought-after destinations for Indian students pursuing postgraduate and research degrees. With world-class universities, an English-language learning environment, and strong graduate employment prospects, it offers everything ambitious students are looking for. However, the cost of studying abroad remains a significant concern for many Indian families.

The good news is that a wide range of scholarships is available specifically to support Indian students studying in Ireland, from prestigious government-funded awards to university merit scholarships and private foundation grants. This guide covers the most relevant options for 2025, including eligibility requirements, award values, and application deadlines.

If you would like personalised guidance on finding the right scholarship for your profile, speak to the StudyIn team today.

What Types of Scholarships Are Available in Ireland for Indian Students?

Scholarships for Indian students in Ireland fall into three broad categories, each offering a different type of funding and route to application.

• Government scholarships: Funded by the Irish government and managed by bodies such as the Higher Education Authority (HEA). These are typically the most prestigious and competitive awards, often covering full tuition fees plus a living stipend.
• University scholarships: Offered directly by Irish universities to high-achieving international applicants. Many are awarded automatically based on academic performance, with no separate application required.
• Private and foundation scholarships: Offered by trusts and independent organisations, often targeted at specific disciplines, regions, or research areas. These tend to require a standalone application and may involve an interview process.

Scholarships in Ireland for Indian Students: 2026 Guide

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship is the flagship government-funded award for international students, including those from India. Managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and co-funded by Irish higher education institutions, the programme awards 60 scholarships annually for one year of full-time study at master’s or PhD level.

• Eligibility: Open to non-EU/EEA international students (excluding applicants from the UK, Switzerland, Russia, and Belarus) holding a conditional or unconditional offer from an eligible Irish institution. No age limit applies.
• Value: A stipend of €10,000 for one year of full-time study, plus a full tuition fee waiver provided by the host institution.
• Application process: Online applications submitted through the official HEA portal. Students must hold an offer of admission before applying.
• Deadline: Typically early March each year. The 2026 call is now closed; monitor hea.ie for the 2027 cycle.

Teagasc Walsh Scholarship Programme

Formerly known as the Walsh Fellowship, the Teagasc Walsh Scholarship Programme supports postgraduate research in agriculture, food, forestry, and related disciplines. It is particularly relevant for Indian students with a strong interest in food science, environmental sustainability, and agricultural innovation, areas in which Ireland holds significant global standing.

• Eligibility: Open to students and researchers with relevant academic backgrounds in agriculture, food science, or related disciplines.
• Value: Financial support to cover research-related expenses during the scholarship period. Stipend amounts vary by project.
• Application process: Candidates apply by submitting a research proposal through the Teagasc website in response to advertised projects.
• Deadline: Varies by project. Check teagasc.ie regularly for open calls.

UCD Global Excellence Graduate Scholarships

University College Dublin offers the Global Excellence Graduate Scholarships to attract high-achieving international postgraduate students. The flagship award for Indian students is the V.V. Giri Global Excellence Scholarship, named after the fourth President of India and a UCD alumnus. Scholarships are merit-based and primarily cover tuition fees for full-time taught master’s programmes.

• Eligibility: International students applying for full-time, taught master’s programmes at UCD.
• Value: Tuition fee reduction ranging from partial waiver to full fee coverage, depending on academic profile.
• Application process: Automatic consideration upon submission of a completed UCD postgraduate application. No separate scholarship application is required.
• Deadline: Varies by programme and intake. Apply early to maximise consideration.

Trinity Global Excellence Scholarships

Trinity College Dublin offers the Global Excellence Scholarships to outstanding non-EU international students, including those from India, applying for full-time taught master’s programmes. Awards are merit-based and recognise exceptional academic performance at the undergraduate level.

• Eligibility: Non-EU international students applying for full-time taught master’s programmes at Trinity College Dublin.
• Value: Partial tuition fee reduction. Award amounts vary by programme and academic profile.
• Application process: Automatically considered based on academic record and application for admission. No separate application is required.
• Deadline: Typically in April. Early application to the university is strongly advised.

University College Cork International Scholarships

University College Cork offers a range of merit-based and country-specific scholarships for international postgraduate students, including the UCC Merit-Based Scholarship and country-targeted awards that may apply to Indian applicants. Scholarships are assessed as part of the admissions process and do not require a separate application.

• Eligibility: International students applying for eligible master’s programmes at UCC.
• Value: Partial tuition fee reduction. Amounts vary by programme.
• Application process: Automatic consideration based on academic performance and application for admission.
• Deadline: Varies by programme. Check the UCC website for current deadlines.

DCU International Merit Scholarships

Dublin City University offers International Merit Scholarships for high-achieving postgraduate applicants, including the DCU International Business School (DCUBS) Scholarships for students applying to business-related programmes. DCU is particularly well regarded for its programmes in technology, communications, and engineering.

• Eligibility: International students applying for eligible master’s programmes at DCU.
• Value: Partial tuition fee reduction.
• Application process: Automatically considered based on academic achievement and application for admission.
• Deadline: Varies by programme and intake.

Maynooth University International Scholarships

Maynooth University offers a range of scholarships for international postgraduate students, including the Taught Master’s Scholarships and the Maynooth University Business School (MUBS) Scholarships. Maynooth is known for its research strengths in the humanities, social sciences, and computer science.

• Eligibility: International students applying for eligible master’s programmes at Maynooth University.
• Value: Partial tuition fee reduction.
• Application process: Automatic consideration based on academic performance and application for admission.
• Deadline: Varies by programme.

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship

The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship is one of India’s most prestigious privately funded overseas study awards, supporting exceptional young Indian graduates to pursue full-time master’s, MPhil, or doctoral programmes at leading universities in the UK, USA, and Europe, including Ireland. The foundation has been supporting Indian students since 1976 and places strong emphasis on character, leadership potential, and future contribution to society alongside academic excellence.

It is important to note that the Inlaks Scholarship does not fund the following disciplines: Business and Finance, Computer Science, Engineering, or MBA programmes. Students in these fields should explore the university and government scholarship options above.

• Eligibility: Indian passport holders resident in India at the time of application, born on or after 1st January 1996 (for the 2026 cycle). Applicants must hold a first-class undergraduate degree from a recognised Indian university and a confirmed offer from an eligible institution. Prior postgraduate study abroad disqualifies applicants.
• Value: Up to USD 120,000, covering tuition fees, living expenses, one-way travel, visa costs, and a health allowance. Award value is tailored to course duration (nine months to four years).
• Application process: Online application submitted through inlaksfoundation.org, followed by a preliminary interview and a final in-person interview in Mumbai for shortlisted candidates.
• Deadline: Applications typically open in February and close in late March each year. Check the official website for the 2026 cycle dates.

How to Strengthen Your Scholarship Application

Scholarship applications for Ireland are competitive, particularly for government-funded awards. The following steps can meaningfully improve your chances of success.

• Start early. Most scholarship deadlines fall between January and April for September entry. Begin researching options at least six to nine months before your intended start date.
• Prioritise your academics. Merit-based scholarships typically require a minimum aggregate of 65–75% at undergraduate level. For the most competitive awards, 85% or above is the benchmark.
• Prepare a strong personal statement. Most awards require a 500–1,000 word statement outlining your academic background, career goals, and reasons for choosing Ireland. Tailor this to each scholarship, not a generic version.
• Secure strong references. Academic references carry significant weight. Choose referees who know your work well and can speak specifically to your abilities and potential.
• Apply to multiple scholarships. University merit awards and government scholarships are not mutually exclusive. Applying to several options simultaneously increases your chances of receiving at least partial funding.
• Check automatic consideration policies. Several university scholarships, including those at UCD, Trinity, UCC, DCU, and Maynooth, do not require a separate application. Submitting a strong university application is sufficient to be considered.

Get Expert Support with Your Ireland Scholarship Application

Navigating scholarship applications alongside university admissions can be overwhelming, particularly when deadlines, eligibility criteria, and documentation requirements vary across multiple awards. StudyIn’s expert consultants work with Indian students every step of the way, from identifying the scholarships you are most likely to qualify for, to strengthening your personal statement, coordinating your university application for automatic merit consideration, and ensuring nothing is missed before a deadline.

With established partnerships across Ireland’s leading universities, we have direct insight into the funding opportunities available to you and what a competitive application looks like. Our team has helped hundreds of Indian students secure partial and full funding for their studies in Ireland, and we are here to help you do the same.

FAQs

Can Indian students get a full scholarship to study in Ireland?

Yes, though full scholarships are highly competitive. The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) provides a full tuition fee waiver plus a €10,000 stipend. Some university awards, including certain UCD Global Excellence Scholarships, can also cover 100% of tuition. These awards are merit-based and require a very strong academic profile, typically above 85% at undergraduate level.

What is the GOI-IES scholarship and who is eligible?

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) is a prestigious award managed by the Higher Education Authority, offering 60 scholarships per year for full-time master’s or PhD study at Irish universities. Indian students are eligible, provided they are not from the EU/EEA, UK, Switzerland, Russia, or Belarus, and hold a conditional or unconditional offer from an eligible Irish institution. There is no age limit.

Do I need to apply separately for university scholarships in Ireland?

Not always. Several of Ireland’s leading universities, including UCD, Trinity College Dublin, UCC, DCU, and Maynooth, automatically consider international postgraduate applicants for merit-based scholarships based on their academic record and admissions application. However, it is important to apply to the university early, as scholarship consideration often depends on application timing.

What percentage is required for a scholarship in Ireland?

Requirements vary by award. For university merit scholarships, a minimum aggregate of 65–75% at undergraduate level is typically expected. For the most competitive awards, including the GOI-IES and the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship, a score of 85% or above is generally the benchmark. Always check the specific eligibility criteria for each award before applying.

Is the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship available for all subjects?

No. The Inlaks Scholarship explicitly excludes the following disciplines: Business and Finance, Computer Science, Engineering, and MBA programmes (with limited exceptions for specific courses at approved institutions). It is open to a wide range of other fields including the arts, sciences, social sciences, law, and medicine. Always check the current exclusions list on the official Inlaks Foundation website before applying.

When should I start applying for scholarships to study in Ireland?

Ideally, you should begin researching and preparing scholarship applications at least six to nine months before your intended course start date. Most deadlines for September entry fall between January and April. The GOI-IES 2026 call has now closed; the 2027 cycle is expected to open in early 2026. University merit scholarship deadlines are tied to your programme application deadline, so applying to universities early is essential.

Can I combine a university scholarship with a government scholarship in Ireland?

In most cases, yes. University merit scholarships and the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship operate independently, and receiving one does not automatically disqualify you from the other. However, each scholarship will have its own terms regarding the receipt of additional funding, so it is important to declare all awards received and check the conditions of each.