The Government of Ireland has announced the International Education Scholarship Programme 2026, offering fully funded opportunities for international students, including Pakistanis, to study in Ireland.
The programme supports talented students who wish to pursue master’s, postgraduate diploma, or PhD degrees at Irish universities. The Higher Education Authority manages it in partnership with Irish higher education institutions.
Each year, 60 scholarships are awarded for one year of full-time study at NFQ Level 9 or 10.
What the scholarship covers
The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship provides financial support and tuition benefits to selected students.
Successful applicants will receive:
- €10,000 stipend for one year of study
- Full tuition fee waiver from the host Irish university
- Opportunity to study at leading Irish higher education institutions
Eligibility criteria
Students must meet the following requirements to apply:
- Applicants must be from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom
- They must apply for admission to an eligible master’s, postgraduate diploma, or PhD programme at an Irish higher education institution
- Candidates must have a conditional or final offer letter from the university before applying for the scholarship
- Previous recipients of the Government of Ireland scholarship cannot apply again
Applicants are also advised to contact their chosen university to confirm that their programme is eligible for the scholarship.
How to apply
Students interested in the scholarship should follow these steps:
- Apply for admission to a master’s, postgraduate diploma, or PhD programme at an eligible Irish university.
- Receive a conditional or final offer letter from the institution.
- Visit the official GOI-IES online application portal.
- Complete the scholarship application form and upload required documents.
- Submit two reference letters through the online system.
Only one application per candidate is allowed for the 2026 scholarship cycle. Applicants are advised to submit their forms well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.
Selection criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on several factors, including:
- Outstanding academic performance
- Strong communication skills
- Participation in extracurricular activities such as humanitarian work, arts, sports, or politics
- A clear motivation for studying in Ireland and how the scholarship will support long-term career goals
Shortlisted applications will first be reviewed by universities and then assessed by an independent evaluation panel.
Important dates
- Application deadline: 12 March 2026 (5:00 PM Irish time)
- Results announcement: Early June 2026
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