Scholarships to study abroad in Ireland: Government of Ireland and school scholarships

🔄 Last updated: October 8, 2026

Ireland is an English-speaking country in the European Union, home to the European headquarters of many technology and pharmaceutical corporations. For Vietnamese students, scholarships to study abroad in Ireland come from two main sources: Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) and university scholarships. This article summarizes the conditions, benefits and experiences for each source.

Government of Ireland Scholarship (GOI-IES)

According to the Irish Higher Education Authority (HEA), the program manager, GOI-IES has the following key characteristics:

• Value: stipend 10,000 euros and full tuition exemption granted by the receiving school, during the academic year of receiving the scholarship.
• Quantity: 60 places per year.
• Duration: one year of full-time study.
• Level of study: NFQ level 9 or 10 – i.e. masters, postgraduate diploma or doctorate at eligible institutions in Ireland.
• Eligible candidates: candidates with a place of origin outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and the UK (citizens of Russia and Belarus are not eligible). Vietnamese students can apply if they meet other requirements; Please confirm in the Call Document of the recruitment year.
• Reference schedule: 2026 session closes on March 12, 2026, expected results in early June. Sessions usually open around the beginning of the year.

Note to PhDs: the scholarship only covers one year, so you need a financial plan for the remaining years. With a one-year master's degree, GOI-IES almost covers tuition fees and a significant portion of living expenses. Understand the difference between stipend and free tuition in the article Living and tuition free scholarships.

Scholarships to study abroad in Ireland from schools

Irish universities all have scholarships for non-EU students, typically a partial tuition fee reduction by a fixed amount or percentage. Some common characteristics:

• Many scholarships are automatically considered when applying for admission based on academic results.
• Some high-value scholarships require a separate essay or interview, due early.
• Some schools have scholarships by region (eg Southeast Asia) or by priority industry such as technology, data, business.

If you are considering multiple European countries, see Compare scholarships from other countries.

Part-time work and the opportunity to stay after graduation

Students on long-term student visas (Stamp 2) are often allowed to work a limited number of hours during term time and longer hours during specified breaks. Check the specific conditions on the Irish Immigration website when receiving your residence permit.

After graduation, the Third Level Graduate Program (Stamp 1G) allows you to stay and look for work:

• Graduation from level 8 (bachelor with honors): 12 months.
• Graduated from level 9 or higher (master's, doctorate): Initial 12 months, can be extended for another 12 months (maximum total of 24 months) if proving that you have actively searched for a job suitable to your qualifications.

The total time for student status and Stamp 1G has a certain limit. Learn more at Post-graduation work visa for different countries.

Experience in preparing documents

1. Apply early: GOI-IES application is tied to a program at a specific Irish school, so submit your application early and carefully read the document requirements in the application year's Call Document.
2. Write an essay related to Ireland: why choose Ireland, what will you contribute to Vietnam - Ireland relations and how to become an "ambassador" of Irish education.
3. Prepare a quality letter of recommendation: see How to ask for a letter of recommendation.
4. English certificate: meet school requirements – see Should choose IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo.

Frequently asked questions

Is GOI-IES for undergraduates?

Are not. According to HEA, scholarships are for NFQ levels 9 and 10, which are masters, postgraduate diplomas and doctorates.

Does GOI-IES cover airfare?

According to the announcement, benefits include a stipend of 10,000 euros and free tuition; You can use stipend for living and travel expenses as needed.

How long does it take to study a master's degree in Ireland?

Most subject-based master's programs last one year, which helps save money compared to a two-year program.

Conclusion

Scholarships to study abroad in Ireland, especially GOI-IES, are attractive options for postgraduate study, while school scholarships expand opportunities for many levels of study. Combined with the 1G Stamp policy, Ireland is a destination worth considering. When ready, contact VeDuHoc via hotline/Zalo 090.1800.918 for support with flights to Dublin.

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