Am I eligible for any fully funded scholarships in Ireland or the UK for masters or PhD programs given my academic background and BA from the UK?
Fully funded scholarships are rare at Master's level, since most UK and Ireland funding is partial, like GREAT Scholarships or Government of Ireland awards. PhD funding is far more common, with UK UKRI studentships offering around 19,000 pounds yearly and Irish Research Council grants around 25,000 euros yearly.
Your UK BA background puts you in a strong position academically, but whether you can access a fully funded scholarship in Ireland or the UK depends heavily on whether you are applying for a Master's or a PhD. Fully funded Master's funding is uncommon, while PhD funding is genuinely available if you know where to look.
Funding by Degree Level
| Degree Level | Funding Availability | Example Programs and Amounts |
|---|---|---|
| Master's (Taught) | Fully funded rare, mostly partial | GREAT Scholarships (UK), Government of Ireland Scholarships |
| PhD (UK) | Widely available | UKRI studentships, DTPs; around 19,000 pounds plus per year stipend for home fee status |
| PhD (Ireland) | Widely available | Irish Research Council, Enterprise Ireland/SEAI; around 25,000 euros plus per year stipend |
What This Means for Your Master's vs PhD Plans
If you are aiming for a taught Master's, expect to rely mostly on partial fee waiver scholarships such as GREAT Scholarships in the UK or Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships, since fully funded taught Master's places are extremely rare. If you are targeting a PhD instead, you have a genuinely strong shot through UKRI studentships and Doctoral Training Partnerships in the UK, or Irish Research Council and Enterprise Ireland grants in Ireland.
My Advice
If funding is your top priority, seriously consider a PhD route over a taught Master's, since fully funded PhD stipends are common in both countries. Reach out to specific UKRI studentships or Irish Research Council calls directly, since international slots on these grants are often capped.
Low percentage, study gap or no work experience?
Find out which Irish universities you still qualify for.
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