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How competitive are scholarships and what is the typical scholarship amount in Ireland for a Master's?

07 Sept 2026 · Answered by Sweety Shah · 2 min read
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Ireland master's scholarships are competitive, with success rates around 15 to 20 percent, including the Government of Ireland Scheme at roughly 18 percent. University merit awards typically offer 2,000 to 5,000 euros, excellence awards reach 10,000 euros, and the fully funded government scheme can exceed 31,000 euros yearly.

Sweety Shah
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Your odds of winning a master's scholarship in Ireland sit around 15 to 20 percent overall, which is competitive but far from impossible if your academic record is strong. The amount you can win varies enormously depending on whether you target a university award or a national funding scheme.

Typical Scholarship Amounts in Ireland

Scholarship TypeTypical Amount
University merit or partial waivers2,000 to 5,000 euros, or 10 to 20 percent off tuition
University excellence awards5,000 to 10,000 euros or more, for top-performing applicants
Government of Ireland Postgraduate SchemeUp to 31,000 euros a year, including a stipend and fee contribution

Where the Competition Is Toughest

  • The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme has about an 18 percent historical success rate and mainly funds research master's or PhD paths.
  • University-specific merit or regional diversity scholarships are more accessible and are often evaluated automatically upon application.
  • Country-specific or subject-specific bursaries usually see lower applicant volumes than broad, cross-disciplinary awards.

My Advice

Apply for university scholarships the same week you submit your admission application rather than after an offer arrives, since many Irish universities review funding on a rolling basis and awards can run out well before the official deadline closes.

More expert answers

Pallavi Attri
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Typical scholarships for master's programs in Ireland range from €2,000 to €10,000 as partial tuition fee waivers. Merit-based awards may go up to €15,000, depending on your academic profile. Highly competitive options, like the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship, can cover full tuition plus a €10,000 living stipend, but these are rare.

Most students receive scholarships covering about 25% to 50% of tuition fees.

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