The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) program offers fully funded scholarships for non-EU/EEA students — including Nigerians — to pursue Master’s or PhD programs in top Irish universities and institutes of technology.
This highly prestigious scholarship supports outstanding students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a clear vision for contributing to global development.
Scholarship Overview
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Host Country: Ireland
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Funded By: Government of Ireland, through the Higher Education Authority (HEA)
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Eligible Institutions: All public higher education institutions in Ireland
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Study Level: Master’s & PhD (full-time only)
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Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
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Application Deadline: March 2026 (exact date to be confirmed)
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Program Start: September 2025
Scholarship Benefits
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€10,000 stipend for one year of study
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Full tuition waiver from the host Irish institution
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Free access to academic facilities, support services, and research labs
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Opportunity to study in globally ranked Irish universities
Eligibility Criteria
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Be a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country (Nigeria is eligible)
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Have a conditional or full admission offer to a full-time Master’s or PhD program in Ireland
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Possess excellent academic records and achievements
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Demonstrated leadership qualities, involvement in community or development work
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Not currently benefiting from another Irish government-funded scholarship
Eligible Fields of Study
All disciplines are accepted, including but not limited to:
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Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
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Health & Medicine
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Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
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Business, Law, and Education
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Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development
Check eligible universities here:
https://hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/goi-ies/
Required Documents
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Personal Statement (max 1,200 words)
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Academic transcripts and degree certificates
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Two recommendation letters
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Admission letter or proof of application to an Irish university
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Passport bio-data page
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CV highlighting academic, professional, and leadership experience
How to Apply
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Apply for admission to a participating Irish university or institute
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Once you have your conditional admission, apply for the scholarship via:
https://hea.ie -
Complete the online GOI-IES application and upload required documents before the deadline
Tip: Focus your personal statement on how you will act as an ambassador for Ireland, your leadership experiences, and how your future goals align with development in your country or globally.