Irish government offers full scholarships for postgraduates in Ireland is the third largest island in Europe, with a total area of 70,284 km² and about 4.7 million inhabitants. Each year, the country receives a greater number of visitors than the entire population: there are approximately 6 million tourists visiting annually. For those thinking of doing an exchange program in Ireland, the country offers good options for universities and courses – in addition to the experience of living in Europe in a country whose official language is English.
The Government of Ireland is accepting applications for the Government of Ireland – International Education Scholarship program. The Scholarships to Study in Ireland program will cover full cost of study, plus living costs, for postgraduate students who want to study in Ireland, and applications close on March 24th.
The fellow will receive the sum of 10,000 euros to cover costs such as transport, housing and food during his stay in Ireland. In addition, the scholarship will fully cover the scholarship holder’s studies, including tuition and other administrative fees of the chosen university. In total, the government intends to grant up to 60 grants.
The scholarship is valid for one year. In the case of undergraduate students, it is geared toward the final year of graduation. In cases of master’s or doctoral degrees, it covers one year of programs, as well as research programs. Students from any field can apply.
Scholarships to Study in Ireland: How to Apply?
To apply for the scholarship, you must already have an offer of enrollment at an Irish higher education institution. More details about the institutions that can grant the scholarship can be seen in the program announcement.
According to the announcement, the ideal candidates for the scholarship are those who demonstrate academic excellence, excellent communication skills, engagement in extracurricular activities (including humanitarian work, political activity, arts or sports) and who know how to argue consistently about the reasons why deserve to receive the scholarship to study in Ireland.
Candidates must send their academic history, two letters of recommendation and a personal statement explaining how the exchange experience to Ireland can contribute both to their studies and to their country of origin.
Registration is open until March 24th, and can be done through this link. The deadline for publishing the results is June 1st.
5 reasons to study abroad in Ireland
#1 Gateway to Europe
Being in Europe, it is relatively easy and cheap to visit the countries that are close by. On a long weekend, it is possible to visit England or even countries in Continental Europe. And the summer break is a great opportunity to go backpacking across the continent.
#2 Natural Beauties
Green fields, cliffs, mountains and, who knew, even waves. The country offers natural beauties for all tastes. During your exchange in Ireland, be sure to visit the Cliff of Moher, the setting for several films.
#3 Young Population
Europe is known as the Old Continent – for its history, but also for its aging population. Ireland, by contrast, has remained a young and dynamic country – around 40% of Ireland’s population is under 25 years old. In other words, it is a young and dynamic country, ideal for an exchange program. The centenary pubs are a meeting place and entertainment for exchange students and the local population – and excellent places to socialize.
#4 Growing economy
Despite the crisis that hit all European countries, Ireland is the country that has the best economic recovery performance, with its measures constantly praised by global bodies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union.
#5 Opportunities
Ireland is Europe’s biggest technology hub and some of the world’s leading companies such as Google, Facebook, ebay and LinkedIn are headquartered in Dublin. The country has a great need for skilled labor in the area.
Ireland is a calm country, and those who go there must be prepared to adapt to this pace – being more flexible and “going with the flow”. Everyone has heard about the weather in Ireland, which is changeable, rainy and can change at any time. What not everyone knows is that the same can happen to your plans.
Whether studying, working or traveling, know that your planning can change as quickly as the weather. Although this gives you an interesting resilience and adaptability for the job market, it can be stressful for those who are very used to punctuality and precision.
