Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)
Higher Education Authority, Ireland
- Where you study
- Ireland
- Study level
- Master's
- PhD
The 2026/27 call closed on 12 March 2026 (5 pm Irish time). The HEA says information on 2027/28 will be provided in due course; the usual pattern is a call in January closing in March.
Based on the usual yearly schedule. The official dates for the next round are not announced yet; check the official page.
Why: The scholarship is for applicants from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and the UK, which includes Somalia; you need an offer from an Irish institution first.
Applicants whose country of origin is outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and the UK, holding a conditional or final offer from an eligible Irish higher education institution. Previous recipients cannot apply again.
In short
The Higher Education Authority offers GOI-IES for study in Ireland at Master's, postgraduate diploma, or PhD level. It provides partial funding, and Somali applicants are eligible if they meet the conditions and have an offer from an eligible Irish institution.
How competitive
Highly competitive
60 scholarships a year for applicants from every non-EU country.
English requirement
The university decides
Fields of study
Any master's, postgraduate diploma or PhD (NFQ level 9 or 10) at an eligible Irish institution
What it covers
It provides a €10,000 stipend for one year and a full fee waiver from the host institution for that year. The stipend partly supports living costs.
- Tuition feesIncluded
- Living allowancePartly
- TravelNot stated
- Health insuranceNot stated
- Visa costsNot stated
- AccommodationNot stated
- FamilyNot stated
A €10,000 stipend for one year of study plus a full fee waiver from the host institution for that year; 60 scholarships are awarded each year.
Only what the official source states. "Not stated" means we could not confirm it, not that it is excluded.
Who can apply
It is for applicants from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and the UK who have a conditional or final offer from an eligible Irish institution. Previous recipients cannot apply again.
- Your country of origin must be outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and the UK.
- You must have a conditional or final offer from an eligible Irish institution.
- The course must be a master's, postgraduate diploma or PhD at NFQ level 9 or 10.
- Previous GOI-IES recipients cannot apply again.
- Submit one application per person per cycle, with two references.
- Academic requirement
- An offer (conditional or final) from an eligible Irish institution for a master's, postgraduate diploma or PhD; then one application to the HEA with two references.
English requirement
The university decides
The scholarship does not require an English test. The Irish institution you apply to sets its own English requirement.
Your offer from the Irish institution decides the English requirement; the HEA adds none.
Never assume IELTS is needed. Only the official page and the university you apply to decide.
Documents you will need
- Admission offer from a university
- Recommendation (reference) letters
- Application form
Online HEA application with your offer details and two references uploaded through the portal; one application per person per cycle.
How to apply
- 1Read the official GOI-IES information and check that you meet the eligibility rules.
- 2Apply to an eligible Irish institution for a master's, postgraduate diploma or PhD.
- 3Get a conditional or final offer before applying for the scholarship.
- 4Prepare your offer details and arrange two reference letters.
- 5Complete the online HEA application form and upload the two references.
- 6Submit one application before the deadline for your university or course.
Prepare well
- Start by checking your course and institution’s eligibility, as well as their own admission steps.
- Ask your two referees early so they have time to prepare their letters.
- Prepare your offer details and references before starting the online form.
- Check the current deadline with your university or course; dates may vary.
Important notes
- The 2026/27 call closed on 12 March 2026 at 5 pm Irish time. Information about the 2027/28 call is not yet available.
- Deadlines vary by university or course. The current cycle is counted until 31 March 2027; confirm the deadline that applies to you.
- The scholarship is highly competitive, with 60 awards each year for applicants from all non-EU countries.
Official source
ZitTalent explains; the official website decides. Always check the official page before you apply, and apply only there.
Official page last checked 9 November 2026
The explanation was written by AI from the verified facts and the official page, then checked by fixed rules: any amount, date, score or document the source does not state is removed.
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