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The Central Bank of Ireland Scholarship, offered in partnership with Griffith College Dublin, provides international students with the opportunity to pursue their studies while gaining professional experience in Ireland’s financial sector. The program supports degrees in Finance, Economics, Law, Statistics, and Accounting, offering full financial assistance and part-time work opportunities at the Bank.
In addition, Griffith College Dublin provides several scholarships to help non-EU and international students manage tuition fees. These are available for undergraduate and postgraduate programs, with amounts varying by course, campus (Dublin, Cork, or Limerick), and academic performance. Awards are granted at the time of admission and continue for progressing students. Tuition starts at EUR 13,500 per year for undergraduates and EUR 16,000–EUR 17,500 for most postgraduate programs, along with Additional International Programme (A.I.P.) fees of EUR 825–EUR 1,000 annually. In this blog, we will cover the important benefits, eligibility criteria, and application process for these opportunities in detail.
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What is the Central Bank Scholarship?
Building on the overview of financial supports at Griffith College Dublin, the Central Bank of Ireland Scholarship offers a distinctive earn-while-you-learn opportunity for international students. In partnership with Griffith College Dublin, selected students enrol in a part-time honours degree program while gaining hands-on professional experience at the Central Bank. This unique program allows students to develop practical skills in Finance, Economics, Law, Statistics, or Accounting, combining academic study with real-world exposure in Ireland’s dynamic financial sector.
To complement this opportunity, Griffith College provides additional financial support for non-EU and international students, helping them manage tuition fees while pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate programs. The key scholarships available include:
| Central Bank Scholarship at Griffith College | Description of the Scholarships |
| Griffith College Bursary (GCB) | An automatic bursary awarded to all eligible international applicants upon receiving an offer, with amounts varying by program and campus. |
| Academic Merit Scholarship (AMS) | A merit-based award recognizing academic performance or English proficiency, applied automatically during application review. |
| Progression Scholarships | Automatic reductions for current Griffith students who advance from one level to the next, helping reduce tuition as they progress. |
| Sibling Discount | A 10% reduction in net tuition fees for the second or subsequent sibling enrolled as a non-EU student, applied automatically upon registration. |
| Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES) | A highly competitive national scholarship for high-achieving non-EU postgraduate students, offering living stipends and full tuition coverage for one year. |
Below, we will explore each of these scholarships in detail, including their eligibility, benefits, and application process, to help students plan their studies and maximise financial support in Ireland.
Also Read: A Complete Guide to How To Study in Ireland?
1. Griffith College Bursary
The Griffith College Bursary (GCB) is an automatic financial award for eligible international students who receive an offer of admission. No separate application is required, and the bursary amount depends on the program level, faculty, and campus location. It is designed to reduce tuition fees and support students in managing the cost of their studies in Ireland. To better understand the award, the details of the scholarship are given below. Net fees are calculated after applying the bursary and any Additional International Programme (A.I.P.) fees.
| Level of Program at Griffith College Bursary | Examples of Amounts (Dublin Campus, September 2025) | Eligibility Notes |
| Undergraduate | Business/Law/Psychology: EUR 1,500Computing/Science: EUR 1,000Design: EUR 500 | All non-EU applicants with an offer; amounts vary by faculty and campus (some lower or not available in Cork/Limerick). |
| Postgraduate | Standard Masters/Higher Diploma: EUR 2,000Postgraduate Diploma: EUR 1,500 | All non-EU applicants with an offer, excluding the MA in Scoring for Film, TV & Interactive Media. |
Example: A Business undergraduate with the GCB bursary would have EUR 11,325 net fees for Year 1, after deducting the bursary from gross tuition plus A.I.P. fees.
2. Academic Merit Scholarship
Following the Griffith College Bursary, students may also be eligible for the Academic Merit Scholarship (AMS), a merit-based award that recognises strong academic performance or English proficiency. The Academic Merit Scholarship is automatically awarded upon review of your application, so no separate form is required. Country-specific academic equivalents, such as CGPA or percentage averages, are also considered. The AMS is not available for certain creative programs, including the Innopharma Masters or MA in Scoring for Film, TV & Interactive Media.
| Academic Merit Scholarship Level | Amount (per stage/year) | Eligibility for the Scholarship |
| Level 1 | EUR 1,000 | 70%+ average or IELTS 5.5 / DET 95–100 |
| Level 2 | EUR 1,500 | 80%+ average or IELTS 6.0 / DET 105–115 |
| Level 3 | EUR 2,000 | 90%+ average or IELTS 6.5 / DET 120–125 |
Example: A postgraduate applicant with a 2:1 equivalent (Level 2) would receive EUR 2,000 GCB + EUR 1,500 AMS, reducing a EUR 17,075 gross tuition to EUR 13,575 net fees.
3. Progression Scholarships
In addition to the Griffith College Bursary and Academic Merit Scholarship, Progression Scholarships reward students who continue their studies at Griffith College Dublin. These automatic reductions are applied by the International Office, so no separate application is required. The scholarships support students moving from one level to the next, helping to make tuition more affordable as they advance through their programs. Fee status changes, such as gaining residency, may further reduce costs, but prior payments are non-refundable.
| Type of Progression Scholarships | Amount or Benefit of the Scholarship | Eligibility |
| Level 7 to Level 8 (Ordinary to Honours Bachelor’s) | Fees reduced to Irish/EU Living in Ireland rate | Complete full Level 7 at Griffith and progress to Level 8 |
| Level 8 to Level 9 (Bachelor’s to Master’s) | EUR 4,500 reduction (to best Non-EU in-Ireland rate) | Complete Level 8 at Griffith and progress to a Master’s program |
4. Sibling Discount
Griffith College Dublin also offers a Sibling Discount to support families with multiple students enrolled simultaneously. Eligible students receive 10% off net tuition fees after applying the GCB and AMS bursaries. The discount applies to the second or subsequent sibling registering as a non-EU student, while the first sibling qualifies if still enrolled. This benefit is applied automatically upon registration and is not retrospective
5. Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships
Building on the previous Griffith College scholarships, the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) is a prestigious national program aimed at high-achieving non-EU students pursuing full-time postgraduate studies (Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma, or PhD) in Ireland from September/October 2025. Recipients gain both financial support and recognition for academic and extracurricular excellence. Applications require a prior offer from Griffith College, and awards are highly competitive, with only 60 scholarships available nationwide.
| Category of the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships | Details of the Scholarship |
| Eligibility | Non-EU/EEA/Swiss/UK domicile (excluding Russian/Belarusian nationals); full-time in-person study; meet Griffith entry requirements, including English proficiency (example IELTS 6.5+) |
| Selection Criteria | Outstanding academics, extracurricular achievements, and a strong personal statement on why Ireland/Griffith; no prior GOI-IES award |
| Benefits | EUR 10,000 living stipend (EUR 5,000 per semester); full tuition and registration fee waiver from Griffith; covers one year; must reside in Ireland |
| Application Process | 1. Secure an offer from Griffith University 2. Submit online via HEA portal by 5 pm Irish time, March 5, 2025 (includes personal statement, references, and academic documents)3. Griffith shortlists up to 5 applicants per institution; HEA panel ranks candidates; results announced early June 2025 |
| Notes or Tips | Apply to the program first; rolling deadlines for other scholarships; contact [email protected] for queries; Opportunity Scholarship not available to international students |
Explore: Packing List for Ireland: Know What You Need to Carry for Your Studies Abroad
Griffith College Dublin, in partnership with the Central Bank of Ireland, offers a range of scholarships designed to support international students in achieving both academic and professional goals. From automatic bursaries and merit-based awards to progression incentives, sibling discounts, and the prestigious GOI-IES, these opportunities make studying in Ireland more accessible and rewarding. Careful planning and understanding of each scholarship’s eligibility and benefits can help students maximise financial support while gaining valuable experience in their chosen fields.
FAQs
Ans. The scholarship is open to non-EU students enrolled in a part-time honours degree at Griffith College Dublin, studying Finance, Economics, Law, Statistics, or Accounting. Applicants must meet academic and English language requirements.
Ans. No, both the GCB and AMS are automatically assessed during the admission process for eligible international applicants.
Ans. Yes, students advancing from one level to the next (example, Level 7 to Level 8 or Level 8 to Level 9) are automatically considered for these tuition reductions.
Ans. The discount provides 10% off net tuition for the second or subsequent sibling enrolled as a non-EU student. It is applied automatically upon registration and is not retrospective.
Ans. The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) offers a EUR 10,000 living stipend and full tuition coverage for one year. Applicants must secure an offer from Griffith, then submit an online application via the HEA portal by the deadline (March 5, 2025). Shortlisting and selection are conducted based on merit.
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