If you’re studying or planning to study graphic design in Ireland, searching for scholarships can feel overwhelming. Between deadlines, eligibility criteria, and the sheer variety of programs, you might wonder where to even begin. But rest assured—whether you’re pursuing an undergraduate or postgraduate design degree, there are several great places to explore.
1. University-Specific Scholarships
Many Irish universities offer merit-based or subject-specific scholarships, even for creative fields like design:
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National College of Art and Design (NCAD) offers postgraduate scholarships based on design excellence, including full or half EU tuition fee waivers for MA and research degrees National College of Art and Design.
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University of Galway features Global Achievement Scholarships and College of Arts Merit Scholarships that provide fee reductions for undergraduate and postgraduate students, including arts and design programs educationireland.net.
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University College Dublin (UCD), NUI Galway, UCC, UL, Maynooth University, TU Dublin, and others offer tuition waivers and merit scholarships ranging from €1,000 to full tuition—potentially applicable to design courses GoIreland.
2. National & Government Scholarships
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The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES) is a highly competitive scholarship awarding €10,000 plus full tuition waiver for one year—open to non-EU international students across various fields, potentially including design ilmkidunya.comReddit.
3. Design Contests & Awards with Financial Perks
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Global Undergraduate Awards (Architecture & Design category) recognize outstanding projects in design and visual arts. Winners earn recognition and networking opportunities—valuable for building your CV and design profile Wikipedia.
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Design grants like the DNP Foundation’s Graphic Culture Research Grant (for masters/research students) target research in graphic culture and may offer partial funding WeMakeScholars.
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Professional bodies such as the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) might offer bursaries or travel support for design students, although specific scholarship listings are limited Wikipedia+1.
4. University Websites & Funding Portals
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A recommended starting point is each university’s official scholarships or financial aid webpage—many list design-specific or general scholarships which you may be eligible for GDX.
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Databases like Scholarships.com, GoAbroad, or appily help filter opportunities by country and subject area GDXCollegeVine.
5. Student Experiences & Community Insights
Students on Reddit and elsewhere often share that Irish scholarship culture can be modest and competitive:
“Ireland doesn’t have a large scholarship culture … universities have some, but the ratio to people who need them is tiny … Apply for everything and see what happens.” Reddit
That’s a good reminder—cast a wide net, but prepare for tough competition.
Quick Summary of Where to Look
| Source Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| University Scholarships | NCAD, Galway, UCD, UCC, UL, TU Dublin, Maynooth |
| Government Scholarships | GOI-IES (€10,000 + tuition waiver) |
| Design Awards & Grants | Global Undergraduate Awards, DNP Grant |
| Professional Bodies | IDI bursaries/travel awards |
| Scholarship Databases | GoAbroad, appily, university portals |
| Student Advice | Apply broadly, contact admissions early |
Final Thoughts
Finding scholarships for graphic design studies in Ireland may require effort, but it’s absolutely worth it. Start early by checking university websites, apply for both general and design-specific funding, explore government options like GOI-IES, and consider entering design competitions that offer financial support or visibility.