How a Vietnamese Business Graduate Secured the Fully Funded Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship to Pursue an MSc in Financial Technology at Dublin Business School

My name is Thi Ngoc Anh Trinh. I am 25 years old. I am a Vietnamese student pursuing an MSc in Financial Technology at Dublin Business School (DBS), Ireland. My program focuses on breakthrough innovations such as Machine Learning and Blockchain in the financial sector. Working as a Business System Analyst for financial institutions, I realized the importance of risk management in these organizations. Therefore, I decided to apply for MSc Financial Technology at DBS to explore the implications of disruptive technologies in financial risk management.

GOI-IES Scholarship details

During my applications, I received several scholarships as follows:

- The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) program is hosted by the Irish Higher Education Authority. They will grant 60 scholarships every year. The scholarship consists of a stipend of 10,000 euros and a full waiver of the tuition fee for an academic year.

- International Students Scholarship of Luiss University in Rome, Italy. This scholarship offers a full tuition fee waiver and even free meals and accommodation for special cases.

Educational Background

Regarding my academic background, I studied Business Administration at the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi, Vietnam.  I graduated with a GPA of 3.62/4.0 and belonged to the top 10% of my department. My study laid a solid foundation for my development in analytics, logical thinking, and sharpened my business acumen.

How Did I Apply for the GOI-IES Scholarship?

After searching for institutions that align with my goals and values, I reviewed the eligibility criteria and required documents for various scholarship opportunities. While scholarship schemes may differ depending on the country and specific objectives, most applications revolve around four key questions:

- Why me?

- Why this country?

- Why this university?

- Why this course?

To make my application stand out, I did a thorough research on the aims of the scholarship programs and answered those four questions in accordance with my goals and the objectives of the scholarship schemes. Applying for scholarships is just like calling for investments. Therefore, most applicants mention their motivations, future plans, and contribution to the scholarship programs. What made my applications different is that I made a meticulous plan for my future devotion as a GOI-IES scholar.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I would have asked the universities if they promoted the courses I was applying for. For GOI-IES, I needed nominations from the universities to get to the final round. My course did not belong to the development strategies of some universities, triggering the failure to be nominated in the first round.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

My biggest advice for applicants is to know yourself and know your scholarship scheme. It will help you to find answers to the four main questions in every scholarship application. Besides, you need to have faith in yourself. This tough journey necessitates persistence, so every step you take will bring you closer to your destination.