How I Secured a Fully Funded Master's at Technological University Dublin, Ireland Through the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOIIES)

My name is ThuTrang Le, and I am from Cao Bang, a mountainous province in northern Vietnam. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in International Relations at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and am now pursuing an MSc in Tourism Management at Technological University Dublin. Coming from a background that combined international relations, policy analysis, and youth leadership, I became increasingly interested in how tourism can be used as a tool for sustainable development, community empowerment, and international cooperation. That is why I decided to continue my studies in tourism management. It allows me to link theory and policy with the realities of destinations, communities, and travellers, and to build a stronger academic foundation for the work I had already started with ministries, NGOs, and local communities.

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship Details

I am currently studying at Technological University Dublin under the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOIIES). The scholarship is awarded to around 60 outstanding international students each year (1%) and covers my full tuition fees and a stipend of 10,000 EUR for one academic year. This support has allowed me to focus fully on my research and academic development in Ireland.

Educational Background

Before coming to Ireland, I completed a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, graduating with a GPA of 3.72/4.0 and ranking 4th out of 114 students. During my studies, I received merit-based scholarships and awards from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnam Union of Students, which encouraged me to treat both academic performance and community engagement seriously.

My undergraduate thesis analysed internal factors shaping US foreign policy under Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, using comparative and qualitative methods. This training helped me develop strong skills in literature review, critical reading, and policy analysis. These skills later became essential when I moved into tourism and sustainable development, because they allowed me to understand how global discourses, national policies, and local practices interact. In my current MSc in Tourism Management, I am building on this foundation by focusing on tourism behaviour, destination management and sustainable tourism, especially in the context of Vietnam.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Technological University Dublin?

How Did You Find Information About Scholarships and Institutions?

I mainly relied on my own research. I spent time reviewing official university websites, scholarship calls, and government announcements to understand how different programmes work in practice. I collected information from multiple sources, organised it in my own notes, and compared programmes based on academic fit, funding, and what kind of contribution they expected from scholars.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I took the IELTS Academic test and obtained an overall score of 8.0. The preparation process was not overly difficult because my undergraduate training in international relations had already equipped me with strong reading, writing, and speaking skills in English. I practised with sample tests to familiarise myself with the format, but the most important preparation came from years of studying in an environment that required me to read academic texts, write essays, and communicate with international partners in English.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship?

I did not see the scholarship application as something separate from my life; instead, I spent the two years after graduation building a profile that would genuinely make sense for such opportunities. I worked on national-level projects with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, international NGOs such as HELVETAS, and organisations like UNESCO Global Geopark networks. I tried to value and embrace each role, whether it involved research, community engagement, or youth leadership, and to create tangible impact for communities in the short, medium and long term.

In parallel, I published academic work on sustainable tourism, destination management and tourist behaviour. When the GOIIES call opened, I carefully studied what the scholarship aimed to promote, the policy goals of Ireland’s international education strategy, and the specific questions in the application essays. I analysed each essay prompt, identified which parts of my experience were most relevant, and supported my statements with clear, quantified examples (number of provinces, participants, publications, awards, etc.). I started early, revised my essays multiple times, and kept improving my CV and portfolio while applying. This process helped me present a coherent story of what I could contribute to both Vietnam and Ireland.

How is Your Experience at Technological University Dublin?

My experience at Technological University Dublin has been very positive. The lecturers are supportive and approachable, and even though the programme is quite theoretical in some modules, that has been valuable for someone like me who is aiming for an academic and research-oriented career. In the first semester, we had several field trips and practical components that linked classroom knowledge with real destinations and businesses. The programme offers a diverse set of modules, ranging from tourism policy and destination management to hospitality and marketing, which helps students see tourism from multiple angles.

How Do You Rate Technological University Dublin Academically?

I would rate TU Dublin 8/10 academically. The teaching staff are experienced and open to discussion, the learning environment is modern, and the facilities are excellent. The campus is located in central Dublin, which makes it very convenient for attending events, conferences and networking activities. For someone interested in tourism and hospitality, being in a capital city with an active tourism industry adds another layer of informal learning.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or the Country's Native Language?

All of my classes are conducted in English, as Ireland is an English-speaking country and the MSc programme is suitable for international students.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my application stood out because it presented a coherent combination of academic performance, practical experience, and community impact. I had two years of postgraduation experience working on national projects and with international NGOs, and I tried to show that I had used each opportunity to contribute to sustainable development and tourism in Vietnam, not just to build a CV. I also had multiple publications, which demonstrated that I could translate practice into academic outputs.

Most importantly, I framed my application around what I could contribute to both Vietnam and Ireland. I studied the goals and values behind the GOIIES, and the broader policies of Ireland as a scholarship-providing country, then connected them with concrete work I had done and wanted to continue. I avoided vague statements and instead used specific examples, numbers, and clear impacts. I started preparing early, kept applying and refining my materials, and treated the process as an opportunity to clarify my own direction.

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

Honestly, I would not change much, because I feel I already tried my best at each stage. To reach this point, I had to prepare step by step from my undergraduate years: maintaining a strong transcript, being active in meaningful extracurricular activities, taking on challenging roles, and not being afraid to try new things or face rejection. If anything, I would simply remind myself earlier that the process takes time and that consistency over several years matters more than last-minute preparation.

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

Understand what it is for, what the selection committee is looking for, and how it relates to the country’s broader priorities. Then, try to show this understanding through concrete experiences rather than generic phrases. Use specific examples, numbers, projects, and roles to illustrate your story.

Secondly, start preparing early. Build your profile over time through academics, research, work, and community engagement, instead of hoping that a few months of preparation will be enough. Do not hesitate to apply even if you feel imperfect; each application is a chance to learn and improve your materials. Finally, be honest but ambitious: go for opportunities that stretch you, present your real contributions clearly, and trust that a well-thought-out, authentic application can compete strongly.