How Van Dao (Irene), a Vietnamese Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master of Business (Management Stream) at South East Technological University Through the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship

My name is Van Dao (Irene), and I come from Vietnam. I am currently pursuing a Master of Business (Management Stream) at South East Technological University (SETU) in Ireland, supported by the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship 2026/27.

Before coming to Ireland, I completed my Bachelor's degree in Vietnam (International Business Economics co-designed and endorsed by the University of Colorado, USA) and gained three years of professional experience in the technology industry, mainly in business development, sales, supplier/vendor management, and partnership management. During this time, I had opportunities to work with international technology partners and develop my communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

I decided to pursue a Master's degree in Business Management because I wanted to build on my practical experience and develop a deeper understanding of leadership, innovation, and strategic management. Studying in Ireland, a global technology hub, also gives me the opportunity to experience a different education system, improve my international perspective, and prepare for the next stage of my career in a global business environment.

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship Details

I was awarded the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) 2026/27. The scholarship, funded by the Government of Ireland, provides a full tuition fee waiver for one academic year and a €10,000 stipend to support living expenses.

Educational Background

I graduated from Foreign Trade University (FTU), Vietnam, in 2023, with a Bachelor's degree in International Business Economics (Advanced Program co-designed and endorsed by the University of Colorado, USA). I achieved a GPA of 3.63/4.0 on the Vietnamese scale (equivalent to 3.83/4.0 on the US scale), graduated with a First-Class Honours classification, and ranked among the top 10% of students in my cohort. My undergraduate programme was taught entirely in English and covered subjects such as International Economics, Marketing, Statistics, Entrepreneurship, and Supply Chain Management.

I completed the Strategic Leadership and Management Online Specialization at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA, on Coursera in 2025, covering topics such as Business Management, Leadership, Governance, Organizational Effectiveness, and Team Building. This educational background prepared me well for my current Master of Business (Management Stream) at SETU, to further develop my knowledge of leadership, innovation, and strategic management.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to South East Technological University?

I started by researching universities in Ireland that offered Master's programmes related to Business and Management. I compared their course structures, entry requirements, tuition fees, and career opportunities to find a programme that matched my academic background and professional goals.

I also prepared the necessary documents, including my academic transcripts, CV, English language certificate, and personal statement. I spent time reflecting on my academic achievements, three years of work experience, and future career goals to explain why I wanted to pursue further education in Ireland.

How Did You Find Information About Scholarships and Universities?

I searched for scholarship opportunities through scholarship Facebook pages and alumni. This was how I learned about the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES).

After discovering the scholarship, I researched the participating universities and their Master's programmes. I carefully reviewed the scholarship eligibility criteria, application requirements, and deadlines. I focused on choosing a university whose academic strengths, resources, and opportunities aligned with my background and career aspirations. I believe finding the right fit is important because it allows you to write a more specific, convincing, and personalised SOP, rather than simply applying to a university based on its ranking or reputation.

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

Yes, I took the IELTS Academic test and achieved an overall band score of 8.0.

Since my undergraduate programme at Foreign Trade University was taught entirely in English, I already had a foundation in academic English. In addition, my three years of professional experience involved regular communication with international partners, which helped me develop my English skills.

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

To prepare for the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES), I first carefully reviewed the eligibility criteria, application requirements, and selection criteria to understand what the scholarship committee was looking for.

I spent most of my time preparing my personal statement, where I highlighted my academic achievements, three years of professional experience, leadership skills, and reasons for choosing Ireland. I also explained how pursuing a Master's degree in Business Management would support my future career goals and how I could contribute to the international student community in Ireland.

I tried to make my application personal and specific by using real examples from my academic and professional experiences rather than making general statements. I also revised my answers several times to ensure they were clear, convincing, and aligned with the scholarship's objectives.

My advice to future applicants is to start preparing early, understand the scholarship's selection criteria, and focus on demonstrating what makes your background and experiences unique.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe what made my application stand out was the consistency of my career story and the clear connection between my past experiences, current academic goals, and future aspirations. Rather than presenting my achievements separately, I tried to build a coherent story around one long-term goal: supporting the digital transformation of Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and strengthening business connections between Vietnam and Ireland.

• First, I demonstrated a clear academic and professional journey. I studied International Business Economics for my Bachelor's degree, which gave me a foundation in international trade and business. After graduation, I spent three years working in business development and vendor management in the technology industry, collaborating with international partners, participating in regional business events, and representing my company at networking activities and strategic business discussions. These experiences helped me understand the challenges Vietnamese SMEs face when adopting new technologies and motivated me to pursue a Master of Business (Management Stream).
• Second, I made my Statement of Purpose (SOP) highly specific to the university and programme. Instead of simply saying that I wanted to improve my management skills, I researched the modules offered at SETU, including Innovation Management & Design, Knowledge Management, Leadership Development, Managing Change, Management Skills Development, and Managing Corporate Creativity. I explained how these subjects could help me address the challenges I had encountered in my professional career. I also researched the university's professors, their academic interests, and relevant research projects to demonstrate that I had carefully considered why SETU was the right institution for me.
• Third, I focused on how I could contribute, rather than only what I would gain from the scholarship. I explained my ambition to become a long-term bridge between Ireland and Vietnam by facilitating knowledge exchange, business collaboration, and opportunities for Vietnamese SMEs to learn from Irish innovation and management practices. One particularly important part of my application was identifying a real university project or initiative whose model I hoped to learn from and potentially adapt to support Vietnamese SMEs. This made my future plans more concrete and showed that I had researched opportunities beyond the classroom.
• Fourth, I carefully selected my referees to provide credible evidence of my development. For my academic recommendation letter, I approached an academic advisor who had known me throughout my four undergraduate years. I believe this was valuable because four years is a meaningful period to observe someone's academic progress, personal growth, and development. For my professional recommendation, I chose my direct manager, who had supervised me for two years and could provide specific examples of my work performance, responsibilities, and contributions. I also considered the qualities valued by the GOI-IES selection criteria, so that the recommendation letters could complement my personal statement.
• Finally, I made sure my entire application told the same story. My CV, personal statement, and recommendation letters were connected by a consistent theme. I selected relevant professional achievements and experiences that supported my motivation for further study and my long-term aspirations.

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

If I were going through the application process again, I would invest more time in strengthening my academic profile. Although I had a strong professional background, I had limited research experience and international exchange experience. Looking back, I wish I had participated in these activities more during my undergraduate studies.

My advice to future applicants is to start building your profile early and make the most of opportunities available at university.

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

My main advice is to be specific, build a consistent story, and remember that GPA is only one part of your application. You do not necessarily need a GPA of 3.8 or 3.9 to be a competitive applicant. Relevant work experience, strong letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and a convincing Statement of Purpose (SOP) can also strengthen your profile.

For your SOP, avoid generic statements. Research your chosen university carefully and explain exactly why it is the right fit for you. Refer to specific modules, professors, research projects, student societies, or innovation hubs and demonstrate how these opportunities connect to your previous experiences and future career goals.

Equally important, think beyond what the scholarship can offer you. Explain what you can contribute to the university, Ireland, and your home country, both during your studies and in the long term. You can strengthen your arguments by connecting your aspirations to relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or national development strategies, as long as these connections are genuine and supported by realistic plans.

Finally, make sure your CV, SOP, and recommendation letters tell one coherent story, with specific examples demonstrating your abilities, achievements, and potential.

Remember, a strong application is not a collection of impressive achievements. It should show where you come from, why you are taking this next step, and what meaningful impact you hope to create in the future.