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Ireland Open for September 2026 entry — Master's applications and scholarship assessment run through spring/summer 2026

DCU International Merit Postgraduate Scholarship

Dublin City University (DCU) offers International Merit Scholarships to strong Master's applicants, typically worth up to €4,000 (around LKR 1.6 million) as a tuition reduction on its taught postgraduate programmes. DCU is a young, enterprise-focused Irish university with a strong reputation in business, computing, communications, and education, and it sits in Dublin — a major European tech and finance hub. For a Sri Lankan graduate, the combination of an English-taught Master's, a merit reduction, and Ireland's generous 2-year post-study graduate work visa (Third Level Graduate Programme) makes DCU an attractive, employment-oriented route. The award is partial, so budget for the remaining tuition plus Dublin living costs (which are on the higher side for Ireland). We help you check the realistic LKR net cost and target the right programme.

Dublin City University

University-funded

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Value

Up to €4,000 (LKR 1.6M) Tuition Cut

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Duration

1-Year Taught Master's

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After Study

2-Year Irish Graduate Visa

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Apply to a DCU Master's

You must apply to (or be admitted to) a taught Master's at Dublin City University for September 2026 entry. Sri Lankan applicants need a relevant Bachelor's; a first-class or strong upper-second profile is competitive for merit awards.

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Merit-Based Reduction

Scholarships are awarded on academic merit and the strength of your application. Strong grades and a clear fit with the programme improve your award. Some awards are assessed automatically; others need a short application.

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International (Non-EU) Student

Aimed at international (non-EU) fee-paying students, including Sri Lankan citizens. There is no nationality restriction beyond international fee status.

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English Proficiency

Teaching is in English; you'll need IELTS 6.5+ or equivalent. Sri Lankan applicants with an English-medium undergraduate degree usually qualify via MOI waiver where DCU accepts it.

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Apply to the Master's programme

Submit your DCU application with transcripts (certified translation), degree certificate, motivation/personal statement, references, and proof of English, via the international admissions route.

Scholarship consideration

Check whether your programme assesses merit automatically or needs a separate scholarship application, and submit any required materials by the deadline.

Offer with award

DCU confirms any merit reduction in your offer letter. Review the net cost before accepting.

Accept and apply for an Irish study visa

Accept your place, then apply for the Irish (Type D) study visa with proof of funds. DCU supports international arrivals; Ireland's graduate visa lets you stay and work after you finish.

Why Dublin City University?

DCU is a young, enterprise-driven Irish university with strong industry links and reputations in business, computing, communications, and education, based in Dublin's tech-and-finance ecosystem. A merit reduction plus Ireland's 2-year graduate work visa makes a DCU Master's an employment-focused, English-medium EU route for a Sri Lankan graduate.