Working within the media sector, I have decided to commence a postgraduate programme by next September in an effort to broaden my capabilities beyond their existing scope. What I hadn’t been aware of was the significant expense associated with these courses – anywhere between €7,000 to €20,000. This represents a considerable financial commitment on my part. Is there any funding assistance accessible for individuals at postgraduate level?
Financial aid in the form of grants for postgraduate programmes was discontinued during times of economic difficulties but has been reinstated in recent years.
The governing body who awards grants for tertiary education in Ireland is named Student Universal Support Ireland (Susi.ie). You can quickly ascertain your funding eligibility by utilising the eligibility indicator provided on their webpage. In addition, this website also provides comprehensive details of income limits and corresponding grant amounts.
For the 2024/25 academic cycle, applications can now be submitted online and the Susi support staff are ready to assist with any queries or issues.
In the event of funding ineligibility, there are other cheaper alternatives such as micro-accreditation courses (microcreds.ie) that are available. These microcredential programmes are short courses that have been accredited and aimed to satisfy the needs of those wanting to enhance their skills. Their average pricing is around €1,100; however, there are subsidies offered by the State, specifically in key skill-demand areas, bringing down the prices to somewhere between €220 to €550.
For postgraduates, let’s examine the range of funding available for the forthcoming academic year. There are primarily three types in general.
The first type of aid is the “special rate” for postgraduate education fees which goes up to €6,270 and includes a maintenance grant designed to assist with living expenses. For qualification, the collective household income must not exceed €26,200 for households with less than four dependants.
Another form of grant is the “postgraduate fee contribution and maintenance grant”. This involves a grant of up to €4,000 which contributes towards fees plus a maintenance grant. Eligibility for this grant requires the household income to be less than €50,840, again for households with less than four dependent children.
Maintenance grants were reinstated in the 2024 budget for qualifying postgraduate students, with the grant amount depending on the student’s total household income.
The “postgraduate fee contribution grant” is one option that mirrors the previously mentioned grants, albeit without the inclusion of the maintenance grant. This grant offers financial aid of up to €4,000. However, in order to qualify, the total income of the household must not exceed €55,240, and this applies to families with fewer than four children who rely on their parents for support.
Eligibility for all Susi grants, including the one mentioned, comes with certain conditions which include nationality, residency and academic progression. In terms of academic progression, students must be enrolled in a course that would award them a qualification superior to the one they currently have, and they must not be repeating the year, barring any exceptional situations. Furthermore, the course they attend must be endorsed and fall under the approved institutions listed on Susi’s online portal.