Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities International Postgraduate Scholarship 2026 | Eligibility and How to Apply

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities International Postgraduate Scholarship is a prestigious tuition fee award offered by Maynooth University in Ireland, specifically for high-achieving international postgraduate students joining the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The scholarship provides a 2,000 euro reduction in tuition fees and is awarded to 2 outstanding students who have earned and accepted a place on a full-time postgraduate taught masters programme within the faculty. It is a recognition of academic merit and a commitment to supporting international talent in the arts and humanities at one of Ireland’s leading universities.

This award is designed for non-EU fee-paying international students who have been accepted into a full-time, in-person postgraduate taught masters programme within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Maynooth University. The academic entry threshold is equivalent to 65% in the Irish Higher Education System, making this scholarship accessible to a broader range of strong students compared to some other Maynooth awards that require higher grade thresholds. If you are passionate about arts and humanities and have a place at Maynooth, this is an opportunity worth pursuing seriously.

This post covers everything you need to know about the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities International Postgraduate Scholarship 2026: who qualifies, what the award includes, which documents are required, how to apply step by step, and key tips to help you craft a compelling Personal Statement before the 30 May 2026 deadline.

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility

To qualify for the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities International Postgraduate Scholarship, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Fee-Paying Status: You must be a non-EU fee-paying student. Students who qualify for EU domestic tuition rates are not eligible for this award.
• Offer Acceptance and Deposit: You must have accepted your offer of admission and paid your deposit before 30 May 2026. Both conditions must be fulfilled before your scholarship application will be valid.
• Programme Type: You must be applying for a full-time, in-person postgraduate taught (PGT) Masters programme within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Maynooth University. Part-time programmes, online or distance learning options, and programmes outside the Faculty of Arts and Humanities are not eligible.
• Academic Qualification: You must have achieved a minimum overall result in your primary degree that is equivalent to 65% in the Irish Higher Education System. This is a lower academic threshold than some other Maynooth scholarships, but the bar is still set at a solid level of achievement.
• Application Deadline Compliance: Your completed scholarship application must be submitted by 30 May 2026. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered under any circumstances.

Eligible Countries

This award is open to all non-EU international students. There is no restriction on which non-EU country you are from, as long as you are classified as a non-EU fee-paying student and meet all other eligibility criteria.

1. Africa: All African countries may apply, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, Cameroon, and all other African nations.
2. Asia: All Asian countries may apply, including India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and others.
3. Americas: All countries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean may apply, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and others.
4. Middle East: All Middle Eastern countries may apply, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, and others.
5. Europe (non-EU): Students from non-EU European countries such as Turkey, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Belarus, and others may apply, provided they are classified as non-EU fee-paying students at Maynooth University.
6. Pacific and Oceania: Students from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and other Pacific nations may apply, subject to their fee classification as non-EU students.

Eligible Fields of Study

This scholarship is restricted to postgraduate taught Masters programmes within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Maynooth University. It is not open to all faculties or disciplines across the university.

Visit the official Maynooth University Faculty of Arts and Humanities page to see the full list of eligible programmes before applying.

Disciplines typically found within arts and humanities faculties include but are not limited to:

• English, Literature, and Creative Writing
• History and Archaeology
• Philosophy
• Languages and Linguistics
• Music
• Media Studies and Communications
• Irish Studies
• Theology and Religious Studies
• Cultural Studies

Benefits

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities International Postgraduate Scholarship provides the following:

• Tuition Fee Discount: A 2,000 euro reduction applied directly to your Maynooth University tuition fees. This is a fee credit, not a cash payment.
• Number of Awards: Only 2 awards are available. This makes the competition more selective than Maynooth’s broader merit awards.

This is a tuition fee award only. Plan your budget for accommodation, living expenses, travel, health insurance, and other costs separately.

Required Documents

Based on the available information, the following are required to complete your application:

1. Completed MS Form application (the official online application form provided by Maynooth University)
2. Personal Statement explaining why you have chosen your specific programme of study within Maynooth University’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities
3. Proof of offer acceptance for a full-time, in-person PGT Masters programme within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Maynooth University
4. Proof that your deposit has been paid before 30 May 2026
5. Academic transcripts or degree certificate confirming a minimum overall result equivalent to 65% in the Irish Higher Education System

How to Apply

Step 1: Visit the official Maynooth University website and locate the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities International Postgraduate Scholarship page. Read the full Terms and Conditions carefully before starting your application.

Step 2: Confirm that your chosen programme is a full-time, in-person postgraduate taught Masters programme within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Maynooth University. If your programme is in a different faculty or is offered online or part-time, you are not eligible for this award.

Step 3: Apply for and receive an offer of admission from Maynooth University for your chosen programme. You must have a valid offer before applying for the scholarship.

Step 4: Accept your offer and pay your deposit before 30 May 2026. Both steps must be completed within this deadline for your scholarship application to be considered.

Step 5: Verify that your primary degree result meets the minimum threshold equivalent to 65% in the Irish Higher Education System. If your results are expressed in a different grading system, research the conversion or contact Maynooth University’s admissions office for guidance.

Step 6: Gather your academic transcripts or degree certificate as evidence of your qualifying result. 

Step 7: Begin drafting your Personal Statement. Your statement must specifically explain why you have chosen your programme of study within Maynooth University’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Be focused, specific, and reflective in your writing.

Step 8: Refine your Personal Statement. Reference the specific programme, its content, and the strengths of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Maynooth that attracted you. Generic statements about studying abroad or choosing Ireland will not be competitive.

Step 9: Access the MS Form application link on the official Maynooth University scholarship page.

Step 10: Complete the MS Form accurately and in full. Attach your Personal Statement and all other required supporting documents before submitting.

Step 11: Review your entire application carefully. Confirm that all sections of the form are completed, your Personal Statement is correctly attached, and your deposit has already been paid.

Step 12: Submit your completed application before 30 May 2026. Applications open on 1 April 2026. Do not wait until the final days to submit.

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

The application deadline is 30 May 2026.

You must also have accepted your Maynooth University offer and paid your deposit by this same date.

Applications submitted after this time will NOT be accepted.

Note that the application window opens on 1 April 2026, giving you approximately two months to prepare and submit. Use this time wisely. Start drafting your Personal Statement early and ensure your deposit is paid well before the deadline.

Selection Criteria

With only 2 awards available, the selection process for this scholarship is highly competitive. The committee will evaluate applicants based on the following:

• Academic Achievement: The minimum threshold is a primary degree result equivalent to 65% in the Irish Higher Education System. However, with only 2 awards given, applicants with results well above this minimum will naturally be more competitive. Submit your strongest academic record.
• Quality and Specificity of Personal Statement: The Personal Statement is the centrepiece of your application. The selection committee will assess how clearly and specifically you explain your reasons for choosing your programme within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Maynooth University. Vague or generic writing will not stand out.
• Programme Alignment: Your statement must demonstrate that you understand the specific content, structure, and opportunities of your chosen programme and that your academic background and goals align with what the programme offers.
• Genuine Connection to Arts and Humanities: Applicants who can articulate a meaningful intellectual or professional connection to their chosen arts or humanities discipline will stand out. Show that your interest goes beyond convenience.
• Completeness and Eligibility Compliance: Only fully completed applications from students who meet all eligibility criteria are reviewed. Submitting a complete, accurate application is the baseline from which merit is assessed.

Important Tips

1. Start your Personal Statement as soon as the application window opens on 1 April 2026. The deadline is 30 May 2026, but writing a compelling, specific statement takes time. Begin early and revise multiple times.
2. Focus your Personal Statement entirely on your specific programme within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The prompt is clear and narrow: explain why you chose this programme at this faculty at Maynooth University. Do not write broadly about arts and humanities in general or about studying in Ireland. Be direct and specific.
3. Research your programme in detail before writing your statement. Know the modules, the research interests of the faculty, any specialisations the programme offers, and how it compares to similar programmes elsewhere. This depth of knowledge should come through in your writing.
4. Confirm your grade equivalent before applying. The 65% Irish Higher Education System equivalent may correspond to different grades in different national systems. Contact Maynooth University’s admissions or international office to confirm that your result qualifies before investing time in the application.
5. Remember that only 2 awards are available. With a very small number of places, every detail of your application matters. Your Personal Statement, the accuracy of your documents, and the overall quality of your submission all contribute to the final decision.
6. Accept your offer and pay your deposit well before 30 May 2026. The deposit and offer acceptance share the same deadline as the scholarship application. Processing delays can occur, especially during busy admissions periods. Complete these steps as early as possible in April.
7. Read the full Terms and Conditions before submitting. The Terms and Conditions document contains binding rules about the scholarship that may not be summarised in the general scholarship description. Reading it fully protects you from common application errors.
8. Ask a trusted academic mentor or writing advisor to review your Personal Statement before submitting. A fresh pair of eyes can identify weaknesses or gaps in your argument that you may have missed after multiple revisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Link

Apply through the official Maynooth University Faculty of Arts and Humanities scholarship page and the MS Form linked there:

https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/international/scholarships

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