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Education

Students & Scholarships

CCI partners with Irish universities and Congolese professionals to support every student's journey — from CAO applications to PhD research and the first internship in Ireland.

Scholarship portal

Curated Irish, EU and DRC scholarship opportunities, refreshed monthly.

Mentorship

1:1 mentoring with Congolese professionals already established in Ireland.

Application support

Personal statements, CAO guidance, visa advice and university selection.

Study circles

Discipline-specific peer study groups across STEM, law, medicine and arts.

Internship pipeline

Placements with CCI partner companies across Dublin, Cork and Galway.

Doctoral network

Connecting Congolese researchers across Irish universities.

Live scholarships

Current opportunities open to DRC nationals and international students in Ireland. Always confirm deadlines on the provider's site.

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships

Higher Education Authority (HEA)

Undergraduate
Deadline:31 March (annual)

Non-EU/EEA students with offer from an Irish HEI. €10,000 + fee waiver for one year.

View & apply

Walsh Scholarship Programme

Teagasc

PhD
Deadline:Rolling (multiple calls per year)

Postgraduate research in agri-food, environment and rural economy. Open to international students.

View & apply

Trinity College Dublin Global Excellence Scholarships

Trinity College Dublin

Postgraduate
Deadline:30 June (annual)

Non-EU postgraduate applicants. Awards from €5,000 to full fees.

View & apply

UCD Global Scholarships for African Students

University College Dublin

Undergraduate
Deadline:1 May (annual)

Citizens of sub-Saharan African countries including DRC. 50–100% tuition reduction.

View & apply

Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship

Irish Research Council

PhD
Deadline:Late October (annual)

Research master's or PhD at an eligible Irish HEI. ~€25,000 stipend + fees.

View & apply

DAFM Scholarship Programme

Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Postgraduate
Deadline:Varies by call

Students from developing countries including DRC, in agri-food disciplines.

View & apply

MIC International Student Scholarship

Mary Immaculate College

Undergraduate
Deadline:1 July (annual)

Non-EU undergraduate students. €2,000–€4,000 award.

View & apply

DCU International Merit Scholarships

Dublin City University

All levels
Deadline:Rolling — apply with admission

International students with strong academic record. 10–50% tuition reduction.

View & apply

Official Irish supports

Government grants, further education and visa information — direct links to the official sources.

SUSI — Student Universal Support Ireland

Government grant for undergraduate & postgraduate students.

SOLAS — Further Education & Training

Apprenticeships, PLC courses and Skills to Advance programmes.

Citizens Information — Student Grants

Plain-language guide to grants, fees and eligibility.

CAO — Central Applications Office

Apply for undergraduate courses in Irish HEIs.

Education in Ireland

Official portal for international students.

Irish Immigration Service — Study Visa

Apply for a Type D long-stay student visa from DRC.

Study in Ireland — guide for DRC students

A practical, step-by-step roadmap from Kinshasa to your first semester in an Irish university.

1. Study visa (Type D)

Apply online via AVATS, then submit documents to the Irish Embassy accredited for DRC (currently via Abuja or Pretoria). You'll need a Letter of Acceptance, proof of fees paid, €10,000 in accessible funds, private medical insurance and biometrics.

2. English proficiency (IELTS / TOEFL)

Most Irish universities require IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall (no band under 5.5/6.0). TOEFL iBT 80–90 is widely accepted. Book through the British Council in Kinshasa or Lubumbashi.

3. Accommodation

Apply for university residences as soon as you accept your offer — they fill fast. Off-campus: Daft.ie, Rent.ie and student-only platforms like Yugo and Aparto. Budget €700–€1,400/month in Dublin, €500–€900 outside Dublin.

4. Cost of living

Plan for €10,000–€14,000/year on top of tuition. Open an Irish bank account (AIB, BOI, Revolut) in your first weeks. Students may work up to 20 hours/week during term, 40 hours during holidays.

5. Register with immigration (IRP)

Within 90 days of arrival, register at the Burgh Quay office (Dublin) or your local Garda station and get your Irish Residence Permit. Fee: €300. Renew annually while you study.

6. After graduation — Stay Back Scheme

Level 8 graduates can stay 12 months, Level 9/10 graduates 24 months to seek work (Third Level Graduate Programme). Convert to a Critical Skills or General Employment Permit when you find a job.

Mentor signup

Whether you want to become a mentor or be matched with one, register here. Mentors are Congolese professionals already established in Ireland across STEM, healthcare, law, finance and the creative industries.

  • • Free of charge — driven by community volunteers
  • • Confidential — your details stay with the mentorship coordinator
  • • Matched within ~2 weeks based on field and goals

Academic Partners Across Ireland

Working with leading universities to support Congolese students and youth leaders.

What We Propose Together

African Youth Leadership Forums

Annual on-campus forums convening African student leaders and Irish policymakers.

Mentorship Programmes

Structured 1:1 matches between Congolese professionals and university students.

Diversity & Inclusion Events

Co-hosted panels and workshops celebrating multicultural campus life.

Career Development Workshops

CV clinics, interview prep and employer connect sessions for diaspora students.

Congolese Heritage & Culture Week

Week-long programmes showcasing DRC art, music, cuisine and history on campus.

Student Ambassador Programmes

CCI campus ambassadors to bridge the union, the diaspora and the wider community.

Join the student network

Create a free account to get scholarship alerts, mentor matching and the student events calendar.

Create student account