The course must be in Ireland or Northern Ireland: SUSI won't fund a master's elsewhere in the EU. You can still claim 20% tax relief on fees SUSI doesn't cover.
Quick facts
- Fee contribution
- Up to €4,500
- Special rate fees
- Up to €6,270
- Special rate maintenance
- €7,936 (over 30km)
- Fee-only income limit
- Under €64,315
- Where
- Ireland or Northern Ireland only
- On BTEA or VTOS
- No maintenance grant
What you can get
- "A postgraduate fee contribution grant of up to €4,500."
- The same fee contribution plus a maintenance grant, on a lower income
- "A postgraduate tuition fee grant of up to €6,270 and a maintenance grant, if you qualify for the special rate of grant (see 'Special rate of grant' below)."
"However, you cannot get a grant for postgraduate courses in another EU country."
Maintenance and the 30km rule
The rate depends on income and distance: "you get the 'adjacent rate' if you normally live 30 kilometres or less from your college". The top rate is "Special rate €7,936 €3,230", non-adjacent and adjacent.
You can't get maintenance while "Getting a Back To Education Allowance (BTEA) Getting a Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) allowance".
Income limits
For fees only: "Less than 4 €64,315 4-7 €70,490 8 or more €76,410", by dependent children. For maintenance, band 1 to 4 limits start at "Less than 4 €47,010 €48,270 €51,040 €58,470".
The special rate needs income of €28,600 or less plus a qualifying payment such as a long-term welfare payment, Working Family Payment or a Community Employment place on 31 December 2025. "You can deduct up to €8,830 (previously €8,424) for your earnings outside of term time (known as 'holiday earnings')."
Applying
Apply online at susi.ie for 2026-27. The grant is awarded once you confirm you've accepted your place. Ring 0818 888 777 with questions.
Common questions
Can I get a SUSI grant for a master's?
Yes. SUSI can pay up to €4,500 towards postgraduate fees, or up to €6,270 plus maintenance on the special rate.
What is the income limit for a SUSI postgraduate grant?
Under €64,315 reckonable income for the fee contribution only, with fewer than 4 dependent children. Maintenance limits are lower.
Can I get SUSI for a postgraduate course abroad?
Only in Northern Ireland. SUSI can't fund postgraduate courses in another EU country.
Who gets the SUSI special rate for postgraduates?
Students whose reckonable income in 2025 was €28,600 or less and whose family (or they, if independent) got certain welfare payments on 31 December 2025.