Ireland Fellows | Kader Asmal

The aims of the programme are to nurture future leaders; to develop in-country capacity to achieve national Sustainable Development Goals and to build positive relationships with Ireland.

Eligible countries: 

South Africa

Eligible courses: 

Agriculture, health, education, human rights, computer science, engineering, business and more, and are listed in a Directory of Eligible Programmes.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an Ireland Fellows Programme – Kader Asmal award commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2027, applicants must:

• Be a resident national of South Africa.
• Have a minimum of two years’ substantial work experience that is directly relevant to your proposed programme(s) of study.
• Hold a bachelor’s level academic qualification from an accredited and government-recognised higher education institution, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) – i.e. a first class honour, or second class honour, Grade 1 (a second class honour Grade 2 may be accepted if the applicant has substantial directly relevant work experience). It must have been awarded in 2015 or later (i.e. within the last 12 years).
• Not already hold a qualification at master’s level or higher. Not currently undertaking a programme at master’s level or higher, or be due to start a programme at master’s level or higher in the academic year 2026/2027.
• Be applying to commence a new programme at master’s level in Ireland no sooner than August 2027.
• Be able to demonstrate the following: leadership abilities and aspirations; a commitment to the achievement of the SDGs within your own country; and a commitment to contribute to building positive relationships with Ireland.
• Have identified and selected three programmes relevant to your academic and professional background from the Directory of Eligible Programmes.
• Have a clear understanding of the academic and English language proficiencies required for all programmes chosen.
• Must not have applied to the Ireland Fellows Programme on more than one previous occasion.
• Be in a position to take up the Fellowship in the academic year 2027/2028.

The Fellowship covers the recipient only. Financial support or visas for spouses or dependents are not included within the scope of the programme.

Please read the Applicant Guidance Note carefully before completing as eligibility criteria may differ from country to country. 

The application process consists of three stages:

1. Preliminary Application
2. Detailed Application
3. Interviews.

English language requirements

Irish higher education institutions require a high standard of English language proficiency and this will be verified by English language testing. This is necessary for admission to all Irish HEIs, with no exceptions. English language tests are also required for visa applications.

If successful in stage 1, shortlisted applicants who do not yet have the English language certification required for their master’s programmes in Ireland will take the Duolingo English Test. This test is accepted by most higher education institutions in Ireland. However, if you are shortlisted as a candidate or reserve candidate, and your course or HEI does not accept DuoLingo, then you will be required to take an IELTS exam in January 2027.