Graduate programmes: Students earn while they learn
The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is unique in the Irish research landscape and complements other channels for funded postgraduate education in the Irish ecosystem.
Irish graduate programmes bridge the gap between academic study and the corporate world, offering a structured, low-risk entry into employment.
Designed to ease candidates into the world of work and give them the skills necessary to become part of the larger team, they offer the opportunity to experience several different areas of business before choosing a final career path within the company.
While such programmes have long been popular with banks, insurance companies and financial institutions, they have become increasingly more common with employers across all sectors, particularly the IT and technical spheres. Given Ireland's status as the European hub for tech, finance, and pharma multinationals, these schemes accelerate early career growth through specialised training.
Such programmes are highly valued for a number of reasons, including:
They are specifically designed by HR pipelines to groom high-potential talent for future management and leadership positions.
Participants receive hands-on guidance from experienced professionals and structured, funded support to complete professional or postgraduate qualifications.
Many programmes allow you to rotate through different departments, helping you discover your exact career path before committing to a specific role.
Schemes provide immediate access to a built-in cohort of peers and senior leaders, building a professional network that lasts a lifetime.
If you are graduating from a Tourism & Hospitality course and wondering what’s next, the Fáilte Ireland Graduate Programme is a 24-month, paid programme offering graduates the chance to gain hands-on experience within Ireland’s National Tourism Development Authority while working on real projects that shape Irish tourism.
Graduates rotate across key areas such as the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Business Tourism, building skills, confidence and a strong professional network along the way. With structured mentoring, exposure to national tourism initiatives, and placements based in regional offices across the country, this programme is a standout pathway for anyone serious about building a long-term career in tourism.
This unique three-year programme is an immersive way to learn about a career in business, sales and marketing. With four distinct modules each lasting nine months, it is designed to give a flavour of all aspects of working at IDA Ireland.
Over the three years, you’ll spend time working in corporate support, on an international posting in one of our overseas offices, you’ll experience the client-facing side of our operations, and you’ll also be based at one of our regional sites around Ireland. It is the ideal proving ground to learn about a career in business. As a graduate, you’ll be communicating with client companies which includes some of the biggest names in their sector. You’ll carry out market research to identify potential clients to attract to Ireland, in addition to getting hands-on experience of managing client company visits as they evaluate potential locations in Ireland.
All degree disciplines are welcome to apply for the general graduate stream, where opportunities are likely to arise across a number of Government Departments and Offices in the Civil Service. As part of this role, applicants can expect to play a crucial role in policy and strategy formulation across the spectrum of economic, financial, international, environmental and social issues. Successful applications will have the opportunity to affect real change in the Civil Service and help to shape a changing Ireland. Roles may also arise to support functions such as Facilities Management and Corporate Affairs.
The Coillte Graduate Programme offers individuals the opportunity to be part of the future of Coillte. Recently qualified graduates are offered a two-year placement to gain invaluable experience across forestry, environmental science and business divisions. Graduates will be provided with placements in the areas of Resource Optimisation Analysis & Planning, Harvesting & Operations Management, Road Construction Management, Commercial & Supply Chain, Financial Planning & Analysis, Property Acquisition, Sustainability, Ecology, and Engineering. This programme provides students with the opportunity to apply their technical learning and further develops their skills and competencies within an exciting and customer-focused forestry business.
The Future Leaders Academy programme is designed to encourage graduates to be curious, share their perspectives, find new ways to face complex challenges and discover their purpose. It sets the foundations for a career that inspires and energises and allows for continuous growth both professionally and personally. With a dynamic team of over 3,000 professionals from more than 70 nationalities, Deloitte Ireland stands as a vibrant hub of talent. As leaders in Audit & Assurance, Tax & Legal, and Consulting Services, the company’s diverse expertise and wide-ranging client base create the ideal environment to launch and grow your career. The Future Leaders Academy is designed to develop the next generation of leaders, equipping them with world-class capabilities and offering an unparalleled professional growth experience.
The graduate programme lasts for 23 months based out of the company headquarters in Dublin. During that time, you will receive invaluable guidance early on in your career and gain functional skills that will serve you over the long term, no matter what career path you choose. While you’re developing professional core skills within the graduate programme, you’ll have the opportunity to rotate between a minimum of two different teams within your business area, giving you hands-on experience working in the different areas enabling you to gain insights and knowledge of the broader business and identify the potential career path that best suits your skills and interests.
The graduate programme is designed for graduates who want to build careers in professional services, be that in consulting, assurance, strategy and transactions, or tax and law. The programme welcomes applicants from all degree backgrounds, provided they are on track for a 2:1 or higher. Graduates can apply to areas including assurance, tax, strategy and transactions, technology consulting, AI and data, risk consulting, and people consulting. Some programmes include professional qualifications such as ACA, ACCA, CTA or CFA, while others focus on practical consulting and technology skills without formal exams. A major feature of the programme is the emphasis on continuous learning, mentoring and exposure to real-world projects from day one. Graduates will benefit from networking opportunities, diversity initiatives, sports clubs and volunteering programmes that support professional and personal development.
The Jameson International Brand Ambassador Programme is a brand advocacy programme that gives the opportunity to build Jameson brand awareness. As Jameson International Brand Ambassador, you will work with Pernod Ricard colleagues in sales and marketing across the globe, supporting the planning, development and implementation of the Jameson Brand Strategy by leveraging bartenders, distributors and agencies and influencers. Jameson International Brand Ambassadors gain experience in marketing, sales, digital, event management, content creation and much more. Graduates are provided with the knowledge and tools necessary to shape their own experience as part of the programme, enabling them to hone and develop the skills required to progress their career, while contributing to the global Irish whiskey success story.
The programme is unique in the Irish research landscape and complements other channels for funded postgraduate education in the Irish ecosystem. Pioneering proposals addressing new and emerging fields of research or those introducing creative, innovative approaches are welcomed. Proposals of an interdisciplinary nature are also encouraged as it is recognised that advancing fundamental understanding is achieved by integrating information, techniques, tools and perspectives from two or more disciplines. The programme is highly competitive, with an average success rate of 18% over the past five years. Successful awardees under the programme are recognised as demonstrating world-class potential as future research leaders.
