Ireland Sets New Record in International Enrolments Driven by Indian and US Students
Ireland’s higher education landscape has reached a new peak, recording 44,500 international enrolments in 2024/25 — up 10% from the previous year. This surge reflects Ireland’s emergence as one of the fastest-growing global education destinations, powered by a diverse mix of international students, with India and the United States leading the charge.
As reported by ApplyBoard, Indian students accounted for more than one-fifth of Ireland’s total international cohort, with enrolments rising 30% year-on-year to 9,175. The United States followed with an 8% increase to 6,125 students. China, the UK, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and Kuwait also featured among the top 10 source countries.
What makes this growth noteworthy is its broad base — approximately 70% of Ireland’s 30 largest international student markets experienced positive growth, signalling widespread confidence in Ireland’s education system rather than regional spikes. Postgraduate enrolments rose 11% compared to 9% at the undergraduate level, suggesting increasing interest in Ireland’s research-intensive and career-oriented programs.
Ireland’s strength in STEM, Artificial Intelligence, Sustainability, Data Analytics, and Cybersecurity continues to attract globally ambitious students. Strategic outreach, particularly through Education in Ireland’s roadshows and institutional collaborations, has strengthened engagement in high-potential markets such as India, Brazil, and Mexico — all of which have recorded growth above 25% in the last two years.
European mobility has also played a pivotal role. The Netherlands led with a 41% increase, and six of the ten fastest-growing student groups were from within the EU, reinforcing the importance of Erasmus+ and intra-European academic movement. With the UK planning to rejoin Erasmus+ in 2027, its outbound numbers to Ireland are expected to rebound.
However, the expansion also brings challenges. Long visa processing times and limited student housing remain major pressure points, with policymakers urged to address them to sustain Ireland’s growth trajectory.
Despite these hurdles, Ireland’s consistent upward trend cements its position among the world’s most attractive study destinations. For education providers and agents, this data reflects a critical shift in global student mobility — where academic quality, employability, and trust are the new drivers of choice.
With Indian and American students setting the pace, Ireland’s higher education sector continues to evolve as a model of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity in international education.
Source: https://thepienews.com/indian-and-us-students-drive-record-international-enrolments-in-ireland/
