International demand rises as Ireland strengthens its appeal for global learners.
Ireland recorded its highest-ever international student enrolments in the 2024–25 academic year, with numbers rising to 44,500, a 10 percent increase over the previous year. Growth has been led primarily by students from India and the United States, underlining Ireland’s expanding role as a preferred study destination.
Indian students remained the largest international cohort, growing by 30 percent year on year to 9,175, while enrolments from the US increased by 8 percent to 6,125. Together, the two countries accounted for a significant share of new international demand, supported by Ireland’s strong reputation in technology, artificial intelligence, health sciences, and data analytics.
The growth has been broad-based rather than concentrated, with around 70 percent of Ireland’s top international source countries recording increases. Postgraduate enrolments rose faster than undergraduate numbers, reflecting global trends toward career-focused master’s programs.
European mobility also contributed to the surge, with several EU countries posting sharp increases, supported by regional movement frameworks. Despite ongoing challenges such as housing availability and visa processing timelines, Ireland’s higher education sector continues to attract students seeking high-quality education, strong employability outcomes, and access to European career pathways.
[Source: The Pie News]
