Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
11th Oct 2023

Foreign enrolment in Irish HE reaches a new high

Short on time? Here are the highlights:
  • There were 35,140 international students enrolled in Irish universities in 2022/23
  • This represents year-over-year growth of 11%, and means that total foreign enrolment has now surpassed pre-pandemic levels

The number of international students enrolled in higher education in Ireland grew again this year. The total foreign enrolment for 2022/23 represents a new high-water mark but it notably surpasses the pre-COVID benchmark as well.

Total foreign enrolment in Irish universities reached 35,140 for the 2022/23 academic year, for year-over-year growth of just under 11%.

This compares to just under 30,000 in 2019/20, the last year before the onset of COVID-19. And it now means that roughly one in every seven students in Irish higher education comes from outside of Ireland. Ireland's Higher Education Authority (HEA) reports that international students accounted for 14% of total higher education enrolment in 2022/23, up from 12% the year before.

"The data is showing us that following an uncertain period during the pandemic the system is starting to show signs of returning to pre pandemic levels. International students are returning to our shores," said HEA CEO Dr Alan Wall.

Where are they coming from?

A rather distinctive feature of Ireland's foreign student body is that the number one sending market is the United States. American students accounted for 14.5% of international enrolments in Irish universities last year (about 5,095 students). Other notable senders include India (13.5%; 4,743) and China (11.3%; 3,970). Other than Canada (5.5%), the country's foreign enrolment is very widely distributed otherwise, with very few other sending markets contributing more than 1% of the total (Malaysia, 2.5%, Brazil, 1.1%, being notable exceptions).

Just under half (45%) of foreign students in Ireland are enrolled in post-graduate studies with the balance in undergraduate programmes.

The Irish appeal

As we reported earlier this year, Ireland is now competing more actively for non-EU students with the UK, especially in light of the latter's still-new Graduate Route which was introduced in 2021 and offers post-study work rights of two-three years for degree graduates. Since the launch of the Graduate Route, non-EU enrolments in the UK have skyrocketed, and the UK has gained market share of international students relative to other major destinations as a result.

Aside from the quality of its HE institutions, however, Ireland also has a distinct advantage with respect to cost. Undergraduate tuition fees for non-EU students range from €9,850–€19,500 for most programmes, for an average of €14,675.

In the UK, the undergraduate range for international students is £11,400–£38,000 (average of £22,200 per year, for a Euro currency equivalent of €24,780). Since 2021, those fees also apply to EU students in British universities.

That last point looms large as, in contrast to the post-Brexit policy in the UK, most undergraduate EU/EEA students enrolled in publicly funded third-level courses in Ireland still do not have to pay tuition fees.

For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • The UK is quickly expanding its TNE footprint in India Read More
  • Türkiye: After a decade of dramatic growth, a goal to host 500,000 international students by 2028 Read More
  • Impact study shows pursuit of new experience is a key driver for international exchange Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

The UK is quickly expanding its TNE footprint in India As universities in the Big Four (Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US) face more immigration-related challenges in...
Read more
Türkiye: After a decade of dramatic growth, a goal to host 500,000 international students by 2028 In the past couple of years, we have frequently referred to “alternative” destinations that are becoming more popular...
Read more
Impact study shows pursuit of new experience is a key driver for international exchange More than nine in ten respondents (95%) in a recent study said the greatest impact of their international...
Read more
What is holding back brand strategy in higher education marketing? There is a remarkable consistency in the brand strategies and related marketing communications offered by higher education institutions...
Read more
UK to implement reduced Graduate Route from January 2027 The UK Home Office has confirmed the implementation of one of the key items in its May 2025...
Read more
UK transnational education enrolments poised to surpass onshore students this decade The latest available numbers from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) tell us that there were 732,285 international...
Read more
Trump administration’s proposed deal with select US colleges includes a cap on international undergraduate enrolment Update for 21 October 2025: The administration’s 20 October deadline for responding to the proposed compact has now...
Read more
Australia introduces new integrity measures through proposed amendments to the ESOS Act Australian Minister of Education Jason Clare tabled the Education Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025 in...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links