Report on international students in higher education in Ireland

Although prominent for very many years as a primary destination for English language students,Ireland is not generally considered a significant player in the international higher education field.

However, since 2002 Irish HEIs (both public and private) have been experiencing growth in international student numbers at rates which have been similar to, or in some cases higher than those experienced by the main destination countries. The growth tends to be masked by a general perception that international students in higher education represent an insignificant proportion of total enrolment given the very high participation rates of Irish students in higher education.

The figures however, show an increase in international student numbers from many countries and a particularly significant increase in PhD students as Ireland’s high profile as a knowledge-centred economy becomes globally recognised.