Indian students are emerging as the single biggest driver of international education growth in Ireland, as new enrolment data highlights a strong and sustained upward trend in the country’s higher education sector.
According to fresh insights from ApplyBoard, enrolments from India rose by nearly 30% in the 2024/25 academic year, making Indian students the largest international student group in Irish higher education. This surge comes at a time when Ireland has recorded over 10% annual growth in international enrolments for four consecutive years, signalling long-term stability rather than a short-term post-pandemic rebound.
Indian students now account for just over 20% of all international enrolments in Ireland. The year-on-year growth rate of close to 30% positions India far ahead of other source countries, reinforcing its role as Ireland’s most important international education partner.
Undergraduate enrolments from India rose sharply, contributing to a total of 22,825 undergraduate international students, while postgraduate Indian enrolments reached 21,710, reflecting rising interest in advanced qualifications aligned with global job markets.
Data from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) further confirms that total international enrolments have grown steadily from 26,470 in 2017/18 to a record 44,535 in 2024/25, marking one of the strongest growth trajectories in Europe.
Business, administration, and law programmes continue to attract the highest number of Indian students. At the same time, STEM-aligned courses—including ICT, data science, engineering, natural sciences, and emerging technology disciplines—have recorded double-digit growth.
This trend reflects a close alignment between student career aspirations and Ireland’s labour market needs, particularly in sectors such as:
Technology & software development
Artificial intelligence and data analytics
Life sciences and biotechnology
Finance, risk, and compliance
Healthcare and medical technology
Postgraduate enrolments alone increased by 11%, underlining India’s growing focus on specialisation, employability, and long-term global careers.
Ireland’s attractiveness goes beyond academic reputation. Indian students and families consistently cite the following factors when choosing Ireland:
English-language education within the European Union
Strong post-study work opportunities
Access to EU-wide career pathways
Presence of global employers such as Google, Meta, Apple, Pfizer, and Accenture
Safe, welcoming, and student-friendly environment
ApplyBoard’s Fall 2025 Student Pulse Survey also indicates that Ireland has one of the lowest negative perception rates among major study destinations, further strengthening student confidence.
| S. No. | Country | Enrolled Students (2024/25) | Change from 2023/24 |
| 1 | India | 9,175 | 29.80% |
| 2 | Italy | 1,145 | 13.40% |
| 3 | Spain | 915 | 13.00% |
| 4 | USA | 6,125 | 8.30% |
| 5 | Canada | 2,115 | 6.80% |
| 6 | Germany | 1,225 | 1.20% |
| 7 | China | 4,390 | -0.30% |
| 8 | France | 1,105 | -2.20% |
| 9 | Kuwait | 770 | -4.90% |
| 10 | UK | 2,950 | -5.10% |
Key insight: While enrolments from several traditional markets have declined, India continues to grow at an exceptional pace, underlining its strategic importance to Irish universities.
| Academic Year | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Total Enrolments | % Change from Previous Year |
| 2017/18 | 16,895 | 9,580 | 26,470 | — |
| 2018/19 | 18,180 | 10,900 | 29,080 | 9.86% |
| 2019/20 | 17,435 | 12,420 | 29,855 | 2.66% |
| 2020/21 | 15,280 | 11,505 | 26,785 | -10.28% |
| 2021/22 | 17,615 | 14,105 | 31,720 | 18.42% |
| 2022/23 | 19,415 | 15,725 | 35,140 | 10.78% |
| 2023/24 | 20,895 | 19,505 | 40,400 | 14.97% |
| 2024/25 | 22,825 | 21,710 | 44,535 | 10.24% |
70% of Ireland’s 30 largest international student populations grew in 2024/25, indicating diversification rather than dependence on a single market
Ireland’s consistent growth contrasts with policy tightening and enrolment drops in countries like the UK and Canada
Strong employer demand ensures that education growth is closely linked to real employment outcomes
Experts believe this combination of policy stability, academic quality, and labour-market relevance positions Ireland as one of the most resilient international education destinations globally.
The combination of India’s rapid enrolment growth and Ireland’s sustained international education expansion points to a long-term upward trajectory rather than a temporary spike. As Indian students increasingly prioritise employability, global exposure, and post-study opportunities, Ireland is expected to remain a top destination well into the next decade.
Indian Student Enrolments Surge 30% as Ireland Records Four Years of Double-Digit International Growth
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