Ireland Education and Training
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IRELAND 

Capital: Dublin 

Population: 5,176,569 (July 2020 est.) 

GDP: 353.3 Billion USD (2017 est., Purchasing Power Parity) 

Currency: Euro (EUR)  

Language: Irish (First Official) and English (Second Official) 

 

UNESCO Student Mobility Number:  

Ireland has 14,943 students studying abroad according to UNESCO.  

 

CIA World Factbook:  

33.23% of Ireland’s population is under 24 years of age.  

OVERVIEW 

The Irish market remains attractive for U.S. higher education institutions as a result of sending between 1,100 and 1,200 students annually to the United States over the last decade. During the 2018/19 academic year, the United States enrolled 1,180 Irish students in U.S. higher education institutions.i   

Source: Institute of International Education Open Doors 2019 

According to UNESCO data, the United States is the second largest market for Irish students, after the United Kingdom. In 2017, the top five markets for Irish students were:   

  • United Kingdom 
  • United States 
  • France 
  • Netherlands 
  • Germany  

Irish students are opting to pursue their degrees abroad for many reasons. One of the primary reasons Irish students opt to obtain their degrees abroad is due to easier entry requirements. Entry requirements, especially in Europe are generally lower compared to Irish universities placement in Irish universities are highly competitive. In April 2019, the Irish University Association stated that a combination of growing student numbers over the coming years, and underinvestment by the government means colleges will be forced to make hard decisions: “As numbers grow, universities are fearful that they will be put in a position where places for Irish students would have to be curtailed or replaced by higher fee-paying international students.”ii Rising student numbers in higher education is forecasted to grow by 25 percent over the next decade, making Ireland an attractive market for U.S. higher education institutions looking to diversify their international student population.   

Education Service Exports/Imports 

During the 2018/19 academic year, the United States exported $49 million (USD) in education services to Ireland. However, during the same academic year, the United States imported $285 million (USD) in education services from Ireland, creating a deficit of $136 million (USD) with Irelandiii  

SUB-SECTORS 

Undergraduate Education 

449 Irish students were enrolled in undergraduate programs in the United States during the 2018/19 academic year, this is a -0.40 percent decrease from the previous academic year.  

Graduate Education 

321 Irish students were enrolled in graduate programs in the United States during the 2018/19 academic year, a -3.9 percent decrease from the previous academic year.  

Non-Degree 

286 Irish students were enrolled in Non-degree programs in the United States during the 2018/19 academic year, a 24.9 percent increase from the previous academic year.  

OPT 

124 Irish students were enrolled in OPT programs in the United States during the 2018/19 academic year, a -2.4 percent decrease from the previous academic year.  

Source: Institute for International Education Open Doors 2019  

OPPORTUNITIES  

In the International Education Strategy for Ireland (2016-2020), a national target to increase the number of students studying abroad aimed at exceeding the European Commission’s target of 20 percent, U.S. higher education institutions looking to gain exposure in this market should include Ireland’s strategy for outbound mobility as part of their overall market entry strategy. 

Ireland is the sixth leading destination for U.S. students studying abroad. During the academic year, 11,965 U.S. students studied in Ireland.iv U.S. higher education institutions with a high number of students studying abroad in Ireland should consider exploring exchange programs and partnerships with Irish higher education institutions as another avenue to entering the Irish market.  

Short-term study abroad programs (3-12 months) are also popular with Irish students who may be interested in studying abroad but may not be able to commit to a long-term program.  

CHALLENGES 

  • While the United States continues to be a popular destination for Irish students, there are challenges to this market:  
  • Rising tuition costs at U.S. universities discourage Irish students from considering U.S. higher education institutions. 
  • Increased competition with non-English speaking universities in Europe that are now offering degree programs taught entirely in English. 
  • Increased competition from other English-speaking countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.  

Studying in Europe can be very cost-effective. Each European country has its own fee policy, but in general, tuition fees are lower than other leading study destinations like the United States.  

Grants and Scholarship Programs 

There are some academic scholarship opportunities for Irish students who have earned outstanding grades and scores on their ACT and/or SAT exams. Please contact individual admission offices to learn more about their scholarship opportunities for foreign students.  

Funding for U.S. Study Online: Funding for U.S. Study Online, is an extensive database of scholarships, fellowships, and grants organized and maintained by the Institute of International Education (IIE). https://Fundingstudy.org 

Erasmus+: Since 2015, Erasmus+ has supported short-term mobility between the European Union and other parts of the world for students, researchers, and staff (known as the international Credit Mobility or ICM). This two-way mobility allows students to study at a foreign university for 3-12 months (2-12 months in case of a traineeship program) and obtain credits which are recognized at the sending institution as part of their degree. Between 2015-2017, Erasmus+ funded 524 projects for bilateral partnerships that organized mobility for almost 4,400 students, researchers, and staff studying at U.S. and Canadian higher education institutions. https://ec.europa.eu  

Fulbright Irish Awards: The Fulbright Awards provide grants for Irish citizens, and E.U. citizens residing in Ireland to study, research or lecture in the United States. There are currently six Fulbright grants available to Irish and EU citizens. https://fulbright.ie  

RESOURCES  

Industry and Analysis, Office of Supply Chain, Professional & Business Services (https://www.trade.gov/td/services/oscpb/)  

International Education Strategy for Ireland, 2016-2020 (https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Policy-Reports/International-Education-Strategy-For-Ireland-2016-2020.pdf ) 

Fulbright Ireland-USA (http://www.fulbright.ie/)  

EducationUSA (https://educationusa.state.gov/)  

 

U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE CONTACT 

Padraig O’Connor, Commercial Specialist 

U.S. Commercial Service – Dublin, Ireland 

Padraig.OConner@trade.gov 

+353-1-237-5848