Ireland Emerges as a Fast-Growing Study Destination, Driven by Surge in Indian Enrolments

Ireland has quietly positioned itself as one of the fastest-growing English-speaking destinations for international students, according to an ApplyBoard market intelligence report cited by The Economic Times on December 24. International enrolments reached a record 44,500 students in the 2024–25 academic year, marking the fourth consecutive year of growth.

Indian students are at the centre of this expansion. Nearly one in five international students in Ireland now comes from India, with Indian enrolments rising by almost 30 per cent year-on-year, firmly establishing India as Ireland’s largest source market.

Policy Incentives and Course Demand

The report attributes Ireland’s growing appeal to its post-study work policies, particularly the Third-Level Graduate Scheme, which allows non-EEA master’s graduates to remain in the country for up to two years under a Stamp 1G permit. Ireland’s reputation for safety, openness and access to the European labour market has also strengthened its standing among international students.

Academic demand remains strongest in business, law and information and communications technology (ICT) programmes. At the same time, universities have reported double-digit growth in STEM and creative arts courses, reflecting efforts to align academic offerings with labour shortages in Ireland’s economy.

Implications for Employers and the Labour Market

For global mobility and talent acquisition teams, the trend is expanding the pipeline of English-speaking, Ireland-trained graduates, particularly in technology and life sciences hubs around Dublin, Galway and Cork. However, it also signals mounting pressure on graduate employment permits and housing, areas already facing capacity constraints.

ApplyBoard advises employers recruiting directly from Irish campuses to secure internship placements and graduate employment pathways early, especially as regulatory changes approach.

Policy Changes on the Horizon

The data comes as Ireland’s Department of Enterprise prepares to raise salary thresholds for General and Critical Skills Employment Permits from March 2026. As a result, the 2025–26 academic intake may be among the last cohorts eligible under the current pay thresholds, adding urgency for both students and employers planning long-term transitions from study to work.

Growing Competition for International Students

With demand rising, Irish institutions are expected to intensify outreach in Tier-2 Indian cities from 2026, while colleges are lobbying for faster Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) processing of study-to-work visa conversions to remain competitive with the UK and Canada.

As student mobility and employer demand converge, platforms such as VisaHQ are seeing increased use for navigating Ireland’s study and employment visa processes, offering structured guidance on applications, document compliance and status tracking.

Overall, Ireland’s sustained growth as a study destination underscores its evolving role in global education and talent mobility—one increasingly shaped by Indian students and the country’s ability to balance opportunity with infrastructure and policy readiness.