Ireland is an unlikely education destination for Indian students – who have traditionally chosen the ‘big four’. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, 1,324,954 Indian students were studying abroad in 2022 – 61% of whom were in the US, the UK, Canada and Australia.
“We are getting there,” Kevin Kelly, the Ambassador of Ireland to India, told FE during a recent interaction. “And we’re already there in terms of quality – of education, jobs and life – which is attracting more and more foreign, including Indian, students.”
The number of Indian students in Ireland has grown 10 times in 10 years – from about 700 in 2013 to more than 7,000 in 2023, and will soon touch 10,000. “We could have attracted even more, but Ireland is a small country, and a number isn’t always a marker of success,” Kelly said. “We’ve been focusing more on areas such as partnerships between Indian and Irish universities, faculty and student exchange, knowledge exchange, and so on.”
The Irish government allows students who have graduated from its higher education institutions to remain in the country for up to 24 months to seek employment, and education experts say it’s a major reason for foreign students choosing Ireland for higher studies.
“We have our strengths – we are an English-speaking and a very welcoming country, we have great universities, good weather, and the two-year, stay-back visa,” Kelly said. “We are the fastest growing economy in Europe, and constantly need manpower skilled in areas such as software, medicine, banking, finance, and so on. We are also home to most global companies’ European headquarters, and have a diverse workforce. A policy such as the two-year, stay-back visa (after studies) is in our interest, and is likely to remain in force.”
According to Education in Ireland – the agency that promotes the country as an education destination – its universities offer more than 5,000 programmes, so there one for everyone’s need, and have students from over 160 countries, giving everyone a lot of cultural exposure.
The Canadian cut
In January, Canada set an intake cap on international student permit applications – and for 2024, there will be 360,000 approved study permits, a decrease of 35% from 2023. Does Ireland see an opportunity in attracting students who won’t be able study in Canada in the near term?
“We have seen steady growth over the years – despite what’s happening in other countries. There are opportunities all the time, but we will focus on our strengths,” Kelly said. “Irish universities won’t promote themselves as an alternative to anyone – all countries have their strengths; all universities have their strengths.”
MNCs in Ireland
The corporate tax rate in Ireland is 12.5%, which is one of the lowest in the world. This makes the country an attractive location for multinational corporations (MNCs) that are looking to minimise their tax liability. More than 100 MNCs – including big names such as Google, Apple, Facebook, X (Twitter), Deloitte, KPMG and Pfizer – have their European headquarters in Ireland. Another reason why the country is a popular location for MNCs is its skilled workforce, and the fact that, post-Brexit, it’s the only English-speaking country in the European Union (EU).
Employability rate
“Ireland has a high graduate employability rate of 80-95%,” said Kelly. “Some institutions such as Dublin City University have graduate employability rate of up to 97%. MNCs need skilled workforce, which our universities are able to provide. Ireland has the fourth highest international workforce within the EU, and as of Q2-2019, as many as 380,000 non-Irish individuals were employed in Ireland (16.5% of total employment).”
He added that studying in Ireland can open up ‘global jobs’ for students. “Once you get employed with an MNC, you can work in their Irish office, and later travel within their network across the world, including your home country,” he said. “Indians are great professionals – Indian doctors, nurses, pharmacists, all have immensely contributed to the Irish society, culture and economy.”
Education and tourism
Education in Ireland has indirectly promoted tourism in the country. Kelly said he doesn’t have hard evidence to back it up, but anecdotal evidence proves that education has heavily improved tourism. “Within hours from Dublin, you can find forests, mountains, lakes, beaches, historical sites, cultural sites, and so much more,” he said.
He added that overall Ireland is home to about 45,000 Indians – a little over 7,000 students, and the remaining who came to Ireland seeking jobs or new opportunities or stayed back in the country post their education.
Two-year visa
Non-EU/EEA students who have graduated from Irish higher education institutions can remain in Ireland for up to 24 months to seek employment.
To be eligible, student is required to have:
– An award granted by a recognised Irish awarding body, for example, Dublin Institute of Technology, Irish universities, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, etc.
– A Bachelor, Master or PhD degree.
– Employers can hire graduates who are eligible to work for up to 40 hours per week.
– A valid Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) card which will be extended for up to 24 months.
– After 24 months, a student can be eligible for the Green Card or Work Permit Scheme.
Pointers
More than 7,000 Indian students are studying in Ireland
In 2013, there were just 700 Indian students in Ireland
Graduate employability rate in Ireland ranges from 80% to 95%
Some institutions such as Dublin City University have graduate employability rate of up to 97%
Ireland has the fourth highest international workforce within the EU
As of Q2-2019, 380,000 non-Irish individuals were employed in Ireland (16.5% of total employment)