Ireland increasing in popularity

26 Nov 2013

Education in Ireland, a government initiative promoting higher education study opportunities, has announced new statistics that indicate a jump in Ireland’s popularity as a study abroad destination among U.S. students. 

For the school year 2011/2012, Ireland saw a 9% increase in the number of U.S. students coming to the country to study, according to the Open Doors Report, an annual survey conducted by the Institute of International Education providing information about study abroad trends. The report ranks Ireland as the ninth most popular study destination overall for U.S. students. Ireland’s increase outpaced the overall growth in students studying abroad – pegged at 3.4% by the report.

Data collection and analysis performed independently by Education in Ireland confirms the increase and projects the trend to continue for the 2013/2014 school year.  Of particular note, Education in Ireland data shows a major increase – a 55% jump from the 2012/2013 to 2013/2014 school year - in the number of U.S. post-graduate students coming to Ireland for post-graduate degree work and research.

“We attribute our growing popularity to a number of factors,” said Michelle Dervan, U.S. manager for Education in Ireland. “Ireland’s universities and colleges offer unique academic programs that can be highly cost competitive when compared to U.S. education costs, particularly at the post graduate levels.  Many students report to us that their overseas study experiences– both on campus and off – gives them global perspective and a hiring advantage after graduation.  And certainly, students appreciate the easy access that Ireland provides to other parts of Europe.” Dervan also credited Ireland’s increased popularity to a range of new promotional programs designed to heighten U.S. student awareness, including a highly regarded student ambassador program.

U.S. student participation in study abroad has more than tripled over the last two decades. In 2011/2012, 9.4% of U.S. students engaged in undergraduate study participated in study abroad opportunities for academic credit.*

For detailed information about study opportunities offered by Ireland’s universities, including application information and a searchable directory of courses of study (by city and college), visit www.educationinireland.com.

* Open Doors Report, Institute of International Education, November 2013.