Indian students are showing an increasing preference for pursuing higher education in Ireland, with popular courses ranging from IT and data science to medicine and nursing, according to Ireland's ambassador to India, Brendan Ward.
While the United States and the United Kingdom have traditionally been the preferred destinations for Indian students seeking education abroad, Ireland has been steadily attracting more students since 2018. The Irish government claims that 6,500 students from India were pursuing higher studies in their country in 2022, and these numbers are on the rise.
Ambassador Brendan Ward highlighted the diverse range of programs available in Ireland, with a notable preference among Indian students for IT, data science, pharmaceuticals, engineering, business, and management courses. In recent years, there has also been a growing interest in marketing, design, medicine and nursing, tourism and hospitality, as well as newer disciplines like sustainability, filmmaking, and equine sciences.
Indian graduates from Irish higher education institutions have the chance to apply for positions across various sectors based on the demand in the job market. Ireland maintains a Critical Skills Occupation List that includes professions in ICT, engineering, healthcare, education, and media, offering potential opportunities to non-STEM course candidates as well.
When asked about attracting Indian students away from the traditional favourites like the US and UK, Ambassador Ward highlighted Ireland's strengths in providing high-quality education with renowned faculty, a wide array of programs at affordable tuition fees, and internship opportunities with industry-led modules. Additionally, Ireland's reputation as the "Silicon Valley of Europe" makes it an attractive destination for students aspiring to work in multinational companies.
To make studying in Ireland more accessible, the country offers a range of scholarships and grants for international students. Universities in Ireland provide scholarships that can significantly reduce tuition fees, and there are also merit-based scholarships from the Government of Ireland available annually.
Despite the recent move by the Indian government to allow foreign universities to open campuses in the country, there are currently no plans for any Irish university to establish a physical presence in India. However, Ambassador Ward emphasized the potential for collaboration between Irish and Indian institutions of higher learning, and there are existing cooperation agreements between universities of the two nations.
With increasing awareness about the opportunities offered by Irish universities, the number of Indian students pursuing higher education in Ireland is witnessing significant growth. Ireland's combination of excellent education standards, abundant program choices, and promising job prospects are attracting more students from India, diversifying their options for pursuing academic and professional excellence on an international stage.
