Why Ireland Has Emerged as a Prime Destination for Indian Students?

In the last few months, Ireland has emerged as a preferred choice among Indian students as their study destination. This has turned out to challenge the dominance of the traditional educational destinations in the world, such as the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia. Indian students who have always been more inclined towards the big four mentioned above have recently developed a liking for Ireland as their study destination country. As the country is one of the only English-speaking countries after the EU and Brexit, study in Ireland for Indian students have become more convenient. 

Kevin Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland to India, in his recent interaction with Financial Express, stated, “We are getting there. And we are already there in terms of quality of education, jobs, and life. This attracts a major part of foreign and Indian students.” 

The number of Indian students in Ireland has seen a sharp spike in the past decade. It reached 7000 in 2023 and will soon cross 10,000. Kelly also emphasized the country’s determination to foster a warm partnership between Indian and Irish universities. Ireland also promotes faculty and student exchange programs and believes in knowledge transfer initiatives. 

Obtaining an Ireland student visa for Indians is streamlined and straightforward, ensuring a hassle-free process. Additionally, a key factor contributing to Ireland being one of the top choices among international students is its two-year post-graduation stay-back visa policy. This implies that not only can students easily obtain an Ireland study visa, but they are also permitted to pursue employment within the country following their graduation. 

Ireland being an english speaking country also makes it easier for Indian students to adapt to the environment quicker. The country also boasts a welcoming culture and cherishes a diverse workforce with a robust and growing economy. This becomes one of the major reasons to study in Ireland for Indian students. Students from varied fields such as software, medicine, banking, and finance opt for Irish universities. Additionally, there are various Ireland universities for international students that provide a wide array of programs across an eclectic range of domains. Catering to diverse academic interests and welcoming students from over 160 countries, the country offers invaluable cultural exposure. 

The country is also home to major tech giants and is a preferred destination for multinational corporations to set up their businesses as a result of low corporate tax rates and a skilled workforce. This further helps in enhancing the post-graduate scenario for Indian students in Ireland. On the contrary, Canada’s recent restrictions on international student permits may also be one of the reasons why students prefer Ireland. Kelly emphasised focusing on Ireland's strengths rather than positioning itself as an alternative to other countries. With a high graduate employability rate ranging from 80% to 95% and some institutions boasting rates as high as 97%, Ireland offers promising career prospects for students across various industries.

Beyond its educational expertise, Ireland offers scenic landscapes and a rich cultural and historical background. This boosts the tourism in the country directly impacting in boosting the economy of the country. There are, overall, 7,000 Indian students in Ireland currently studying in various universities. The country continues to grow and position itself as a popular study-abroad destination for international students, especially Indians. For more Ireland news for students, follow AmberNews!