Irish applicants now make up the largest contingent of European Union students in the UK, with numbers having grown steadily since Brexit ¨C in contrast to the trend seen across the rest of the continent.

from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa) shows that the number of EU students enrolled in UK institutions has more than halved in recent years ¨C with?only 75,500 in 2023-24.

Of these, 9,690 (13 per cent) were from the Republic of Ireland ¨C a slight increase on the year before and 6 per cent above 2019-20 levels.

In contrast, the number of enrolments from other EU countries has fallen significantly over this time, including?from France (by 16 per cent), Italy (by 22 per cent) and Spain (by 19 per cent).

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This means Ireland has moved from being the eighth-biggest provider of EU students in the UK four years ago to the largest in 2023-24 ¨C although the bloc as a whole represents just a fraction of those from non-EU countries.

Lewis Purser, director of learning, teaching and academic affairs at the Irish Universities Association (IUA), told Times Higher Education that increasing numbers of Irish school-leavers mean that domestic and international study applications will continue to rise in general.

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About a third (35 per cent) of Irish students in the UK in 2023-24 were based in Northern Ireland ¨C up from 23 per cent in 2019-20.

The number of Irish students travelling north of the border for higher education has risen by 61 per cent over the past four years.

These ¡°substantial increases¡± have been driven by ¡°proximity, less competition for places in certain disciplines, and more affordable student housing¡±, said Purser.

The number studying in England has fallen slightly in recent years, but Purser said some English universities have been actively recruiting from Ireland to offset significant decreases in applications from other European countries.

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Similarly, the number of applicants to Irish higher education institutions from the UK is also at a record high since Brexit, he added.

¡°The strong bilateral student flows between Ireland and the UK, in particular with Northern Ireland, can be seen as a very positive indicator of continued social, cultural and economic relationships between our countries, and an ongoing investment in the future of these relationships.¡±

Recent figures from the admissions service Ucas also showed record interest from Irish students for UK courses in 2025.

At a time of increased competition for international students, Maddalaine Ansell, director of education at the British Council, said the UK must work to maintain its position as a global leader in higher education.

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To continue to boost interest from Ireland, she said providers should offer clear, start-to-finish guidance on applying to UK universities, including explaining the Ucas system, providing personal statement advice, and how certificates gained in Ireland translated?to?the UK system.

Queen¡¯s University Belfast confirmed it has experienced significant year-on-year growth in students coming from the Republic of Ireland.

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However, a spokesperson warned that the Northern Ireland funding model ¨C which caps all students from the island of Ireland ¨C means that rising interest in the south will impact the number of available places for Northern Irish students.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com