Ireland’s higher education sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, with student enrolments reaching a new high in the 2024/25 academic year, according to the latest data from the Higher Education Authority (HEA). A total of 278,880 students are now enrolled across universities and technological universities, a significant 4.9% increase from the previous year and the largest percentage jump since the pandemic.
The surge is largely fuelled by a sharp rise in postgraduate and international students, signalling a shift in the profile of the third-level population. The data also reveals a growing gender gap, an increasingly diverse student body, and a landmark year for Atlantic Technological University (ATU), which saw the most rapid expansion of any institution.
Key Growth Areas
The new figures highlight several key trends:
Postgraduate Boom: Postgraduate enrolments have grown at nearly double the rate of undergraduate numbers, rising 7.6% to 66,535. They now represent 23.9% of all students, up from just 17.8% in 2007/08.
International Appeal: The number of non-Irish students soared by 10.2% to 44,535, now accounting for 16% of the total student population—the highest proportion on record. The top countries of origin are India (20.6%), the United States (13.8%), and China (9.9%).
Institutional Leaders: University College Dublin (UCD) remains the largest institution with 34,715 students, and also leads in international enrolment with 7,985 non-Irish students, followed closely by Trinity College Dublin (TCD). Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) educated the largest cohort of new entrants at 5,315.
ATU Sees Dramatic Expansion
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) was a standout performer, recording a remarkable 15.9% increase in total enrolment. This growth was driven by a massive 111% surge in students enrolled in "other" modes of study, primarily e-learning, alongside significant increases in business-related programmes and mature students.
Shifting Demographics and Student Needs
The annual Equal Access Survey, completed by over 37,950 first-year undergraduates, paints a picture of a changing student demographic.
Increased Diversity: The proportion of White Irish enrollees has fallen to 72.8% of all students, down from 93% in 2007/08, reflecting both Ireland's growing diversity and the influx of international students.
Rise in Reported Disabilities: Over one in five (20.9%) new entrants reported having a disability, a figure that has more than tripled since 2007/08. Psychological or emotional conditions are now nearly as common as learning difficulties among female students, while learning difficulties remain the most reported condition for males.
Graduation Trends and Grade Inflation Reversal
The Class of 2024 saw 89,010 graduates, the second-largest graduating class on record. The data indicates a potential reversal of the grade inflation seen during the COVID-19 years. The percentage of honours degree graduates awarded a first-class honour decreased to 22.1% in 2024, down from a peak of 24.4% in 2022.
A significant and ongoing trend is the "aging" of the graduate pool, with 64.7% of the Class of 2024 being aged 24 or older, underscoring the rise of postgraduate and lifelong learning.
Gender Gap Widens
The gender gap in enrolment has continued to widen, with females now making up 54.6% of the student body compared to 44.8% for males. This disparity is even more pronounced among graduates, where 56.9% were female. The fields of study remain highly gendered, with males dominating ICT and engineering, while females are overrepresented in health, welfare, and education.
Read the full HEA "Key Facts and Figures" report here
HEA published Key Facts and figures for Ireland’s publicly-funded Higher Education Institutions. Have a look at some of the results of "Key Facts and Figures" in this short video:
