One in five students at Northern Ireland universities from outside EU
Date published:
New accredited official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Department for the Economy present higher education enrolments and qualifications data for Northern Ireland in the 2023/24 academic year.
The first bulletin provides information on the number of Northern Ireland students enrolled at UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and all students enrolled at Northern Ireland HEIs. The second bulletin provides information on qualifications gained by students at Northern Ireland HEIs and by Northern Ireland domiciled students at UK HEIs.
Key findings - enrolments
- Enrolments at Northern Ireland HEIs have increased by 14% over the past decade, from 56,145 in 2014/15 to 63,875 in 2023/24. However, they fell 5% over the past year, largely due to a fall in credit-only enrolments at the Open University.
- First degree enrolments increased by 1%, but overall undergraduate enrolments fell by 3% due to a 47% decrease in 'other undergraduate' enrolments. Postgraduate enrolments also decreased by 9%.
- A record one-fifth (20%) of students enrolled at Northern Ireland HEIs were from non-EU countries. Over three-quarters (76%) of Northern Ireland domiciled students at UK HEIs chose to study locally.
- Half (50%) of students at Northern Ireland HEIs were studying a Broad STEM subject. Males (37%) were over twice as likely as females (17%) to study Narrow STEM subjects.
Key findings - qualifiers
- Qualifiers from Northern Ireland HEIs increased by 59% over the past decade, reaching 25,200 in 2023/24 - up 16% from 2022/23.
- Postgraduate qualifications increased by 32%, driven mainly by non-EU students. First degree and 'other undergraduate' awards also increased.
- A record 35% of qualifiers from Northern Ireland HEIs were from non-EU countries, up from 26% in 2022/23.
- Over two-fifths (42%) of qualifications were in Broad STEM subjects. Males (28%) were twice as likely as females (14%) to qualify in Narrow STEM subjects.
About the publications
The full publications provide detailed analysis by level of study, mode of study, sex, subject area, deprivation measures, and location of study. Interactive tables are available for users who want to explore the data further.
Further information
Read the full reports:
Enrolments at UK higher education institutions: Northern Ireland analysis 2023/24
Qualifications gained at UK higher education institutions: Northern Ireland analysis 2023/24
Further information on higher education enrolments and qualifications is available on the Department for Economy website.