“Do not move here”: An Indian student lays bare the reality of studying in Ireland as enrolments from India rise 30%

As Indian student numbers in Ireland grow at a record pace, a post by an Indian graduate on Reddit is drawing attention to a gap between expectations and outcomes that official enrolment data does not always show.

The student, who completed a Master’s in Computer Science at the University of Galway in 2025, wrote a blunt warning to prospective applicants: “Do not move here with a student loan.”

His admission comes at a time when Indian students have become the single largest international group in Irish higher education. According to data by ApplyBoard, enrolments from India rose by nearly 30% in 2024-25 compared to the previous academic year, making India the top source country for international students in Ireland.

The student’s experience on the ground

In his Reddit post, the grad talked about his academic background and employment journey. He wrote that he entered Ireland with nearly five years of prior industry experience, having worked in London and Dubai before enrolling for his master’s degree.

“Out of a batch of around 130 graduates, only about 15 managed to secure jobs in tech,” he said. “The rest are working in supermarkets, restaurants, bars, and other non-tech roles.”

He also added that he was able to find a job largely because of his prior experience, but even that role is not visa-sponsored. “To my knowledge, none of the 15 graduates who found tech jobs have visa sponsorship either,” he wrote.

According to the student, more than 500 graduates from the same programme across previous years have already returned to India after their visas expired. “Many of them are still unable to repay their education loans,” he said.

A recent increase in the minimum salary threshold required for work visa sponsorship has further tightened the situation. “This has made employers even more reluctant to hire non-European Union candidates,” the student said.

His conclusion was grim. “If you are coming here after taking a student loan, you are at a very high risk of defaulting,” he warned, adding that parents who co-sponsor loans may face financial strain during retirement. “Realistically, over 95% of non-European Union graduates are forced to leave Ireland within three years. Please think very carefully before making this decision. Stay in India.”

Indian students driving Ireland’s international growth

The student’s admission sits alongside strong official indicators of growth. ApplyBoard data, drawing on figures from the Higher Education Authority (HEA), shows that Ireland has recorded over 10% yearly growth in international student enrolments for the past four academic years. Total international enrolments rose from 26,470 in 2017-18 to a record 44,535 in 2024-25.

Indian students now account for just over 20% of all international enrolments in Irish higher education. In 2024/25 alone, 9,175 Indian students were enrolled, marking a 29.8% increase from the previous year, according to ApplyBoard.

UG international enrolments reached 22,825 in 2024-25, while PG enrolments stood at 21,710, HEA data shows. Indian enrolments grew across both levels, reinforcing India’s position as the largest source country.

ApplyBoard also reported that business, administration and law programmes were among the most popular choices, alongside strong growth in information and communication technology, natural sciences and arts. The organisation said that the uptake in science, technology, engineering and mathematics aligned programmes reflects both student interest and perceived labour market demand.

The promise and the pressure

Ireland’s English-language education system and post-study work options continue to be major attractions for Indian students and their families. Access to post-study employment pathways plays a key role in destination choice, particularly for students investing heavily in overseas education.

In its Fall 2025 Student Pulse Survey, ApplyBoard found that Ireland had the lowest rate of negative perception among major study destinations, with students describing the country as safe, open and welcoming.

Yet the Reddit post talks about how these perceptions can clash with job market realities after graduation. While enrolment figures point to a stable and diversified international education environment, individual outcomes depend heavily on visa rules, employer willingness to sponsor non-European Union workers, and prior work experience.

A growing pipeline with uneven exits

Overall, 70% of Ireland’s 30 largest international student populations grew in 2024-25, according to ApplyBoard. The numbers point to a higher education system that continues to attract global demand.

The student’s experience does not dispute Ireland’s popularity. Instead, it raises questions about what happens at the end of the degree. For Indian students funding their education through large loans, the risk is not about admission or campus life, but about whether the post-study transition delivers enough stability to justify the cost.

As more Indian students enter Ireland each year, stories like this one suggest that the real test of the system lies not in enrolment growth, but in how many graduates are able to stay, work and repay what they borrowed to get there.
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