The number of students from the Republic of Ireland opting to study in Northern Ireland has almost tripled since 2019, with the cost of living playing a significant factor.
Queen’s University Belfast recorded an increase from 99 new first-year students to 281 between 2019 and 2022. Ulster University said its intake from south of the Border increased from 265 in 2019 to 555 last year across its four campuses: Magee, Coleraine, Jordanstown and Belfast.
St Mary’s University College in Belfast had just four first-year students from the Republic in 2019, but this rose to 15 in 2022.
Many students cite cost of living and accommodation concerns for their decision to head north. According to the Residential Tenancies Board, the average rent for a new tenancy in Dublin was €2,022 and €1,164 outside of Dublin last year.
Source: Irish Times (link opens in new window)