Faced with an increasingly dynamic and interconnected world, our universities are working hard to hold onto their position as leaders in the area of international education. In everything from student recruitment to mobility, the IUA works with the with its member universities to ensure that its students are benefiting from a top-class international educational experience.
Consequently, all of our member universities have a strong international character. For example:
- About 76% of all the international third-level students studying in Ireland are studying at an IUA university.
- IUA member institutions are also responsible for about 75% of all outgoing HE Erasmus+ mobilities taking place in Ireland.
- Five of our eight member universities are currently in European University Alliances, with other applying to join the initiative.
- Irish universities accounted for approximately 50% of total funding raised by Irish enterprises and institutions under the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme between March 2014 and May 2019.
The foundation of this international success has been a strong focus on ensuring a high quality and satisfying student experience. This was recently highlighted by a student barometer poll which found that students studying at Irish universities are significantly more likely to recommend the university than the global average.
The IUA supports its member universities internationalisation initiatives through a variety of activities including: carrying out research in the area of internationalisation, managing joint projects on behalf of its members, working with government and international bodies on issues of policy and funding and organising joint sectoral responses international events. You can see a few of the initiatives that we are involved with below:
Internationalisation Research
As part of its work to facilitate international activities at its member universities, the IUA conducts and organises research on various aspects of internationalisation. These publications include everything from inclusivity in student mobility to the latest market research on student recruitment. Some documents may be restricted to staff at our member universities.
Ukraine Helpdesk
The IUA is working with partners across the higher education sector in the operation of the helpdesk for Ukrainians interested in higher education in Ireland. This initiative, hosted by Maynooth University, acts as a centralised, one-stop shop for any Ukrainian student or academic who has questions about qualifications in Ireland, how to apply for a degree programme, what supports are available and whether or not a university can support your research.
Government Funded Scholarships
The IUA jointly manages a number of government funded scholarships on behalf of the Irish university sector. Currently, we manage the Irish-side administration of programmes related to: Indonesia, Colombia and Saudi Arabia. These programmes are open to students, from the listed countries, who are hoping to study in an IUA institution.
Our Charter Commitment to Internationalization
“BUILD ON THE QUALITY OF THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE IN A DIGITAL AGE” BY…
- Increasing international student numbers to 15% of the overall student population
- Achieving the Bologna target for outward mobility of 20% of the student population undertaking a study or internship placement abroad by 2025.
Each university has a dedicated international office:
Dublin City University
Maynooth University
NUI Galway
Trinity College Dublin
TU Dublin
University College Cork
University College Dublin
University of Limerick
IUA’s Head of International Affairs is Jennifer Cleary.