New HEA EUROSTUDENT Report highlights Student Experiences in Ireland

Posted: 23 September, 2026

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has today published findings from the Irish EUROSTUDENT 9 Survey, providing a comprehensive national picture of the social and living conditions of higher education students in Ireland.

Based on responses from approximately 16,000 students and weighted to reflect the national student population, the survey examines students’ experiences of higher education. Themes covered include access routes, finances, accommodation, employment, wellbeing, disability, and experiences of discrimination. The Irish findings form part of a wider European project involving more than 30 countries, allowing Ireland to benchmark student experiences internationally.

The report shows that Ireland’s higher education system continues to expand and diversify. Student enrolments have increased by 6.8% since the previous survey in 2022. While the traditional pathway from school to higher education remains dominant, the findings highlight the growing importance of mature learners, part-time students and those entering higher education through non-traditional routes.

Launching the report, Dr Alan Wall, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Authority, said:

‘EUROSTUDENT provides an invaluable evidence base for understanding how students experience higher education in Ireland today. The findings show a sector that remains strong and resilient, with most students reporting positive experiences, high levels of satisfaction and a strong commitment to completing their studies.  These findings will help inform national policy development and institutional planning to ensure that higher education remains accessible, inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of students.’

Key data from the report:  

• Positive student experiences. The survey found that students generally report positive experiences of higher education. Most students express a strong sense of belonging, satisfaction with their course and confidence in the value of their qualification. Intentions to withdraw from studies are low, indicating strong levels of engagement and persistence across the sector.

• Future employment. Students reported positive views of teaching and learning, while confidence in future employment prospects remains high overall, reflecting the strong labour market outcomes associated with higher education participation in Ireland.

• Cost of living. The report identifies financial pressures as a central feature of student life. Student income typically comes from a combination of employment earnings, family support, savings and public funding, rather than any single source of support.

• Accommodation. Accommodation costs emerge as the largest area of student expenditure and are closely associated with financial pressure and wellbeing. Nearly half of all students continue to live with their parents during term time. The report also finds that while severe financial hardship affects a minority of students, financial strain is strongly linked to poorer mental health and perceived impacts on academic performance.

• Importance of inclusion and equity. The research highlights the increasingly diverse nature of Ireland’s higher education population. Approximately one-third of students report a disability, long-standing health condition or functional limitation. Mature students, students with caring responsibilities and international students all form important parts of the student population. Although severe forms of discrimination are uncommon, many students report experiencing more subtle forms of exclusion, harassment or being treated as less capable.

The international dimension of EUROSTUDENT enables Ireland to compare its performance and challenges with those of other European higher education systems and contribute to cross-national learning on key issues affecting students.

The report provides an important evidence base to inform ongoing policy development, institutional planning and public debate about the future of higher education in Ireland.

For further information, you can access the report on the HEA website.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

• EUROSTUDENT is a Europe-wide research project examining the social and economic conditions of higher education students.
• EUROSTUDENT IX includes data from more than 30 participating European countries.
• The Irish survey received approximately 16,000 valid responses and was weighted to reflect the national student population.
• The survey covers students enrolled in higher education programmes corresponding to NFQ levels 6, 7 and 8.