This data is derived from the Equal Access Survey, a voluntary survey which collects information on the social, economic and ethnic background of new students who enter higher education for the first time, and the Census. 2012/13 and 2016/17 data refers to father’s socio-economic group and cannot be updated for 2017/18 at this point. Only students on full-time courses who identified Ireland as their country of residence are included.

Ongoing implementation of the Data Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education will allow for more in-depth analysis and reporting of students and their socio-economic backgrounds. Deprivation Index Scores (DIS) measure the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area based on data compiled from the census. Using this information, the HEA has analysed the socio-economic profile of nearly all (94%) of the student population on an individual institutional level. This data for 2018/19 is available to view here. Further information and key findings can also be found in the official press release here.

This data is derived from the Student Record System database in the HEA. A mature student is defined as someone 23 years or over on 1 January of their year of entry to higher education.

The overall percentage figure is derived from the the Equal Access Survey. Figures relating to categories of disability are based on the number of students in receipt of the Fund for Students with Disabilities.

This data is derived from the Student Record System database in the HEA. Figures are based on enrolment data for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

This data is supplied by the Central Applications Office.

This data is derived from the Equal Access Survey.

This data is derived from the Equal Access Survey. In 2017/18, 84.9% of respondents indicated they were Irish.