Indian Graduate Sounds Alarm on Ireland Study Risks
An Indian postgraduate who studied in Ireland has issued a stark warning to prospective students. He advises against moving with education loans, citing limited job opportunities and tightening visa rules after graduation.
Reddit Post Highlights Harsh Reality
The student shared his experience on Reddit. This comes at a time when Indian enrolments in Ireland are surging dramatically. India now provides the largest share of international students in Ireland.
He completed a Master's degree in Computer Science at the University of Galway in 2025. According to him, outcomes for his graduating class were much weaker than most applicants anticipate.
"Out of a batch of around 130 graduates, only about 15 managed to secure jobs in tech," he wrote. "The rest are working in supermarkets, restaurants, bars, and other non-tech roles."
Jobs Without Visa Sponsorship
The student revealed he found employment only because he had significant prior industry experience. He worked for nearly five years in London and Dubai before enrolling in Ireland.
Even with this advantage, his current role does not include visa sponsorship. "To my knowledge, none of the 15 graduates who found tech jobs have visa sponsorship either," he added.
Loan Default Risks and Returns to India
According to his account, more than 500 graduates from the same program across earlier years have already returned to India. Their visas expired, and many still struggle to repay education loans.
"If you are coming here after taking a student loan, you are at a very high risk of defaulting," he warned. He noted that parents acting as co-sponsors could see their retirement security affected.
He estimated that "over 95 percent of non-EU graduates are forced to leave Ireland within three years."
Contrasting Trend: Rising Indian Enrolments
This warning starkly contrasts with Ireland's growing appeal among Indian students. Data from ApplyBoard shows enrolments from India rose by nearly 30 percent in the 2024–25 academic year.
India has become the largest source country for international students in Ireland. Overall international enrolments have grown by more than 10 percent each year for four consecutive years.
They reached a record 44,535 students in 2024–25, according to the Higher Education Authority. Indian students now account for just over 20 percent of all international enrolments.
Both undergraduate and postgraduate numbers have increased. Strong growth is seen in:
- Business
- Information and communications technology
- Natural sciences and related fields
ApplyBoard links this demand to Ireland's English-language system. The perception of post-study work opportunities also drives interest.
Policy Changes Narrow Pathways
The student said recent policy changes have made the transition from study to work more difficult. He pointed to a higher minimum salary threshold for visa sponsorship.
This change has made employers more reluctant to hire non-European Union graduates. "Please think very carefully before making this decision," he wrote. "Stay in India."
His account provides a ground-level view of post-graduation outcomes. This perspective emerges as Indian enrolments expand and Ireland's international education sector continues to grow.
