Student mobility into and out of Northern Ireland: What brain drain?

Student mobility in Northern Ireland is a recurring topic in media coverage and policy debate, and among higher education stakeholders such as universities, schools, and further education providers. Despite this attention, the supporting evidence base remains limited. This study aims to address this gap in the knowledge base using a mixed methods study which includes Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) applicant data, student surveys, and stakeholder engagement to gain a full understanding of student mobility to and from Northern Ireland. 

The general perception is that the region experiences a ‘brain drain’ which poses risks for long term economic performance. However, the evidence presented in this research suggests a more nuanced picture. Comparative analysis indicates that, once regional patterns are examined appropriately, Northern Ireland does not differ markedly from other UK regions in terms of participation in higher education or the proportion of students studying outside their home region. Around 78 per cent of Northern Ireland students study locally, with approximately 22 per cent studying elsewhere. When compared with Wales and many English regions, outward mobility from Northern Ireland is not unusually high. Rather, the findings from this research indicate that outward mobility is broadly in line with other regions, while a distinguishing feature is comparatively low inward student flows. Understanding this imbalance requires better data and understanding of students who leave and those who come here to study, their return decisions, and the longer-term career impacts of mobility.