The number of foreign students in third-level colleges here has increased by 170 per cent in the past decade, according to a new report.
Almost 12,000 students from 114 countries other than Ireland were studying at Irish universities and colleges during the last academic year.
The report from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) says the 12,000 foreign students account for 9 per cent of all enrolment at third-level.
The largest numbers of these come from the United States (2,416) followed by Malaysia (1,134) and Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) at 1,129.
HEA chief executive Tom Boland said: "These figures show that the Irish higher education system is increasingly recognised internationally for the quality of its teaching and research.
"Encouraging overseas students to look at Ireland as a destination for learning remains a key priority for the HEA and we all must ensure they are welcome here when they arrive."
Top 10 countries of origin of non-Irish students
1United States 2,416 (20.2%)
2Malaysia 1,134 (9.5%)
3Britain (excl N Ireland) 1,129 (9.4%)
4China 871 (7.3%)
5Germany 501 (4.2%)
6Canada 480 (4.0%)
7France 429 (3.6%)
8India 278 (2.3%)
9Kuwait 237 (2.0%)
10Spain 227 (1.9%)
