INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WHO are attending the University of Limerick (UL) for the current academic year are set to bring approximately €15 million to the region.

With over 2,200 students attending the college from overseas, Education in Ireland have estimated that each is set to spend between €7,000 and €12,000 over the year. This number does not include tuition fees.

The figure of €15 million is based on each student’s spending being at the lower end of this range.

The head of UL’s International Education Division, Josephine Page, believes that the final figure could be higher:

The benefit is spread across the mid-west, with many international students visiting attractions in Kerry, Clare, Cork and Galway at the weekends. In addition, many students have parents and friends who will come and visit, so the real value of such students visiting may be as high as €20m.

Boasting the largest Erasmus programme of any college in Ireland, the university sends over 400 Irish students abroad each year.

Of the 2,200-plus overseas students, nearly half (1,056) are set to undertake undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses.

Visitation and exchange programmes account for the remainder, with 496 coming from Europe, 150 from non-EU countries, and over 500 travelling from the US and Japan.

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