This document summarizes a report from the Higher Education Authority on the implications of Brexit for Irish higher education. It notes that there are currently 12,000 Irish students in the UK and 2,339 UK students in Ireland. The main challenges identified are student mobility and residency rules, international education programs, academic recruitment and mobility, and research collaboration and funding. The report recommends that Ireland adopt a supportive stance for UK higher education in Europe, make higher education a key part of Ireland's Brexit strategy, and position Ireland as an international hub for higher education and research by boosting investment, developing new partnerships, and attracting students and academics. It also notes uncertainties around a "hard Brexit" and potential positive adjustments.

1. BREXIT
IMPLICATIONS FOR IRISH HIGHER
EDUCATION
?Iain MacLaren, NUI Galway

6. 12,000 Irish students in the UK
2,339 UK students in Ireland

7. HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY
REPORT
Main areas of challenge:
• Student mobility and residency rules;
• International education programmes;
• Academic/professional mobility &
recruitment;
• Research collaboration & funding.

8. HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY
REPORT
1. Adopt a supportive negotiating stance with respect to
status of UK HE & research in post-Brexit Europe
• Strong relationship: academic & student mobility,
residency, fee reciprocity, collaboration
• ‘soft’ border
• Key EU programmes: Erasmus +, INTERREG, H2020,
PEACE IV

9. HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY
REPORT
1. Adopt a supportive negotiating stance with respect to
status of UK HE & research in post-Brexit Europe
2. HE & Research should feature as a key component of
Ireland’s Brexit strategy:
• Significant to international standing of Ireland and to
benefit of society & economy
• Strong links with business, industry & HE to cushion
impact in short-term, boost competitiveness in long term
• International students bring significant benefits

10. HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY
REPORT
1. Adopt a supportive negotiating stance with respect to
status of UK HE & research in post-Brexit Europe
2. HE & Research should feature as a key component of
Ireland’s Brexit strategy.
3. Globally position Ireland as distinctive, high-quality,
international hub for HE & research:
• Boost investment as signal of leaving austerity
• Targeted initiatives to boost graduate/research
opportunities, collaboration
• Develop new partnerships with other EU HEIs
• Attract large EU projects/centres

11. HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY
REPORT
1. Adopt a supportive negotiating stance with respect to
status of UK HE & research in post-Brexit Europe
2. HE & Research should feature as a key component of
Ireland’s Brexit strategy.
3. Globally position Ireland as distinctive, high-quality,
international hub for HE & research.
4. Act as a ‘talent magnet’, attracting the best students,
academics and researchers:
• Attract/support all international students, staff to relocate to
Ireland
• New contractual arrangements to encourage Irish &
international researchers.

12. UNCERTAINTY
‘Hard’ Brexit implications?
• Maximum restrictions/barriers
• Special circumstances of Northern Ireland and Ireland/UK
free travel area
• Customs, duties, continued exchange rate volatility
• Rights of citizens/non-citizens, work permits, healthcare,
residency, family
Positive adjustments?
• Deepen Irish connection to other EU partners
• Opportunities for academics/research re-location
• Opportunities for international education

13. DISCUSS !