AQW 53024/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 25/09/2026
Answered On Date: 05/10/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) any assessment that has been made of the Student mobility into and out of Northern Ireland: What brain drain report; and (ii) any action she will take as a result of its publication.

Answer:

The independent research shows that educational migration is complex and nuanced. When compared with other regions in England and Wales, we are not an outlier in terms of outward student migration. While we do need to maximise retention rates, we also need to address our very low inward student mobility.

The report findings also strongly reinforce the importance of my Economy Vision and its four pillars. I am focused on creating more high-quality jobs, raising productivity and supporting balanced regional growth.

To support the north’s attractiveness as a place to study, live and work, I will continue to focus on a number of important measures, including:

building on the strong international reputation of our universities;

promoting our relatively low cost of living while enhancing the student experience;

improving the availability of attractive graduate career opportunities;

raising productivity to support higher-paid employment;

lobbying the British Government for the removal of constraints that limit growth; and

strengthening the promotion of the north as a destination for students from outside the region.

Together, these actions will support both graduate retention and increased inward student mobility.