The uptake of Erasmus places by Irish third level students has increased by almost a fifth, new figures released by the European Commission have shown.
Ireland had the fourth highest increase in out-bound students of more than 30 participating European countries last year.
This 18 per cent increase saw 2,511 Irish students taking up the 2010/2011 European student exchange programme compared with 2128 in the previous year.
France was the popular destination for a more than a quarter of the Irish students. Spain, UK and Germany were the next most popular countries.
Ireland was host to more than double the number of students than it sent away, receiving 5381 students.
This was similar to the UK but unlike most European countries which sent away more students than they took in.
Ireland received more French students than any other nationality. Students from France, Germany and Spain accounted more than two thirds of students coming to Ireland.
Two Irish universities were in the top 100 hosts. UCD ranked 72nd with 471 students while UCC ranked 83rd with 427 students.
The student exchange scheme reached a new record last year with an overall 8.5 per cent increase and more than 230,000 students taking part.
It began 25 years ago and has since facilitated more than 2.5 million students.
The European Commission funded scheme helps students to study abroad or take up a job placement in 33 countries for periods of between three and 12 months. The average monthly grant is €250 while the Erasmus budget is about €460 million.
“In these difficult times, the skills gained through Erasmus studies and placements are more valuable than ever," Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner for Education said.
