Economic Insights on Higher Education Policy in Ireland

John Cullinan is a Lecturer in Economics at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway.
Darragh Flannery is a Lecturer in Economics at the Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, Ireland.

This book brings together research relating to the economics of higher education in Ireland and presents evidence that will help support policy decision making. It provides an analysis of prominent issues within the higher education sector from an economic viewpoint, discussing the relevant theory and offering an empirical analysis. The book examines three broad themes with a specific focus on issues related to undergraduate education: participation and preferences, progression and outcomes, and benefits and financing. Each chapter presents an accessible, non-specialist analysis of the topic of interest, making it relevant to a wider audience. In doing so, the book provides an important addition to our current knowledge and understanding of higher education in Ireland from an economic perspective. Key chapters discuss the factors influencing institution choices, student retention in higher education, and policy debates surrounding student finance. The book will serve as a useful and up-to-date resource for policymakers, researchers, academics and students across a range of disciplines, both in Ireland and internationally.

Presents an empirical economic analysis of a broad range of issues in higher education

1. Economics and Higher Education Policy; Darragh Flannery and John Cullinan.- 2. The Economics of Higher Education Participation; Kevin Denny and Darragh Flannery.- 3. A Spatial Economic Perspective on Higher Education Choices; John Cullinan and Brendan Halpin.- 4. Factors Influencing Higher Education Institution Choice; Sharon Walsh and John Cullinan.- 5. Student Retention in Higher Education; Selina McCoy and Delma Byrne.- 6. Access Programmes and Higher Education Outcomes; Patricia McMullin.- 7. Overeducation in the Irish Labour Market; Seamus McGuinness, Ruth O'Shaughnessy and Konstantinos Pouliakas.- 8. The Economic Impact of Higher Education Institutions; Qiantao Zhang, Charles Larkin and Brian Lucey.- 9. The Returns to Third Level Education; Darragh Flannery and Cathal O'Donoghue.- 10. Student Financing of Higher Education; Darragh Flannery, Aedín Doris and Bruce Chapman.