How to find living accommodation while studying in Ireland
Talk to Expert
How to find living accommodation while studying in Ireland: Known for its rich heritage, scenic landscapes, and a welcoming environment, Ireland is home to some of the best universities around the globe. However, in order to study in one of the Irish universities, you need to find a place to stay in. International students going to study in Ireland might have a difficult time finding a place to stay at. If you are new to the city and don’t know anyone, you can’t ask for anyone for recommendations and suggestions. But you need to find a place to stay even before you make friends. So how do you go about finding accommodation? Here are a few tips and pointers to help you ease the anxiety of finding a suitable accommodation.
Accommodation options
Student accommodation in Ireland can be categorized into four types, with varying costs:
- On-campus accommodation - Campus residence is the most popular choice of students but it is relatively expensive. It is organized as apartments for 4 - 8 students, with a private bedrooms and a shared kitchen, living room and/or bathroom. Rent is paid at the beginning of each semester. Utility bills like heating, electricity could cost extra, though many dorm expenses include them in the initial charge.
- Long-term hostel – this option is very popular in Europe. The availability of hostel near the college of your choice could be limited so you will have to do thorough research. You share room with other students and your monthly rent includes use of a common living area and kitchen. Meals could be inclusive but most places don’t provide for prepared meals.
- Home stay - You can live as a paying guest with an Irish family, you will have your own room but otherwise share the house with the family. This is popular with students attending language schools or short courses. Meals are usually provided and there are no extra charges for heat, electricity, laundry etc.
- Rented apartment - The options include bed-sit, apartment or sharing a house. A bed-sit is a single room with mini-kitchen area, bed and some furniture. Bathroom is shared with other tenants of the building. An apartment will have a kitchen and living room, bathroom and bedrooms. If you decide to share your apartment with other students then it can be the cheapest option, as bills are divided.
Rent is usually paid by month and in advance. Initially you will pay a deposit of one month's rent which is refundable on the end of tenancy. The average length of lease is 9 or 12 months, and anything shorter is hardtop find.
How to find accommodation
Accommodation Officer - at every university/college there is an accommodation officer who can advise you about the kind of accommodation that fits your needs and budget the best. At their office you will be able to go through lists of available places. You can get in touch with the officer over email before you leave for Ireland, and get your accommodation booked as soon as possible. Or you can book a hostel for a period and start your search once you arrive.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Internet - Daft is the most popular renting website where you can find apartments and house shares.
Costs to consider
- Connection charges for electricity and cooking gas may have to be paid. Deposit cost could be €150 and upwards. It is refundable or offset against your bills.
- You will need your own bedding, mattress and a few kitchen utensils.
- You need a TV license (€160 per year) to own a color TV.
- Cost of heat and electricity - €40 to €140 per month depending on the amount consumed.
- If you are moving into an occupied or shared apartment, then some of these costs will have been already met.
Tips for renting off-campus
- International students need to start searching early as you need to get familiar with the city first.
- Check out the properties you are considering renting in person and online. If you know someone in the city, ask them for recommendations.
- Research the public transportation connectivity between your university and potential property where you might live. Some areas may not be easy to travel by bus or tram. Know beforehand how much time you will need for travelling and the costs involved.
- Do not rush and take the first available place even if you are under pressure. Always be wary of scams.
Related articles about Studying in Ireland:
| Ireland country guide for international students | Cost of Studying in Ireland | Cost of Living in Ireland |
Q: What are the requirements for admission to Griffith College (Ireland)?
International students can apply for Griffith College admission through the official website. We have mentioned below the Griffith College requirements for international undergraduate and graduate admissions:
Griffith College requirements for undergraduate admission:
- Completion of secondary school comparable to Australian Year 12 or equivalent academic achievement
- Meet the English language requirements
- Submit the additional test score for ACT/SAT (if required)
Griffith College requirements for undergraduate admission:
Q: What is the acceptance rate for NCI Ireland?
National College of Ireland is one of the best public research universities in the Ireland. The National College of Ireland is among the colleges that do not publish official data on the acceptance rate. However, as per some unofficial sources including EduRank, the National College of Ireland acceptance rate is 52%. This shows that NCI is moderately selective for admissions and international students may find it comparatively tougher to get into. Please note that, the data on the acceptance rate is taken from unofficial source, therefore, it is subject to vary.
Q: How can I apply for Dublin Business School Ireland admissions?
Dublin Business School accepts international applications through the Official Application Portal available on the university's website. Students can refer to the listings below for the steps to apply at DBS Ireland:
Step 1: Open the Application Portal and head to the form
Step 2: Select the student type and course
Step 3: Course selection:
- Select a course type
- Select a course
- Select the year of entry as ‘Year 1’
- Choose the batch commencement date
Step 4: Enter personal details:
- Add details like name, date of birth, contact details, gender, nationality, etc
- Address
- Emergency contact details
Step 5: Keep filling the details and continue until the last step:
- Insert previous education information
- Input other details
Step 6: Submit the application form
Q: Is Griffith College in Ireland good for doing a computer Science course?
Griffith College Dublin offers an affordable master's degree in computer Science for international students. The Griffith College Dublin fees for MS in computer Science is around INR 12.59 L for first-year. Therefore, yes Griffith College in Ireland is good for doing a computer Science course.
Q: What is the cost of a student visa for Ireland?
Candidates looking to apply for a long-stay D Study Visa in Ireland would be required to pay €60 for a single entry valid for 90 days and €100 for a long-stay D Visa with multiple entries. The visa charges are the same for the short-stay C Visa.
| Entry Type | Long Stay D visa (for staying more than 90 days to study) | Short Stay C visa (for staying less than 90 days to study) |
|---|---|---|
| Single Entry | EUR 60 (INR: 5421.87) | EUR 60 (INR: 5421.87) |
| Multi entry | EUR 100 (INR: 9036.45) | EUR 100 (INR: 9036.45) |
| Transit | EUR 25 (INR: 2259.11) | n/a |
Q: How much does MS cost in Ireland?
The tuition cost to study MS from the universities in Ireland will be in the range of INR 10 Lacs – INR 40 lakh. The first-year tuition fees to pursue MS from top-ranked MS universities in Ireland are given below:
Particulars | First-Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
Trinity College Dublin | INR14.2 Lakh - INR 23.8 Lakh |
University College Dublin | INR 8.5 Lakh - INR 24.5 Lakh |
University of Galway | INR 7.1 Lakh - INR 25.4 Lakh |
University College Cork | INR 13.8 Lakh - INR 22.2 Lakh |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Ireland for International Students
Q: Is Ireland a good option for MS?
Ireland is one of the most peaceful and the safest countries in the world. It is ranked 8th in the world out of 189 countries in a United Nations index measuring longevity education and health. Also, Ireland is ranked 3rd in the Global Peace Index 2023. When compared with other European destinations, higher education in Ireland is more affordable for international students. Some of the reasons to choose Ireland as a study destination for MS are:
- International exposure
- High-quality education
- Better career opportunities
- Affordable cost of living
Q: Which is better for MS: Ireland or the UK?
The choice to study MS in either Ireland or the UK depends on the preference of students. However, the cost of studying in Ireland is relatively lower than in the UK. The average tuition fee to study MS in the UK will be around INR 20 lakh, whereas, in Ireland, the average cost of studying is above INR 14 lakh. Some of the factors that students should consider while deciding the study destination for MS are:
- Popular courses
- Top universities
- Cost of studying
- Work opportunities
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio
Passionate about learning and imbibing the best in my life, I thoroughly enjoy interacting with different personalities and making deep informative conversations. Providing guidance for informed decision making is s... Read Full Bio
- Universities in Ireland32 Universities
- Universities in USA1037 Universities
- Universities in Canada174 Universities
- Universities in Australia122 Universities
- Universities in UK175 Universities
- Universities in New Zealand70 Universities
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae