Living in Ireland

Ireland is a country where you will enjoy a balanced lifestyle. Cost of living in Ireland is a bit below average for the European area. Living expenses will differ depending upon the location of the institution, the type of accommodation preferred and on the personal expenditure of the student.

Types of Accommodations:

On-Campus:

On-campus accommodation comes in various forms, ranging from shared or private rooms to one bedroom flats, and can be catered or self-catered with private or shared bathrooms. The majority will have a kitchen, typically shared by four to eight students, though some accommodation is catered and food will be served in a dining hall. You may be able to choose to live in a single-sex residence.

Approximate cost is €400 to €550 per month

 Private Rental:

You can rent a private flat, or room in a shared house; this usually entails your own private room with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. This option often suits those wanting independence. In most cases bills will not be included in the monthly rent; you will need to agree how you are going to share these, as well as the cleaning duties, with your other housemates. You should be aware that there may be a minimum lease; often six to twelve months and a deposit is usually required to cover possible damage, refundable when the tenancy ends.

Approximate cost is €300 to €700 per month plus bills

 Host Family:

You may be offered the opportunity to live with a host family during your studies; this is the most common type of accommodation for first-year undergraduate students. It’s a great way to practice speaking English and learn about Irish culture. You will be allocated your own private room and will be treated as a member of the family – sharing other facilities and being included in their activities. Students are also normally given morning and evening meals. You may be expected to help with household chores, and sometimes may also need to contribute financially to bills and accommodation costs.

Approximate cost is €150 to 200 per week

Food Cost:

Average monthly food costs are not high, these may cost around 240 EUR/month for grocery shopping. You can find cheaper food products in supermarkets such as Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Dunnes or Superquinn. You can also dine in a small restaurant and pay 15 EUR or enjoy a three-course meal for two in an average restaurant for 55 EUR.