New Ways to Efficiently Obtain Student Accommodation in Ireland in 2022

WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN IRELAND IN 2022?

Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Republic of Ireland has experienced an economic recession on an unprecedented scale.  Known to be one of the most expensive cities to live in the European Union pre – pandemic, Dublin housing prices have increased more so after the start of COVID – 19. 

Accommodation is essential  to those enrolled in university.The subject matter of Economics is based around two core concepts, demand and supply. 

As more students moved online during the 2020 – 2021 academic year, with many Irish and a substantial amount of international students remaining at home – the need, or demand for student accommodation decreased and thus the supply of accommodation was more plentiful. 

However, with the return to fully in person classes on the part of third level educational institutions, the demand for student housing has skyrocketed, as such there is little accommodation available to them. 

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THE REALITY OF STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN IRELAND

In some cases, students have to travel vast distances just to be able to receive a university education. This does not only impact students, but also their parents, with some stating that due to the housing prices, some students have had to revert to asking friends to stay the night due to their proximity to their university. 

Complaints have been made to Irish Minister of Education, Simon Harris on the matter with many expressing their distress. 

ACCESSIBILITY OF STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN IRELAND FOR EU STUDENTS? 

University students who are  citizens of the European Union have been increasingly interested in choosing Ireland as their primary choice of study. 

This is largely in part due to the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU. With Brexit came the treating of EU citizens differently to they once were. A major component related to this was the increase in university fees for EU citizens within the UK.

As such, Ireland, in remaining a member of the EU, was able to offer a standard fee for European Union citizens who had lived in the EU for 4 years consecutively. 

3000 Euro  remains the annual standard fee for people of this category. It is important to note however, that accommodation can increase the total amount of university expenses. 

IRISH STUDENTS AND STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN IRELAND

Irish students who usually commute to places like Dublin are either from the capital or from outlying regions such as Kildare. However students from across the country need a substantial amount of housing to be available on the market. Irish students that are from Galway and go to college in Dublin cannot possibly make that sort of trip daily. 

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INTERNATIONAL (NON EU) STUDENTS AND STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN IRELAND

International students are expected to find accommodation due to being from foreign countries. In the case of Trinity College Dublin, around a third of the student population are from outside of Ireland. In fact Trinity in 2021 was the 8th most international university in the world and the second most international university within the EU after ETH Zurich. Needless to say, it is crucial international students have access to housing when studying abroad.

TYPES OF STUDENT ACCOMODATION IN IRELAND

  1. Campus Accommodation – This means students live on campus full time in college provided apartments on your University grounds. 
  2. University Sponsored Accommodation – This is usually buildings outside of a university that are under one’s university’s jurisdiction. 
  3. Buildings Specifically Dedicated to Student Accomodation – There are buildings that are not owned by a specific university that are solely dedicated to housing students from different Irish universities. 
  4. Apartments – More common in your later years of college, renting an apartment is always a good choice when with a group of university friends! 

HOW TO FIND A SUITABLE LOCATION FOR STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN IRELAND: 

Always check if your own university has sponsored student accommodation or on campus accommodation. 

Colleges in Ireland will usually have different student accommodation buildings in their

name, while this is not living on campus it is still a good option.

If this is not the case, proximity to your university would be ideal, however while most Irish universities are located in cities, accommodation in suburban areas are known to be less expensive. 

AVENUES OF TRANSPORT TO YOUR UNIVERSITY: 

In the case of Dublin, using the Luas is usually the fastest mode of transport to get from outlying accommodation to university. Additionally, the bus is always a good alternative. 

HOW DO YOU PAY FOR STUDENT ACCOMODATION IN IRELAND? 

The most common payment methods in regards to student accommodation in Ireland is either up front (Paying the total cost of accommodation before your stay) or alternatively, paying in instalments (paying a smaller sum of money per term eventually reaching the total amount). 

In addition, campus/university sponsored external accommodation may require you to pay for accommodation on your standard university portal. 

HOW MUCH DOES STUDENT ACCOMODATION COST IN IRELAND?

It is difficult to pinpoint an exact number, however Education Ireland, managed by the estimates that it can be anywhere from 7000 – 12000 Euro per year. This is obviously subjective to one’s personal sense of budgeting. 

Getting student accommodation or housing of any sort can be a daunting process. However if done in a properly organised and timely manner it shouldn’t be such a hassle. So without further ado, here are the main components to take away from the process of obtaining housing in university. 

MAIN TAKEAWAYS IN REGARDS TO STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN IRELAND

  1. Always start the process ahead of time – While it may be tempting to procrastinate of which I have been guilty of myself student housing gets filled up fast and there may not be too many places to stay on the market if you wait too long, it is recommended to search at least 6 months ahead of time. 
  2. Check for Campus Accomodation First – While it may be more expensive than splitting rent among friends in a flat, it is convenient to live where you are studying. 
  3. Look at housing according to your budget – It is important that as a student you still have enough money to buy food and essentials so as to not spend everything on rent. 
  4. Cheaper flats will often be in outlying areas of a city not within the city – While this is unfortunate, Irish cities, namely Dublin have more expensive accommodation the further one travels into the city. 
  5. If you live away from your university campus make sure you have easy access to transport – In relation to the latter, it is imperative that if you live in an outlying area that you choose your accommodation by how close it is to a bus stop, LUAS line (if in Dublin) etc. 

EXTERNAL WEBSITES THAT HELP WITH OBTAINING STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN IRELAND

Vesta Living: https://vestaliving.ie/

The Charlotte: http://thecharlotte.ie/

Leona: http://leona.ie/

Gina Bagnulo
Gina Bagnulo

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