Cost of living in Ireland for international students

Ireland has plenty to attract international students. From its spectacular countryside to its dynamic cities, there’s no doubt that it is a great place to live. However, as always with study abroad, it is important to research its cost. Good budgeting is a vital part of a successful student experience.

In this article, we explore the cost of living in Ireland for international students, so that you can start arranging your finances.

What will I need to pay for?

Whether or not this is your first time living away from home, you are probably wondering what expenses you should budget for in Ireland. Although there are costs you can reduce based on lifestyle choices, some are inevitable, such as:

• Accommodation
• Food and everyday essentials
• Transport
• Entertainment
• Connectivity (internet, mobile phone etc)

Tuition fees

Fees can vary widely based on whether you are classed as an EU or international student. Broadly speaking, yearly tuition fees are as follows:

• Free (EU/EEA/Swiss and British nationals studying at undergraduate level)
• EUR 12,000 to EUR 29,000 (undergraduate international students)
• EUR 3,000 to EUR 20,000 (EU/EEA/Swiss and British nationals studying at postgraduate level)
• EUR 7,500 to EUR 30,000 (postgraduate international students)

For greater detail, we have a separate article that explains the cost of tuition fees in Ireland.

Difference in cost between regions

As with any country, there are cheaper and more expensive regions to live in Ireland. Typically, cities cost more than rural areas, but there are variations.

Dublin is well known for being the most expensive place to live in Ireland. In fact, even the surrounding areas on the eastern shore of the country are more expensive than average. The cheapest region is the northwest.

If your heart is set on studying in Dublin, don’t panic. Costs vary even within the city itself. In fact, no matter where you live, there will be differences throughout the area. What's more, your accommodation costs will depend on the type of housing you choose. So remember, this article is just a general guide.

Accommodation

Rent is the biggest expense students face beyond tuition fees. In Ireland, many choose to live in private accommodation. While most Irish universities offer on-campus halls of residence, these are in high demand.

With either option, you’ll likely be asked to pay a security deposit in advance. You will get this back at the end of your tenancy if you leave the property in good condition. The cost is usually equal to two to four weeks’ rent.

University residence

Halls of residence owned by universities in Ireland are often divided into self-contained apartments housing several students. Some, however, still offer traditional dormitory-style rooms which may be shared or private. In an apartment, you’ll usually have your own room, but share a bathroom and living areas.

For a single room, your rent could be anywhere from EUR 450 to EUR 1,100 a month. A lot will depend on where you study.

Halls of residence are hugely popular and often in short supply. You may well need to apply early to have a chance of getting a room. Some universities do try to make things fairer, however, by selecting new tenants through random ballots.

If the student halls experience is important to you, you might also consider living in private halls. These are not owned by universities, and are usually more expensive. Rooms can often cost more than EUR 1,000 a month.

Be sure to check whether your utilities (gas, electricity and water) are covered by your rent. Although they often are, this is not always the case.

Private rental

Renting privately is common for students in Ireland. Many choose to live in a shared flat or house, which reduces costs and allows for a great social experience. Properties may come furnished or unfurnished.

Depending on where you live and how many people you share with, you may need to budget anywhere from EUR 500 to EUR 1,200 per month for rent.

Although some properties include bills in the rent, this is not always the case. Irish utility bills are among the most expensive in Europe. You'll want to budget in the region of EUR 90 a month to cover them, although the precise amount will depend heavily on how many flatmates you have.

There are plenty of good companies that specialise in providing student housing. As it is such a common choice for students, your university may be able to recommend popular landlords in your area.

Food and shopping

Independent living at university means that, unless your accommodation is catered, you’ll be cooking on a budget. It’s not as hard as it sounds, but it might take some getting used to.

Of course, it won't just be food that you'll need to budget for. You should also consider toiletries, cleaning products and the occasional treat!

We recommend budgeting somewhere in the region of EUR 200 to EUR 300 a month for your regular shopping in Ireland.

Transport

Depending on how close you live to your university and student hotspots, you may find that you do not need to use public transport. But, if you do, you’ll find the cheapest ways of getting around to be bus, tram and train.

Your first step to making travel cheaper is to buy a TFI Leap Card for your region. This is a prepaid travelcard valid on buses, trams and trains. It will significantly reduce your fares and has the added bonus of daily and weekly caps, meaning that you’ll know what your maximum spend could be in advance.

Before buying a Leap Card, check if you are eligible for one of its concession options. You may be eligible for a card in the Student, Child (16-18) or Young Adult (19-25) categories. These will reduce your fares even further.

Using an Adult Leap Card, a journey of up to 90 minutes on public transport (permitting a mix of train, tram and/or bus) will cost you only EUR 2.00 in Dublin. With a Young Adult or Student card, it will be EUR 1. With a Child card, the cost is EUR 0.65.

Entertainment

One of the most important parts of the university experience is your social life. You’ll definitely want to make room in your budget for some fun.

If money is tight, don’t worry. Ireland has some great free options. Dublin, for example, has many free museums and galleries. Alternatively, if your location allows it, why not take a walk along the spectacular coastline?

For activities that do come with a price tag, these average costs might help:

• Pint of beer: EUR 6.20
• Cinema ticket: EUR 10
• Concert ticket: EUR 50
• Restaurant meal for two: EUR 80

If you are looking to keep these costs down, keep an eye open for student discounts. There are often lots to be found.

Connectivity

Keeping in touch with friends and family back home is especially important as an international student. As long as you have a good internet connection and a good amount of data on your phone, you’ll never feel too far from your loved ones.

In Ireland, the average monthly cost of broadband is EUR 50. However, bear in mind that this is per household. Depending on how many flatmates you have, the amount you pay could be significantly less. Halls of residence may also include internet in their rent, so be sure to check when you apply.

As for mobile phones, you’ll have a great range of options. For a plan with plenty of data, you’ll be looking at spending around EUR 10 to EUR 20 a month.

Miscellaneous and hidden costs

Worried about those little expenses that might suddenly arise? You’re not alone. It’s always wise to have a fund ready for emergencies, but you can avoid some by preparing well. Think of things you can expect to need – such as clothes or bed linen – as well as ones that may need to be replaced. It will help to check what your accommodation provides.

You should also consider course-related expenses. University libraries are a great place to go to get things like reading materials for free, but elsewhere, there will be costs. Consider any equipment, textbooks and stationery you may need and include this in your budget.

And of course, there will be costs associated with your arrival. Read our articles on student health insurance and how to apply for a student visa in Ireland to see what you might have to pay before you enter the country.

Finally, remember: if you’re worried about your finances, you could find a part-time job. Our guide to international student work rights in Ireland can help with this. Look out for student discounts, too – even unexpected places offer them. And above all, don’t give up. Once your budget is sorted, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the amazing experiences Ireland has to offer.

Disclaimer: All figures in this article are indicative and correct at the time of writing. Since the economy can be subject to rapid, unexpected changes at any time, we always recommend you do your own research before making plans.