Cost of living for Students in Ireland

In recent Years, Ireland has been gaining immense popularity among the students going for higher studies abroad. Ireland is a popular study-abroad destination for international students. Supportive policies and systems have been put in place by the Irish government encouraging international students, hence the country is a good option for many. At the same time, one of the primary reasons of why students go to Ireland for studies is because the living expenses in Ireland for students is quite affordable. Part-time jobs and internships are available for students to help them earn additional income while studying in Dublin despite being regarded as the most expensive city. These opportunities give students a chance to earn some more money while getting valuable industrial exposure and work experience. Generally speaking, the affordability of living with other expenses for students in Ireland ranges from 400 - 800 EUR depending on the city one decides to settle in.

Providing all these factors and taking into account the part-time work availability for students in Ireland, the timelessly recognized educational establishments, the need for employees, a conclusion is that pursuing education in Ireland is quite appealing. If you are planning to study in Ireland, there are some things that you should consider when you want to get admitted to the best universities in the country. One important aspect that needs to be considered is the tuition fees and living costs for students in Ireland. It is also essential to assess how much the total expenditure for living and education in Ireland would be.

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Cost of living for Students in Ireland: Expenses in Ireland for Students

Cost per month in Ireland

• Rent 400 - 1,000 EUR
• Utilities 40 – 80 EUR
• Food/Groceries 140 – 220 EUR
• Transportation 80 – 100 EUR
• Books 45 – 60 EUR
• Entertainment 30 – 100 EUR

Accommodation Cost in Ireland for Students

For most students moving study in Ireland, especially after being accepted to a university, finding a place to stay in Ireland can be an exciting next step. For many, getting one’s own accommodation is usually an achievement worth celebrating especially if it is one’s first time away from home or in a foreign country. Accommodation costs are one of the most notable costs for students in Ireland and one of the notable ones when looking into the cost of living for students. It is also important to emphasize that no matter how much you like any of the universities, make sure to look at the accommodation costs for international students in Ireland. Living far from your university may turn out to be beneficial for your social life even if the rates for accommodation are higher. That being said, living near your university can also cut costs on transport fares.

Once you've been accepted into one of the universities, the next important thing is the housing situation. You can look for cheap student housing in Ireland, or see if accommodation prices in different cities of Ireland can be helped with.

City-wise Accommodation Cost in Ireland

• Dublin 1,000 - 1,300 EUR
• Cork 900 - 1,100 EUR
• Galway 800 - 1,000 EUR
• Maynooth 800 - 1,000 EUR
• Limerick 800 - 1,000 EUR
• Athlone 700 – 900 EUR
• Letterkenny 700 – 900 EUR

Transportation Cost in Ireland

One of the significant considerations regarding students' living expenses in Ireland is the transport expense. Ireland has one of the best transport systems globally, making it more convenient for people to travel within the country and from other countries to theirs. Services to all main cities are available as well as private coach buses and bus tours. In Ireland, students can easily get around at little or no cost through cycling and walking.

You can also utilize the services of Irish Rail, where you will be taken on a scenic and relaxing train ride as you travel from one city to another or from a city to a town where you may have some business or tourism activities. In Dublin, you will be able to use the services of Dublin Bus, a rapid transit surface train service known as the DART which stands for Dublin Area Rapid Transit and the LUAS, which means speed in Irish language, a tram. For those who prefer to drive, car rentals are made easier through the following sites: AA Route planner, Argus car hire, Payless, Hertz, Budget, Europcar and Thrifty.

It is also possible to get affordable transportation in Ireland by introducing the use of Students travel discount cards which are available in nearly all the countries. With student id, one gets a discount on services including Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and DART, LUAS and Bus Éireann. There are university student ID cards and discount Travel cards which are used by students for transportation in Ireland which is the largest ID card in Ireland. taken from the travel expenses for Irish rail.

Transportation (monthly pass)

• Dublin 130 EUR
• Cork 84 EUR
• Galway 67.50 EUR
• Maynooth 70 EUR
• Athlone 60 EUR

Medical Insurance Cost for International Students In Ireland

The Medical Insurance Cost for International Students in Ireland is one of the chief determinants of students’ cost of living in Ireland. Private insurance plans are compulsory for students from countries that are outside the European Union as they do not receive free treatment on off-campus facilities. One has to be prepared especially for medical insurance for living in Ireland due to the fact that hospitalisation costs in the Ireland can be quite expensive. Health insurance plans in Ireland are as low as 150 EUR, and all international students are required to show medical coverage before enrolling at the Garda National Immigration Bureau. In addition, health insurance cover is also required to be submitted to the Irish authorities when one is applying for a student visa in Ireland.

As soon as you arrive in Ireland, should you get sick and require to use the student health insurance, you can do so by presenting the insurance card given to you. For those students who are already into their second year or more, a non-EU student can prove insurance by obtaining private medical insurance in Ireland and getting a letter of renewal for that.

Shopping in Ireland

Shopping is an activity that cuts across all ages ad students look harder for affordable and appealing places among their other visits. The Dundrum Centre is the largest retail and leisure complex in Ireland boasting of more than 100 shops and 40 restaurants and cafes. This is a very famous place where students would hog. In the remote regions and in a number of small cities, one may still experience that unique Irish institution – the grocers, pub and funeral directors all in one building. While there are many factors which influence the ability of a consumer to give an estimate of average shopping costs in Ireland it would be prudent to do some budget planning. Other than clothes, groceries, house supplies, household items, and kitchen wares would be included in the regular shopping expenses.

Internet Cost in Ireland

Living costs for students in Ireland also include the cost of availing of the internet. It is commonplace to have modern facilities in a student’s household in view of the fact that most learning processes in contemporary society have resorted to the use of the internet. As for Ireland, the average telecom bill of a student can be estimated to fall between 380 EUR and 600 EUR. Further, cellular charges in Ireland may be reduced based on the type of package bought be it pre or post-paid. 

Most of the time, very few college rental properties in Ireland come vacancies without broadband. However, sharing a house with other students in Ireland means that cellular usage costs must be managed effectively in order avoid incurring heavy debts. There are several suppliers of such services to choose from as well.

Usually student leases begin when classes start that is in the month of September till the month of June roughly about 9 months. On the contrary, the common broadband contracts involve not less than 12 months, some even extending to up to 18 months. If you break a contract without the agreement of the provider then you will want to be careful as often they will try to make you pay the balance of the full contract period or else a cancellation fee.

Entertainment in Ireland

The entertainment cost in Ireland, which is very much attached to the students’ way of life, is one of the miscellaneous costs that covers a wide section of the cost of living for students in Ireland. One of the many advantages of going abroad to study is the fun and interesting places that one will have the chance to visit. This said, when it comes to student entertainment expenses in Ireland, one has to look far and wide for the activities.

With breathtaking national parks, enthralling live music, action-packed and relaxing activity sports such as surfing and kitesurfing among others, there is much to relish in. Ireland's night life deserves a distinct mention too as it is very colorful and active, one of the perks enjoyed by students. The love for Ireland does not only involve its busy cities but also its beautiful countryside and breathtaking coastline. Also the many means of recreation available help in making sure students have a rich and well-rounded experience in Ireland.

You may also read: Strategies to Find a Job in Ireland

Conclusion

Most of the Institutions in Ireland are based in the cities or suburbs which means that as a student, a range of activities that suit you await. There are approximately 230 museums in Ireland including national museums and regional ones. These museums present a well-structured learning experience not only related to arts but the history of the country, ranging from pre-historic time to the British colonization and to being a republic.

Reach out to SIEC for Application inquiries and assistance.

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