Accommodation for Studying in Ireland Part I

Everyone who decides to study abroad has their own ideas about a successful stay. The type of accommodation plays a major role in this: Would I like to live on campus or would I rather live away from the university? Do I like to be alone or do I prefer to surround myself with people? Do I need a certain standard or are simple living conditions sufficient? The following overview serves as an aid in the search for the perfect accommodation.

On-campus: student residences in Ireland

When it comes to accommodation for a bachelor ‘s or master’ s degree or for a semester abroad in Ireland, student residences come first on the popularity scale. Due to the high demand, the available places are of course taken relatively quickly, which is why you should apply in good time. The first point of contact for this is the Accommodation Office, which is available at almost every university.

Living in a student residence

As a rule, all universities have student dormitories. Here, the students usually live together in furnished apartments with four to eight places. You have your own or sometimes shared bedroom and share the kitchen, bathroom and living room. Things like bedding, dishes and cutlery are usually required to be brought. Alternatively, students can often borrow them from the university for a small amount of money.

A meal plan is often offered, which means that students pay up to three meals a day with their rent at the same time, which they can eat in corresponding restaurants on campus.

Costs for a place in a dormitory

Due to the high demand from students who want to live on campus, accommodation in a dormitory is not always the cheapest option. The price for a dormitory room depends, among other things, on whether meals on campus should be included in the rent. Then the costs are around 1000 euros, while without food they are usually between 550 and 750 euros.

Students must pay rent for a place in an Irish dormitory in two annual installments, due in September and February. Most dormitories do not accept monthly payments, as is common in Germany.

At the beginning of the contractual relationship, the students pay a deposit of one month’s rent. Additional costs are not always included in the rent and must be paid extra in this case. If they are already part of the rent, everything that goes beyond normal consumption will be deducted from the deposit at the end.

Advantages Disadvantage
No extra costs for furniture Not particularly inexpensive
Make contacts quickly Much hustle and bustle
Rooms are fully equipped Great demand
Meal Plan makes supply easier Lots of rules for living together
The dormitory is usually close to the university
Security through dormitory supervision
Accommodation can be planned in advance

Off-campus: apartment or shared flat

Students who wish to live completely independently in their accommodation for studying in Ireland will live in their own apartment or shared flat. Usually apartments or rooms are rented to students for at least nine or twelve months. It is usually not possible to reserve accommodation, as most landlords only give out their living space directly against payment. Nobody should transfer money in advance from Germany either, because there are always fraudsters on the market who collect the money for nothing in return.

It is advisable for students to start searching in good time and to avail themselves of any help they can get. This is what the University’s Students Union offers, for example. It is also an advantage to move in a few days before the start of your studies so that you can explore the area. For everyday life, it is good to know where the nearest bus stop, supermarkets or restaurants are.

Find the right accommodation

There are several types of private accommodation in Ireland:

  • Bed-sit (furnished single room, often with a kitchenette; bathroom is shared with others)
  • Flat or apartment (with kitchen, bathroom, living room and one or more bedrooms)
  • House or apartment as a shared flat (often the cheapest option, especially with shared bedrooms)

Finding private accommodation for studying in Ireland is easy on the Internet. To learn more about the country of Ireland and continent of Europe, please follow clothingexpress. Suitable websites for this are, for example, daft.ie or myhome.ie. But accommodation is also on offer in the local newspaper or at recruitment agencies. Another reputable source of information on accommodation and rental rates is the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Many good tips can also be found in the experience reports on studying in Ireland.

Cost of a private apartment or shared apartment

Depending on the location and facilities, the prices for private accommodation in Dublin are between around 350 and 1100 euros. Your own apartment is of course more expensive than a room in a shared apartment or even a shared room. If you want to save money, you can look for a place to study in Ireland that is further away from the city center. However, there should be good transport links to the university.

Monthly rent in Ireland is usually payable in advance. The tenant often sets up a “ standing order ” for this, which corresponds to a standing order that transfers the amount due to the landlord’s account on time. This method is considered safe and is widely used. Some “ landlords ” prefer to have the money in cash, so it is important to have a receipt made out. In most cases there is a ” rent book ” in which every payment is entered and acknowledged.

In addition, a deposit of one month’s rent is due, which the tenant gets back at the end of the tenancy, provided the apartment has not been damaged. Not to be forgotten are the one-off costs that arise, for example, for initial equipment for the kitchen, bed linen and more.

Advantages Disadvantage
Save money with a flat share / shared room Can be relatively expensive
Lots of freedom, hardly any rules Not necessarily near campus
Privacy Little planning security in advance
Local knowledge is improved Furniture often still has to be bought
You can choose roommates yourself No responsible contact person on site

Accommodation for Studying in Ireland Part I

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