The costs of living in Ireland are a bit higher than the average for the European area; you should expect to spend anywhere between 550 - 1,000 EUR/month (270 k to 487k NAIRA a month).
Average costs of living in Irish cities (including accommodation costs):
- Dublin: 1,100 - 1,800 EUR/month
- Cork: 860 - 1,400 EUR/month
- Galway and other smaller cities: 800 - 1,100 EUR/month
Accommodation costs for students in Ireland
Higher education institutions offer accommodation in student residence halls, which usually costs above the European average of 200 - 300 EUR. It is often difficult to find a place because the number of places is limited, and the demand is high.
Apart from residence halls, you can rent/share an apartment or choose to live with an Irish family.
The average accommodation prices for students in Ireland are:
- Student living alone: 400 - 900 EUR/month
- Student living with partner/colleagues: 450 - 550 EUR/month
- Student living on campus: 300 - 650 EUR/month
Other costs associated with accommodation:
- Utilities: around 30 - 50 EUR/month
- Internet: up to 60 EUR/month
Food costs
Average monthly food costs are not high. You’ll spend around 250 - 350 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 a mid-range restaurant for 55 EUR.
Transportation costs
Students can benefit from discounts for transportation if they use the Student Leap Card or the Bus Éireann services to travel around the country. Around 27% of the students use public transport in Ireland, and a monthly pass with a special discount for students is around 50 – 55 EUR/month.
The most popular mode of transportation is the bicycle, chosen by 38% of the students. You can rent a bicycle to get around the city for around 20 EUR/day.
Extra costs
Other expenses you need to cover during your study:
- Books and other study materials: 75 EUR/month
- Social activities/entertainment: 60 - 100 EUR/month
- Medical insurance: 45 EUR/month