Unless it is part of your study program abroad, in most cases, students would have to arrange their accommodations themselves before traveling to their host countries to study. While Studying in Ireland, international students have various options to choose from, from on-campus accommodations to hostels, to private rentals.
To help students decide on their accommodation, here’s a quick guide to accommodations in Ireland.
Things to Consider
Before deciding on where you should live, some things need to be considered first.
- Cost – When checking the cost, don’t just focus on the rent. You should also take into consideration the bills you’d have to pay for water, electricity, phone, and heating.
- Security – How secure is the location of your accommodation. This includes the mechanisms in place for security, such as the accessibility to the police station, and so on.
- Accessibility – When choosing an accommodation, is it ok for you to stay in a place where you still need to commute to your school, or not? Also, make sure your accommodation is near important services and facilities such as the hospital, bus station, train station, and so on.
Types of Accommodations in Ireland
On-Campus Accommodation
In Ireland, on-campus accommodations are always high in demand. That is why for students who want to stay in this type of accommodation, the tip is to start applying as early as they can or as soon as they get their acceptance letter. Moreover, since on-campus accommodations are always high in demand, they also tend to become more expensive.
Most on-campus accommodations in Ireland can be found in its halls of residence and is near the institution. In one apartment, there are usually four to eight students, with their own bedrooms and communal spaces, such as the kitchen, bathroom, living room, and so on.
Private Student Apartments
These apartments operate the same way as on-campus accommodation and are also near institutions. Just like on-campus accommodation, students live in an apartment, with their own private rooms and a shared kitchen, living room, and bathrooms.
However, since they are outside the campus, and not owned by educational institutions, they tend to be more expensive. In most cases, these accommodations have their own arrangements with the institutions.
Private Rented Accommodation
Unlike private student apartments, these accommodations are usually cheaper if shared with other people and in variation. They can be in the form of a bedsit (a single room unit) or a flat. Unlike the first two options, these accommodations don’t have a business arrangement with educational institutions, thus the cost may vary. Also, some accommodations are located far from the schools, where students may have to commute.
Homestay
Staying at a homestay is a cheaper alternative to accommodation and is recommended for international students who are staying in another country for a short time or those who need to adjust first into their host country.
When you stay in a homestay, the rent usually already includes the food, utility bills, and sometimes, even doing your laundry. Moreover, you also have the chance to befriend locals easily through your host family.
Knowing the different accommodations in Ireland is just one of the first few steps to living abroad. To learn more about tips to make your stay in Ireland smoother, check out MSM Unify’s other articles on living abroad such as Using Your International Student Discount Card for Studying, Leisure and Travel.
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