Student Life in Dublin – What’s the Cost of Living in Ireland’s Capital?

When deciding to study abroad, or even just in a new city, it’s important to have a good idea of living costs so that you can effectively plan and budget your overall trip and day-to-day life. Below, we’ve outlined what you can expect from student living in Dublin, from rent and utilities to socialising and eating out.

Initial Living Costs of a Student in Dublin

Estimates for the entire academic year range quite a bit and will largely depend on recurring costs like accommodation, travel and day-to-day expenses depending on how you’re living. As per the Technological University of Dublin, projected monthly costs for a student living away from home has dropped for the first time in a decade from €1,019 to €994. It could go up to €1,500 depending on your choice of accommodation. This should be enough for you to live comfortably in Dublin, with much of the cost coming at the beginning of your stay.

Budgeting for initial expenses like new homeware, books, class materials, travel and social expenses is always encouraged. Mapping out any initial purchases and expenses you might need will make your arrival and the first few weeks a lot less stressful.

Accommodation

No doubt the largest cost over the course of your stay will be accommodation. With Dublin being the country’s capital, rent can vary from €495 per month in a shared room to upwards of €1,950 for a one-bed unit in Dublin City Centre. 

On-campus accommodation and private student accommodation such as Point Campus are the most popular choices for students as they are designed to cater to student’s needs. Whether you opt for college-sponsored accommodation or private off-campus accommodation depends on some pretty important factors like location, room type, amenities.

Here’s a comparison of cost for a single ensuite room between on-campus and private student accommodation:

A potentially more affordable option is to rent a room in a private house or stay with a host family. However, it could be a daunting process, especially for international students. This process can take 2 to 4 weeks attending house viewings and interviews before you could even find one. According to the Daft.ie Rental Report Q1 2021, the average rental price for a single room in Dublin City Centre is €611 pm, however it is important to note that there are a number of additional extra costs and considerations from electricity and internet to shared bathrooms and dated houses or apartments. 

Bills

Though many of the most popular student accommodation options in Dublin have utilities factored into the cost of renting, it’s still something to consider if you opt for the private housing route or even if you just want to add additional utilities or costs into your budget.

There are a host of networks and mobile phone operators in Ireland with a variety of bill-pay or pay-as-you-go plans. If you don’t want to part ways with your phone, student-friendly providers like 48, GoMo and Lycamobile offer plans starting as low as €10.99 per month for calls, texts and data. Just order your new SIM card and you’re ready to go!

Transport

Having easy access to public transport is another key point to consider when choosing your accommodation. Bus, LUAS or Dart will be one of the more effective ways to get around the city. The Student Leap Card will be your best friend for jumping between Dublin Bus, LUAS, Dart with the weekly travel costs capped at €20, €20 and €27 respectively. 

Having The Point LUAS stop right on our doorstep at Point Campus makes it easy to get the most out of your Leap Card as you can seamlessly hop between bus and rail lines to get to Connolly train station or Dublin’s central bus station, Busáras, in just 10 minutes.

Your Student Leap Card even entitles you to discounts in some major retailers and restaurants, as well as any independent establishments that offer a student discount.

If the weather is on your side, Dublin Bikes is another option to consider! In a TU Dublin survey, 17% of students expressed concern about travelling on public transport. An annual membership for Dublin Bikes costs just €35 and the stations are dotted all across the city centre as well as just 3 minutes’ walk from Point Campus!

Food, Drink & Socialising

Now onto the important stuff. If you’re heading out to celebrate your new student accommodation – what can you expect to pay for food and drink?

Typically, a pint of beer will cost somewhere between €5 and €6, with more premium and craft options going a bit higher. Pubs and bars in Ireland are licensed to open from 10.30am to 11.30pm, Sunday through Thursday. Hours are extended to 12.30am on Friday and Saturday. If you want to stay out a bit later, nightclubs around Dublin can open as late as 2.30am, with some student venues offering student discounts or drinks deals depending on the day of the week. However, a lot of these late-night venues are currently closed due to pandemic-restrictions.

When eating out with friends for lunch, food spots will vary quite a bit more than the pubs. With the classic student lunch of a chicken fillet roll running you somewhere around €3 in most convenience stores, you can make a little money go a long way!

Alternatively, supermarkets will of course offer the best value for stocking up on groceries and lunches for the days ahead. Close to Point Campus, there is a selection of supermarkets and convenience stores with a Centra just downstairs for any essentials and both a LIDL and ALDI just a short walk up the East Wall Road for your bigger shopping trips.

When heading out for a meal in the evening, Numbeo has mapped the cost of various types of restaurants in Dublin. For instance, good-quality, inexpensive restaurants cost between €10 and €35 per person.