When it comes to day-to-day costs, all colleges are definitely not the same, whether you’re talking about essentials such as accommodation and food or a pint in the on-campus bar
GOING TO college is an expensive business. No wonder most students are stony broke. You will become an expert at wrangling cheap nights out, cooking dinner for 75c and figuring out how to get things for free, but no matter how prudent you are, life simply ain’t cheap.
Costs vary of course. Dublin is more expensive than other parts of the country, but what about individual colleges? How do their students fare when looking for accommodation or buying dinner on campus? We decided to find out.
UCC
On-campus accommodationYou'll pay between €73 and €150 per week for college-owned accommodation. Some of this is on campus and the rest is nearby.
Off-campus accommodationShared house accommodation will set you back between €60 and €85 per week. €90 for a single room in a shared house is the maximum rent allowed by the college accommodation office. Utilities are usually extra.
A pint in the college bar€3.10 for Fosters
Dinner on campus€5 for Therese's signature curry in Club Áras. There are other €5 meal deals available as well.
Campus shop essentialsBottle of Lucozade: €1.55 Refill pad: €1.10 Packet of Tayto: 85 cent Sandwich: from €2.80 for chicken and stuffing to €3.90 for a wrap
NUIM
On-campus accommodationFrom €92 to €110 per week for a single room on campus. If you're a Gaelgeoir, it's possible to request accommodation with like minded people if you fancy living trí Ghaeilge.
Off-campus accommodationBetween €70 and €100 per week for a house share.
Pint in the college bar€2.50 for a can of whatever beer is on special
Dinner on campusIt changes but a decent feed will set you back about €4
Campus shop essentialsBottle of Lucozade: €1.19 Refill pad: €1.50 Packet of Tayto: 95 cent Sandwich: €2.99 (standard)
NUIG
On-campus accommodationThere is accommodation that is college owned but not on-campus per se. Corrib Village is the on- campus complex. Rates go from €72 per week for a standard twin room to €125 per week for a double ensuite there.
Off-campus accommodationThere is plenty of landlord-owned student accommodation in Galway. Prices vary but range from about €80 per week sharing or €103 per week for your own room in an apartment. Renting a house will set you back between €70 and €100 per week each, depending on how many people are sharing.
Pint in the college bar€3 for Fosters
Dinner on campusCurrently €5 for a carvery lunch. This is expected to come down, possibly to €3.50.
Campus shop essentialsBottle of Lucozade: €1.40 Refill pad: €1 Packet of Tayto: 65 cent Sandwich: Currently €3.95 but they're working with the supplier to provide a cheaper option for about €2.75 although the price has yet to be confirmed.
UL
On-campus accommodationLots of on-campus accommodation in UL. Plassey Village prices, including utilities, range from €3,483 to €3,999 per year. This works out at about €92 to €105 per week.
Off-campus accommodationRental properties in Castletroy are pretty reasonable. You will end up spending between €50 and €80 per week for a single room in a house close to college.
Pint in the college bar€3.30
Dinner on campusAbout €5
Campus shop essentialsBottle of Lucozade: €1.45 Refill pad: €1.20 Packet of Tayto: 70 cent Sandwich: €3.30
DCU
On-campus accommodationTwo sets of on-campus apartments (Larkfield and Hampstead) are available to school leavers. Prices range from €4,049 to €4,234 per annum depending on where you stay and whether you have a single or a superior room. Utilities are extra.
Off-campus accommodationBetween €80 and €100 per week will get you a single room in a house close by the college. Utilities are extra.
Pint in the college bar€3.50 for all pints except Fosters and Olm which cost €3
Dinner on campusThe bar offers a cheeseburger and chips for €6.50. A 12-inch pizza will set you back a tenner.
Campus shop essentialsBottle of Lucozade: €1.59 Refill pad: €1.55 Packet of Tayto: 75 cent Sandwich: €2.95 for a cheese salad, €3.95 for posher options.
DIT
On-campus accommodationNo on-campus accommodation but it has block- booked various halls of residence for students.
Off-campus accommodationExpect to pay between €75 and €180 per week depending on whether you're sharing a house in the suburbs or a city centre apartment.
Pint in the college bar€3.50-€4.50
Dinner on campus€4-€10
Campus shop essentialsBottle of Lucozade: €1.55 Refill pad: 99 cent Packet of Tayto: 65 cent Sandwich: €2.60
TCD
On-campus accommodationNo on-campus accommodation for first year. The college accommodation is Trinity Hall and it's near Rathmines, a bus or Luas ride away from college. Rooms start at €4,230 for the academic year and rise to €5,060 if you want a single en-suite room. Utilities are extra.
Off-campus accommodationHow long is a piece of string? Because of TCD's location, you can really choose to live anywhere along the bus, Dart or Luas lines as well as in the city centre. Expect to pay between €90 and €120 per week depending on whether you're sharing a house in the suburbs or a city centre apartment.
Pint in the college bar€3.50
Dinner on campus€5
Campus shop essentialsBottle of Lucozade:€1.50 Refill pad: €1.50 Packet of Tayto: 70 cent Sandwich: €3.50
CIT
On-campus accommodationBetween €2,700 and €4,500 per annum for student (not on campus) accommodation.
Off-campus accommodationExpect to pay about €85 per week for a single room in a shared house.
Pint in the college barNo bar on campus in CIT
Dinner on campus€3.20 student special
Campus shop essentialsBottle of Lucozade: €1.40 Refill pad: 75 cent Packet of Tayto: 70 cent Sandwich: €2.80 from the deli/ €1.75 prepack
WIT
On-campus accommodationBetween €73 and €87 per week depending on whether you want a twin room or a single ensuite.
Off-campus accommodationA house share will cost around €200 per month if three people split the cost.
Pint in the college bar€3.50
Dinner on campus€5.75
Campus shop essentialsBottle of Lucozade: €1.95 Refill pad: €1 Packet of Tayto: 70 cent Sandwich: €1.90
Who said education was free?
WE’VE ESTABLISHED that college isn’t cheap and the college registration fees are proof, if more is needed, that free third-level education is notional at best.
It’s bad news if you’re strapped for cash (who has an extra two grand rattling around their bank account these days?) but the good news is that if you’re a student, banks want your business.
There’s a whole range of products specifically aimed at the student market and the student parent market.
One of these, currently being promoted by Bank of Ireland, is a College Finance Loan.
Basically parents of students can borrow the cost of the college registration fee, repaying the money at a cost of about €100 per month.
The beauty of this loan is that when the students graduate they can take charge of repaying the remaining balance. Everyone wins.
