Getting Ready for Living as a Student in Ireland

Getting ready for living as a student in Ireland is exciting and gives you a glimpse into all the amazing things you’ll be doing whilst studying.

2 March 2023   •    5 min read

Getting Ready for Living as a Student in Ireland

Getting ready for living as a student in Ireland is exciting and gives you a glimpse into all the amazing things you’ll be doing whilst studying. However, we understand that planning and preparing can feel daunting.

From budgets and student loans to creating a moving to Ireland checklist and preparing to make new friends in Ireland, there’s so much to think about!

Don’t worry though, this doesn’t need to be an overwhelming experience for you. In fact, we want to make the start of your student life in Ireland as hassle-free as possible, so that you can focus on enjoying yourself.

At Nido, we’ve created this guide to getting ready for living as a student in Ireland. This guide will cover the following topics:

  • The cost of living in Ireland for students
  • Before you move – student funding in Ireland
  • When you move – moving to Ireland checklist
  • After you move – How to make new friends in Ireland

Get ready to learn all about how to prepare for student life in Ireland!

 

The Cost of Living in Ireland for Students

Let’s talk about the cost of living in Ireland for students. Depending on which city you’re studying in, the cost of living for students in Ireland will be more or less. Students living in major cities such as Dublin and Cork may expect to pay more than someone studying in a smaller, rural city.

According to the Irish Council for International Students, if you study away from home in Dublin, estimated living costs are around €1,477.99 per month excluding tuition fees. Meanwhile, the average living costs in Cork are between €1,240-€1,880 per month depending on a number of factors.

Before you move to Ireland for university, it’s a great idea to work out what your average monthly living costs are going to be. Think about the following areas when working out the cost of living in Ireland:

  • Accommodation (and bills if they’re not included)
  • Food and drink
  • Shopping
  • Public transport (did you know, you can buy a Student Leap Card which gives you student discounts on fares for many public transport services?)
  • College supplies
  • Healthcare

Don’t worry though, even with your monthly expenses you can still enjoy the ultimate student life in Ireland. There are plenty of student discounts in Ireland that cover everything from shopping to eating. What shops do student discount in Ireland? When you get your student ID card from your college, you’ll get access to hundreds of shops and companies that will make buying things more affordable! Whether you want a book, some new clothes, a takeaway or a gift for a friend, you can get it cheaper as a student.

 

Before you Move – Student Loans & Funding in Ireland

Before you move to Ireland for a student life like no other, there are several things you need to do to make sure you can live your best student life. This includes understanding and applying for student funding in Ireland.

How do student loans work in Ireland? Whether you’re a home or international student, you’ll likely be eligible to receive a student loan that will contribute towards tuition fees and maintenance costs. You might be thinking, can I get a student loan to study in Ireland? Yes you can, but how much you’ll receive is dependent on a number of factors, and because it’s a loan you’ll be expected to make repayments once you’ve graduated. The best student loans differ from person to person to make sure you do your research before applying.

There are other types of student funding in Ireland too, such as scholarships and bursaries. You may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries based on academic performance, belonging to a particular faculty, or socioeconomic status and other factors. Unlike student loans, scholarships and bursaries don’t have to be paid back!

Student funding in Ireland can support you with tuition fees and maintenance costs such as rent and bills, making your student life in Ireland less stressful. However, it’s completely optional so you can do what you feel is best for you.

 

When you Move – Moving to Ireland Checklist

We understand that moving to university can feel overwhelming with all the things you need to remember to take. From important documents and study materials to toiletries and board games, we’ve put together a student packing list for Ireland.

Important documents/information

  • University letters – Since applying for college, you’ll have received several letters about your course, college and more. Often, you’ll be sent a welcome pack before you move to Ireland which will contain directions, instructions and useful information for starting your student journey. 
  • Student accommodation letters – Often, you’ll receive information about moving in a few weeks before you come to Ireland, including your address and where to pick up keys. 
  • Visa – One of the most important things to carry to Ireland as a student is your student visa if you need one. Without your visa, you won’t be able to begin your course or move into your college accommodation, which could delay your degree altogether. Make sure you add your visa to your moving to Ireland checklist! 
  • Student loan information – If you’ve applied for a student loan, been awarded a scholarship or are being given any sort of funding, it’s important to carry this information with you when moving to university. There may be times when you need to show proof of your funding, and it can also be useful to have these with you when budgeting. 
  • Passport and ID – Take your passport and ID with you when you move to college to prove your identity when registering for your course. You’ll be given a student ID card too which is important to keep with you at all times.

Living

  • Toiletries (and makeup) – Wash bag, toothbrush and toothpaste, towels (including hand towels, shower mats and flannels), grooming products such as hair gel and razors, hairbrush, makeup and anything else you use everyday. 
  • Healthcare – This will differ from person to person because you’ll have different needs to other students. Along with any medical prescriptions you already have, it’s a good idea to bring a first aid kit and contraceptives. Remember, if you’re moving away from your regular GP, you may want to register with a new GP that’s local to your accommodation. 
  • Kitchen equipment – You may decide to wait until you’ve moved into your student accommodation to shop for kitchen equipment, depending on how many people are sharing your kitchen and what’s been provided. At Nido, we’re partnered with UniKitOut to help provide you with all the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen essentials! Equipment to consider: pots and pans, plates, bowls, knives (sharp and butter knives), forks, spoons (large, small and wooden), chopping boards, glasses, cheese grater, measuring scales and anything else you use on a daily basis. 
  • Clothing – Underwear, everyday clothes, smart wear for interviews, smart-casual wear for socialising, coats and jackets, shoes, gym wear, dressing gown and any other clothes you wear a lot. You should also think about any jewellery and accessories you’d like to take with you 
  • Bedding – Check with your student accommodation provider what will be provided before you move in. Depending on what you have, you may want to add the following to your student packing list for Ireland: duvet and cover, pillows and covers, bed sheets and blankets.

Socialising

  • Board games – We know packing space is valuable, but who doesn’t love a board game? Playing games with flatmates is a great way to make new friends in Ireland. Will you bring Monopoly or Jenga? Fun fact – at our Nido Ardee Point accommodation, we have a variety of fun board games in common spaces that you can use any time you want! 
  • Anything related to hobbies – If board games aren’t your thing, bring anything related to any current hobbies you have! Living as a student in Ireland will bring you lots of opportunities to meet people with similar interests so you never know when your football, bike, craft kit or embroidery will come in handy! 
  • TV or games console – After a day of lectures and studying, you’ll want to relax. What better way than to watch Netflix or play a video game? Remember, if you’re watching live or catch up TV, you will need a TV licence.

Studying

  • Course books – You may not pick these up until you’ve moved into your accommodation, but at some point you’ll need to collect your course books. Before you buy them, it’s always useful to check whether your student library has any copies available as you might be able to save money by borrowing rather than buying. 
  • Stationery – Notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters, folders, dividers, holepunch, ruler, paperclips, pins (these are ideal if your accommodation has a pin board), bluetack, command strips to put up posters with, and anything else you use regularly. 
  • IT Equipment – Don’t forget about technology! You’ll need a laptop and charger (or a desktop computer if you’d prefer), mobile phone and charger, extension cables and something to save your college work on such as a USB stick.

 

After you Move – How to Make New Friends in Ireland

Once you’ve moved into your student accommodation in Ireland and prepare to begin your studies, that’s when the fun starts! As with any new adventure, you’ll want people to experience it with, and what better time to make new friends than when you start uni?

If you’re wondering how to make new friends in Ireland when you go to college, don’t worry. We’ve put together a few ways that you can meet new people and make new friends in Ireland. Our biggest piece of advice we can offer is to remember that everyone’s in the same boat when you start university. It’s a brand new experience for every student, so other people are likely to be feeling the same way as  you!

 

Student accommodation

Before your course even begins, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make new friends in Ireland, especially when you move into your student accommodation. Students typically move into accommodation during Freshers Week, a week or two before your course starts. This gives you the chance to meet people and make friends before getting busy with your studies. The best part is that you’ll get to meet a range of people from different courses, that you may not have met otherwise!

If you’re new to the city you’re studying in, you could suggest a day out exploring with your flatmates to get to know the city better. This will help you make new friends in Ireland, while also helping you settle into where you’re living.

Make friends on your course

One of the best ways to make new friends in Ireland is to get talking to people on your uni course. You’re likely to find people with very similar interests or aspirations because you’re studying the same course.

During the first couple of weeks of your course, your faculty may put on welcome events to encourage students to get to know each other. These are great because you can talk to other people on your course outside of lectures and classrooms. Plus, your new course mates may even introduce you to other people on your course that you’ve not had the chance to meet yet!

Making friends on your course is a great idea because you’ll likely have similar deadlines and assignments throughout the year, so you can study together as well as socialise.

Join a society

University life is one big adventure! Part of this is meeting new people, trying new things and learning more about yourself. There’s no better way to do any of this than by joining a society.

During Freshers Week, societies will often put on taster sessions so you can get a feel for what the society does. There are hundreds of societies, ranging from football and rugby, to literature and chemistry. Whether you’ve been doing a hobby since you were young, or want to try something new, joining a society is great!

The best part is that you get to meet like-minded students who share similar interests to you. It’s a great way to make new friends in Ireland because they may not study the same course as you. Plus, societies will often organise socials so that each week you have a time to come together and socialise with each other.

 

Not Found Your Perfect University Accommodation in Ireland yet?

So there we go, a guide to getting ready for student life in Ireland. We can hardly contain our excitement!

Moving to Ireland is an experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life and we want to help you make it as easy as possible. From working out your budget and applying for a student loan, to creating a moving to Ireland checklist and joining a society, there are so many amazing things you can do to start your journey off the right way.

Ireland has world-renowned universities and a rich culture and history, making it one of the best countries to study in. Wherever you study and live for the next few years, we know you’ll love every second of it!

Speaking of living…have you found your ideal accommodation yet? At Nido, we have a range of stylish student accommodation types in Dublin and Cork. Whether you’re looking for a studio and a private kitchenette, or an apartment with a shared kitchen, we’ve got you covered.

Plus, we care about you and your wellbeing which is why our accommodation is more than just a room to sleep in. We’ve created a social hub for you to enjoy and relax in, with wellness rooms, social areas and study facilities. We also have super speedy WiFi to make studying as easy as possible!

Want to find out more about our student accommodation options in Ireland? Take a tour around Dublin’s Nido Ardee Point and Cork’s Nido Ashlin House, Nido Curraheen Point and Nido Broga House. Get in touch with us today with any questions and a member of our friendly team will be more than happy to help!

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