All the Irish universities and some of the institutes of technology and private colleges provide on-campus accommodation. Many colleges have recently completed campus accommodation buildings, and first-year students should have at least a 50/50 chance of getting an on-campus home.

These new modern “student villages” usually consist of a number of large apartment blocks with nearby services such as shops, laundry, and parking. Each unit normally holds between one and six people, with your own bedroom, a desk, and en-suite.  There is also a shared kitchen and living room.

Rent is generally paid in two instalments – September and January – which means students have to pay a lump sum up front. Costs vary from location to location, and range between E3,000 and E5,000 for an academic year, plus a refundable deposit.

Given the advantages of on-campus accommodation, especially for first year students, there is often a high demand for places. Students are advised to contact the accommodation offices of potential colleges or universities to make provisional bookings well before they are even offered a place. For example DCU recommends students reserve their place in February if they have a DCU course in their CAO choices.

Getting a place on campus has many advantages. Being around so many other students means making friends is a lot easier, and you are giving yourself the best chance to get to nine o’clock lectures on time each morning. As well as this, there are the nearby shops, sports and bar facilities, as well as the peace of mind given by campus security.

There are cons to on-campus accommodation too. These include the many distractions to tempt you away from the books, sharing facilities with total strangers who you may or may not get on with, and the curfews and restrictions on having friends stay over.

However when you weigh everything up, on campus accommodation remains the first choice for many people, especially first year students living away from home for the first time.