Before going to college, the main focus of all students is points. Will I get enough points for my course? If I don’t get my course, what is my second option? Should I take a gap year? All of these questions and worries are valid, getting the points to go to college is the main aim. But once you get to college, the reality is it’s a costly endeavour. Between accommodation costs, the price of a pint and the expenses for every day travel, groceries and college supplies, university can be pricy for students as well as their parents.
In terms of accommodation, be prepared to pay over €3,500 for a standard twin room in University of Galway’s cheapest on campus accommodation, Corrib Village. If you are looking for a single room the going rates for on-campus single rooms can be anywhere between €4,900 in Corrib Village to €6,900 in Dunlin Village, University of Galways newest on-campus student housing.
Unfortunately, these accommodations book out quickly and many students are unable to get on-campus accommodation. There are other housing options including Gort na Coirbe, Hubble Living and Glasan for students studying in ATU, all of which also book out quickly so keep an eye out for deadlines to book the rooms.
Once you have accommodation sorted, most students begin looking forward to the social side of university life, a night out. The cost of a night out varies from person to person, depending on if you drink, what type of drink you prefer and how many drinks you have. The average cost of a pint in Galway ranges from €5.50 to €7, while other drinks like spirits and cocktails cost more.
Many students drink at the on–campus student pub, Sult as it is cheaper, or go to certain pubs that have offers on drinks on certain nights.
Other aspects of a night out also can be expensive, such as a taxi ride in or getting a takeaway after, but this will all vary depending on the student. It is easy to have a cheap night out by cutting back on these additional costs.
Travel is another aspect of college that can become expensive if not managed well. Without a Leap card, bus fares into Galway city can add up. It is highly recommended that students buy student Leap cards; not only do they offer cheaper tickets, they are also convenient as you won’t need to worry about having spare change for the bus.
Buying and cooking meals everyday is something most students did not have to worry about at home, however now in college, finding affordable meals every day for dinner is not easy. Setting a weekly budget for food will help keep you on track, ensuring you buy good quality food without breaking the bank.
Most shops have rewards schemes such as a Tesco club-card prices. Signing up to a reward scheme in your preferred grocery store is a simple way to ensure you are getting the best value for money.
Check the dates on perishable items such as meat and dairy to ensure you will eat it all before it goes out of date so you have less food waste. Weekly food plans also help to ensure your meals are not only affordable but also nutritious. Although it may be tempting to order takeaway for dinner, this is always a more expensive option. Cutting down on takeaway is a simple way to save money in college.
Although this all sounds expensive, working a part-time job on the weekends and ensuring you have signed up to grants such as SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland ) if you are eligible, will make studying in college a lot more enjoyable and affordable.
