With the release of first round of third-level college offers yesterday, the annual scramble for student accommodation has reached peak frenzy.

The accommodation listing run by the University of Galway had 363 rooms still available on Wednesday, although some were as far away as Tuam, Ballymore outside Craughwell, and Athenry – charging rates as high as €500 per month to stay for five days without meals.

The Atlantic Technology University (ATU) equivalent had 166 rooms available this week – one offering was over 50km away in Lettermore – a four-bedroom house being let by room for a total of €2,000.

One survey put Galway as the sixth most expensive place to go to college in Ireland – costing €15,552 per year – €464 or 3% more than 2023. That’s €2,405 more than Letterkenny, the cheapest town in Ireland to attend third level.

University of Galway Students’ Union President Faye Ní Dhomhnaill said there are still some properties available so students should not panic and monitor legitimate accommodation websites closely. These include www.uniofgalwaystudentpad.ie and https://www.atustudentpad.ie.

“Finding accommodation can be extremely stressful and people tend to rush into it. It is paramount that you follow our guidelines to avoid scams and ensure that the house you live in will be sustainable for you and your friends,” she advised.

“Never rush into getting accommodation, be cautious and insist on receipts and any repairs where necessary. This will be where you stay for at least nine months so make sure you have all the necessities before making any commitments.”

Caption: University of Galway Students’ Union President Faye Ní Dhomhnaill.

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