Ireland
To many people from across the globe, Ireland is seen as one of the best places to live in the world. The people of Ireland pride themselves and the country for the excellently high standards of education, quality of life, governance, ease of doing business, personal freedom and health that we enjoy while living on the Emerald Isle.
International students love coming to Ireland and indeed Maynooth as they always tend to experience a relaxed lifestyle with the ability to travel easily between cities and the beautiful countryside for which Ireland is famous.
World-Class Learning
Ireland’s education system provides some of the best learning opportunities on the planet, with outstanding teaching and high-quality programmes available at all levels.
Why Ireland?
As Education In Ireland say:
It takes independent thinkers and doers to succeed in today’s world - and it takes a pioneering, creative and agile country to produce them. That country is Ireland!
The Irish Overseas
Over the past 300 years, between 8 and 10 million people born in Ireland have emigrated. As a country and a people who fully appreciate the benefits to travel overseas for education or career development, Ireland is ideally postiioned to offer the warmest of welcomes to international students coming to study and live in our country.
Ireland – Key Facts
Size: 84,421 square kilometres
Population: 4.58 million (Dublin population – 1.35m)
Capital city: Dublin (25 minute drive from Maynooth)
Official languages: English and Irish
Currency: Euro
Population under 29 years: 40.2% (one of the highest in Europe)
Minimum wage: €10.50 per hour
TIMEZONE
Irish Standard TimeIST
Time Zone: Europe/ Dublin
Universal Time Coordinated GMT / UTC: UTC+1
Daylight Saving Time GMT: Greenwich Mean Time: UTC+0
Standard Time IST: Irish Standard Time Currently in use: UTC+1
On-campus accommodation - details of our on-campus accommodation options are here, however, these are in high demand and fill up quickly. It is recommended that you explore other options as outlined below.
Off-campus accommodation -
Home Finder Service | Maynooth University
Other links (not affiliated with Maynooth University) - www.daft.ie; www.rent.ie; www.airbnb.ie; www.homestay.com
Places to look for accommodation outside of Maynooth town:
You can search for accommodation in neighbouring towns with transport links to Maynooth as follows.
Train route in green: travels through Leixlip, Clonsilla, Coolmine, Castleknock, Ashtown, Broombridge, Drumcondra to Dublin Connolly train station.
Dublin Bus number C4 route in yellow: travels through Celbridge, Lucan, Palmerstown to Tara Street in Dublin city centre.
The routes above would be covered by the TFI 90-minute fare which is €1.00 for young adults (19-23) and students in full-time third level education (24+). The TFI 90-Minute Fare applies to most journeys made in the Dublin area on Dublin City bus services (operated by Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland), Luas and most DART, commuter rail (zones 1 to 4 in the Short Hop Zone). More information here.
Kilcock, to the west of Maynooth, is served by Bus Eireann (route 115, every 30 minutes), Irish rail and there is a direct cycle lane along the canal to Maynooth.
For further transport information:
www.transportforireland.ie
Student Leap Card (travel discount card): Student Leap Card (msu.ie)
Short-term accommodation in Maynooth
On arrival, you may wish to avail of short-term accommodation while you look for permanent accommodation – www.maynoothcampus.com
Important Garda (Police) information for students booking long-term accommodation online: Student Accommodation Fraud Scam Warning for 3rd Level Students
Other resources:
Incoming Erasmus/Study Abroad students should connect with other students via the MU Erasmus Facebook group
Incoming non-EU full degree students can connect with other students on the CampusConnect app
What To Pack When Moving To Ireland!
WHAT TO BRING?
Travel light if you can – you will have time to shop for presents and mementos so make sure you leave enough space in your bags!
The climate in Ireland ranges from cold to hot to rainy so try to bring clothes and shoes to suit.
As well as bringing the essential travel and immigration documents we also advise you not to forget to bring the following:
- Passport and/or ID cards (+copies)
- Proof of health insurance (+copies)
- Point of Entry Letter (in paper & digital)
- Acceptance Letter/Email (in paper)
- Credit card and/or ATM card and/or 'digital waller' on your phone
- Calculator, notebook, pens and whatever you need for classes
- Your Phone, powerbank etc.
- Laptop or similiar device for remote learning
- Adapters and all essential electronics!
- Toiletries and medicines
- Raincoat and/or umbrella (this is Ireland!)
- Comfortable walking shoes (for all the exploring)
- Clothes you can layer for changeable weather
- Excitement!
As the only university located in a town rather than a city, we estimate the cost of living to be less expensive at Maynooth University that at the other universities in Ireland. We advise students that cost of living including accommodation, books, entertainment, food, bills, etc. should be roughly be budgeted between €12,000 per year.
This is intended as a guide: expenses will vary from student to student.
Cost of Living (estimated) for Academic Year (9 months or 38 weeks)
Accommodation and monthly expenses
| |
ON CAMPUS |
OFF CAMPUS |
| |
MONTHLY (€) |
ACADEMIC YEAR (€) |
MONTHLY (€) |
ACADEMIC YEAR (€) |
| RENT |
555-721 |
4988-6488 |
500-750 |
4500-6750 |
| UTILITIES |
0 |
0 |
60-90 |
540-810 |
| FOOD |
210-240 |
1890-2160 |
120-180 |
1080-1620 |
| TRAVEL |
40-60 |
360-540 |
40-60 |
360-540 |
| BOOKS & MATERIALS |
30 |
270 |
30 |
270 |
| CLOTHES & MEDICAL |
60 |
540 |
60 |
540 |
| MOBILE |
20-40 |
180-360 |
20-40 |
180-360 |
| SOCIAL LIFE |
130 |
1170 |
130 |
1170 |
| TOTAL |
1090-1326 |
9810-11934 |
1095-1445 |
9885-13005 |
Once-off Expenses
| Security Deposit for Accommodation for Off-Campus Accommodation (refundable); |
500-750 |
| Bed Linen & Sundry Items for Accommodation |
100-300 |
| Immigration Registration (IRP) Card |
300 |
| Taxi from Airport |
60-80 |
| Textbooks and Materials |
100-200 |
| TOTAL |
1060-1730 |
Supermarkets:
The following supermarkets/grocery stores are located in Maynooth: Dunnes Stores, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi and Supervalu.
Tesco is a large store with electrical items, clothing, homeware, and stationery, as well as groceries. Dunnes Stores and Aldi are located right beside the North campus, just a two-minute walk from on-campus accommodation. You will find homeware clothing in Dunnes, along with groceries. Supermarkets have "own brand" food, e.g. St Bernard’s in Dunnes. These are cheaper than regular brands and are usually of good quality. Shops such as Aldi and Lidl offer cheaper goods than the other supermarkets.
Remember:
• The Doctor on campus is free of charge. • Internet access in the on-campus apartments is free. • The gym on-campus is free. • Many shops in Maynooth and Dublin offer student discounts, from 10% - 30%, with proof of a valid student card. • You can get a student travelcard to avail of discounted rates on bus and train travel.
There are three main banks in Ireland and each of them have a branch located in Maynooth town:
In addition, there is An Post (Irish Postal service) which offers banking services in conjunction with AIB - www.anpost.ie.
Banks are usually open Monday to Friday from 10am until 4pm. An Post (the Post Office) is open 9 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday and from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays.
It is not possible to open an Irish bank account without proof of residency in Ireland. You will usually need to bring the following with you to the bank:
It is advisable to check with your chosen bank if additional documents or information will be required in order to open an account.
Working Part-Time
International students (excluding citizens of EU countries) can only take up part-time causal employment of up to 20 hours per week if they are studying full time and are fully registered. Students can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week) during holiday periods only. Please see exact details on the INIS website.
Please be aware that part-time work can potentially assist with living expenses and incidentals, but will not cover all living costs and certainly will not be enough to cover tuition fees.
International students who meet the above conditions and wish to take up work in Ireland must obtain a Personal Public Services Number (PPS Number – see below). An employer can only pay employees with a PPS number, and funds will usually only be paid to an Irish bank account.
Part-time jobs are advertised on notice boards in the Students Union, in newspapers, and online. You can also hand in your CV (curriculum vitae/resume) to shops or you may need to fill in an application form. It is not uncommon to have a trial period before you are permanently hired. Ireland’s minimum wage is €10.50 per hour.
Details of campus job opportunities can be found here.
PPS Number
Your Personal Public Service Number (PPS Number) is a unique reference number that helps you access social welfare benefits, public services and information in Ireland. You will need to obtain a PPS number if you wish to work in Ireland, or if you are in receipt of scholarship funding from an Irish or EU organization.
To get a PPS Number, you will need to apply through the Department of Social Protection (click here for more details) and produce the following documents as evidence of identity and residence in Ireland:
- Your passport or national identity card
- Your Immigration Card
- Evidence of your address, such as a household bill (electricity, telephone, gas, etc.) in your name or a letter from the University which contains your study address.
PPSN Registration Centre offices are located at 197/199 Parnell Street, in Dublin city centre.
Once you receive your PPS number, it is advisable to memorise it or keep it safe as it is very personal information.
All students who obtain a PPS number must notify the International Office.
Important websites:
Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation - Guides on work permits
Personal Public Serivice (PPS) Number
HEALTH INSURANCE
All non-EEA students are required to have private medical insurance when coming to and residing in Ireland for the purpose of study. Non-EEA Students are required to provide proof of this medical insurance at registration with the Immigration Service. Details of the requirements are as follows - Irish Immigration.
Non-EEA students are advised to consult the Health Insurance Authority website. for reliable information about health insurance products available in Ireland. => Note: It is the student’s responsibility to obtain health insurance and ensure it is renewed annually. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of your student visa.
EU students will need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which can be obtained in your home country.
The EHIC replaces the E111/E128 forms. Please see the European Health Insurance Card website for more information.
