Accommodation
Finding suitable accommodation in Dublin can sometimes be difficult, and we would recommend that you organise this as soon as you have been made an offer to study at RIAM.
You first need to decide whether you would like to live in student residences or consider alternative options. Each student will have his/ her own preference, and both forms of accommodation have advantages and disadvantages.
We often find that students studying for one year (for example, a postgraduate programme) prefer to live in a student residence.
Students coming to study in the first year of a three- or four-year degree programme tend to live in a student residence for the first year and then explore the possibility of moving off-campus with friends.
Student Residence Accommodation
Our partner providers will assist students in choosing the most suitable type of accommodation for their period of study in Ireland. Student Residence accommodation facilities provide options ranging from standard accommodation to more luxurious.
Full details are available at:
Dublin Student Accommodation | Apartments & Homes | aparto | Aparto (6 residences in Dublin). Student rooms from €291 per week.
Stephen's Quarter Aporto: Choose this vibrant student accommodation in Dublin city centre, just a short walk to RIAM.
Student Accommodation in Dublin | Yugo (8 residences in Dublin). Free Cancellation before 1st May when you book for 2026/27.
New Mill Yugo: The Liberties is billed as Dublin’s coolest neighbourhood: a mash-up of history and nightlife, culture and street life. New Mill provides the social spaces to keep you happy on the home front too, including study rooms, a gym, a games room and a cinema space. 25 minutes' walk to RIAM.
Ardcairn House | Student Accommodation Dublin | Yugo (This property has a purpose-built music room which RIAM students have access to).
Griffith Halls of Residence (Dublin Student Accommodation) (Book now for Academic Year 2026/27) Student rooms from €209 per week.
Griffith Halls of Residence (GHR) student accommodation is open to any third-level learner in Dublin. Just 20 minutes walk from St. Stephen's Green in Dublin's city centre.
Student Accommodation in Dublin | The Residence Stoneybatter (Dublin 7) (Book now for Academic Year 2026/27)
Within easy reach of RIAM.
Prices for student residences start from *€209 - €310 per week or more, depending if *sharing or in single room.
Alternative Accommodation Options
There is also accommodation available in the vicinity of RIAM. Students can choose from private apartments, renting a house with fellow-students or living with a family. Please remember that you should allow yourself ample time to search for a suitable accommodation type to meet your needs (please allow at least 4 weeks for adequate research).
When looking to rent an apartment in Dublin, students should refer to www.daft.ie
Useful Websites
Renting in Dublin: Advice for International Students
Finding accommodation in Dublin can be competitive and challenging, particularly for international students who may be unfamiliar with the Irish rental market. Unfortunately, rental scams and rogue landlords do exist. The information below is designed to help you rent safely, understand your rights, and avoid common pitfalls.
Be Aware of Common Rental Scams
International students are often targeted by scammers. Watch out for the following warning signs:
- Listings that are much cheaper than similar properties in the same area
- Requests for deposits or rent before a viewing
- Landlords claiming they are living abroad and unable to meet or show the property
- Pressure to pay immediately due to “high demand”
- Listings using photos copied from other websites (such as Airbnb)
If an offer seems too good to be true, it usually is.
How to Protect Yourself
To reduce your risk:
- Always view the property before paying money. If you are not yet in Ireland, request a live video viewing.
- Never pay in cash. Use bank transfers and keep all receipts and records.
- Ask for photo ID and proof of ownership or authority to rent.
- Check the property address and do a reverse image search of listing photos.
- Do not allow yourself to be rushed into decisions.
Know Your Rights as a Tenant
Most private landlords in Ireland must be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Check that the landlord is registered. Check the Register - Residential Tenancies Board
As a tenant, you are generally entitled to:
- A written tenancy agreement
- Reasonable notice before termination of a tenancy
- A safe, secure, and habitable living space
A landlord cannot:
- Enter your accommodation without notice (except in emergencies)
- Retain your deposit unfairly
- Evict you without proper notice and a valid reason
You can verify RTB registration and learn more about your rights on the RTB website.
Deposits and Contracts
- A standard security deposit is one month’s rent. Requests for significantly more should be treated with caution.
- Always read the contract carefully before signing.
- Take photos of the property when you move in to document its condition.
Where to Look for Accommodation
We strongly recommend using:
- RIAM approved accommodation lists
- Trusted platforms such as Daft.ie (remain cautious and vigilant)
Whenever possible, seek advice from current students or official university services.
Final Advice
The Dublin rental market is competitive, but you should never feel forced into making unsafe or rushed decisions. Taking time to verify a property and landlord can protect you from financial loss and housing insecurity.
RIAM and TCD Students’ Union also regularly advertise accommodation on their Facebook page or Instagram group.
Short Term Accommodation
If you arrive in Dublin early you may need to book a local hostel or Bed and Breakfast until you can move into your room on campus. The following websites are good for finding short-term accommodation in Dublin:
- daft.ie
- Finding student housing in Dublin (on dublin.ie)
The following list of hostels, Bed and Breakfasts and Guesthouses may also be of use if you need temporary accommodation when you arrive in Ireland.
Hostels Abbey Court
29 Bachelors Walk , Dublin 1
T: +353-1-8780700
E: [email protected]
W: abbey-court.com
Isaac’s Hostel
2/5 Frenchman’s Lane, Dublin 1
T: +353-1-8556215
E: [email protected]
W: isaacs.ie
Stay Generator
Smithfield Square, Dublin, Ireland, 7
T: +353 1 901 0222
E: [email protected]
W: staygenerator.com/hostels/dublin
Homestay
Homestay accommodation is when a student stays with a local family.
Living with a local family helps students to settle in to life in Ireland. Homestay includes full board (all meals). Students feel like part of a family and live in a safe, comfortable Irish family home. Staying with an Irish host family allows students to learn about the Irish way of life, Irish culture and will give them lots of opportunities to practice their English.
The following facilities are available to students who stay in homestay:
- Single room with a comfortable bed, a good supply of quality bedclothes and weekly change of bed linen
- Laundry taken care of by host or reasonable access to laundry facilities allowed to student
- Space for clothes storage
- Table and chair in the bedroom for private study or access at all times to another room with a table and chair
- Adequate lighting and heating
- Free access to bathroom and bath or shower daily
- A clean and well maintained house
Homestays can be booked for the first number of weeks or for the full length of the course in agreement with home stay provider.
Rates start from €26 per night or €190 per week
To book:
Homestay Accommodation in Dublin (hostfamilydublinireland.ie)
Dublin Postal Codes
When looking at the location of a homestay to RIAM, you should consider the distance from the RIAM, access to public transports.
Always look at the postal code address to determine location
The postal district appears with one or two digits (or in the case of one district, a digit and a letter) appearing at the end of addresses, e.g.:
Sample Address: RIAM, Dublin 2 or (D2)
Map of Dublin postal codes: Dublin Postal Code Map - IrishTourist.com