Cork
Student accommodation in Cork
Tucked away in the south-western corner of the country, Cork is Ireland's second largest city. If you want to make Cork your home for your university years, Student.com is your best source for finding cheap student accommodation.
Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions.
Cork at a glance
The beautiful city of Cork might not be on most people’s radar for top study destinations in Europe. Its population of 210,000 is less than a 5th of Dublin’s urban population but this university town located on the banks of the River Lee is a great student city.
Approximately 10 percent of the 36,000 strong student population are international students visiting from over 100 countries around the world. So, if you decide to study and live in Cork, you’ll have loads of opportunities to mix and mingle with other young people from all corners of the globe.
Youthful, liberal, upbeat, friendly, and cosmopolitan, Cork might be less popular than Dublin, but the locals see it as the true capital of Ireland. Cork seamlessly meshes its rich heritage with a more contemporary culture.
Walking around Cork you’ll find 17th-century backstreets with cobbled lanes dotted with stunning medieval castles, cathedrals, and forts. But you’ll also find modern glass and steel buildings such as the splendid Opera House and blocks of rowdy pubs and lively cafes just around the corner from 16th-century churches and palaces.
The city is also surrounded by waterways and breath-taking coastal villages and has one of the largest natural harbours in the world. Its fascinating attractions place the city among Ireland's best-loved tourist destinations attracting 1.6 million visitors per year. It was named the European Capital of Culture in 2005 and listed by the Lonely Planet Guide among the top ten cities to visit in 2010.
A Hub for Entrepreneurship
Prospective students will be happy to know that Cork has a thriving graduate job market. The city is noted as a centre of entrepreneurship and for high employment generation. Many international companies have established offices in the county, particularly from the IT, pharmaceutical, agri-food, and life sciences sectors. These companies include the European headquarters of Apple, as well as companies such as Pfizer, Logitech and EMC Corporation.
Student life in Cork
Studying abroad can be scary especially if you’re going to a large cosmopolitan city. If you’re considering Cork as a study destination you can cross safety off of your list of concerns. Having one of the lowest crime rates and highest safety indexes in the world, it’s generally a very safe city.
This means you’ll be able to enjoy all of what the city of Cork has to offer. For a small city, Cork punches well above its weight when it comes to fun and entertainment. You won’t be short of things to do and see in your downtime.
Events and festivities
Cork has a year-round calendar packed with festivities and events. On this calendar is a jazz festival, film festival, midsummer festival, comedy festival, harbour festival, folk festival, Oktoberfest and a short story festival.
You’ll also get to experience St. Patrick's Day the real way. Though celebrated worldwide, the magic of St. Patrick’s Day truly comes alive in Cork. The week-long festival provides a platform for the city to showcase its culture and its ability to revel. Each March, Cork bursts into life with a flurry of activities, dancing, music and a parade through the city’s streets.
Night out in Cork
Nightclubs, pubs, and bars will probably be your primary go-to whenever you’re in search of a good “craic” during your time as a student in Cork.
Cork has a wide variety of pubs, clubs, and music venues that will likely suit your style, whether that's sitting, chilling, having a chat with friends or dancing the night away.
Being a college town Cork has club nights designed specifically for students. Tuesdays and Thursdays are usually great days to meet new people and find great deals on food and drink. You can also catch regular live gigs with international artists as well as local Irish talent.
Venues such as The Bowery, An Spailpín Fánach, The Bodega, Cyprus Avenue, The Cork Opera House, The Everyman Theatre, and The Crane Lane usually host live music, from traditional and classical to heavy metal and experimental.
Explore further
If you’re in the mood for something more laid back you can take a day trip to the picturesque town of Cobh, the last port of call for the Titanic, or to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone. Spend an afternoon wandering around the ‘Gourmet Capital of Ireland’, the coastal town of Kinsale and its narrow streets.
The highlight of your stay might end up being a tour of West Cork with its pristine beaches (Inchydoney, Owenahincha, and Barleycove) and picturesque towns and villages (Skibbereen, Clonakilty, Baltimore, Union Hall, Glandore, and Rosscarbery).
For the culture vultures The Glucksman Gallery, The Crawford Gallery, and The Triskel Arts Centre/movie theatre will be of interest. Cork City Gaol, a former prison turned into a museum, and St. Finbarr’s Cathedral are also worth a visit.
The English Market
The world-famous English Market is another must-visit if you’re a ‘foodie’. The epicentre of the city’s gourmet scene is a major part of Cork’s well-deserved reputation as the food capital of Ireland.
Open every day except Sundays, the tourist attraction is a great place to buy any type of food imaginable. There’s also a great range of local eateries and speciality shops. Dating back to 1788, the market has become one of the biggest in Europe and it’s regularly lauded as one of the finest in the region. Several prominent TV chefs have raved about it and it was a high point of Queen Elizabeth's 2011 visit to Ireland.
Cost of living in Cork
Cork is a more affordable city to live in compared to many bigger, more popular cities. The cost of living in Cork is 24 percent cheaper than London, 22 percent cheaper than Dublin, 18 percent cheaper than Sydney, and 16 percent cheaper than Paris, according to Expatistan’s Cost of Living Index.
Of course, Cork wouldn’t be given the title of college town without a provision of student discounts. There are several places in Cork where students can grab a good bite to eat that's easy on the wallet. There are also many dedicated student club and pub nights at various venues around the city centre that are usually well advertised around campuses.
Most cinemas also have student rates, so you can catch a movie at a lower price.
Where to study in Cork?
Home to two universities with programmes designed to make you ‘work-ready, world-ready,’ Cork is a true place of international learning.
Both University College Cork (UCC) and the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) place a high emphasis on research and development as well as innovation. The ‘work ready and world ready’ concept consistently produces top-flight graduates for the growing number of high-profile companies located in the region.
University College Cork
Cork is home to one of Ireland’s leading universities, the University College Cork (UCC), which has been voted Ireland’s University of the Year five times, most recently in 2017.
Ranked among the top 350 universities in the world by the Times Higher Education rankings, UCC is known for its very high research output, rich student experience, and high academic standards.
The university’s collaborations with industry and worldwide recognized research centres prepare its 19,000-student population to become prime candidates for jobs as soon they graduate. Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise that UCC is amongst the universities with the highest postgraduate or graduate employment rates - 94% for undergraduate studies and 95% for postgraduate studies.
Cork Institute of Technology
With its internationally recognised research centres, research and innovation are a major focus at the Cork Institute of Technology. Through its talent pool of over 12,000 students, CIT is said to provide Cork with the majority of its entrepreneurial, innovative, and creative talent.
CIT students can immerse themselves in Art and Culture based courses through the CIT Crawford College of Art and Design and the CIT Cork School of Music. Drawing on the strengths of Cork’s maritime history, The National Maritime College of Ireland, a constituent college of CIT, is also located in a state-of-the-art building in the Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy.
Frequently asked questions about student housing in Cork
How do I apply for accommodation on Student.com?
Student.com makes it easy for you to book student accommodation in Cork. Our intuitive search filters and mapping feature allow you to compare and locate the different student housing we list.
Once you find a student property you like click ‘Enquire’ or ‘Book Now’ on the property page of the property you’re interested in. One of our booking consultants will then take you through the next steps and a contract will be prepared for you to sign.
Can you arrange a viewing for me?
Yes. Our booking consultants will set up a viewing for you if you would like to see a property before booking it.
What are the different types of student accommodation you offer?
In Cork we currently offer two different types of rooms. If you book a Private Room, you’ll get your own bedroom and bathroom, while other living areas are shared with tenants from other rooms.
In the Curraheen Point property you can also book the Entire Place option. With this option you’ll get a fully self-contained studio apartment, with your own bedroom, bathroom and a kitchenette for cooking your meals.
What bills are included in the rent?
In both Curraheen Point and Lee Point, all bills are included in the rent. This covers electricity, water and gas, as well as Wi-Fi.
Do you offer summer accommodation for students?
Yes, it’s possible to live in your accommodation over the summer in Curraheen Point.