College costs students €7,000 a year, says survey

MORE THAN half the country’s college students are being forced to work to meet the €7,000 cost of keeping themselves going until next summer.

The Union of Students in Ireland has estimated this as the total cost of studying away from home for the nine-month year at third level, including the €670 registration fee.

The biggest single cost for students is accommodation, with average rents of almost €300 being paid in college cities and towns.