MAKING THE GRADE

WITH more than 200,000 students set to begin the annual accommodation hunt a report has found typical rent rates have fallen by up to €4,000 in the last three years.

Although the cost of accommodation still varies widely around the country, a typical student renting a two-bed property can expect to save between €1,500 and €4,000 over the course of the academic year, according to a report published yesterday by property website daft.ie.

The rental market analysis found the average cost for a double room in Dublin city centre (€501 per month) is about twice the cost of renting in Athlone, Castlebar and Tralee, while students hoping to attend third-level colleges in Cork, Limerick and Tralee can expect to fork out sums ranging from €345 in Cork city, to €257 in Tralee to €265 in Limerick city.