Cost of campus accommodation hits the roof

College View: Students lining the pathways, queues for the delicatessen in Spar and the endless cups of caffeine.

Photograph credit: The College View/Zainab Boladale
Photograph credit: The College View/Zainab Boladale

The smell of new books, the vibrancy of new stationary, the heavy backpacks slumped on the shoulders of hungover students and the excitement of residing in a new place away from the prying eyes of parents.
There's an omnipresent excitement and buzz enveloping the campus of DCU.
All of the students are vowing to study more and drink less, or to get their assignments done well before the midnight before the due date.
Don't forget about all of the lively events lined up during freshers' week to welcome the new first years to university life.
Even though the first few weeks are full of adventure and new experiences, for some families it can be the beginning of severe financial strain.
It was revealed last month that, according to a survey from the Irish League of Credit Unions, 60 percent of parents will go into debt to cover the cost of their child's third-level education.
We are all aware of college tuition fees which now amounts to roughly €3,000 a year with a student levy on top of that.
However, the cost of campus accommodation in DCU only exacerbates the financial burden on families after this year's increase in costs.
A standard room in Larkfield costs €4572 for the year compared to €4172 in 2015. Hampstead prices have also increased.
A single room costs €4860 compared to €4420 in 2015 and a double room in Hampstead now costs €4932 for the year.
On top of these prices, you must also pay a €300 damage deposit and €450 for utilities.
The prices of accommodation on St. Patrick's Campus has also had an augmentation. It is €4572 for a single room this year whereas it was €3,300 last year and a €400 damages deposit.
This is an increase of 38 percentage points. All Hallows also saw an increase in their accommodation prices too.

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