What's not published yet
Figures are as of 1 Oct 2026, before Budget 2027 (6 Oct). They will be updated after the Budget.
CAO has published its 2027 dates sheet. The 2027 Leaving Cert results date and the Round One date are not on it yet.
Choose your college
32 colleges. Tap a college to see its campuses, or search by town or county.
- ATU Connemara (Letterfrack)Galway
- ATU Donegal, KillybegsDonegal
- ATU Donegal, LetterkennyDonegal
- ATU Galway City, Dublin RoadGalway
- ATU Galway City, Wellpark RoadGalway
- ATU Mayo (Castlebar)Mayo
- ATU MountbellewGalway
- ATU Sligo (Ash Lane)Sligo
- ATU St Angelas (Lough Gill, Sligo)Sligo
- Atlantic Technological University (ATU) overview
- SETU Carlow - Kilkenny Road CampusCarlow
- SETU Dublin - National Botanic Gardens (Glasnevin)Dublin
- SETU Waterford - College Street CampusWaterford
- SETU Waterford - Cork Road CampusWaterford
- SETU Waterford - Granary CampusWaterford
- SETU Waterford - Kildalton College (Piltown)Kilkenny
- SETU Waterford - West CampusWaterford
- SETU Wexford - Hill Street CampusWexford
- SETU Wexford - Summerhill Road CampusWexford
- South East Technological University (SETU) overview
- TUS Clare Street campus (Limerick School of Art and Design)Limerick
- TUS Clonmel Digital CampusTipperary
- TUS Coonagh campus (Limerick)Limerick
- TUS Ennis campusClare
- TUS Midlands - Athlone CampusWestmeath
- TUS Moylish campus (Limerick)Limerick
- TUS Thurles campusTipperary
- Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) overview
Private colleges
National guides
Master checklist: college accommodation in Ireland
CAO opens 5 November 2026 (noon). Normal closing date 1 February 2027 (5pm). Discounted fee EUR…How to apply: timeline for September 2027 entry
Students usually need to secure accommodation before they hold a CAO offer. College housing application…Costs and grants
2026/27: EUR 2,500, after a permanent EUR 500 reduction from EUR 3,000 announced in Budget 2026 (gov.ie; Citizens Information gives EUR…Tenancy rights and scams
International students
Programme: ISD: students must enrol in "a full-time day time programme" on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP). Proof…Accessible accommodation
DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) gives reduced-point places. Citizens Information: DARE "does not directly provide…Digs and Rent-a-Room
A room in the landlord's home. The RTB states that "if the landlord lives in the same building, or part of a building, as the…Glossary and FAQ
Adjacent / non-adjacent rate: SUSI maintenance rates. Adjacent when the college is "less than 30km" from your normal residence…Notices
Carlow College, St Patrick's
1. At a glance
Carlow College (College Street, Carlow, R93 A003) announced its plan for the future on 19 May 2026. It advised the CAO to withdraw its undergraduate courses from the CAO website for 2026 and states that no new student intakes will be offered in 2026/27 and beyond. Currently enrolled students will be supported to complete their studies and qualifications with the college, and the college's land and buildings will transfer to South East Technological University (SETU) as soon as practicable. The college's applicant FAQ page is headed as a closure notice and gives a two-year framework for current students to finish. Students aiming to enter in September 2027 cannot apply to Carlow College through the CAO; it is not in the CAO's 2026 points lists. Contact: 059 9153200, [email protected].
Courses it offered to existing students: B.A. (Hons) in Arts & Humanities; English & History; Psychology; Social, Political & Community Studies; B.A. in Applied Social Studies (Professional Social Care). Its FAQ points applicants to comparable programmes at SETU (Carlow, Waterford, Wexford), Maynooth University, University College Cork and other regional providers.
2. On-campus accommodation
The college's accommodation page says Lennon House is reserved for International and Erasmus students and that accommodation is fully booked for 2026/27. It is not an option for Sept 2027 entrants because there is no new intake.
3. Where to get accommodation and who to contact
Carlow College (College Street, Carlow, R93 A003): 059 9153200, [email protected]; accommodation page https://www.carlowcollege.ie/student-life/accommodation/ . For Sept 2027 entry in Carlow, use SETU Carlow Student Services (Room F129, Barrow Centre, 059 9175600) and the private providers below.
For applicants looking elsewhere in Carlow
The college's accommodation page names HATCH Student Living, 5 minutes' walk from the college. Hatch's Carlow page says its Riverbank Apartments are 5 minutes from Carlow College and a 10-minute walk to SETU. Accommodation guidance for SETU Carlow is in the SETU Carlow guide.
11. Official sources
- https://carlowcollege.ie/carlow-college-announces-plan-for-future/
- https://carlowcollege.ie/undergraduate/
- https://carlowcollege.ie/applicant-faqs/
- https://www.carlowcollege.ie/student-life/accommodation/
- https://www.carlowcollege.ie
- https://hatchstudents.ie/carlow-student-accommodation/
- https://www2.cao.ie/points/l8.php and https://www2.cao.ie/points/l76.php
Setanta College (Online)
1. At a glance
Setanta College appears on the CAO 2026 lists for Strength and Conditioning: SC801 (Level 8, Round 1 points 261), SC701 (Level 7, 349) and SC601 (Level 6, 308), each labelled "Online" at Level 7/6. Setanta's degree page says all modules are delivered part-time by blended or distance learning, with weekly lectures through its virtual learning environment and no mandatory on-campus attendance. The BSc runs 4.5 years, one module at a time over three-month periods, with intakes in March, June, September and December (Setanta BSc page). The Higher Certificate runs three years on the same pattern. Setanta lists an optional 3-day student conference and practical workshops at its Strength and Conditioning SportsLab (Higher Certificate page).
2. On-campus / college-owned accommodation
Setanta is an online college: the BSc and Higher Certificate are delivered by blended or distance learning with weekly lectures on its virtual learning environment and no mandatory on-campus attendance, so there is no relocation and no college accommodation.
3. Partner / private purpose-built student accommodation
Not needed for online study.
4. Private renting & digs
Online students study from home. If you attend the optional 3-day student conference or the SportsLab workshops, the details are issued by Setanta; ask the office below.
5. Getting around
No commuting for the online modules.
6. Supports
Setanta College, Oscar Wilde House, 1 Merrion Square North, Dublin D02 NH98. Phone (01) 485 3177 (office hours 9am-5.30pm); [email protected]; contact form https://www.setantacollege.com/contact/ . Enrolled students use Moodle at online.setantacollege.com.
Where to get accommodation and who to contact
Setanta is delivered online, so there is no accommodation to book. Contact: Setanta College admissions and student enquiries, [email protected], (01) 485 3177, https://www.setantacollege.com/contact/ . Strength and Conditioning (BSc) page: https://www.setantacollege.com/our-courses/bachelor-of-science-bsc-in-strength-conditioning/
7. Accessibility
Online delivery means no accommodation needs; for learning supports contact [email protected] or (01) 485 3177. DARE (pre-entry route): https://accesscollege.ie
8. International & mature/postgrad notes
Non-native English speakers must show IELTS 6 (dated within 2 years of enrolment), CEFR B2+, or a Level 5+ qualification taught in English (Setanta BSc page). Entry: minimum age 18; six O6 grades including English and Maths in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent; mature applicants (23+) assessed on experience and motivation.
9. Timeline for Sept 2027 entry
Setanta states intakes in the first week of March, June, September and December. Its page says registration is through Setanta's online portal (setantacollege.com/sc-pathway-app-ireland/).
10. Key facts to check before paying
If you do rent anywhere for in-person components, RTB student-specific accommodation rules apply: https://rtb.ie/renting/types-of-tenancies/student-specific-accommodation/
11. Official sources
- https://www.setantacollege.com/our-courses/bachelor-of-science-bsc-in-strength-conditioning/
- https://www.setantacollege.com/our-courses/higher-certificate-in-strength-conditioning/
- https://www2.cao.ie/points/l8.php and https://www2.cao.ie/points/l76.php (2026 CAO lists)
- https://www.setantacollege.com/contact/
Student accommodation questions
SSA: student-specific accommodation, housing used solely for students during the academic term or year.
How much deposit can I be asked for?
No more than 1 month's rent. You also cannot be asked for more than 1 month's rent in advance (SSA exception where rent and tuition are paid to the same provider).
How long can a student licence or tenancy be?
Should not exceed 41 weeks unless you ask for longer.
Is rent capped?
Increases are limited to once a year, by 2% or inflation, whichever is lower (RTB, from 1 March 2026). New apartments and SSA with construction commenced from 10 June 2025 follow CPI with no 2% cap. As of 1 October 2026, before Budget 2027 (6 October 2026). We will recheck this after the budget.
Do I need my landlord registered?
Yes, for tenancies and SSA; check the RTB register. Digs with a live-in individual landlord do not need registration.
When does CAO close?
1 February 2027 (5pm); EUR 35 fee before 20 January 2027; EUR 50 after.
Can my parents claim the Rent Tax Credit?
Yes, conditions apply (approved course, child under 23 at the start of the tax year in which they first began one, no family link to the landlord, enough income tax liability). Up to EUR 1,000 single, EUR 2,000 jointly assessed for 2024-2028. As of 1 October 2026, before Budget 2027 (6 October 2026). We will recheck this after the budget.
Does DARE get me a room?
No. Citizens Information: DARE does not directly provide housing or accommodation.
Who helps if I am at risk of homelessness?
Threshold (1800 454 454), your college accommodation or welfare office, and Focus Ireland's Extension Service for ages 18-26 (01 881 5900).
Scam warning
Report any listing with an overseas address, a request to pay before a viewing, or no RTB registration. Read the tenancy rights and scams guide.
Last verified 1 Oct 2026 · data year 2026/27 Report an error