What's not published yet
2027/28 prices and application dates haven't been published. Figures shown are for 2026/27 and will change.
Check the college's accommodation page before paying. Prices and dates change each cycle.
1. At a glance
SETU's Carlow campus is on Kilkenny Road (Eircode R93 V960), about 30 hectares with 16 buildings (about 37,500 sq m), plus the South Sports Campus at Mortarstown Upper (R93 AYW9). SETU describes it as a short walk into Carlow town, population about 24,000 (SETU Students' Union Carlow page). The 2026 CAO lists show 35 Level 8 and 33 Level 7/6 entries at Carlow. Carlow College (St Patrick's) has withdrawn from the CAO and accepts no new intake (see its guide).
2. On-campus / college-owned accommodation
SETU's Carlow accommodation page lists student accommodation near campus (Carraig Abhainn, Arinaga Townhouses, Hatch Student Living; section 3). SETU's 2026/27 residence fee page also publishes a 'Carlow Campus' price table (full academic year, paid in full in advance by 31 August 2026): Double Ensuite EUR 6,750 (licence fee 6,150 + utilities 650 - 50 discount); Double EUR 6,595 (5,995 + 650 - 50); Double Ensuite Twin EUR 3,865 (3,265 + 650 - 50). The instalment and monthly plans have no EUR 50 discount, so their totals are EUR 6,800, EUR 6,645 and EUR 3,915. Semester 1 only (paid by 31 August 2026): Double Ensuite EUR 3,430, Double EUR 3,360 (utilities EUR 400 each); Semester 2 only (paid by 14 December 2026): EUR 4,055 and EUR 3,970. Source: https://www.setu.ie/Craft/assets/policies/SETU-Accommodation-2026-2027-Rental-Rates-For-Publication-1.pdf. The 2025/26 schedule listed the same three room types at EUR 6,480, EUR 6,325 and EUR 3,475 (https://www.setu.ie/Craft/assets/policies/SETU-Accommodation-Residence-Fees-2025-26.pdf). These Carlow Campus rooms are booked through SETU's Carlow Student Services. Deposit is EUR 300 on application plus EUR 200 before check-in; utilities EUR 650 a year (2026/27).
Carlow Student Services (accommodation enquiries): Room F129, Barrow Centre, 059 9175600.
3. Partner / private purpose-built student accommodation
SETU lists three privately owned providers: Carraig Abhainn (086 0427976), Arinaga Townhouses (087 9394970 / 087 4109296) and Hatch Student Living. SETU says it cannot enter agreements between landlords and students and cannot recommend individual properties.
Carraig Abhainn (26 Carraig Abhainn, Mortarstown Road, Carlow R93 DW40; carraigabhainn.ie): directly opposite the campus, about a two-minute walk per the operator. 38 apartments with up to three students each. 2026/27 booking opened Tuesday 7 July at 10am; PPS number needed; deposit EUR 500 (EUR 400 refundable, EUR 100 non-refundable) by bank transfer; the booking page showed all room types out of stock when checked. Phone +353 59 918 2374, [email protected], book at https://carraigabhainn.ie/book-now/.
Hatch Riverbank (Carlow town centre; hatchstudents.ie/carlow-student-accommodation/): 10 minutes' walk to SETU, 5 to Carlow College, per Hatch. 2026/27 weekly rates: Bronze Twin EUR 171, Silver EUR 207, Gold Ensuite EUR 222, Gold Plus EUR 232, Premium Ensuite EUR 237 (all except Bronze Twin shown as sold out when checked). Tenancy 41 weeks, 28 August 2026 to 11 June 2027. Administration charge EUR 300 (deducted from January 2027 rent); booking deposit EUR 500 within 28 days; where a booking is cancelled after 28 August 2026, room fees are non-refundable unless a replacement student is found; room agreement signed within 28 days. Paying in full by 1 August 2026 gives a EUR 150 discount; also 3 or 9 instalments. [email protected].
4. Private renting & digs
SETU Student Pad (https://setustudentpad.ie/) is the platform SETU promotes; SETU also lists MyHome.ie, Daft.ie, Let.ie, CollegeCribs.ie, Rent.ie, Digs.ie and CarlowProperty.ie. The SETU Students' Union Facebook groups 'Student House Share Carlow' and 'Student Digs Carlow' are not run by SETU. RTB Rent Index Q1 2026 (standardised average, all property types, not a room rate): Co. Carlow EUR 1,357 a month for new tenancies, EUR 1,037 for existing tenancies. Source: RTB Rent Index Q1 2026: https://rtb.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RTB-Rent-Index-Q1-2026.pdf
5. Getting around
Both residences above are walkable to campus (Carraig Abhainn about 2 minutes, Hatch about 10 minutes per the operators). SETU lists JJ Kavanagh, Wexford Bus and Irish Rail services to Carlow, bike lanes to campus, and bike racks and e-bike parking near the Dargan Building and sports campus. On-campus parking does not require registration. Student Leap Card: Transport for Ireland states that Young Adult (19-25) and Student Leap Card holders (students in full-time training or education) get 50% off fares on participating commercial bus operators (https://www.transportforireland.ie/fares/50-discount-for-young-adult-and-student-leap-card-holders-on-commercial-bus-operators/). SETU's own visitor pages for Carlow and Wexford say Leap Card fares are usually 20% cheaper than cash single tickets; check the current discount at leapcard.ie when you order the card.
6. Supports
-
Accommodation queries: Carlow Student Services, Room F129, Barrow Centre, 059 9175600 (SETU contact page).
-
Student Accommodation Assistance for Irish Traveller, Roma and care-experienced students: up to EUR 6,000 a year in 2025/26 (round closed, deadline was 17 October 2025). https://www.setu.ie/current-students/student-support-services/access-supports/access-supports-carlow-wexford-campus/student-accommodation-assistance
-
SETU Student Assistance Fund (Carlow and Wexford): for students on full-time or part-time courses of at least one year (NFQ level 6-10); rent, utilities, heating and lighting, food, essential travel, childcare and urgent medical costs are eligible; tuition and registration fees are not. International/non-EU fee-paying students are ineligible. SAF 2026/27 opened for new applications on Monday 28 September 2026 at 2pm; funds are limited and not every request can be met. https://www.setu.ie/current-students/student-support-services/student-assistance-fund/student-assistance-fund-carlow-wexford
Where to get accommodation and who to contact
- SETU Carlow Student Services (accommodation office): Room F129, Barrow Centre, SETU Carlow, Kilkenny Road, R93 V960; 059 9175600. https://www.setu.ie/current-students/student-support-services/accommodation/accommodation-carlow/accommodation-contact
- Private providers listed by SETU: Carraig Abhainn (086 0427976, [email protected]), Arinaga Townhouses (087 9394970 / 087 4109296), Hatch Student Living ([email protected]).
- Private rentals: SETU Student Pad, https://setustudentpad.ie/
- Disability Support: [email protected], 059 917 5616 (Barrow Centre F116).
- SETU Global (international students): [email protected], +353 59 917 5207.
- SETU Students' Union (Carlow welfare and equality officer): https://www.setu.ie/current-students/student-support-services/student-union
- Student hardship: SETU Student Assistance Fund (details below).
7. Accessibility
Disability Support Officer (Carlow/Wexford): Student Services, Barrow Centre, Room F116; [email protected], 059 917 5616 (office 059 917 5600 / 059 917 5619). Learning support: [email protected], 059 917 5627. https://www.setu.ie/current-students/student-support-services/disability-support-services/disability-supports-carlow-wexford/contact-us . DARE (pre-entry route): https://accesscollege.ie
8. International & mature/postgrad notes
SETU Global (Carlow): [email protected], +353 59 917 5207. https://www.setu.ie/global/about-us/faq
9. Timeline for Sept 2027 entry
Carraig Abhainn opened 2026/27 booking on 7 July 2026 and Hatch's 2026/27 tenancy began 28 August 2026; both are full-year cycles. Start checking in spring 2027.
10. Key facts to check before paying
- The RTB states that student-specific accommodation (SSA) is regulated by the RTB, including SSA provided by colleges and private companies. You cannot be asked for more than one month's rent in advance, and the deposit is capped at one month's rent; more than one month in advance is allowed only if rent and tuition fees are paid to the same provider and the landlord agrees. SSA agreements should not exceed 41 weeks unless the student asks for longer. Landlords renting to students must register the tenancy with the RTB. Source: https://rtb.ie/renting/types-of-tenancies/student-specific-accommodation/
- Check the exact cancellation terms before paying a booking deposit (see the campus-specific deposit terms above).
11. Official sources
- https://www.setu.ie/current-students/student-support-services/student-assistance-fund/student-assistance-fund-carlow-wexford
- https://www.setu.ie/current-students/student-support-services/accommodation/accommodation-carlow
- https://www.setu.ie/current-students/student-support-services/accommodation/accommodation-carlow/accommodation-contact
- https://www.setu.ie/current-students/student-support-services/accommodation/accommodation-waterford/setu-residence-fee
- https://www.setu.ie/Craft/assets/policies/SETU-Accommodation-Residence-Fees-2025-26.pdf
- https://www.setu.ie/Craft/assets/policies/SETU-Accommodation-2026-2027-Rental-Rates-For-Publication-1.pdf
- https://www.setu.ie/about/setu-campuses/carlow-campus
- https://www.setu.ie/about/setu-campuses/carlow-campus/visiting-the-carlow-campus
- https://setusu.ie/carlow-town/
- https://carraigabhainn.ie/ and https://carraigabhainn.ie/book-now/
- https://hatchstudents.ie/carlow-student-accommodation/
- https://setustudentpad.ie/
- https://www2.cao.ie/points/l8.php, https://www2.cao.ie/points/l76.php
- RTB Rent Index Q1 2026: https://rtb.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/RTB-Rent-Index-Q1-2026.pdf
- https://rtb.ie/renting/types-of-tenancies/student-specific-accommodation/
- https://www.transportforireland.ie/fares/50-discount-for-young-adult-and-student-leap-card-holders-on-commercial-bus-operators/
- https://www.setu.ie/current-students/student-support-services/disability-support-services/disability-supports-carlow-wexford/contact-us
- https://www.setu.ie/current-students/student-support-services/student-union
- https://www.setu.ie/global/about-us/faq
How to ask the college
- How long is the contract, and what are the exact move-in and move-out dates?
- What's included in the rent (electricity, heating, Wi-Fi, bins, insurance)?
- How much is the deposit, and when and how is it refunded?
- What are the cancellation terms if you don't get your CAO offer or change course?
- Are there rules for first years (priority, distance rules, age limits, lotteries)?
If you don't get a room
- Ask the accommodation office about waiting lists and late availability.
- Use the college's own listing service or students' union listings shown on this page.
- Consider digs (a room in a family home): see the digs and rent-a-room guide.
- Work out whether commuting is realistic using the transport details on this page.
- Start looking in spring. Don't wait for CAO offers in August.
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.
Other South East Technological University (SETU) campuses
- SETU Dublin - National Botanic Gardens (Glasnevin)
- SETU Waterford - Cork Road Campus
- SETU Waterford - Kildalton College (Piltown)
- SETU Wexford - Summerhill Road Campus
National accommodation guides
Last verified 1 Oct 2026 · data year 2026/27 Report an error