Trinity College Dublin, one of Ireland’s oldest and most prestigious institutions, has built a strong reputation internationally. With its idyllic campus and academic standing, it’s no wonder international students flock to it. Yet, as students’ experiences reveal, it’s not all grandiose ivy and enlightening seminars. If anything, the story of studying at Trinity highlights a lot of contradictions – a balancing act between an impeccable social experience and the grueling realities of living in a place that seems more focused on lining its pockets than caring for its students. As student Violet McEwan (Junior Sophister in JH History of Art and Architecture & Sociology) puts it, the college makes one thing painfully clear: “Trinity, as an institution, is for profit. And you can feel it.”
For international students, the financial burden begins long before they even set foot in Dublin. While Irish and EU students pay around €3,000 per year, international students cough up an average of €20,000 to €30,000, with courses in the School of Medicine and School of Dental Science costing as much as €57,000 per year.
Compared to the U.S. and other countries, where the tuition fees can easily surpass €70,000 a year, Trinity is still considered a more affordable option for many international students. Many acknowledge this and are happy to pay for the prestige and experience of studying here. However, that doesn’t erase the feeling of inequality when sitting next to domestic students who pay a fraction of the cost. To many students, it feels as if their place in the university is bought by their international wallets. Patrick Keegan, the Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) International Students Officer, agrees that it’s hard not to interpret Trinity’s behaviour as treating its international population as “cash cows”.
Once the international students arrive in Dublin, the financial story worsens. Let’s talk about housing – or rather the lack of it. Struggling to find a place to live is the quintessential Dublin student experience and perhaps the most universally agonising part of life at Trinity. The city’s rental market is nothing short of brutal. Rent prices have soared, and the availability of student accommodation is scarce. According to the Statista Research Department, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in D2 (was) €2,022 in the second quarter of 2024. This situation often leads to students settling for tiny, overpriced rooms or nightmarish home-share situations. Some resort to commuting from outside Dublin just to afford housing.
That being said, Trinity isn’t singlehandedly responsible for Dublin’s housing crisis. The rental market is cruel to everyone, and expecting the university to magically fix it would be unrealistic. However, given the amount international students pay in fees, it’s fair to expect at least some structural support – whether that’s more guaranteed housing, dedicated rental support, or even just not ignoring students when they reach out for help. However, this is not the reality. When student Joline Perdue (Senior Sophistor in BESS) reached out for help while living in a mould-infested house, Trinity’s response? Silence. Another student – Alice Weaver (Junior Sophister in JH History of Art and Architecture & Spanish)–, after failing to secure on-campus accommodation, was essentially told to “check the newspaper”.
If you’re one of the lucky ones who have managed to find a place to live, now you have to figure out how to afford it in addition to the rest of day-to-day costs – which you may find are extortionate and depressing. Many students are forced to work part-time jobs to cover basic living expenses. Student Michelle Chan (Junior Sophistor in English Literature & History) shared that she had to juggle two jobs and full-time studies, with the added pressure of preparing for the Foundation Scholarship exams – an exam that offers immense financial relief but disproportionately benefits those with the “luxury of time” to study for it. This sums up the heart of the problem: students are not given the space or the resources to focus solely on their studies. The financial burden fundamentally alters what it means to be a student here. It is a capitalist paradox and a sharp contrast to the Normal People-esque fantasy that so many international students arrive with.
For all its flaws, out of the ten students I interviewed for this article, not one regretted coming to Trinity. And that is extraordinary. The social scene is incredible, the academic reputation is solid, and the city has a vibrancy that keeps students engaged. Despite the financial burden, many students feel the investment is ultimately worth it.
Trinity College does offer an exceptional social experience and a name that will look fantastic on your CV, but when it comes to the things that truly matter – like housing, financial support, and meaningful academic guidance – students are largely left to their own devices. And it’s not just a minor inconvenience; it’s a major obstacle that makes balancing life as a student here much harder than it needs to be. So, is it the perfect university? Absolutely – if you don’t mind the constant hustle, financial strain, and the risk of being swallowed whole by Dublin’s housing crisis. But in the end, Trinity still provides a world-class education and an experience that students overwhelmingly feel is worth the struggle.
