Cost of living in Northern Ireland

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Northern Ireland is a complex region with an industrial past, rooted in shipbuilding and textile manufacturing. Today it is home to two universities and a population of approximately two million people. It is a surprisingly affordable country and is well loved by students from around the world, so if you’re considering applying to Northern Island then read on. We’ve compiled some of the most up to date information about the cost of living here on a modest budget.

Fees and funding in Northern Ireland

Tuition fees represent a significant proportion of your annual student expenses and are usually due in full at the start of each academic year. The amount you pay is based on your tuition fee status, which depends on where you live.

Students from Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland pay £4,710 per year for a full-time undergraduate course, whereas students who normally live in England, Scotland and Wales are charged a tuition fee rate of £9,250 per year.

The most popular solution for UK students is to take out a loan from Student Finance to offset their course fees until after graduation. The loan is paid directly to your chosen uni at the start of the year, and a maintenance loan is also available to help you out with accommodation and lifestyle expenses.

Both Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast provide a raft of financial support services, including generous scholarship and bursary schemes which can give you discounted tuition fee rates, or other benefits such as cash stipends or access to specialist equipment and resources. Check out your uni’s fees and funding page to see what you might be eligible for.

Student accommodation in Northern Ireland

Each of Northern Ireland’s two unis provide convenient and cost-effective first-year housing in university-owned halls of residence. These are large apartment complexes located near campus, with convenient accommodation contracts offering many perks such as inclusive utilities bills, internet and insurance, as well as laundry facilities and social spaces, and often a concierge or security team.

Queen's University Belfast offers lower living expenses than many other comparably respected universities in the UK, with single bedrooms priced at £95 per week, and entire studio apartments starting at just £165 per week. Rooms are self-catered, and contract durations last 37 weeks, which is the same length as your undergraduate term dates.

Starting your university experience by living in halls is a low-cost and convenient way to introduce yourself to the area while living alongside other first-year students, making it easy to socialise and make friends.

If you’d prefer to rent your own place locally then you’ll find plenty of attractively priced options in Belfast and Derry~Londonderry city centres. A one-bedroom apartment in Belfast costs around £920 per month, and in Derry~Londonderry it averages £550, saving about 40%. A three-bedroom apartment in Belfast is priced at £1,500 per month, whereas in Derry~Londonderry it only costs £815. Great news for Ulster University students who can easily pay less than £300 person per month for comfortable city living. Considering rent is usually such as big portion of student expenses, this gives you more disposable income to enjoy other things.

Cost of groceries in Northern Ireland

Grocery prices in Northern Ireland are generally less expensive than in Edinburgh or London. There are many supermarket chains to choose from, including well-known low-cost outlets such as Lidl and Costcutter.

Belfast is marginally more affordable than Derry~Londonderry, with average prices for these commonly bought groceries listed at:

Milk (1L): £1.33
Bread loaf: £1.34
Rice (1kg): £1.66
Eggs (12): £2.88
Cheese (1kg): £5.29
Chicken fillets (1kg): £5.95
Apples (1kg): £2.08
Potatoes (1kg): £1.43

Our top tip: you can accrue membership points by getting a loyalty card for your favourite supermarket and exchange them for discounts or deals. 

Going out in Northern Ireland

As the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast offers a cosmopolitan landscape of eateries, pubs, bars and clubs. Derry~Londonderry too, has a decent offering of evening entertainment with a population of over 80,000 and a good blend of traditional and modern venues. Going out for a three-course dinner-for-two at a mid-range restaurant in Belfast could cost around £65, whereas in Derry~Londonderry it’s a bit lighter on your wallet at only £50 on average. Similarly, the cost of a pint of beer is about 20% less in Derry~Londonderry than in the capital, however drinking a beer in Belfast is still much better value than in London.

Our tip for going out inexpensively is to keep an eye out for student nights, which are usually heavily discounted on entry and drinks prices and often organised on weeknights. Depending on your timetable, they can be a convenient and affordable way to socialise with your peers and relax a bit mid-week.

Transport in Northern Ireland

Public transport in Northern Ireland is mostly by bus and rail. In Derry~Londonderry, a one-way ticket will cost only £2.62, and in Belfast it’s a little less at £2.50. In each case, if you think you’ll be using the service regularly, at an average of once per day, then it makes financial sense to buy a monthly pass. This costs £60 in Belfast, giving you a saving of around 25% if you travel once per day, plus the freedom to travel as much as you please. In Derry~Londonderry, a monthly pass costs even less, and all of this is before you’ve applied your student discount, which typically gets you a further 1/3 discount on monthly passes or single tickets. If you like to travel by bus or rail, then it’s a no-brainer!

Other student expenses in Northern Ireland

There’s a lot to discover in Northern Ireland, including unique natural locations such as the famous Giant’s Causeway, sandy beaches, green countryside and cultural heritage sites. While you may be staying in the city, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see what the rest of the region has to offer, so save a bit of cash during the week and plan a weekend getaway adventure.

Your uni will have lots of clubs and societies to join too. It might be a sports team or a special interest group, and signing might cost a small fee, or there may also be costs involved for the rental of equipment, facilities, or going on trips. Bear this in mind and factor it into your monthly budget to make sure you’ve got some cash left over to join in some of the events your societies are running.