Student housing near Dublin City University.
DCU sits in Glasnevin on Dublin's northside, about 4 kilometres from the city centre, which puts students within reach of both affordable northside neighbourhoods and the bustle of central Dublin. Getting that balance right between rent, commute time, and quality of life is the real decision, and it starts with knowing which areas actually work for the campus.
Typical rent
€800to€1600
per month, single room
Most private rentals in Dublin are quoted per month and typically exclude utilities such as electricity, gas, and broadband, which can add €80 to €150 per month depending on household size. A security deposit equal to one month's rent is standard and legally capped at that amount under Irish tenancy law. The term 'all in' does appear in Irish listings and signals that some or all utilities are bundled, though confirm exactly what is covered before signing.
The neighbourhoods
Where DCU students live
5 areas to compare on rent, commute, and vibe.
📍Glasnevin
€900 to €14005 to 15 min on foot or by bus
Quiet residential area directly adjoining the campus.
Best for: Students who want to walk to lectures and avoid transit entirely.
📍Drumcondra
€950 to €145010 to 20 min by bus or 20 min on foot
Well connected northside village with cafes and rail access.
Best for: Students who value quick city centre access alongside a short campus commute.
📍Phibsborough
€1000 to €150015 to 25 min by bus on routes 9 or 83
Lively urban neighbourhood with a strong independent food and pub scene.
Best for: Students who want social amenities close by without paying city centre prices.
📍Santry
€850 to €130010 to 20 min by bus on routes 1 or 41
Northside suburb close to retail parks and green space.
Best for: Students on tighter budgets who are comfortable with a bus commute.
📍Clontarf
€1100 to €160025 to 35 min by bus or DART plus bus
Coastal suburb along Dublin Bay with a relaxed seaside character.
Best for: Students who prioritise environment and lifestyle and can manage a longer commute.
Getting there
Getting to DCU
Most students reach DCU by bus. Routes 1, 11, 13, 19, and 41 serve the campus or stop within a short walk of it, connecting Glasnevin and surrounding northside areas. From Drumcondra, the campus is reachable on foot in around 20 minutes or by bus in under 10. Dublin Bus is the primary network, and journey times from central areas such as O'Connell Street typically run 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Cycling is a practical option from Glasnevin, Drumcondra, and Phibsborough, with second hand bikes available from local shops and the Bleeper and Moby bike share schemes providing flexible short trip options.
The TFI Leap Card offers discounted fares on Dublin Bus, Luas, and DART, and students aged 19 to 23 can apply for the Young Adult Card which reduces fares by around 50 percent across the network.
Dublin rain is frequent and often arrives without warning, so building extra time into bus commutes is sensible since services can run late during heavy weather.
The timing
When to start looking
The Dublin rental market moves quickly ahead of each academic year, with the heaviest competition running from June through to late August for September intake. International and exchange students arriving in January for the second semester should begin searching from October onwards. Leaving it to July or August for autumn entry significantly reduces options and pushes up price, so earlier searches consistently produce better outcomes.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How far is Phibsborough from DCU?+
Phibsborough is roughly 3 kilometres from the DCU Glasnevin campus. By bus on routes 9 or 83 the journey takes around 15 to 25 minutes depending on traffic, and cycling takes approximately 15 minutes via the Royal Canal towpath route.
What's the average rent near DCU?+
A single room in a shared house within a 2 kilometre radius of DCU typically costs €900 to €1400 per month. That sits slightly below the Dublin city centre average, which regularly exceeds €1500 for comparable rooms, but northside demand has been rising steadily and affordable options require fast action.
When should DCU students start looking for housing?+
For September entry, start searching in May or June at the latest. For January entry, begin in October. Both intake periods see strong demand and the best value rooms in Glasnevin and Drumcondra are typically taken within days of listing, so having alerts set up from the moment you search matters.
Where can I see live listings near DCU?+
Socials tracks over 250 housing platforms covering Dublin and surfaces listings close to DCU in one place. You can filter by neighbourhood, set your budget, and get new matches pushed directly to WhatsApp so you hear about rooms as soon as they appear, not hours later when they may already be gone.