Cost of living in Derry~Londonderry

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Derry~Londonderry is a compact, walkable city located at the northern tip of the Northern Ireland. It’s the only intact walled city in Ireland and one of the best examples in all of Europe. It has a population of around 85,000 and offers a fantastic student experience, with a cosmopolitan atmosphere and plenty of attractions and activities to explore beyond the uni campus. In this guide, we’ll share our best cost of living advice for students in Northern Ireland’s second largest city.

Fees and funding in Derry~Londonderry

In terms of the yearly budget, course tuition fees usually represent a large portion of your overall expenses. Most unis ask for full fee payment up front, which can sometimes be difficult to afford without external financial help. If you’re a resident of England, Wales or Scotland then starting uni in Northern Ireland will likely include a tuition fee of £9,250 per year. Irish residents, whether from Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland will only need to pay up to £4,710 annually, which is already a saving of 50%.

Most students cover their tuition fees by taking out a loan from companies such as Student Finance, and Derry~Londonderry students can take full advantage of this. There are additional maintenance loans available to contribute towards general living costs like rent and groceries, and these loans do not need to be repaid until you are employed and earning above the repayment threshold.

Your uni may also offer scholarships or extra funding, so be sure to check out the financial department’s page on the university website and see if you are eligible for anything. Ulster University offers 25 different undergraduate scholarships for home, EU and overseas students so it's always worth checking the website to see if you’re likely to be eligible for some extra support.

Student accommodation in Derry~Londonderry

Ulster University has a pair of fully modernised halls of residence located right next to their Magee campus. Duncreggan Student Village has a selection of self-catered rooms with either shared or ensuite bathroom facilities arranged in three-storey towers containing a mix of flats shared between up to five students. There are on-site football pitches and a sports pavilion as well as grassy surroundings with picnic tables and barbecue spaces, and prices start at only £110 per week. Coppin House offers even more affordable rooms starting at £95 per week and provides specialised mobility and sensorial accommodation options for the same cost as their premium single rooms, which are just £98 a week. You can also rent a one-bedroom apartment as a single person or a couple for £188 a week.

Renting in Derry~Londonderry is remarkably cheap, and a studio apartment in the city centre will cost about £600 per month, and as little as £440 per month if you venture a little further out from the centre. A three-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs around £750 per month, which is a staggering 80% cheaper than what the same place would cost in central London! It’s hard to believe, but this is an indicator of how you can get a great degree without incurring a mountain of debt by studying in Northern Ireland.

Cost of groceries in Derry~Londonderry

With a population of 90,000 inhabitants, the city has a selection of large supermarket chains such as Tesco and Sainsburys, as well out low-cost wholesale outlets such as Iceland for frozen goods, and Long’s Supervalu, which is a family-run wholesaler. It’s worth trying them out to see what you could save. Average prices for these commonly purchased items are:

Milk (1l): £1.04
Bread loaf: £1.21
Rice (1kg): £1.38
Eggs (12): £2.07
Cheese (1kg): £5.83
Chicken fillets (1kg): £6.73
Apples (1kg): £1.50
Potatoes (1kg): £1.33

Top tip: buying in bulk will not only save you money in the short term but also means fewer trips to the shops in the long term.

Going out in Derry~Londonderry

Derry~Londonderry has a lively, vibrant culture of local pubs taverns and eateries. Going out for dinner is pleasantly affordable, with an inexpensive meal costing about £12 per person, and a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costing an average of only £40. This is about 30% less than in neighbouring Belfast. It’s easy to see why people love to study here, the food is good quality and with plenty of choices of cuisines to explore, without overspending.

Drinks are affordably priced here too, with beer costing less than £5 on average, whether it be a pint of local ale or a bottle of imported cerveza. Derry~Londonderry also supports a busy bar and club scene, with a range of traditional and contemporary venues, right on your doorstep. Look out for student nights to find the best drinks deals and discounted tickets.

Transport in Derry~Londonderry

Derry~Londonderry is a compact and very walkable city. It's easy to get around either by bus, car or bike, and many students choose to cycle or walk to save money. Nonetheless, a one-way journey costs only £2 and a monthly travel pass is only £42, which is an average of less than £1.50 per day for unlimited travel.

The city’s also readily accessible by road, rail, sea and air. It’s less than two hours from Belfast and three hours from Dublin by car, and boasts its own international airport, the City of Derry Airport, where you can fly in (or out) from Glasgow, Liverpool, London Stansted, and even Majorca.

Other student expenses in Derry~Londonderry

The city of Derry~Londonderry has plenty of things to do and no shortage of extra-curricular activities which you might want to keep a little cash aside for. It’s also a fantastic place from which to visit other places in Northern Ireland, being only a short drive away from world famous natural features such as the Giant's Causeway, the Dark Hedges and Carrick-a-Rede. Northern Ireland’s natural wonders are mostly free to explore, perfect for sticking to a strict budget.

Also bear in mind that as a student, your course might require additional costs such as books and library expenses, art materials, and services such as scanning and printing. Keep a small fund dedicated to this and you’ll be prepared for anything.

After your tuition fees, we recommend that you budget around £600 a month living in Derry~Londonderry, depending on your accommodation costs and lifestyle.

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