Studying abroad is a dream of many students. Ireland is one of the countries, which attract a wide range of international students. Dublin and Cork are two popular cities, where students from across the globe visit. Selection between the two is a subject of confusion for many students.
So, here, we will provide the information about the two cities. You will find the comparison between Dublin and Cork here for international students those who are planning to study abroad and confuse to choose one Cork or Dublin..
University Rankings
In QS World University Rankings 2025, 1503 have been ranked. There are thousands of unranked universities also. Here are the rankings of universities in Dublin and Cork.
- Dublin
Dublin has multiple ranked universities in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin ranks 87th. University College Dublin ranks 126th. Dublin City University ranks 421st. The ranking of Technological University Dublin is 851-900.
- Cork
QS has ranked University College Cork #273.
Student Accommodations
Both the cities have good accommodations. There are different accommodation options in both. Student housing complexes can be found in these cities. In these accommodations, you find numerous high-end amenities. There are games rooms and cinemas for fun. Moreover, study desks and chairs and study tables are also available for studies. In most of the accommodations, you find Wi-Fi internet connections. In both cities, the prices of student accommodations start from €115-€125 per week.
Homestays are the other housing options in these cities. The prices of homestays start from €20-€22 per week in these cities. Dublin has private rental apartments starting from the price of €650 per month. Cork has very few private apartments.
Now, let’s have a look at the names of some student accommodation properties in these cities.
Some properties for student accommodation Dublin include:
1. Ardcairn House
2. The Loom
3. The Tannery
4. The Residence Stoneybatter
5. Munster Street
In the properties for student accommodation Cork, we can count:
1. Bottleworks
2. Amnis House
3. Curraheen Point
4. Lee Point
5. Park View – Victoria Road
Statuses of the Cities
Both are highly reputed cities but Dublin is the capital of Ireland. So, if you study in Dublin, you get an opportunity to study in the capital city. You miss this opportunity if you study in Cork.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is a significant factor to understand. Dublin, being the capital of Ireland, is considered more expensive than Cork. Here, you can know about the cost of living in the two cities.
Here is the comparison between the prices of meals and groceries in the two cities.
| Dublin | Cork | |
| Meal in an inexpensive restaurant | €20 | €18 |
| Meal for 2 people in a midrange restaurant | €90 | €85 |
| McMeal in McDonalds | €10 | €9.10 |
| Regular milk (1 liter) | €1.31 | €1.31 |
| Loaf of fresh white bread (500 grams) | €1.73 | €1.64 |
| White rice (1 kg) | €1.60 | €1.71 |
| Local cheese (1 kg) | €3.82 | €3.76 |
| Apples (1 kg) | €2.41 | €2.86 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | €1.86 | €2.40 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | €2.71 | €2.74 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | €3.78 | €4.06 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | €1.92 | €2.16 |
| Onions (1 kg) | €1.52 | €1.61 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | €1.17 | €1.30 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | €1.70 | €1.77 |
According to these details, the costs of meals and staple groceries are higher in Dublin whereas the costs of fruits, vegetables, and water are higher in Cork.
Still, the overall cost is higher in Dublin. There are some more costs, which are higher in Dublin. For example, you need to pay €90 to 100 in Cork whereas €130 in Dublin.
Employment Opportunities
Jobs may affect the decision of students who are in a bid to engage in part-time jobs or intend on establishing their careers after graduating.
Dublin is the economic center of Ireland, and since Dublin is recognized as one of the tech cities in Europe, students will be able to find many internship and employment opportunities, especially in the tech, financial, and media fields. Some of the companies including Google, Facebook, and Amazon among others have their European base in Dublin; this location provides a good platform for job seekers and networking.
Cork has also an established and growing economy although the city is not as large as Dublin. Cork is one of the major centers of pharmaceutical and technology industries including Apple. Despite this, employment may not be as ample as in Dublin, however, with Cork’s developing fields, the opportunities in the sector are excellent if one focuses on fields such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or civil engineering.
To a particular student who wants to get work experience and work in multinational companies, in giants such as Google or Facebook, Dublin offers a better chance. Nevertheless, if the loud and saturated market is not for you, Cork continues to develop various industries and thus guarantees certain activity.
Which City Is Better for Students?
For students who want to thrive in a large and fast-paced city, Dublin is better. On the other hand, if you want a more affordable and laid-back environment, then Cork is better.
