Trinity College Dublin or UCL?

[Friendshipgroup]

Hi all,

DD just received an offer to read history at TCD. She has an offer to read History at UCL. She has not been allocated accommodation….bit it might be possible but they can’t advise.

Does anyone have any experience of TCD? We are based near London, I do have some family in Ireland but we are not close. DD has been to school in London so is used to London. Obviously neither of us has lived in Dublin, but she did have a tour before applying and liked it. no one else from her school would be going. I’m excited for her but also not sure what to advise really. I’m happy for her to go and have an adventure away from home. She’s confident so I have no issues with that and has boarded at school so no issues there either.

At this point TCD is cheaper in terms of tuition and if she was awarded accommodation that would be cheaper too which are all factors to consider.

Any advice greatly appreciated!

@Friendshipgroup Regarding a bank account, in the interim you could check if her current UK bank account now offers a travel account - many now do. So you just transfer money from the main account and then you don’t get transaction charges every time you spend. Revolut is another option.

Thank you. No idea why I didn’t think of that! We’re actually on holiday (assumed this would be an ideal break before uni started but did not anticipate organising logistics from a sun lounger 😂). Thank god for VPN, it does mean DD can sort things like the Leap card etc from where we are.

Any other tips gratefully received!

Starling bank account might be good - you can have linked accounts in GBP and Euros, plus it's all online and does well in service surveys.

She'll want a Revolut account in Dublin, it's used for so many things from paying at little markets to splitting bills with friends. It's really handy.

Wishing her all the luck here!

Thanks so much! Have passed on the info!

Congratulations to your DD @E5002 , and with her decision! Lots of friends of DD's studying BESS, most off to far-flung places this year or secured good home work placements.

We live in Dublin, my 19 year old dd is in a different university but lots of her friends are in Trinity and through them she has made a lot of overseas friends. My one worry for them is the location of Kavanagh Court. Whenever any of them are here (dd is big on entertaining!) I remind them to be very cautious in the area, keep their wits about them and under no circumstances walk home alone esp having been drinking.

When I was a TCD student there were very few non Irish except for Erasmus, and they all lived in Trinity Hall in Darty which is very much better located.

I've no idea how accommodation is allocated but if you have the choice go for Trinity Hall.

A Revolut account is all they need, my dc never use their traditional bank account, Revolut is used for everything.

If you've any questions about living in Dublin, ask away!

I love Trinity… have family in Dublin and many cousins who’ve studied there. Both DSs have been shown round, but sadly they’ve decided to stay in the UK. Ironically one is at UCL and is loving it. Good luck!

@capelmustard
the walking home thing applies to all places to be fair. I've friends who live almost opposite Halls who won't let their daughters walk along Temple Road or Palmerstone Park area alone, as there have been a few incidents there. I didn't feel safe walking from Halls into Rathmines village or at the bus stop nearest to Halls (outside the tennis club) because they are dark and lonely. So always travel in at least pairs I say!

Congrats to your student @E5002 BESS is a great course. Michael O'Leary did ESS (as it was then) and came and spoke to Business students last year I think .Have you accommodation secured in Dublin?