According to RTE, Ireland’s student accommodation crisis is no longer an abstract problem – it’s acute and visible. In Galway, the University of Galway had to distribute 40,000 flyers pleading with locals to open spare rooms for students (RTE NEWS).
That image alone shows the scale of demand.
The government, however, is not ignoring the issue. Over €100 million has been committed for 2024-2026, with more than 1,000 new beds funded in Maynooth, DCU, and UCD, and a Student Accommodation Unit by the government established to lead strategy (Gov.ie).
Following a recommendation from a 2023 Residential Construction Cost Study report, a Standardised Design Study is also underway to make sure state-funded student housing delivers value for money while aligning with climate goals.
Yet, between policy and delivery lies a stubborn gap – timelines, costs, and planning barriers mean new beds are delivered too slowly to meet the immediate increase in student demand.
This where I believe modular housing and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) can step in.
Lessons from Europe – Modular Student Accommodation.
The Residential Construction Cost Study (2023) compared Ireland’s housing delivery to Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. It found that Ireland lags behind European peers in its use of standardisation and off-site manufacturing.
“Increased use of standardisation in construction systems and specification of components… is evident in Copenhagen, Berlin and Utrecht. Manufactured panel systems are more common than labour-intensive bricklaying.”
The study estimated that adopting European approaches could reduce the cost of a two-bed apartment by up to 14%, through:
- 3% savings from smarter specifications.
- 6% savings by reducing unnecessary scope (e.g. multiple ensuites).
- 5% savings by deferring non-essential finishes.
In student accommodation terms, that translates to faster delivery of beds at lower cost per student. This is exactly what Ireland needs, and this is exactly what government needs to promote.
Why Modular is a Perfect Fit for Student Accommodation.
1. Quick Delivery
- Modular units can be factory-built and assembled on-site in weeks.
- This could avoid the annual scramble seen in Galway, where universities are begging for solutions.
- First-year students could be housed within months rather than waiting years for traditional builds.
2. Standardisation = Affordability.
- Modular thrives on repetition. Student blocks, with identical room layouts, kitchens, and shared spaces, are perfect for reducing cost.
- Applying the study’s findings, modular systems could cut costs by 10–20% compared to traditional builds.
3. Sustainability and Climate Goals
- Modular homes are typically A-rated for energy efficiency, with airtight insulation and less construction waste.
- Lower emissions align with Ireland’s net-zero commitments and the policy aim of a “low-carbon, climate-resilient society.”
4. Flexibility
- Modular blocks can be built for urban sites (high-rise student villages) or temporary campuses in growth areas.
- Modules can be relocated or repurposed if demographics shift. This reduces the risk of stranded assets that are sitting unused.
5. Equity and Inclusion
- Government funding reserves 30% of beds for disadvantaged students.
- Modular’s cost efficiencies mean more affordable housing stock can be provided without cutting corners on quality.
Student Housing, Modular Reality.
Let’s connect this to Galway.
Students are currently competing for spare rooms in private homes because purpose-built accommodation is scarce or mostly built for luxury (which is the last thing on most students’ minds).
Imagine instead:
- A 200-bed modular block erected on underused university land within a single academic year.
- Standardised twin rooms, shared kitchens, and communal study spaces; all designed to the cost-saving models already proven in Copenhagen, Beja or Berlin.
- Rental prices set at 25% below private market student digs, thanks to lower build costs and state-backed funding.
This is not speculative. It is already happening abroad.
Germany and the Netherlands routinely deliver modular student housing at large, while Denmark’s housing model is largely built on standardised panels and off-site manufacturing.
THE GAP – POLICY VS DELIVERY.
The government’s Standardised Design Study is encouraging, but it risks becoming yet another report that delays action. Students need beds now, not in three or five years.
- Policy says – we’ll study modular techniques and how to standardise them.
- Reality says – students are couch-surfing, commuting long distances, or postponing university attendance altogether.
The gap between intention and delivery is widening and modular housing is one of the few tools that can realistically close it.
Conclusion.
Modular and Modern Methods of Construction are not futuristic concepts; they are mainstream in Scandinavia and proven to cut costs, speed up delivery, and support climate goals.
The Irish government has recognised this in principle through its Standardised Design Study. Now, the next step is turning recognition into rapid deployment. Instead of relying on spare rooms and short-term fixes, Ireland could deliver modern, affordable, modular student housing at scale. This would give them dignity, stability, and a chance to focus on education rather than survival.
If Copenhagen, Berlin, and Utrecht can do it, so can Galway, Dublin, and Cork. But only if modular housing is not treated only as a curiosity, but as the cornerstone of student accommodation policy.
