Being a student at Castel will offer you many fantastic opportunities while you study at MTU.
Castel is based at MTU Kerry Campus, a major provider of programmes across Business, Engineering, Humanities, Science and Healthcare. It has in the region of 3,500 full time undergraduate and postgraduate students with a significant international student population from over 40 different countries worldwide. MTU Kerry operates on a shared site with Kerry Technology Park. This proximity has enabled the development of links with a range of cutting-edge start-ups, global companies and internationally recognised research centres.
MTU Kerry Campus
The Kerry North Campus is home to the Kerry Sports Academy. This €19m building provides exceptional facilities, which are universally accessible by people of all abilities.
The Sólás nursing centre is a purpose built, state of the art facility, which offers classrooms, meeting rooms, lecture theatres, conference facilities, boardroom, computer laboratories, nursing clinical skills suites and nursing interpersonal skills suites. The fully equipped nursing clinical skills suites are designed to provide a simulated clinical learning environment. The student nurse can learn the clinical skills of nursing through communicating and interacting with peers and experienced facilitators in a safe, non-threatening and friendly setting.
The library service at MTU Kerry campus provides study and research facilities on both the North and South campuses. The library service provides support and access to all of the information and resources which you will need. These include:
- access to more than 30,000 volumes, plus subscriptions to more than 100 periodicals and journals.
- an extensive collection of electronic resources, including e-journals and e-books.
- flexible learning spaces - quiet study areas, a large group study room and project meeting rooms.
- computer areas with access to internet-enabled PCs.
- wireless internet access and laptop connectivity throughout each library.
- reading rooms with PCs and wireless access for laptops.
- user education room for information literacy classes.
- assistive technology room with hardware and software suitable for students with disabilities, including students with specific learning difficulties.
- fully equipped audio-visual room.
- industry, business and community groups are also encouraged to avail of our library facilities.
MTU has a wide range of student sports clubs and societies offering you the chance to meet people with similar interests, to try new things and to have some fun and relax from your studies.
Information on MTU societies (e.g. drama, art, photography etc.) can be found here.
Information on MTU Sports Clubs can be found here.
Accommodation
Castel Education Team are available to give advice and assist students with finding suitable accommodation. There are two main categories of accommodation: host families and private accommodation.
It is strongly recommended that students live with host families to avail of all the benefits of staying with an Irish family, in particular improving your English language competence.
Students who have stayed in host family accommodation regularly describe their experience as being 'home from home'. Host families can provide a range of services including, in many cases, transport to and from the Institute, provision of meals, laundry etc. Participants will stay with a family chosen from our high-quality host family network who have been Police vetted and inspected by the Castel Education Accommodation Officer. Host family accommodation is a great choice for students who wish to improve their English and integrate into Irish culture. Through this option, students will become acquainted with an Irish family, familiarise themselves with Irish customs and traditions and ultimately experience Irish life first hand.
Students who live with host families have a greater opportunity to speak English outside the classroom. These students show stronger progression in their English competency than those who live in self-catering accommodation.
All students under the age of 18 are required to live in a host family environment.
Tralee is a relatively small town and all of the student apartment complexes are accessible to the university. During the week there is a college bus service that stops near the student apartment complexes. The fare is €1.50 per journey.
Many students choose their accommodation to be close to the university which makes for a shorter journey to classes. Those who live closer to the town centre have the advantage of being closer to shopping and other public facilities.
The easiest way to find private accommodation, outside of our student villages list, is online.
Always organise a viewing in person, to make sure the accommodation is suitable. You should never book this type of accommodation without first viewing it.
Weekly or monthly terms of payment are agreed with the landlord and electricity, heating and refuse collection charges are additional to rent. Make sure that both you and landlord are in agreement with this before signing the lease.
The main costs that IMCP students can expect to incur while studying in Ireland are accommodation and living expenses. The below figures provide an estimate of the approximate cost of living.
Host family Accommodation (approximate cost per week)
- €200 - €250
Self-Catering Accommodation (approximate cost per month)
- 1 Bedroom €600-700
- 2 Bedroom €800-1000
- Light & heat €180
- Food €300
