Ronan Campbell, a law and politics student from Omagh, highlighted the difficulties students in rural communities face getting to their student accommodation.

“Parking is the hardest part because it’s packed. You arrive on a Sunday night and it’s jammed and if you move your car during the week you’re going to struggle.”

For Siofra Kearney, driving to university is no longer an option due to the lack of parking spaces.

“I take the bus from Newry. It’s a one hour and twenty minute trip, which is longer than it would take me to drive. All because I can’t park my car or get around town reliably.

“It’s not a very accessible city for students.”

The department said there are several parking lots and park-and-ride lots across the city that drivers are encouraged to take advantage of.