That's one of the findings of a report by researchers at UCC and Trinity College Dublin
The study found that 71% of those taking part in a two year masters programme worked between one and 35 hours a week outside of their training in order to fund their studies.
Many students reported being stressed and losing sleep while thinking about their finances.
Speaking to RedFM News, Mark Prendergast from UCC's School of Education outlines why students are facing such a dire financial situation:
"These student teachers are spending an average of €423 per week. The majority, they were paid for extra hours that they undertook in their school placement setting over the course of the two years, and also for work they undertook outside of the programme, and that was generally in the hospitality area. But despite these long hours, on average there was deficit of €151 per week."