Transferring to UCC - paying difference in fees?

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum.

Back story. Was in NUIG for 2 years, failed 2nd year, took 2 years out, want to go back this year and finally finish 2nd year. However I want to transfer to UCC. I always believed that my fees for going to UCC would've been €2700, which is grand, I'm working to save up at the moment. However I was talking to the Admissions office in UCC just there and she informed me I'd be paying between €4000-6000 for repeating my year. I went online to see for myself and according to this little excel sheet they have posted up, for repeating a full 60 credits, I'll have to pay €7405, which I simply cannot afford. Even if I worked for ANOTHER year, I don't think I'd have that much saved even (not including living expenses).

So, I'm pretty devastated at the moment. I've been dying to go back to uni, especially at UCC. Now I went online to check how much repeat fees are in Galway and according to it's website, very simply; "If you are repeating a year of your course, the repeat fee is EU: €1,824."

Now why it's €1824 in one university, and €7405 in another university (both of which are run by the state) is beyond me. I know everyone will say "why dont you just repeat in Galway?" and without going into detail or talking about my personal life - I really, really, really REALLY dont want to have to go back to Galway. Lived there for 4 years and for a number of personal reasons I just cant go back.

So I'm wondering, although I think I know the answer (ie NOPE), can I re-register in NUIG, pay my fees there, THEN transfer to UCC? Or will I have to pay the difference? Some €5581? Even though transfers for UCC open in May and close in June...

Blah Does anyone have any advice on what I can do? Feeling pretty demoralized...