The University

Established in 1845, the National University of Ireland, Galway has a distinguished reputation for teaching and research. With over 160 years experience of academic excellence, this is one of Ireland’s most popular universities.

We provide an extensive choice of programs across our five Colleges and are continually developing and enhancing our program offering, to respond to the diverse needs of our international students. Here, you will also benefit from a truly unique student experience that only NUI Galway can offer. We are proud of our reputation as a student-centered university, with staff who are friendly and approachable and ready to make time for you.

There are currently over 13,000 full time and an additional 4,000 part time or visiting students enrolled across the five Colleges of the University, over 12% of whom are international students.

Courses

Certain restriction may apply, but as a general guide you will find a wide range of courses across the following disciplines:

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies:  Archaeology, Celtic Civilization, Classics, Economics, English, French, Geography, German, History, Information Technology, Italian, Law,

Mathematical Physics, Mathematics (including Statistics), Philosophy, Political Science and Sociology, Psychology, Spanish, Women’s Studies.

College of Business, Public Policy and Law: Accountancy and Finance, Economics, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Law.

College of Engineering and Informatics*: Civil Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering. * Not all courses are available to Visiting Students.

College of Science*: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Earth and Ocean Sciences,

Mathematical Physics, Mathematics, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Physics, Physiology. * Not all courses are available to Visiting Students.

For more information on courses in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies, please navigate to the following pages: Visiting Student Booklet Semester 1 for fall semester courses or Visiting Student Booklet Semester 2 for spring semester courses.  For courses in the College of Business and Economics, please navigate to: NUI Galway Business Courses.

The City

NUI Galway is located in the heart of Galway city, one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, so our students also benefit from all the facilities that a modern city has to offer. Here you will enjoy the best of both worlds - the rich social and cultural life of a cosmopolitan, friendly city, but also one of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes, attracting tourists from all over the world.

The unique student experience at NUI Galway owes much to our location in the beautiful west of Ireland. The campus is situated on a picturesque 250 acre site on the banks of the River Corrib, just a short stroll from the centre of Galway city. Settled by the Kings of Connacht and Norman traders in the twelfth century, Galway grew steadily in the middle ages. In 1484, the English monarch, King Richard III granted the city its charter. Traces of Galway’s rich medieval past can still be seen today in the city’s narrow streets and laneways.

At St. Nicholas Collegiate Church, according to tradition, Christopher Columbus prayed before setting out on his voyage of discovery to the ‘New World’. The Spanish Arch – so named because of Galway’s maritime trade with Spain – is located close to the Claddagh, a traditional nineteenth century fishing village on the banks of the River Corrib and home of the world famous Claddagh Ring.

Galway is a ‘college town’ in every sense, with students accounting for approximately 20% of the population of the city during term. This youthful energy is reflected in the many internationally renowned festivals, music sessions, cultural and sporting events that are hosted in the city every year.

Young, vibrant and cosmopolitan, today Galway is widely regardedas the cultural capital of Ireland. The world renowned Druid Theatre Company, the Macnas Street Theatre Company and An Taibhdhearc, the national Irish language theatre, are all located in the city. Galway and its surrounding hinterland - Connemara, the Burren and the Aran Islands - is a major draw for visitors who come west to see the Ireland of rugged countryside, castles, lakes and rivers and savor the unique atmosphere of Galway’s restaurants, cafes and traditional Irish music pubs. The University’s close proximity to Connemara and the Irish-speaking Gaeltact region provides a uniquely Irish dimension to the campus, one of many factors which appeals greatly to our international students.

Galway also serves as great base for exploring other parts of Europe, with flights from Galway Airport to Dublin, London, Manchester and Edinburgh. Shannon Airport is a short 90 minute bus trip from Galway and offers flights to London, Paris, Barcelona as well as New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

Student Life
There is no better way to integrate into the social, sporting and cultural life of the University than through membership of one of the University's clubs or societies. It is a most effective way of meeting Irish students.

The University's prime location on the banks of the River Corrib provides students with excellent opportunities to take part in all water sports, from rowing to kayaking to canoeing. Wind-surfing, sailing and a swimming pool are available nearby in Salthill, while the mountains and hills of Connemara are easily accessible for those interested in mountaineering, hill-walking and orienteering.

The University's indoor and outdoor Sports and Recreation Centers offer tennis and squash courts, Olympic handball courts, gymnasium, badminton, volleyball and basketball courts, table tennis, boxing, karate and aerobics. Playing fields are available for other sports e.g. hockey, rugby and football, while provision is also made for horse-riding and golf.

"Pleasant is the life of the scholar", says one of Ireland's old bardic poems, and indeed the student's life can be greatly enhanced by taking part in some of the many social and recreational activities on offer at the National University of Ireland, Galway.There are more than eighty student societies and athletic clubs on campus which cater for a wide variety of interests.

The University also houses one of the main musical venues in the west of Ireland - the Aula Maxima recital room hosts a varied program of internationally renowned classical, traditional and contemporary Irish musicians throughout the year.

Housing
Please see the NUI Galway accommodation site for details.
https://www.nuigalway.ie/international-students/inboundstudyabroad/accommodation/


Important Dates
Semester Dates