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Study Abroad in Galway

National University of Ireland, Galway

Required GPA: 3.0 (4.0 scale)
Application deadlines: April 15 for fall and full year
October 15 for spring

Program advisor: Meghan Cross

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Program Snapshot

NUI Galway is an Instant Response program
What is this?

Cead Mile Failte! We’re so excited that you’re preparing to study abroad on an IFSA-Butler program and have chosen the NUI, Galway as your destination. We’re sure you’re going to love studying there!

What NUI Galway has to offer

Proud preservation of the Irish language and many Irish cultural courses
A friendly and flexible environment
An active Student Union that sponsors more than 50 social and cultural clubs and societies
More than 30 sports clubs and teams on campus, including playing fields and sports facilities
An on-campus medical center, restaurant and bookstore
Quick access to the Galway city center and all of its music, pubs and restaurants

Housing

Housing is with degree students and other IFSA-Butler students in modern student apartments within walking distance of the campus
Housing has kitchens available for student use
Students purchase or prepare their own meals

Academics

Flexible scheduling available
Students may enroll in arts, commerce, engineering or science courses
Students take five to seven courses per semester

We look forward to working with you! You can learn more about NUI, Galway by visiting their web site.

Academics

Courses

Where can I find a list of courses that the university offers?
You can find Galway online course catalogue here.

Once you are on Galway’s website, click on the Visiting Students Handbook for the semester you are studying abroad. Fall students are semester I and spring students are semester II.

What if I need to take a required course?
Please be aware that IFSA-Butler cannot guarantee that your host university will offer a particular course, or that you will be allowed to take that particular course. However, if you need to take a required course, you may indicate that it is required on your course preference form. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor will communicate your needs to your host university.

What courses am I eligible to take?
As an IFSA-Butler student, you are entitled to enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and in which space is available. Course descriptions in the online course catalog (see above) include prerequisites you must fulfill in order to enroll in each course.

For each course that you list on your preference form, be sure to check the following:

When determining which courses to take, please bear in mind that the British academic system is generally an intensive, three-year program.

First-year (1000 level) courses are appropriate for departments in which you have little or no prior experience.
Second-year (2000 level) courses will be equivalent to advanced sophomore or junior-level U.S. courses.
Third-year (3000 level) courses will be equivalent to senior-level U.S. courses.
Fourth-year (4000 level) courses are equivalent to courses for a postgraduate degree. You may not eligible to take these courses as an undergraduate study abroad student

Course Restrictions

Please indicate the subject areas in which you would like to take courses on the appropriate lines of the departmental preference form. Generally, you must have some background in the subjects you wish to study overseas. Nominate only those subjects for which you are academically prepared.

Please note the following special circumstances:

Most first-year (i.e. freshman year) courses are offered on a yearlong basis only. Full-year students may enroll in first, second, and third year classes; however, students applying for a semester program are generally limited to second- and third-year classes.
Languages—French is available only to students who have previous knowledge of the language. First-year (i.e. yearlong) courses in Spanish, German, and Italian are available for beginners. Students interested in studying a language at NUI, Galway should be aware that it is difficult to determine what level they should enroll in until they have experienced the language teaching at the university.
English—Visiting students may take only one English seminar per semester and admission to seminar courses is limited.
Psychology—Visiting students are restricted in the number of courses they can take.

NUI, Galway imposes a higher tuition fee for courses in sciences and some other laboratory courses. If this fee applies to you, the payment is your responsibility. Most students do not enroll in Science courses primarily, and you may enroll in up to 10 ECTS credits without additional charges. If you enroll in 10-20 ECTS per semester, you will be charged 50% of the difference between the Arts/Commerce and Science/Engineering fees. If you enroll in more than 20 ECTS credits, the full science fee will apply. The chart below will help you determine how much you will be charged:

Mix of Arts/Commerce & Science/Engineering - Visiting Students

Up to 10 ECT per semester (20 ECT per year) = No additional charge
From 10 - 20 ECT per Semester (20 - 40 ECT per year) = 50% of the difference between Arts/Commerce & Science/Engineering
From 20 - 30 ECT per Semester (40 - 60 ECT per year) = Science/engineering fee applies

Credits

How many courses am I able to take, and how do I determine U.S. semester credit hours?
IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution. The number of courses you take depends on the credit value of the courses you select. At NUI, Galway, a full course load consists of 30 ECTS credits for the semester (equivalent to 15 U.S. semester credit hours) and 60 for the year (equivalent to 30 U.S. semester credit hours). The number of courses you must take depends on the credit value of the selected courses.

1 ECTS credit = .5 U.S. credit hours

Registration

The course preference form is not a registration form; it is a guideline to let your host university know which courses you are interested in taking abroad. You should discuss your course selections with your academic advisor at your home institution and have several backup choices in mind. Registration occurs on campus after a two-week trial period, which is similar to the add/drop period in the U.S. Students sit in classes before registering.

What are the registration conditions?
You must take a full NUI, Galway course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A-F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.

You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.

Exams

What do I need to know about exams?
Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Please refer to your program calendar to review the exam period for your host university. Your host university's policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting a grade query or academic follow-up for the course in which you made this arrangement. You will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program.

Transcripts

How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?
After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit you earned at the University of Stirling. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.

Housing

Housing Options

What are my housing options?
The following housing options are available during your semester or year abroad:

Menlo Apartments (shared rooms with laundry included)
Gort na Coiribe (shared rooms)

All of IFSA-Butler’s housing for NUI, Galway is located in these two student villages, and you will not necessarily be living with Irish students. You will be housed in a double room. Single rooms are available upon request which will incur a supplemental fee.

Both Gort na Coiribe and Menlo Apartments are within walking distance of the NUI, Galway campus and the center of Galway city. Each self-catering flat/apartment accommodates three to six students in double rooms. You will share a bedroom as well as a bathroom, kitchen facilities and living/dining areas in both complexes. Kitchens are fully equipped with cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery.

You must supply your own linens (sheets and towels), which can be purchased upon arrival in Ireland. Duvets and pillows will be provided. There are phones for incoming calls in every bedroom. There are also public pay phones located onsite at each complex. You may also purchase call cards at the Reception of each student village to make outgoing calls from your bedroom phone. Rates to the U.S. vary per minute and using the specific calling cards available is the only way you can make outgoing calls from your room. (See your Preparing to Study Abroad guide for information about telephone services in Ireland.)

Rooms are equipped with Internet connections, a free service. You must speak to the on-site staff when you have moved in to get your Internet connection set up. If you bring a laptop, insure it before you go

Meals

There are no meal plan options for NUI, Galway. Students will have kitchens in their accommodations to cook thier meals.

Housing FAQs

Is my housing included in the program fee?
Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation at the university while classes are in session. You will be responsible for the cost of your meals (whether a meal plan or self-catered) and any commuting costs you may incur. Some university housing requires students to move out during winter and spring breaks. If you wish to remain in residence during the vacation period(s), you must notify the university housing office upon arrival to make necessary arrangements. Staying in residence during university breaks may incur additional costs not covered by the IFSA-Butler program fee.

When will I receive my housing assignment?
You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in Scotland for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.

Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.

Do I have to pay a housing deposit?
Yes. IFSA-Butler requires a refundable housing deposit of $300 before going abroad. We will return this deposit to you after March 1 for fall programs or September 1 for spring and year programs, less any fines, damages or outstanding debts in your name.

Can I arrange my own housing?
Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you've made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.

Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing by December 1 for spring and semester 1 programs or by May 1 for fall and semester 2 programs. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after these dates.

Location Info

Population: 73,000
Location:In the West, along Galway Bay

City features

One of Europe's fastest-growing urban areas
Offers a vibrant and diverse population, yet retains a quaint, small-town feel
Open-air markets, museums, shops and restaurants add to Galway's appeal
Students account for nearly 15 percent of the city's population
A thriving college town with a hip music and pub scene
A great place to soak up traditional Irish culture, including two Irish-speaking theatres
A Gaeltacht with the highest percentage of Irish speakers in Ireland

Do more!

Take advantage of local opportunities for fishing, golf and riding
Travel to Connemara and other parts of the Gaeltacht
Explore the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands

Links
Discover Galway
Connemara.net
Visit Aran Islands
Galway.net
Galway News

Dates & Fees

NUI, Galway Dates

Individual program dates coming soon!
Click here to view our full Ireland program calendar.

NUI, Galway Fees

Individual program fees coming soon!
Click here to view a full list of Ireland program fees.

What's included in our Ireland program fees
Expense calculator

Personal Cost Estimates

Personal cost estimates coming soon!
Click here to view a full list of Ireland personal cost estimates.

Expense calculator

Forms

To apply to the NUI, Galway program, use our easy online application.

Applicants to NUI, Galway must complete four additional forms as part of the application process:

Galway Application
Course/Department Preference Form
Housing Preference Form
Copy of Passport (just the page with your photo and signature)

We must receive these forms before we can send your application to NUI, Galway for an admissions decision. They can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail. Please submit these forms with the remainder of your program application.

If you have already started an application to the NUI, Galway program, you can check the status of your application using the Student Portal.

Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team

IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in Ireland:

meghan Program Advisor Meghan Cross assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Meghan can be reached at the email link above or at 800-940-0229, ext. 4229. After studying abroad twice (once on an IFSA-Butler program), Meghan graduated and came to work for IFSA-Butler. She currently acts as a program advisor for English-speaking programs and focuses on advising students studying in England, Ireland and Wales.

alt Student Accounts Coordinator Angelita Shaffer assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Angelita can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4221.

alt Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler for 11 years, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.

Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office in Dublin. Click here to read more about Resident Director Dr. Tim Conway.

paige Upon return from your study abroad program, Academic Affairs Coordinator Paige Ward processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Paige graduated from Butler University, and she studied abroad for a semester in Paris, Belfast, London and the English Lake District. Studying abroad for Paige was an eye-opening and knowledge-gaining experience, and she is excited to work with students who are looking for the same. Paige can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4254.

Get Connected

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Connect with IFSA-Butler Students

If you really want to know what it's like to study abroad, connect with IFSA-Butler alumni and students who are currently abroad on an IFSA-Butler program. Check out the following: