Program Snapshot
Cead Mile Failte! We’re so excited that you’re preparing to study abroad on an IFSA-Butler program and have chosen the University of Limerick as your destination. The city of Limerick is one of Ireland’s top tourist destinations and has a lively music and art scene. We’re sure you’re going to love studying there!
What Limerick has to offer
- A truly integrated experience and unique courses
- A beautiful, green campus on the banks of the majestic River Shannon
- Some of the best computer facilities in Ireland
- A student center with medical center, bookstore, food store, bank, bars and restaurants
- Free access to the University Arena, which houses a gymnasium, exercise and dance studios, indoor track, Olympic size swimming pool, tennis and squash courts
- An active student union with more than 70 clubs and societies
Housing
- Housing in a modern student village on campus
- Student village includes a central clubhouse for recreation
- Students purchase or prepare their own meals
- Shop and cafe on-site close to village
Academics
- Flexibility to enroll in multiple departments
- All courses are structured as self-contained semester modules
- Select courses from a major area and combine them with courses in humanities, social sciences, law, European studies and Irish studies
- The multidisciplinary Irish Studies Program is a comprehensive overview of Irish life and culture with field trips, concerts and university events
- Students take five courses per semester
We look forward to working with you! You can learn more about the University of Limerick by visiting their web site.
Academics
Courses
Where can I find a list of courses that the university offers?
You can find the University of Limerick's online course catalogue here.
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:
Course Restrictions
Are there any course or departmental restrictions?
Please note the following module restrictions:
- Equine modules: The availability of these modules is restricted to equine majors only. Additionally, placement in equine modules cannot be guaranteed to study abroad student in advance. Preference is given to full-time, degree seeking students at the University of Limerick. Study abroad students will be able to select from the modules with open places upon arrival on campus.
- Sports Science and Physical Education modules: The availability of these modules is restricted to sports science and physical education majors only. Additionally, placement in sports science and PE modules cannot be guaranteed to study abroad student in advance. Preference is given to full-time, degree seeking students at the University of Limerick. Study abroad students will be able to select from the modules with openings upon arrival on campus.
- Journalism and Communications modules: Due to minimal spaces in modules, journalism and communications courses are not open to study abroad students.
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. Each University of Limerick course is worth 3 U.S. semester credit hours. At the University of Limerick, a full course load consists of 15 U.S. semester credit hours for a semester and 30 U.S. semester credit hours for the academic year. For information on the credit weight, please consult below:
Semester Course Load = 5 University of Limerick courses = 15 U.S. semester hours
Academic Year Course Load = 10 University of Limerick courses = 30 U.S. semester 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. Accepted students will receive their provisional schedule shortly after an admissions decision is made. This schedule will be based on the courses listed on the course preference form.
What are the registration conditions?
You must take a full University of Limerick 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?
All IFSA-Butler students live in Dromroe Village. Dromroe Village is an apartment-style complex overlooking the Shannon River. All villages have a mix of students in the community: first year, seniors, international students and postgraduate students.
- Dromroe Village is a self catered residence and consists of individual houses of six to eight singlestudy bedrooms with en-suite bathroom facilities, a fully equipped kitchen, living room, central heating and a card-phone, for which credit may be purchased in the village reception area.
- Dromroe Village also provides weekly trash pick-up, a self-service launderette and Internet portals for students with personal computers. A charge of €68 per semester or €130 per year is assessed for use of Internet portals.
- All University of Limerick study bedrooms come equipped with a private bathroom, bed, desk and wardrobe.
- A duvet is provided but linens and pillows are not. Most students purchase these items once they arrive in Limerick.
Meals
Dromroe Village is self-catering. Students make thier own meals in their kitchens.
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: 80,000
Location: In the West of Ireland
City features
- Picturesque castles, medieval fortresses and city walls dating to the Normans
- A vibrant cultural scene with theatres, an arts center, clubs, pubs and restaurants of all kinds
- A commercial center with modern industry and traditional salmon fishing and lace production
- Enthusiasm for such sports as rugby, soccer, rowing and hurling
Do more!
- Travel the gorgeous western coasts of Counties Clare, Galway and Kerry
- Go windsurfing or sea kayaking on Ireland's west coast
- Take a train to Dublin, just over two hours away
- Fly from nearby Shannon Airport to London (one hour) or Paris (90 minutes)
Links
Visiting Limerick
Limerick Tourist
Discover Limerick
County Limerick
County Galway Guide
Dates & Fees
University of Limerick Dates
Individual program dates coming soon!
Click here to view our full Ireland program calendar.
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 University of Limerick program, use our easy online application.
Applicants to the University of Limerick must complete two additional forms as part of the application process:
We must receive these forms before we can send your application to Limerick 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 University of Limerick 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:
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.
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.
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.
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
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:
Photos
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Summer Program
The University of Limerick offers a summer program!
What the Limerick summer program has to offer
- Modern, riverside, green campus with landscaped grounds and a 19th-century mansion
- Bars, restaurants, stores, a bank and indoor and outdoor sports facilities
- Three full-day excursions to popular sites such as Dublin, Bunratty, the Ailwee Caves and Lahinch Beach
- Access to state of the art sports facilities, including an Olympic sized pool
Housing
- House or apartment consisting of six single study-bedrooms with attached bathrooms and shared kitchen, laundry and living area with cable TV
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner vouchers are included in the program fee
Academics
- Students enroll in one of five course options for 3 U.S. semester credit hours
- Course options include: Irish Life & Literature; Visual Culture in Ireland: 1400-1950; Sociological Perspectives on Irish Society; Screening Ireland: Ireland in Film and Television; Law in Ireland; and Creative Writing
Fore more information on the summer program, click here.
University of Limerick
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