Galway, Ireland

University of Galway Partnership

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Program Overview

Study Irish history, science, engineering, and more in Ireland’s beautiful western coastal region. Known for proudly preserving its language and culture, Galway has a youthful, bohemian vibe, thanks in part to a sizable student presence.

The University of Galway was known as the National University of Ireland, Galway until 2022.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

Fall: April 15
Spring: Oct. 15
Academic Year: April 15

Minimum GPA

3.00

Credit load

12.5–15

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Single Room Option

Instruction language

English

Language prerequisites

None

Visa required?

Not in most cases. Learn More.

Apply Now

Academics

CHART Your Course
Find the classes you need fast with CHART. Our easy-to-use tool shows you classes recently taken by IFSA students.

Explore the available classes at the University of Galway by downloading the Galway Visiting Student Handbook: Fall and the Galway Visiting Student Handbook: Spring. These handbooks show available classes and credits in the previous year, as well as website links to additional class details.

Credit Conversions
The typical course load at Galway, is 25-30 ECTS credits, which is equivalent to 12.5-15 U.S. semester credit hours.

1 ECTS credit = 0.5 U.S. credit hours

It is your responsibility to confirm your home institution’s requirements regarding class load during your study abroad experience.

Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.

First-Year Classes
Most first-year (i.e. freshman year) classes 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.

Engineering
Engineering modules are subject to departmental preapproval and class capacity limitations. Please check in with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for more information.

English
Visiting students may take only one English seminar per semester and admission to seminar courses is limited.

Film Studies
Film Studies classes are not available to visiting students.

Journalism
Journalism classes are not available to visiting students.

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 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.

Mathematics
Mathematics modules are subject to departmental preapproval. Please check in with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for more information.

Music
Music classes are not available to visiting students.

Psychology
Psychology modules are subject to class capacity limitations. Please check in with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for more information.

Science
Science modules are subject to departmental preapproval and class capacity limitations. Please check in with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for more information.

Theater
Theater classes are not available to visiting students.

Learn more about Irish culture by taking one of three exciting community-based learning opportunities for 2.5 U.S. semester credit hours:

Philosophy in Irish Schools
This is a service-learning class and is delivered via a series of academic lectures, reflective seminars, and includes over 14 hours of service at local elementary schools. If you would like to take this class, you will need to connect with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor in advance, as it does require a police background check before you arrive in Ireland.

Exploring Irish Theater
This class allows students to explore Irish theatre and performance, through both classroom-based and practical activities. Students form an understanding of the distinctive characteristics of Irish theater, analyzing works of writers from W.B. Yeats to Martin McDonagh and beyond. They consider critically the history of Irish theater through hands-on, archives-based activities and develop practical skills by engaging in workshops that cover acting, playwriting, direction, and more. No prior experience of Irish theater is needed, nor is it necessary to have any experience with acting.

Scientific Research Experience
This class allows visiting students to develop research experience while in Galway, taking on a number of hands-on tasks under the guidance of a faculty mentor and professional researchers. Students can develop skills in the laboratory setting, learn new analytical techniques, and review relevant literature and research. The course will culminate in students preparing a formal report detailing their research experience. Availability is limited, so please check in with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for more details.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

  • You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
  • You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
  • You must have completed at least two (2) full-time semesters of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.

Recommendation Letter
Not required.

 

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.

Excursions

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are examples from previous terms; outings may be different for your program. We’ll make every effort to run them all, but sometimes things we can’t control, such as local regulations and health protocols, get in the way. As a result, we cannot guarantee activities and excursions.

  • Historic City Lane Walking Tour: A local guide takes us from the Spanish Arch through the old city to Eyre Square. Along the way, learn about the medieval roots and dramatic family feuds of the City of the Tribes, as well as its global political links. It’s a great way to go beyond a tourist’s perspective to understand the history and rich contemporary culture you’ll see throughout these bustling, bohemian lanes.
  • Gaelic Games Experience: Ireland’s national Gaelic games include hurling, Gaelic football, handball, and camogie—ancient sports not widely known outside Ireland. Try them yourself with guidance from local coaches.
  • Rugby Match at The Sportsground: Take in the atmosphere as you walk with Connacht Rugby supporters to the stadium, just outside the city center. Then catch the excitement as you cheer on the home team.
  • Stand-up Comedy or City Festival: Galway is known for drawing comedians who want to try new material on a discerning audience and monthly festivals that often center on food, film, or theater.
  • Day Trip to Connemara and Kylemore Abbey: Hop on the bus to tour the wilds of Connemara and its must-see rugged landscape on the way to the west coast’s best scenery. Stop at Kylemore Abbey and gardens for a tour of this majestic, rural castle and Benedictine monastery, built in the early 1920s by Pollacapal Lough. The landscape alone will take your breath away, inspiring you to return to explore the towns of Clifden and Lenaun again.
  • Kilkenny Weekend: Don’t miss this two-night trip to Kilkenny, a charming medieval city dating back to 1195. Stay in a hostel with IFSA students who are studying all over Ireland and explore this small central Ireland standout, known for its history, artisan food, sporting culture—and Ireland’s most notorious witch. Visit a local farm, try hurling with a local coach, test yourself with a pub quiz, explore Kilkenny Castle, and more.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Single Room Option

Details

Most students live in University of Galway campus residences. When housing is tight, some live in off-campus student apartments arranged in partnership with private housing providers.   

Some housing options features extra amenities—like single bedrooms, private bathrooms, and on-site gyms—that warrant higher rent. Keep in mind that if you choose or are placed in more expensive housing, you’ll need to pay an additional fee to cover these costs. 

Sample housing 

Take a look at Corrib Village to see what your Galway home might be like:  

  • Location: On campus by the River Corrib, west of the academic buildings.  
  • Living space: Students live in apartments in groups of three to five. Students have single or double bedrooms, each with a twin bed, desk, pillow, duvet, and storage for each student. Apartments include two bathrooms (one with shower), living space, and a fully equipped kitchen. Students provide sheets and towels.  
  • Meals: No meal plan. Students prepare and eat their own meals, and often say cooking and sharing meals is a fun, social part of their day. 
  • Additional details: 24/7 security and reception. Convenience store. Laundry facilities. On-site maintenance. Free shuttle bus.  
  • Nearby: University sports facilities. Galway city center and Eyre Square. The Spanish Arch. Claddagh neighborhood. Galway Bay and Salthill beaches. Galway Cathedral. 

Dates and Fees

Term
Term begins
Term ends
Program costs
Application deadline
Fall 2024
August 30, 2024
December 21, 2024
$20,575
April 15, 2024
Academic Year 2024-2025
August 30, 2024
May 10, 2025
$37,150
April 15, 2024
Spring 2025
Early Jan. 2025
Early May 2025
$21,275 (estimated)
Oct. 15, 2024

Get Started

Kristen Clark

Enrollment Counselor