How to Apply (Visiting and Exchange Students)

To spend a semester or year at University of Galway as a Visiting or Exchange Student, you can apply through your home college’s Study Abroad office or through an approved study abroad programme provider.

In the case of Exchange Students there must be an existing exchange agreement with University of Galway and your home institution. Your Study Abroad Office can advise on this. 

University of Galway considers applications from individual visiting students (if no formal study abroad agreement exists with your home institution). In such instance agreement must be reached with your home institution on your course load and content.

Applications Timelines

  Opening date Closing date
Semester one/full year February 1st April 30th
Semester two August 1st October 31st

Visiting students should apply using the Visiting Students Online Application Form 

Exchange students should apply using the Exchange Student Online Application Form

The following documents must also be submitted:

  • Up-to-date college transcript
  • Copy of passport or birth certificate
  • A passport size photograph
Applicable to applicants with a GPA of less than 3.0 only:  an academic reference from a current lecturer to whom you are known stating your suitability and aptitude for study abroad

 

Late applications may be considered, but only in special circumstances. Each application is dealt with on its own merit and decisions on applications are normally made no later than May preceding the proposed date of entry or, in the case of Second Semester applications, no later than November preceding the proposed date of entry.

Academic Entry Requirements

Please see Your Country for country specific entry requirements

English Language Requirements

All applicants, whose first language is not English, must present one of the following qualifications in the English language. Tests must be taken within two years of the start date of the student's programme.

Examples of English Language Equivalences for Programmes

Subject*

IELTS 

Cambridge    C1 Advanced  (CAE)

 

Cambridge    C2  Advanced  (CPE)

TOEFL iBT/ TOEFL iBT Home Edition

Pearson PTE

Duolingo

Arts/Business/Law

6.5 overall, no less than 5.5 in any one component.

176 overall

180 overall

88 overall
7-11 Listening
16-17 Speaking
18-20 Writing
8-12 Reading

61 overall,  no less than 48 in any one component.

110

Science/Engineering

6.5 overall, no less than 5.5 in any one component.

176 overall

180 overall

88 overall
7-11 Listening
16-17 Speaking
18-20 Writing
8-12 Reading

61 overall,  no less than 48 in any one component.

110

Medicine

(This requirement applies to incoming first year students only)

6.5 overall no less than 6.5 in any one component.

176 overall

180 overall

88 overall
20-23 Listening
20-22 Speaking
24-26 Writing
19-23 Reading

61 overall,  no less than 61 in any one component.

110

English Language Center

10-Week Pre-Sessional Programme.

 

Entry Requirement:

- IELTS Requirement: 6.5 overall, no less than 5.5 in any one component.

- An interview may be scheduled as part of your application.

Upon successful completion of the 10-week Pre-Sessional Programme:

- Students can transition to their postgraduate degree course.

- Exit Requirement from the 10 -week programme is a: Minimum average exit grade of 70%

*Subject: Programmes which may have specific English language requirements are listed below. Please note this list is indicative, and may not be wholly inclusive of every programme that has a particular English language requirement.

  • Visa Required Students: Please check with The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) for specific visa requirements.   
  • English tests must be taken within two years of the start date of the programme.
  • MSc Biomedical Science 1MV1, MSc Biotechnology 1MT1, and the Higher Diploma (Medical Technology Regulatory Affairs and Quality) 1MTD1.7:
    IELTS: Overall 6.5 with 6.5 in writing and 6.0 in any other band.
    TOEFL: Overall 88, Listening 12-19, Speaking 18-19, Writing 24-26, Reading 13-18
    PTE: Overall 61, with 61 in writing and 50 in all other bands                                                      Duolingo 110                                                                                                                                                                  
  • MSc Computer Science - Data Analytics 1 year full-time, 1CSD1, and the MSc Computer Science - Artificial Intelligence 1 year full-time, 1MAI1:
    IELTS: Overall 6.5 with 6.5 in writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band
    TOEFL: Overall 88, Listening 12-19, Speaking 18-19, Writing 24-26, Reading 13-18
    PTE: Overall 61, with 61 in writing and 50 in all other bands                                                        Duolingo 110                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
  • BSc in Speech and Language Therapy:
    IELTS: Overall of 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any other band.
    TOEFL: Overall 95, Listening 20-23, Speaking 20-22, Writing 24-26, Reading 19-23
    PTE: Overall 65 and 61 in any other band.
    If using Cambridge C1 or C2 Advanced (CAE), the requirement is 185 overall.                          Duolingo 120                                                                                                                                         
  • MA (Journalism) 1AJ1:
    IELTS: Overall score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any other band.
    TOEFL: Overall 79-93, Listening 12-19, Speaking 18-19, Writing 21-23, Reading 13-18
    PTE: Overall 61, all other bands 50.                                                                                             Duolingo 110                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
  • MA (Global Media & Communications) 1GMC1 
    IELTS Overall score of 7.0 IELTS, with no less than 6.5 in any other band.
    TOEFL: Overall 94-101, Listening 20-23, Speaking 20-22, Writing 24-26, Reading 19-23
    PTE: Overall 65  with no less than 61 in any other band.                                                            Duolingo 120
  • H.Dip Software Design & Development (1SD1) and the M.Sc Software Design & Development (1MF1)
    IELTS: Overall of 6.5 IELTS, with no less than 6.5 in the writing ability band and no less than 6.0 in the other bands.
    TOEFL: Overall 79-93, Listening 12-19, Speaking 18-19, Writing 24-26, Reading 13-18
    PTE: Overall 61, Writing 61 with no less than 50 in any otherr band.                                          Duolingo 110
  • Shannon College of Hotel Management’s Bachelor of Business Studies and Bachelor of Commerce in International Hotel Management
    IELTS: Overall of 6  
    TOEFL: Overall 60-78
    PTE: Overall 50                                                                                                        
  • International Foundation Business Programme 
    IELTS: Overall of 5
    TOEFL Overall: 35-45
    PTE: 36

The University of Galway TOEFL institution code is 8861 

 English Language Courses at the University of Galway

University of Galway’s English Language Centre is committed to providing high quality English Language courses including our pre-sessional and pathway options to help our students prepare for academic study at University of Galway.

You can review the programmes on offer here.

 ELC Lab 1 530x200

Foundation Programmes

University of Galway works with a number of providers who offer foundation programmes for students who do not currently meet the University’s English language requirements.

The following courses are open to students who receive a conditional offer of admission to a select number of undergraduate and taught postgraduate degree programmes at University of Galway, subject to meeting the University’s usual English language requirements.

Courses Offered:
University of Galway's Shannon College Foundation Programme

The International Foundation Business Programme caters specifically for the academic and/or English needs of students who do not meet the academic requirement to directly enter undergraduate degree programmes and/or English requirements for their chosen degree.

Programme Name:

University Foundation Programme

Provider:

University of Galway's Shannon College.

Course Dates:

September 2021 (1 Academic Year)

Tuition Fee:

€11,500

Further Details:

Contact University of Galway's Shannon College for more details

Dublin International Foundation College (DIFC)

Based in Dublin, the Dublin International Foundation College (DIFC) delivers specialised NCUK –accredited foundation courses preparing international students for entrance into partner universities in Ireland and the UK. In particular, University of Galway has accepted students who have completed the NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) and NCUK Graduate Diploma (formerly the Pre-Masters programme – PMP) at DIFC.

Programme Name:

NCUK International Foundation Year Programme

Provider:

Dublin International Foundation College (DIFC)

Start Dates:

September and January each year

Further Details:

Contact DIFC for more details

Programme Name:

NCUK Graduate Diploma

Provider:

Dublin International Foundation College (DIFC)

Start Dates:

October and January each year

Further Details:

Contact DIFC for more details

 

 Atlantic Language

Atlantic Language is an English Language School, providing a range of educational services in purpose designed centres in Galway and Dublin for almost 20 years. In recent years, Atlantic Language has expanded to offer a number of University Foundation Programmes to assist international students who wish to study at Irish universities.

Programme Name:

University Foundation Programme

Provider:

Atlantic Language

Course Dates:

14 October to 06 June (32 weeks)

Tuition Fee:

€8,950

Further Details:

Contact Atlantic Language for more details

 

Programme Name:

University Foundation Programme

Provider:

Atlantic Language

Course Dates:

13 January to 06 June (21 weeks)

Tuition Fee:

€5,250

Further Details:

Contact Atlantic Language for more details

 

Programme Name:

Pre-Masters Programme

Provider:

Atlantic Language

Course Dates:

14 October to 06 June (32 weeks)

Tuition Fee:

€8,950

Further Details:

Contact Atlantic Language for more details

 

Programme Name:

Pre-Masters Programme

Provider:

Atlantic Language

Course Dates:

13 January to 06 June (21 weeks)

Tuition Fee:

€5,250

Further Details:

Contact Atlantic Language for more details

 Galway Cultural Institute

Programme Name: University Foundation

Lessons per week: 30 x 45min

Price per course: €7,250
 

The Foundation Programme is 26 weeks in duration, including two study weeks and two modules of eight weeks.

Programme Name: University Premasters Programme

Lessons per week: 25 x 45min
 
Price per course: €7,750
 
The Pre-Masters Programme is 34 weeks in duration including two Level-8 modules of 13 weeks and four study weeks.
 
Contact Galway Cultural Institute for further Information.

 

Castel Education

Castel Education provides foundation programmes for students wishing to study Medicine and Medicine related programmes at University of Galway.

For further details, please visit Castel Education website or contact Dr Joe McGarryDirector of Academic Affairs