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Fees Funding & Scholarships

Course fees

You will find the course fee (EU* and non-EU) listed on the individual course webpages. Tuition fees are payable for each year and are usually paid in the following stages:

Stage 1: deposit on course acceptance (this is a non-refundable deposit which forms part of the course fee)
Stage 2: 50% of the remaining fee paid prior to registration in September
Stage 3: 50% of the remaining fee paid by the end of January

Alternative payment plans may be put in place for students to pay course fees on a flexible basis. If you require this facility, you are advised to contact the course administrator to find out more about this payment option.

For further fees information, please refer to the Centre's Fees Policy.

*UK/NI students starting in 2024/25 will retain their EU fee status for the full duration of their course.

Fees refunds
Applicants are entitled to a full refund of a deposit or application fee if you make the request within 14 days of paying the application fee or deposit. Once you register for a course you are liable for the full fee regardless as to whether you complete/attend the course. It is important that you understand the nature of the course, its content and its various requirements before registering, as the University accepts no obligation to refund any fees or part thereof. If you wish to appeal this decision, please contact your course administrator for information on withdrawing from your course or appealing fees paid.

Additional costs
Course fees generally cover tuition costs and all course materials. However, for certain courses, you may be required to purchase additional textbooks.

Funding your studies

You can seek financial support for your studies through several channels:

Sponsorship

Your employer may sponsor you if the course of study has direct relevance to your workplace. You may also receive sponsorship from local community or development organisations.

Income Tax Relief

Tax relief is available at the standard rate for all courses that are 2 years or more in duration. For specific details on this scheme, contact your local tax office or visit www.revenue.ie

Financial Aid Fund

The Student Assistance Fund is intended to tackle disadvantage by providing financial support to students who require financial support to enable them to fully benefit from their third level studies. It is available for part-time students, however you have to be registered before you can apply. Find out more...

Scholarships

Adult Learning Tuition Scholarship

This scheme is designed for students who are jobseekers or on reduced working hours, and wish to update their skills and knowledge by participating in a part-time, flexible course. Scholarships will constitute a 30% contribution towards course fees for first time entrants.

Do I qualify for the scheme?

This scholarship is open to applicants who are normally resident in Ireland and meet the nationality and EU residency rules (i.e. ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/UK/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to the course). An application can be submitted for one course per year; scholarship applications for multiple courses will not be approved. You must be registered as unemployed and/or in-receipt of one of the following payments:

Job-seekers Benefit
Job-seekers Allowance
Carer's Allowance
One-parent family allowance
Disability allowance
Community Employment Scheme
or signing for social insurance contribution credits

You must provide a statement from your local Department of Social Protection Office confirming receipt of the above payments. You are also advised to establish with your social protection advisor whether receipt of this scholarship would impact upon your entitlements under the Supplementary Welfare Allowances Scheme (i.e. rent or mortgage supplement or medical card etc).

Applications must be made on an annual basis and your eligibility for the scheme will be reviewed annually.

How can I apply?

You will need to download the 2024_25 Fees Scholarship Form. This form can be emailed or posted to the course administrator along with the required supporting documentation from the Department of Social Protection for review. The form contains a list of courses (where the scholarship is applicable) and a list of the relevant course administrators.

Springboard courses

Under this scheme a tuition discount of 90% is offered to students who are in employment and a 100% discount (fully-funded place), for unemployed students. This scheme applies only to specific courses in areas of high skills needs within the Irish economy. We offer a range of part-time Springboard courses each year, visit our Springboard+ webpage for more information.

Springboard Banner 2025

Micro-credential Learner Subsidy *New for 2024/25

University of Galway MicroCreds Project is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a substantial Micro-credential Learner Subsidy fund to support adult learners returning or beginning in Higher Education. Under the HCI Pillar 3, the subsidy offers a rate of 80% for courses addressing skills in key priority areas, including renewable energy, sustainability, construction and planning, artificial intelligence, cyber security, ICT, and electronic engineering. Other courses will provide a 50% learner subsidy rate. Find out more here.

SUSI Funding *New for 2024/25

SUSI Funding is now available for part-time undergraduate courses, this includes:

You can find out more about SUSI Funding here.

1916 Scholarship Fund

This bursary scheme is offered on a regional basis and is aimed at students from under-represented socio-economic groups and communities; entrants with disabilities; first-time mature entrants; members of the Irish Traveller community; students entering on the basis of a further education award; and part-time flexible learners. Find out more here.

Next Level Skillnet funding

Next Level Skillnet Logo

The following courses have been approved by Next Level Skillnet for a fees subsidy of up to 40% for students whose company is a member of the Next Level Skillnet Network.

Please note, that there are only a limited number of subsidies available and applicants must meet the required criteria as set out by Next Level Skillnet. Funding is made on a first-come, first-served basis. To avoid disappointment early application is advisable.

Contact: Sue Davies – sue@nextlevel.ie

Galway Executive Skillnet funding

Galway Executive Skillnet Logo

The following courses have been approved by Galway Executive Skillnet for a fees subsidy of up to 40% for students whose company is a member of the Galway Executive Skillnet Network.

Please note, that there are only a limited number of subsidies available and applicants must meet the required criteria as set out by Galway Executive Skillnet. Funding is made on a first-come, first-served basis. To avoid disappointment early application is advisable.

Contact: Eamonn Molloy – info@galwayexecutiveskillnet.com

Uversity Scholarship

The Uversity Scholarship provides multi-annual financial support for first time bachelor’s degree entrants. Scholarships are not limited to particular subject areas and will enable recipients to complete a bachelor’s degree in one of the participating institutions in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Applications will open from February 1st 2024 and will remain open until March 31st 2024. Find out more information on the Uversity Website.