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A Level Students

University of Galway welcomes applications for full-time undergraduate degree courses from students taking GCE exams in the UK or Northern Ireland.

Application Process:
Applications should be made to the Central Applications Office (CAO). Students are encouraged to read the CAO Handbook which provides great detail on the application process. The CAO also provides a suite of helpful video guidesexplaining the application process.

Entry Requirements:
Please see our A-level Quick Guide which provides the minimum entry requirements for each of our undergraduate programmes offered through the CAO.

It is also important to check that your GCE subjects are recognised for the purposes of meeting the entry requirements. Please consult this guide by the National University of Ireland to check the recognised subjects:  A-level Recognised Subjects.

A Level to Leaving Cert Equivalencies: (updated April 2024)
The A-level Quick Guide also provides a table on the A-level to Leaving Cert Equivalencies. 

Universities Ireland has developed new A-level to Leaving Certificate equivalencies which will make it easier for students with A-levels to secure university places through the CAO. The new equivalencies will be implemented for the whole university sector in the 2025 CAO cycle. The existing equivalencies will continue to apply for the 2024 CAO cycle. 

FAQs

Is there a minimum age requirement? 

Students must normally have attained the age of seventeen years by 15 January following entry: e.g. for entry in 2024, date of birth must be on or before 15 January 2008. Where a student below that age seeks to enter the University, special application must be made to the President of the University. 

Is the Irish language required for entry to University of Galway Degree Programmes? 

Generally speaking, Irish is a standard subject requirement for matriculation for applicants with the Irish Leaving Certificate. However, if you were born outside the Republic of Ireland, you do not require Irish as a subject for entry to University of Galway. Candidates from Northern Ireland and Great Britain presenting GCE/GCSE qualifications will automatically be granted exemption from Irish and are not required to apply to the NUI for exemption. A-level applicant happens to have Irish as a subject, they can use it to satisfy the 2nd language requirement.

Where can I find information on how to apply for an exemption? 

This information is available by contacting NUI, 49 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 (Tel: 01 4392424) or NUI website. 

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