Outgoing Students

Study abroad opportunities per programme

• B.COMM GLOBAL EXPERIENCE In year three:  One semester studying abroad in North America, Australia, Asia or Europe and one semester of work placement in Ireland, or full academic year of study abroad.
• BIS students have study abroad incorporated into their third year. Some of our partners include Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kogod School of Business (Washington DC, USA), Montana State University (USA), Lehigh University (NY, USA), and Rennes School of Business (France). This opportunity is offered on a competitive basis. Click here to see where your B.I.S degree can take you in the world!
• B.Comm Accounting. Students on this programme have the opportunity to add an international experience dimension to their degree at the end of second year, when they may apply on a competitive basis to transfer from the three-year B Comm (Accounting) degree to a four-year B Comm (Accounting) with international experience. Successful applicants will spend one semester of their third year at an international university studying business through English, either in Europe, North America or further afield and a second semester in a work placement. The students will then return to University of Galway for fourth year to complete their degree.
• B.Comm International (French, German, Spanish) On completing the first two years of the degree in Galway, students transfer to the country in which their chosen language degree is spoken (France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Chile etc.) for a year, where they enrol in one of the universities with which we have exchange programmes. There you follow courses in your chosen language and in Business Studies. Students have the opportunity to study abroad at some of the world’s most elite universities and business schools, and gain an alternative perspective on education in another country. The international year provides students with the opportunity to experience a new culture and build a network of global connections. You will also develop your cross-cultural awareness and communication skills.‌

Factsheets for our European partner universities

Factsheets for our International partner universities

Is it possible to transfer from B.Comm to Global B.Comm?

You can apply to transfer if you have a total of 60% overall in 1st year exams and be currently in your second year of studies. A Transfer Advisory Session will be held by the Study Abroad Officers in Semester I of second year where you will receive information on transferring, destinations and the application form.

Where can I get my transcripts when applying to my host university?

You can request your transcripts from the Student Registry Helpdesk:

Exam Transcripts - University of Galway

Course Enrolment Form (outside of Europe)

Need a letter from University of Galway?

We provide:

Susi support letter, Visa support letter, language competency letter, certificate of enrolment, simply email cairnesconnect@universityofgalway.ie and remember to always put your Name, Student ID and Instance Code in the subject bar.

Erasmus+ grant, Certificate of Arrival and Departure, OLA information

Our International Office provide support on these: Latest News or simply email outgoingerasmus@universityofgalway.ie and remember to always put your Name, Student ID and Instance Code in the subject bar.

International credits and ECTs equivalencies

South Korea

Full course load 18/19 credits = 30 ects
3 South Korea credits = 5 ects
12 credits = 20 ects

USA and Canada

Full course load 15 credits per semester = 30 ects
1 US/Canadian credit = 2 ects
12 credits = 24 ects

Japan

Kobe University (full course load approx. 15 credits per semester = 30 ects).
All international students including exchange students must take at least 10 lesson hours (equivalent to 6-7 classes)

Aoyama Gakuin University/Aichi Shukutoku University
All international students must take a minimum of 14 credits per semester.

Hong Kong

HKUST - Full course load 15 credits per semester = 30 ects
1 HKUST credit = 2 ects

CityU – Full course load = 18 credits = 30ects
12 credits = 20 ects

Australia

Wollongong, CQU and UTS 1 = 1.25 ECTS (students should take 16 –18credits min)

Curtin 100 credits = full course load / 25 credits = 7.5 ECTS
75 credits minimum (visa requirement) and 100 credits maximum (Visa requirement)

How many ECTS credits do I need to take for one semester  study abroad?

You are required to take a minimum of 20 ECTS but we recommend 25 in case of failure/repeats. If you have an extra module you will safeguard against having to return to the host university for repeat exams.

How do I access my University of Galway email, campus accounts while abroad?

Install and configure the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile device before you leave Ireland. 

If you are currently using the SMS or Phone Call options to verify your identity, you will receive a verification code via SMS or a Phone Call to your Irish SIM card, which may not work or may incur extra charges depending on your location and network provider.

To avoid any inconvenience or delay in accessing University IT Services when abroad please follow the instructions to update your MFA to use the Microsoft Authenticator app on the following web pages.

• https://www.universityofgalway.ie/o365/mfa/modifymfasetup/
• https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/mobile-authenticator-app

For support, you can contact the ISS Service Desk using the following channels:

• Email servicedesk@universityofgalway.ie
• Browse to https://servicedesk.nuigalway.ie
• Call the ISS Service Desk at extension 5777 (external/from abroad - +353 91 495777)

When do I apply for a visa?

If you are studying in a country that require a visa you cannot apply for a visa until you have received an official acceptance letter and supporting documentation from the host university. Once you receive this apply for your visa immediately.

USA Pre-departure: Visa and DS160 

‌US Visa and Immigration Information‌‌

DS-2019 and J1 visa information from our partner

Who do I contact regarding J1/F1 visa completion?

Contact your Study Abroad Officer for any questions regarding your visa application, visa interview etc. Please do not send these queries to your Programme Director. The Programme Director deals with academic matters only.

How do I apply for a visa for J‌apan? 

If you are going to study in Japan for a semester or longer, you will need to obtain a visa to enter the country. Here is some useful information on the process of obtaining a visa. For every immigration document you receive, make sure to check that the spelling of your name and your date of birth are exactly the same as listed on your passport. 

1.         Receiving your Certificate of Eligibility

After you have enrolled in your host university in Japan, the international office there will apply to the relevant immigration office on your behalf for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for residence status. This is proof that you meet the conditions for entry into the country. Once the university has obtained the COE, they will send it to you along with your Certificate of Acceptance to the university. Please note the Certificate of Eligibility is only valid for three months and you must enter Japan during this period or it will become void.

2. Obtaining a Student Visa at the Japanese Embassy

Once you have received your COE, you will need to visit the Japanese Embassy in Dublin to obtain an entry visa. The COE alone is not enough to gain you entry to Japan. The Embassy is located in Dublin 4 and while it is not necessary to make an appointment, you should check in advance to ensure that it is open on the day that you plan to go there. Information on how to get to the embassy and its opening hours can be found by visiting http://www.ie.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/about.html. Please bring your COE, Certificate of Eligibility and passport with you to this appointment.

3.  Procedures for Entering Japan

When you arrive in Japan, you will be subject to an immigration inspection at your port of arrival. Your passport, and the valid visa contained inside it, will be inspected along with your COE and your Embarkation and Disembarkation card (which is normally distributed in the plane during the flight). You will submit these to the immigration officer and will have your fingerprints and a facial photograph taken. The immigration officer may ask you about the duration of your stay and what you plan to do in Japan. Answer all the questions calmly and truthfully. Once you are deemed to conform to the entry conditions, you will receive a seal of verification on your passport and a Resident Card. If your port of entry is unable to issue a Resident Card, you will receive a stamp in your passport stating that the Card will be issued by post, once you provide details of your address at the local city, town, ward or village government office.

4. Resident Registration

Within 14 days of moving into your accommodation, you must bring your Resident Card (or your passport if you were not issued with a Resident Card at entry) to the government office nearest where you live. There, you will have to fill in a form providing notification of where you are living under the Basic Resident Registration System.

Do I need Travel and Health Insurance?

Students travelling outside the EU need to obtain adequate travel and health insurance. Before purchasing health insurance, check the requirements on your host university’s website.

Finally, a check list for travel

Tick each item as you complete it to ensure you are fully prepared for departure: 

• Check your passport is valid for 6 months after you return and determine if you need a visa. 
• Complete and return all required documentation to your host university/organisation. 
• Learn about your destination (see resources section in toolkit). 
• Research, complete and submit the Mobility Assessment. Use it as a prompt to help you consider and plan your experience abroad. Update it if circumstances change before you depart. 
• Review, understand and submit the Student Declaration. 
• Attend a minimum of one University of Galway pre-departure preparation sessions. 
• Confirm arrangements for any medical needs, including prescription supply and immunisations, PCR testing or quarantines. 
• Understand your health insurance coverage and bring and the emergency number of your provider. 
• Know your financial needs (check your budget and that your banking will work in your destination). 
• Share a copy of your itinerary with family or a friend. 
• Research how you will get from the airport to your accommodation. 
• Bring copies / photographs of important documents (including spare passport pics). 
• Look into mobile phones and communicating (do you need a local sim?). 
• Consider security on your laptop, smartphone (e.g. create secure wireless connections, remove unnecessary confidential data). 
• Consider personal property insurance and what belongings are covered. 
• Be aware that University of Galway standards of conduct apply while you are abroad. 

For Erasmus Students (EU) please also note: 

• Complete and submit your Outgoing Erasmus Grant Application Form. 
• Complete and sign the Grant Agreement and return them promptly before you go on Erasmus. 
• Bring your European Health Insurance Card. 
• Join the University of Galway Erasmus Facebook group for your year. 
• Complete your Online Learning Agreement. 
• Return the Grant Acknowledgement Form for each grant instalment that you receive to the Erasmus Office.