Entry Requirements

University Requirements

Undergraduate and mature students can satisfy matriculation registration requirements for University of Galway by achieving certain grades in the following examinations. 

Leaving Certificate (for EU and non-EU)

You need a pass in at least six subjects in the Leaving Certificate in accordance with College requirements with:

• Minimum Grade H5 (Higher Level) in two subjects 
• Passes in the remaining four subjects at O6/ H7 

You should pick your subjects based on the requirements for entry to your desired course.

All subjects of the Leaving Certificate are accepted for matriculation registration purposes, with the exception of Gaeilge Bonnleibhéal (Irish Foundation Level).

GCE and GSCE

You need a pass in at least six subjects in accordance with College requirements with at least:

• GCE Advanced Level: Grade C in two recognised subjects and
• GCSE Level: Grade C in four recognised subjects.

You should pick your subjects based on the requirements for entry to your desired course.

For details of the current list of GCE and GCSE subjects accepted for matriculation purposes, you should go online to the NUI Web site.

Other External Examinations

If you want to apply for matriculation registration at University of Galway using the results of examinations other than the Leaving Certificate, GSE, GCSE and the Matriculation examination, you should contact the Admissions Office or www.universityofgalway.ie/admissions 

The subjects you pass and the standard you attain in these examinations must be in accordance with the College requirements. It must be sufficient to entitle you to be considered for exemption from matriculation registration as a whole. 

Fetac Qualifications

If you have an appropriate FETAC (Level 5/6) qualification and you have achieved distinctions in a minimum of five modules, you will be considered for entry to certain University of Galway programmes. Find out more on page 20 of the undergraduate prospectus. 

Irish Language Requirement

Irish is a requirement for matriculation in University of Galway. However, the following applicants can be exempt from this requirement: 

• Candidates born outside the Republic of Ireland (26 counties);
• Candidates,
  • whose primary education up to the age of eleven years was outside the Republic of Ireland (26 counties); or
  • who lived outside the Republic of Ireland (26 counties) during at least three years immediately before becoming eligible for matriculation; or
  • whose post-primary education in the three years immediately before becoming eligible for matriculation took place outside of the Republic of Ireland (26 counties).

If you have any questions regarding the Irish language requirement (or need to apply for an exemption from Irish), please contact the NUI Office in Dublin directly:

T: 353 (01) 439 2424 
E: registrar@nui.ie 
www.nui.ie

Learn More

• Download a copy of the current Undergraduate Prospectus here.

Matriculation Information

All students who want to register for full-time undergraduate degree courses in University of Galway must meet our matriculation registration requirements.

To Become a Student Member of University of Galway, You Must:

• Fulfil the minimum academic requirements for admission to the National University of Ireland. This process is called matriculation.

• Have attained the age of 17 by 15 January following entry, e.g. for entry 2023, date of birth must be on or before the 15 January 2007. If a student under that age seeks to enter the University, special application must be made to the President of the University. 

Allocation of Places

There is a high level of demand for places in University of Galway and fulfilling the matriculation requirements is not usually enough to guarantee admittance to the course of your choice.

For that reason, we operate a selection scheme, under which applicants are ranked according to how they perform at school-leaving examinations.

Contact Us:

If you have any questions, contact the Admissions Office 
E admissions@universityofgalway.ie 
T 353 (0)91 492408
www.universityofgalway.ie/admissions

Matriculation Information for Mature Students

To be considered for admission to University of Galway as a mature student, you must:

• Be 23 years of age, on or before January 1st of the year of entry to the University.

Quotas

A quota of places is reserved for mature students each year in the Colleges of Arts and Commerce, with a number of places also available in the Colleges of Science, Law, Nursing and Health Sciences and Engineering.

Allocation of Places

When University of Galway allocates places for mature students, we will review various aspects of your background. A matriculation-standard Leaving Certificate, while helpful to your application, is not necessary in all cases.

However, demand exceeds the number of places available, we operate a careful selection process and look to prospective students to demonstrate an ability to undertake, and to commit to, their course of study. Emphasis is placed on:

Academic Ability

Your history of academic achievements such as Leaving Certificate and other post-Leaving Certificate results will be considered; therefore please include statements of exam results with your CAO application.

Work History or Life Experience

A detailed account of relevant life and work experience is beneficial to your application.

Personal Statement

This should explain why you are motivated to pursue a degree in your chosen area of interest. How do you see your degree being an asset to your future plans? Elaborate on any personal interests or related activities which have evolved from an interest in either the language or the subject matter.

College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies Mature Applicants

Please note that if you are applying for any of the Programmes in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, you also are also required to register for the MSAP exam before 1st of February. Allocation of places into certain Arts Degrees is solely dependant on the results of this exam. Please refer to page 26 of the Mature Student Guide for detailed information on the exam.

When University of Galway allocates places for mature students, we will review various aspects of your background. A matriculation-standard Leaving Certificate, while helpful to your application, is not necessary in all cases. 

However, demand exceeds the number of places available, we operate a careful selection process and look to prospective students to demonstrate an ability to undertake, and to commit to, their course of study.

If you have any queries contact:

Mature Students Office 
T 353 91 492695 
E mature@universityofgalway.ie
www.universityofgalway.ie/mature