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New, Returning and Visiting students

Message from the Dean of Graduate Studies

Dónal Leech, Dean of Graduate Studies
Dónal Leech, Dean of Graduate Studies

‌I would like to welcome you to the University of Galway. For some of you, entry into a graduate programme represents a continuation of your undergraduate studies here, for others you are at the University of Galway for the first time. Regardless of the path that brought you here, we hope that you will learn more about our University and the supports that are available to you in this guide.  I wish you a successful and enjoyable chapter of your life as a graduate student at the University of Galway.

Dónal Leech

Guides for New and Returning Postgraduate Research Students

1. Before you arrive  

2. Your first days here 

    1. If in receipt of a scholarship, you much complete the online form and arrange for the budget holder to complete their section. Scholarship forms much be submitted by the budget holder to the Research Accounts about the 7th of the month in order to receive stipend payments at the end of the month and going forward.
    2. There is a student guide available on the Research Accounts website. You should read prior to starting your online form.
    3. For queries regarding Scholarship Payments, contact your College Office or your Supervisor regarding the Scholarship form

3. During your studies

Please go to Current Student webpage Students - University of Galway for additional links.

On Campus Facilities

Registration >
Fees >
Scholarship payments (if applicable)
Please go to Important Scholarship Information - University of Galway for important information. Please also go to Policies and Procedures - University of Galway to view 

FRC.23.A13.10-Procedures-for-Managing-PhD-Scholarships.pdf (universityofgalway.ie) 


  • If you are in receipt of a scholarship/grant from the first year of your research programme, you will have completed online scholarship form for the years covered.
  • If you receive/change a scholarship/grant after year one or take a leave of absence, you will need to submit a new online scholarship form for remaining years.
    The budget holder will be able to advise you further on this.
  • There is a student guide available on the Research Accounts website. You should read prior to starting your online form.
  • Scholarship forms much be submitted by the budget holder to the Research Accounts about the 7th of the month in order to receive stipend payments at the end of the month and going forward.
  • Irish Research Council Scholarships - Are available for new/current research students on an annual basis to apply for. You should ask your supervisor if they are aware of any other external funding which you can apply for if you commence your research programme as a self-funded student.

Research Funding

The Research Office at the University of Galway provide updates to the research community on available research funding opportunities through their SharePoint site: Fund your research - Home (sharepoint.com). As new opportunities become available they will be added to this site and can be browsed by funder, by deadline or by career stage. For a more detailed search you can also access *Research Professional, an online database of global funding opportunities across all disciplines – a link to this database is available on the SharePoint site.

Researcher Development Centre
  • The RDC is an initiative of the offices of the VPR and Graduate Studies to support the continuing professional development of all our researchers, from Postgraduate to Senior Fellows, at the University of Galway.
LinkedIn Learning

Student ID Card

  •  Click here if you require information on Term of Use, How to Protect your card, or What to do if you lose your student card.
James Hardiman Library >
Research Ethics

Academic Writing Centre

Information Solutions and Services (ISS) 

Go to Services for Students for full list of services provided by ISS.
Examples below

Student Services
Student Life
International Students
  • Please go to our International Office webpage for information and supports. Any questions please email international@universityofgalway.ie
  • English Language Centre
    The English Language Centre provides international students with the opportunity to develop their English language and academic skills towards reaching their fullest potential as university students. They recognise that the language and skills required for academic study can be challenging and would like to support students as they build and develop these skills throughout their studies. They provide pre-sessional courses to help students prepare for academic study as well as in-sessional language and academic skills development courses throughout your studies. They also run a 5 ECTs taught module EAP5109 in academic writing for postgraduate research students. They also run English for Academic Purpose (EAP) workshops. EAP Workshops run 10 weeks in Semester 1 and 6 weeks in Semester 2  and consist of 8 sessions per week on specific skill (academic writing, pronunciation, reading for research etc.). These are bookable here https://nuigalwayelc.clr.events/  and are free of charge
Postgraduate Student Representation 
  •  Academic Council is the chief academic authority and, subject to review by Údarás na hOllscoile, controls the academic affairs of the University, including the curriculum, instruction and education provided by the University.  Each September, two PG students are elected for this committee. The term is for one year. 
  • Údarás na hOllscoile the University's governing authority, is responsible for managing and controlling all of the affairs of the University (Governing Authority).  Each January each year, elections take place for Postgraduate student representation on this committee. The term is one year from the 1st February.  
  •  Graduate Studies Board
    Details on the Graduate Studies Board is covered in section2.2 of the University Guidelines for Research Degree Programmes. The Students’ Union Postgraduate Officer is on this Board and if required, another graduate student nominated by the Students’ Union (on an annual basis).
  • Students Union - Details on the Students Union Postgraduate Research Officer can be found under Representation. The officer changes on an annual basis.
  • Postgraduate Research Society - Please check out link University of Galway Postgrad Facebook and also Postgraduate Research Society webpage. To become a member of the society simply log into yourspace.universityofgalway.ie with your ID and password and you will find them in the list of Societies.

  • Postgraduate Research Student Representatives.  Find the details of your rep here

  • Academic Supports and Contacts           
    Vice Deans of Graduate Studies. 
    Each College has a Vice Dean of Graduate Studies.

   Postgraduate Academic Coordinators 

   Find the details of your PG Academic Co-ordinators here.

The PhD Student Survival Guide, curated by Oisín C. Joyce, at Trinity College Dublin.
All the essential tips for any new, current or aspiring PhD student from over 50+ resources online have been compiled into one place and can be found and downloaded on Oisín’s Linkedin post.

University Policies and Regulations

University Procedures, Code of Conduct and other Policies
Standards, Policies and training for your Research
Health and Safety >

If there is any information that you would find useful as a new or returning student here which is not included in the guides, please let us know by emailing us at graduatestudies@universityofgalway.ie.

Visiting Post-Graduate Research Students

For information on arranging access to university supports, such as how to access library resources, or gain swipecard access to a Building, please contact your relevant College Office at:

College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies artspostgrad@universityofgalway.ie

College of Business, Public Policy and Law CBPPL@universityofgalway.ie

College of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences cmnhs@universityofgalway.ie

College of Science and Engineering cora.costello@universityofgalway.ie