National University of Ireland

About the National University of Ireland, Galway

With over 17,000 students and more than 2,400 staff, NUI Galway is the largest and oldest University in the West of Ireland. Over the past 170 years, we have built a distinguished reputation for teaching and research excellence in the fields of arts, social science, and celtic studies; business, public policy and law; engineering and informatics; medicine, nursing and health sciences; and science.

NUI Galway offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and diplomas of international standard, which provide students with opportunities for personal and academic development, as well as giving them the knowledge and skills they need to pursue successful careers. We are ranked in the Top 2% of universities worldwide for the quality of our teaching and research.

The University's approach to innovative programme development means that courses are developed to reflect the ever-changing needs of the job market and the economy. We have one of the highest graduate employability rates in Ireland, with over 90% of our students employed or in further study each year.

• College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies

  The College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies is at the cutting edge of new thinking in the full range of subjects offered within our programmes, ranging from undergraduate to masters, postgraduate and postdoctoral. Our research is internationally recognised for its quality and impact. Our Research led programmes are designed to inspire your intellectual curiosity and to provide you with a flexible pathway to a range of future careers.

• College of Medicine Nursing & Health Sciences

  The College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences comprises of three schools: Health Sciences, Nursing and Midwifery, and Medicine. We prepare healthcare practitioners to be the best in their field, across programmes at Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Postdoctoral levels.

  We work closely with our clinical partners to provide programmes that are grounded in clinical expertise and cutting-edge research, to best prepare students to meet the challenges of a changing healthcare environment. At postgraduate level our programmes offer flexible and innovative learning technologies to meet the needs of working practitioners.

  Our Research strives to improve healthcare, bringing tangible benefits to health and healthcare regionally, nationally and internationally.”

• College of Business, Public Policy and Law

  NUI Galway has a long history and is internationally recognised for producing quality market ready graduates in all areas of Business, Public Policy and Law. The College has a wide range of undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research postgraduate programmes which are all delivered by research active staff who are at the forefront of original thinking in both the commercial and public policy arenas.

• Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge

  Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge offers a range of graduate and postgraduate degree programmes to students who wish to attain a graduate/postgraduate qualification in the following areas: Business Administration, Communications – Radio and Television Broadcasting, Translation Studies, Interpreting, Language Planning, Education, the Arts and Information Technology.

  If you decide to study with Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge you will develop the necessary communication and information technology skills pertaining to your chosen field of study and you will also gain an awareness of the role such technology and skills have in modern society.

  Not only can our students expect to attend lectures, workshops and tutorials depending on their chosen programme of study, they will also have an opportunity to study in a university abroad or gain work experience relevant to their programme of study.

  The time that you spend studying with Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge will undoubtedly be one of the most interesting and challenging periods of your life. You will have an opportunity to do in-depth research in the areas that are of particular interest to you and you will gain knowledge and skills in fields that will enable you work professionally through Irish or English in your chosen field.

• Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development

  We offer adult learners a wide range of affordable and flexible part-time courses in a variety of subject areas such as the Humanities, Community Education, Social Sciences, Business & Management, Science & Technology and Training & Education.

  We offer courses with Certificate, Diploma, Degree, and Master awards. They can range from a short 8-week course in Creative Writing to a Masters in Software Engineering & Database Technologies.

  There are a number of flexible ways in which you can study our courses that allow you to study at your own pace and fit your studies around your work and personal life.

• College of Engineering and Informatics

  With a long heritage dating back to 1849, we work to understand the physical and digital world we live in order to create a better and more efficient one for the future.  The College provides professionally accredited education across a portfolio of undergraduate degrees, taught masters and doctoral programmes.

  Our faculty includes internationally recognized innovators contributing to the advancement of engineering and computing knowledge and the creation of everyday products used by millions of people throughout the world.

  Welcome to our web pages, through which we hope you will learn about our research and academic programmes which attract students from across the world.

• College of Science

  The College of Science offer a range of research-led programmes at Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Post-Doctoral levels.  The Bachelor of Science Programmes are structured yet flexible allowing students take a variety of science subjects, exploring their interests and passions. Our science programmes provide students with a sound basis for a variety of careers. 

  Scientific training and research contributes significantly to knowledge generation, technology development and translation, and to our economic and societal development. Accordingly, job and job satisfaction prospects for science graduates are excellent. 

History of the  National University of Ireland, Galway

The university opened for teaching in 1849 as Queen's College, Galway with 37 professors and 91 students. A year later it became part of the Queen's University of Ireland. The Irish Universities Act (1908) made this college a constituent college of the new National University of Ireland, and under a new charter the name of the university changed to University College, Galway. It was given special statutory responsibility under the University College, Galway Act (1929) in respect of the use of the Irish language as the working language of the college. It retained the title of University College, Galway until the Universities Act (1997) changed it to theNational University of Ireland, Galway.

Located close to the city centre, it stretches along the River Corrib. The oldest part of the university, the Quadrangle building with itsAula Maxima was designed by John Benjamin Keane; it is a replica of Christ Church, one of the colleges at the University of Oxford. The stone from which it is built was supplied locally.

More modern parts of the university sprang up in the 1970s and were designed by architects Scott Tallon Walker. The 1990s also saw considerable development, including the conversion of an old munitions factory into a student centre. 21st-century developments include a state-of-the-art University Sports Centre (Ionad Spóirt), Áras Moyola, a new Health Science Building, Cairnes School of Business and Public Policy, the new Engineering Building, the BioSciences Research Building, the Life Course Institute and the newly opened Lambe Institute. A new Human Biology Building is under construction at present. The highly toxic substance asbestos was removed from the university grounds on 13 occasions between March 2010 and June 2014.

Fine Gael's youth wing took a hold on the university in 1973 during the Liam Cosgrave-led Fine Gael/Labour Coalition government, with Enda Kenny and Madeleine Taylor-Quinn among those behind its establishment there.

Nelson Mandela made a memorable appearance at the University in 2003. On what was his last visit to Ireland, Mandela condemned U.S. foreign policy and received an honorary doctorate from NUI Chancellor Garret FitzGerald.

In 2008, Éamon Ó Cuív was allegedly involved in an altercation with a protesting student on the grounds of the university. Ó Cuív wasCommunity, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister at the time and would go on to become Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil.

In 2009, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was forced to flee from a public discussion in NUI Galway after being jostled by students opposed to the planned reintroduction of college fees.Shortly afterwards, the University announced its withdrawal of support for the Students' Union-run RAG week. The Students' Union president said she did not believe the decision was justified, with more than €20,000 having been raised for charity in 2009.

NUI Galway has also announced details of plans to make the university a "campus of the future" at a cost of around €400 million. Details of the future plans of the University also show a Human Biology building which will incorporate Anatomy, Physiology and other human sciences areas. It formed a strategic alliance with University of Limerick in 2010, allowing for shared resources. It launched its Strategic Plan "Vision 2020" (for the period 2015–2020) in 2015. NUI Galway has allowed students access their examination papers online in advance.

Accreditation

Institutional Accreditation or Recognition - Department of Education and Skills, Ireland

Rankings

• NUI Galway is ranked in the top 2% of universities in the world for the quality of its research and teaching.
• NUI Galway was the only Irish university to increase its position in both the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education Rankings in 2014.
• NUI Galway has also been awarded the top rating of five stars in the QS Stars rating system.
• The University received the five star rating for the quality of its teaching and research, for its facilities, for engagement, internationalisation and innovation.

Student life at the NUI Galway

Sports

• NUI Galway's new 6,500 sq ft sports complex on the University campus is ideally located for all students as a meeting point for sports activity.
• The University's outdoor sports facilities can be found in Dangan, on the north of the campus.
• There are over 50 sports clubs within the University, offering students the chance to keep fit and healthy, while enjoying a great social outlet. 

Student Societies

Student Societies can be divided into a few broad categories. Within them, you will find societies that cover many subjects, interests and hobbies: 

• Academic Societies. We have a wide array of societies linked to the various schools where you can find out more about the subjects, meet students and staff from the discipline and get involved in some great social opportunities and the Annual Balls.
• Artistic and Performing Societies. Galway is famous for its rich and vibrant artistic and social life. You can tap into this tradition by joining artistic or performing societies such as Art, Choral, Comedy, Dansoc, DJ, Dramsoc, Film, Juggling, Music, Musical, Orchestra, Photography, Radio, Rock, Trad Soc, Writers.
• Lifestyle and Wellbeing. We also have societies to promote physical activity and positive lifestyle choices such as Airsoft, Baking, Bike Gang, Cheerleading, Dauntless, Dog, Lotus, Organic Gardening, Rover, Skate, Sláinte, Sober, Students for Health Equality, Style, Zen.
• Social Action and Political. Flex your political and debating muscles or if  have a cause you want to promote at NUI Galway: you're sure to find a society that suits you. You can choose from Amnesty, Choice, Cumann de Barra (Fianna Fail), Ecology Feminist, Life, Misneach, Ógra Sinn Féin, Palestine Solidarity, Shoutout, Social Democrats, SSDP, Young Fine Gael.
• Social and Cultural. Some of our societies celebrate the diversity and culture of our campus and include African Caribbean, Chinese, Cumann Gaelach, Entrepreneurship, Erasmus Students Network, GIG (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender), India, International Student Society, Literary and Debating, Malaysian Society, Mature Students.
• Special Interest Societies. Some societies support students special interestes and encourage like minded people to pursue their passions and include American Football, Anime & Manga, , Chess, Comic Book, Computer, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Fifa, Foosball, Game of Thrones, Poker, Potter, Radio Control, Time Lord, Victorian, Video Game. 

Services of the NUI Galway

• The Library. The James Hardiman Library is the main University Library and is right at the heart of the campus. We also have a dedicated Medical Library which is located off-campus, in the Clinical Sciences Institute in the nearby University College Hospital.
• Grinds register. If you feel you need help with some aspects of your course, you may want to consider getting grinds. During these private tutorials, you and your tutor can focus on particular issues that you are having difficulty with in a private, supportive environment.
• University bookshop. The University Bookshop is located in the basement of the Library Building. Any prescribed texts that you need for your NUI Galway courses will be available here, together with a range of lighter reading material.
• Students' Union Bookshop. 
• The high-speed, campus-wide network
• Approximately 1,600 managed computers in central locations around the campus.
• Over 250 licensed specialist software products on campus
• Student deals on services such as mobile broadband or software licenses
• Scanners, CD-writers and printing services
• The campus-wide wireless network
• Introductory training courses that will take you through the basic steps of accessing the network, starting up software and printing
• Help with all computer-related queries from the Information Solutions and Services Service Desk
• Irish Language Centres

Why choose NUI Galway?

Choosing a University is one of the most important decisions you will ever make.

At NUI Galway you will be provided with the best educational opportunities and job prospects for today’s competitive workplace. Each year more than 3,000 Leaving Certificate students make NUI Galway their university of choice, read on to see why! 

Graduate Employability

NUI Galway is one of Ireland’s top Universities for graduate employability, with over 95% of our graduates working or in future study within six months of graduating. Listen to why employers such as Accenture, Deloitte, SAP and Medtronic‌ always choose NUI Galway graduates.‌

Courses

NUI Galway offers an extensive choice of degree programmes that are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary in this competitive marketplace. In the last six years, we have introduced over 20 new programmes, all of which have been developed in response to the changing needs of the job market. NUI Galway offers courses in the areas of Business, Law, Engineering, Science, IT, Medicine and Arts.‌

At NUI Galway, we believe that the best learning happens when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That is why over 70% of our courses offer students the opportunity to get work experience. Also, over 40 of our degree programmes include a community-learning opportunity, giving you the chance to develop invaluable life skills.

Student Experience

At NUI Galway you will enjoy a student experience that is truly unique. With over 110 societies, and over 50 clubs you can share and develop your passion for your favourite sports, hobbies and interests. Research has shown that students who get actively involved and participate are happier and as a result are more productive and successful. ‌

NUI Galway has a tradition of rewarding excellence, so whether you excel academically, in sports or in the creative arts we have a range of scholarships to support your future. 

Our lecturers are at the top of their chosen fields. They use the most current teaching technologies to bring real learning into the classroom. They are friendly and approachable and make time to meet students on a regular basis.  

Sport

Sport is central to life at NUI Galway. Our outstanding sports facilities include a state-of-the-art Sports centre with

• A national basketball arena, and sports hall
• A 25 metre swimming pool
• An elite 130 piece gym

The excellent facilities offer you a chance to balance your academic study with a wide range of sporting activities, indoor and outdoor.

Galway City

The campus is at the heart of Galway city, with the friendly and safe environment Galway city has to offer within walking distance. Students make up 20% of the population and contribute to the vibrancy of the community. With a wealth of artists, festivals and the recently awarded status of UNESCO City of Film there’s always something to do in your free time.

Study Abroad- Expanding your horizons and studying abroad as part of your degree brings many benefits- you many improve your language skills, learn to appreciate new cultures and develop different perspectives.