University of Galway Partnership

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Explore the available classes at the University of Galway by downloading the Galway Visiting Student Handbook: Fall and the Galway Visiting Student Handbook: Spring. These handbooks show available classes and credits in the previous year, as well as website links to additional class details.

Credit Conversions
The typical course load at Galway, is 25-30 ECTS credits, which is equivalent to 12.5-15 U.S. semester credit hours.

1 ECTS credit = 0.5 U.S. credit hours

It is your responsibility to confirm your home institution’s requirements regarding class load during your study abroad experience.

Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.

First-Year Classes
Most first-year (i.e. freshman year) classes are offered on a yearlong basis only. Full-year students may enroll in first, second, and third year classes; however, students applying for a semester program are generally limited to second- and third-year classes.

Engineering
Engineering modules are subject to departmental preapproval and class capacity limitations. Please check in with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for more information.

English
Visiting students may take only one English seminar per semester and admission to seminar courses is limited.

Film Studies
Film Studies classes are not available to visiting students.

Journalism
Journalism classes are not available to visiting students.

Languages
French is available only to students who have previous knowledge of the language. First-year (i.e. yearlong) courses in Spanish, German, and Italian are available for beginners. Students interested in studying a language at Galway should be aware that it is difficult to determine what level they should enroll in until they have experienced the language teaching at the university.

Mathematics
Mathematics modules are subject to departmental preapproval. Please check in with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for more information.

Music
Music classes are not available to visiting students.

Psychology
Psychology modules are subject to class capacity limitations. Please check in with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for more information.

Science
Science modules are subject to departmental preapproval and class capacity limitations. Please check in with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for more information.

Theater
Theater classes are not available to visiting students.

Learn more about Irish culture by taking one of three exciting community-based learning opportunities for 2.5 U.S. semester credit hours:

Philosophy in Irish Schools
This is a service-learning class and is delivered via a series of academic lectures, reflective seminars, and includes over 14 hours of service at local elementary schools. If you would like to take this class, you will need to connect with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor in advance, as it does require a police background check before you arrive in Ireland.

Exploring Irish Theater
This class allows students to explore Irish theatre and performance, through both classroom-based and practical activities. Students form an understanding of the distinctive characteristics of Irish theater, analyzing works of writers from W.B. Yeats to Martin McDonagh and beyond. They consider critically the history of Irish theater through hands-on, archives-based activities and develop practical skills by engaging in workshops that cover acting, playwriting, direction, and more. No prior experience of Irish theater is needed, nor is it necessary to have any experience with acting.

Scientific Research Experience
This class allows visiting students to develop research experience while in Galway, taking on a number of hands-on tasks under the guidance of a faculty mentor and professional researchers. Students can develop skills in the laboratory setting, learn new analytical techniques, and review relevant literature and research. The course will culminate in students preparing a formal report detailing their research experience. Availability is limited, so please check in with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for more details.

New country, new way of learning!

Here’s what to expect at the University of Galway:

• More emphasis on independent learning. The university recommends completing ten hours of independent study for each academic credit you seek.
• Less personal access to professors. Instead, it’s common to connect with more junior faculty members. Other resources include course designers (who line up lectures) and module coordinators.
• Academics reflect a similar level of difficulty as in the United States, but follow a different grading scale. In Ireland, scores of 70% and above are considered “As.” (We’ll review this and give you a chart to refer to during IFSA orientation.)
• Grades are often based only on a single final paper or on a midterm exam and final paper.
• Full access to the university’s robust academic support system and resources, including assignment to an advisor. IFSA local staff are also available for individual help.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
• You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
• You must have completed at least two (2) full-time semesters of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.
• Eligibility requirements can vary among host institutions. Please ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for specific information.

Recommendation Letter
Not required. A research site may request a reference letter before placement is finalized.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.