Study abroad in Ireland with IFSA

University of Galway Partnership

Program Overview

Looking for authentic Ireland? Head to the University of Galway, where you can study Irish history, science, engineering, and more in the beautiful western coastal region, known for proudly preserving its language and culture. Recognized as Ireland’s capital of culture, Galway has a youthful, bohemian vibe, thanks in part to a sizable student presence.

The University of Galway (Ollscoil na Gaillimhe) was previous known as the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Details in a Glance

Application deadline

October 15

Minimum GPA

3.00

Credit load

12.5 - 15

Housing

Apartment/Flat

Instruction language

English

Prerequisites

None

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Academics

Looking for specific classes? Explore CHART, our exclusive class database — if the University of Galway program is preapproved at your institution, you’ll find classes recently taken by other IFSA students.

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.

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.

ENGLISH

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

PSYCHOLOGY

Visiting students are restricted in the number of courses they can take.

THEATER

Theater classes are not available to visiting students.

First Year Courses

Most first-year (i.e. freshman year) courses 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.

Learn more about Irish culture by taking one of three exciting community-based learning opportunities for 2.5 Bulter University US semester credit hours:

Exploring the Indigenous Arts

This class offers students a practice-based opportunity to learn about indigenous Irish music, song and dance, set in the unique landscape of Connemara. The course analyzes Irish identity and history, and its current position within a global context, and to examine the impact that Irish culture has had on the development of music, song and dance globally. Students from any discipline are welcome to take this course. Weekly concerts and field trips are included.

Exploring Irish Theater

This course 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 theatre, analyzing works of writers from W.B. Yeats to Martin McDonagh and beyond. They consider critically the history of Irish theatre 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.

Service Learning Course in Literacy and Learning in the Community

Here's what one IFSA student had to say about her service learning experience: "The servicing learning class is a great opportunity to get more involved in the Galway community as well as make friendships that will last forever. The people I met in the service learning course became some of my best friends abroad because we shared such a unique bond. The class is very small and hands on; students go into the local primary school at least once a week and work with different age groups on their homework for the night. It is only one hour long, but the memories created during these short times will last a lifetime!"

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) semesters of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.

Recommendation Letter

Not required.

Visa & Resident Permit Requirements

  • A visa is not required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
  • A visa may be required if you are a citizen of another country.
  • A resident permit is required for all students.

Start your application now by clicking the Apply Now button.

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 courses 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.

Excursions

Program Activities:

Activities and excursions are an important piece of your IFSA experience, designed to pull you into the fabric of the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. That said, at times, circumstances beyond our control—including local government regulations and health protocols—could impact our ability to hold these events as planned.

Know that we’ll make every effort to run the activities, trips, and excursions slated for your program. You’ll see detailed examples of previous outings offered during this program below. Keep in mind that the options could look different for your program, and that we cannot guarantee these activities, trips, and excursions.

Program activities are designed to enhance your intercultural competence by developing your understanding of the local culture and people. They are optional, but they are included in your total program fee. Activities vary each term based on availability, but previous events have included local rugby matches, theater performances, comedy gigs, and castle tours.

Program Excursions:

IFSA Excursions are included in your total program fee and though these are optional, most students choose to participate. Excursions vary each term based on availability. Typically, students participate in a long weekend trip to rural Connemara in County Galway. An additional trip to Belfast and the Antrim Coast include visits to Dunluce Castle, Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge, and Giant’s Causeway.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Apartment/Flat

Details

There are no meal plan options for the University of Galway. Students will have kitchens in their apartment/flat to cook meals.

Dates and Fees

Term

Term begins

Term ends

Program costs

Application deadline

Spring 2023

January 2, 2023

May 5, 2023

$19,575

October 15

Fall 2023

Late August 2023

Mid-December 2023

$19,575 (estimated)

April 15

Spring 2024

Early January 2024

Early May 2024

$19,575 (estimated)

October 15

Academic Year 2023-2024

Late August 2023

Early May 2024

Contact IFSA

April 15

Term

Spring 2023

Term begins

January 2, 2023

Term ends

May 5, 2023

Program costs

$19,575

Application deadline

October 15

Term

Fall 2023

Term begins

Late August 2023

Term ends

Mid-December 2023

Program costs

$19,575 (estimated)

Application deadline

April 15

Term

Spring 2024

Term begins

Early January 2024

Term ends

Early May 2024

Program costs

$19,575 (estimated)

Application deadline

October 15

Term

Academic Year 2023-2024

Term begins

Late August 2023

Term ends

Early May 2024

Program costs

Contact IFSA

Application deadline

April 15

Program Counselors

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