Program Description

Become immersed in the rich culture and history of Ireland while studying at the National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway. This program allows participants to directly enroll in university courses in a variety of fields while studying alongside Irish students. This program is ideal for students from a variety of majors who wish to take courses taught in English.

Situated on the western coast of Ireland, Galway is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a thriving cultural and commercial community. Settled by the Kings of Connacht and Norman Traders in the twelfth century, today's Galway is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, with a population of 65,000. As a city where English is commonly spoken against the backdrop of Irish, Ireland's first official language, Galway is home to the world renowned Druid Theatre Company, the Macnas Street Theatre Company and An Taibhdhearc, the National Irish Language theatre. The close proximity of the Connemara "Gaeltacht," the country's largest Irish speaking community and location of the Irish-language television service, Teilifis na Gaeilge, gives a distinctive "Gaelic" dimension to the cultural life of Galway. Although a bustling center of arts and commerce, Galway still retains a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, where the city's medieval streets, waterways, wealth of music sessions and other cultural events bring students into contact with Irish history and culture every day, earning Galway its title of "Cultural Capital of Ireland."

Academics

Founded in 1845 as Queen's College, Galway, the university's old stone quadrangle and original mid-nineteenth century buildings brush shoulders with new, modern facilities, reflecting both NUI Galway's history and recent growth. Situated on the banks of the River Corrib and close to the city center, NUI Galway has a student body of 13,000 and enjoys an intimate relationship with the city, with the university's graduates playing a pivotal role in all areas of the development of Galway, including the arts, industry, and commerce.

NUI Galway offers a wide selection of courses from the Faculty of Arts, Celtic Studies, Commerce, Engineering, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences, and Science. Students may enroll in courses from a full range of faculties, provided they meet course prerequisites.

Housing

Students arrange their own housing in university-approved residential complexes or private houses and apartments. Located throughout the city, many accommodation options are available and most can be arranged before arrival in Galway. Students are responsible for their own meals and can use cooking facilities in student housing or purchase food from a number of restaurants on campus.

Excursions and Activities

Galway's thriving arts, cultural, and outdoor scenes offer students a great variety of social activities, from windsurfing and sailing to contemporary and traditional Irish music. Over fifty societies and thirty athletic clubs at NUI Galway provide opportunities to meet Irish students, while the university's ALIVE volunteer program allows students to get involved with local community and non-governmental organizations, societies and clubs, the NUI Galway Student Newspaper and Radio Station, work with disadvantaged students, and mentor first year students. USIT, a student travel company near campus, provides students with information and discount cards for travel to other parts of Ireland and Europe, while discount European airlines frequent the airport in nearby Shannon.