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As a Visiting Student, you can create your own individual study programme from the wide range of classes (modules) available from our regular degree courses, to meet your own major or minor requirements, subject to meeting the normal prerequisites.

Visiting Students can study at NUI Galway for a semester or a full academic year. Find out more about term dates (note: Visiting Students refer to dates for "Students other than First Year and Clinical Medical Students."

Visiting Student do not receive a degree from NUI Galway, however the credits you earn here can normally be transferred back to your home institution. Semester One runs from September to December while Semester Two runs from January until May.

You can expect to take 5 - 7 classes (modules) per semester. This equates to approximately 30 ECTS credits, which is a normal course load for NUI Galway students per semester. Classes are generally delivered through lectures, which are normally held in large or medium sized lecture halls and which provide the foundations on which students are expected to explore further through independent reading.

Lectures are also usually supplemented by smaller tutorials or seminar classes, which provide an opportunity for discussion in a smaller group setting. Visiting students are also examined alongside our full time degree-seeking students. Most classes are examined by end of semester examination, however most also include mid-term assignments and/or continuous assessment.

Upon completion of your studies, you will be sent a transcript showing the classes you have taken at NUI Galway as well the credits earned and marks (%) received. We have many years’ experience in the matter of credit transfer and course equivalence and can, on request, provide a suggested system to translate from ECTS credits to the credit system used in your home country.

The University publishes the Visiting Student Academic Handbook before the beginning of each Semester, which lists the specific classes (modules) available to Visiting Students for the coming semester.

Students can refer to the most recent Visiting Student Academic Handbook for the relevant semester when submitting their initial application, however please note that the exact classes made available to Visiting Students can vary year to year.

Visiting Student Handbook 2013-14, Semester 1 (Fall)

Visiting Student Handbook 2013-2014, Semester 2 (Spring)

 A wide range of classes is available in the following subject areas:

Special Classes for Visiting Students

In addition to the regular classes of the University, Visiting Students can also apply for admission to two bespoke classes:

Literacy and Learning in the Community

Literacy and Learning in the Community is a credit bearing service learning class which includes service at a local after-school homework club.

Exploring the Indigenous Arts

Exploring the Indigenous Arts is a credit bearing practice-based class about indigenous Irish music, song and dance, with field trips to the unique landscape of Connemara.

There are two aspects to entry requirements for Visiting Students: (1) general entry requirements and (2) pre-requisites for admission to classes.

General Entry Requirements for Admission as a Visiting Student

Visiting Student applicants are normally required to have completed two full years at university or college before being admitted and to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).

Pre-requisites for Admission to Classes

When applying as a Visiting Student, you are only required to indicate the general subjects or area of study you wish to study while attending NUI Galway.

Only Visiting Students wishing to select classes in Science and Engineering are required to indicate the specific classes they wish to take when making their initial application. This is so that they can be pre-approved by the relevant College of the University.

All other Visiting Students, including those selecting classes in the Arts, Humanities, Business and Social Sciences etc., are given a two week period at the beginning of each semester to sample the different classes on offer before making their final selections. In addition, Visiting Students are given a further ‘drop/add’ week. Once the deadline for dropping or adding courses has passed, no further course changes are possible.

Visiting students can generally expect to gain admission to the classes listed in the handbook subject to any prerequisites as well as individual examination or timetable limitations. Certain classes, such as seminars may also be restricted to small numbers.

The International Students Orientation Day, which is held at the beginning of each semester, provides comprehensive information on:

• classes on offer
• prerequisites timetables
• venues
• examination arrangements

Study Abroad

Study Abroad (Visiting Student) Applications

If you are currently enrolled at an overseas college or university and you wish to spend a semester or year at NUI Galway as a Visiting Student, you can apply through your home college’s Study Abroad office or through an approved study abroad programme provider.

All Visiting Student applications must be made on the official Visiting Student Application Form The following documents must also be submitted:

• most recent college transcript
• copy of birth certificate
• letter of reference from a staff member of the University/College you are attending or other person of standing who knows you personally
• the names of two academic referees to whom enquiries as to your academic  standing may be addressed, if necessary
• a statement as to how your proposed course of study at NUI Galway ties in with your previous studies and with your future academic/career objectives.
• a passport size photograph

Closing Dates for Study Abroad Applications

The closing dates for receipt of applications from Visiting Students are:

• 30 April in the case of applications for admission for a full academic year or First Semester and
• 31 October in the case of applications for Second Semester.

Late applications may be considered, but only in special circumstances.

Each application is dealt with on its own merit and decisions on applications are normally made no later than May preceding the proposed date of entry or, in the case of Second Semester applications, no later than November preceding the proposed date of entry.

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