University of Galway
Ollscoil na Gaillimhe
A west-of-Ireland university on the River Corrib, built around its 1840s Quadrangle, where many courses build in work placements.
- Students
- 20,000
- International
- 21%
- of students
- Tuition
- €15,640
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1845
About Galway
The University of Galway was founded in 1845 as Queen's College Galway, alongside the Queen's Colleges in Belfast and Cork, and opened its doors four years later to just 68 students in the newly built Quadrangle. It later became University College Galway and then NUI Galway, taking its current name in 2022. Today it has more than 20,000 students, 21% of them international from 120 countries, on a campus beside the River Corrib close to Galway city centre.
The university is organised into four colleges: Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies; Business, Public Policy and Law; Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; and Science and Engineering. Galway is a global medtech hub, and the university has particular strengths in biomedical engineering and health, alongside a strong commitment to the Irish language. Many courses include work placements or community projects.
Irish, UK and EU school-leavers apply through the CAO and compete on points, while non-EU students apply directly to the university. Galway suits students who want a lively, compact, arts-loving city on the Atlantic coast, and courses that build in real-world experience.
Deo favente
“With the favour of God” — university motto
Why students choose Galway
Many courses include work placements or community projects, and Galway is a global medtech hub for engineering and health students.
The university reports 95.7% graduate employment (2024/25 at-a-glance figures).
Galway is 1st in Ireland and 68th in the world in THE Impact Rankings 2026 for progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Biomedical Engineering is one of the university's most competitive courses, at 555 CAO points in 2026.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Galway does not publish an overall acceptance rate. Demand exceeds places, so applicants are ranked on school-leaving exam results; 2026 CAO points ranged from 337 for Arts (GY101) to 555 for Biomedical Engineering (GY408).
Typical entry requirements
| Irish Leaving Certificate | Matriculation: H5 in two subjects and O6/H7 in four others, including Irish (unless exempt), English and course subjects; 2026 CAO points e.g. 337 (Arts GY101), 440 (Computer Science and IT GY350), 443 (Marine Science GY310), 451 (Commerce GY201), 509 (Law GY251), 555 (Biomedical Engineering GY408) |
|---|---|
| A-levels (EU/UK via CAO) | Matriculation: grade C in two A-levels and C in four GCSE subjects; A-level results are converted to CAO points and compete with Leaving Certificate applicants |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no section below 6.0 for most undergraduate courses; some courses require higher scores. IELTS Online is accepted. |
Deadlines
- CAO normal closing date (Irish, UK and EU applicants) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~4 months1 February 2027, 17:00 Irish time
€50 application fee; discounted €35 fee up to 20 January 2027.
- CAO late applications Non-binding In ~7 months1 May 2027, 17:00 Irish time
€65 late application fee. Late applications cannot be made by mature applicants or for Medicine.
- CAO change of mind Non-binding In ~9 months1 July 2027, 17:00 Irish time
Last date to change course choices (some restrictions apply).
- Non-EU direct application (Apply to University of Galway) Non-bindingOpens 1 October 2026; rolling decisions, no fixed closing date
€35 fee, up to two programmes; personal statement and two letters of recommendation. Decisions usually within 4 to 6 weeks, and courses can close at short notice. Non-EU Medicine applicants apply to the School of Medicine instead.
CAO dates are from the CAO Handbook 2027. For non-EU applicants, the university's portal reopens for 2027 entry on 1 October 2026; places are offered on a rolling basis with no fixed closing date, so apply early, especially if you need a study visa (6 to 12 weeks).
How to apply
Irish, UK and EU applicants apply online through the CAO; points from school-leaving exams decide most places. Non-EU students apply directly through Apply to University of Galway (€35, up to two programmes) with a personal statement of up to about 800 words and two letters of recommendation; non-EU Medicine applications go to the School of Medicine.
What admissions looks for
- Your CAO points: applicants are ranked on school-leaving exam performance because meeting matriculation alone does not guarantee a place.
- Matriculation requirements for the National University of Ireland, including Irish unless you are exempt.
- Course subject requirements, such as a minimum H4 in Higher Level Mathematics for Biomedical Engineering.
- For non-EU applicants, English at IELTS 6.5 (no section below 6.0) or equivalent.
Tips for applying to Galway
- 1 If you were born or educated outside the Republic of Ireland you are likely exempt from the Irish requirement, but check with the NUI.
- 2 Arts (GY101) has 850 places and is the widest entry point; students can progress to Law or Psychology subjects from first year.
- 3 High-achieving CAO entrants are automatically considered for the Excellence Scholarship (€1,500), with no application needed.
- 4 Apply for on-campus residences (Corrib Village, Goldcrest Village, Dunlin Village) as soon as bookings open in February, as they fill within weeks.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
Eligible EU students pay only the student contribution and levy, and SUSI grants can help with the contribution. The University of Galway Excellence Scholarship (€1,500) goes automatically to top CAO entrants in each college, and there are sports, civic engagement (€1,500 a year), access, mature student, sanctuary and county-based scholarships.
- €1,500, awarded automatically to 40 top CAO entrants (shared where tied)
- Excellence Scholarship
- €1,500 per year for the length of the degree
- Civic Engagement Scholarship
Academics
Biomedical Engineering (GY408)
555 CAO points in 2026 with a H4 in Higher Level Maths, in a city the university describes as a global medtech hub.
Marine Science (GY310)
443 CAO points in 2026, with an average intake of 33.
Law (GY251)
509 CAO points in 2026 with an average intake of 40.
Commerce (GY201)
451 CAO points in 2026 and an average intake of 270; non-EU fee €19,390.
Computer Science and Information Technology (GY350)
440 CAO points in 2026, with an average intake of 65.
Arts (GY101)
The broadest entry route with about 850 places, including options to progress to Psychology or Law.
Research
- The university spent €87 million on research activity and has won €117 million in EU research awards since 2020 (2024/25 figures).
- 22 spin-out companies have been created since 2020.
- Galway has ranked 1st in Ireland in THE's Impact Rankings, placing 68th in the world in 2026.
Schools & faculties
- College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies
- College of Business, Public Policy and Law
- College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
- College of Science and Engineering
The university reports 95.7% graduate employment in its 2024/25 at-a-glance figures.
Student life
The campus is built around the 1840s Quadrangle and runs along the River Corrib, a short walk from Galway city centre, and it has been ranked among the 30 most beautiful campuses in Europe. On-campus residences at Corrib Village, Goldcrest Village and Dunlin Village open for applications in February, and the Accommodation Advisory Service helps students find private rooms, which cost roughly €700 to €1,200 a month in a shared house. The university is committed to promoting the Irish language, and Galway city centre is a short walk away.
- Ranked among the top 30 most beautiful campuses in Europe.
- On-campus residences: Corrib Village, Goldcrest Village and Dunlin Village.
- 21% of students are international, from 120 countries.
- A commitment to promoting the Irish language across the university.
Housing. On-campus residences are not guaranteed; they open applications in February for the following September and stay open only a few weeks, and the Accommodation Advisory Service helps students find private housing.
Location
Galway sits on the broad sweep of Galway Bay on Ireland's west coast, between Connemara and the Burren. The university describes it as Ireland's most international city, and it has been named one of the world's best cities. A room in a shared house costs about €700 to €1,200 a month, and most rentals are 3 to 5 bedroom houses rather than studios.
Nearest airport: Shannon Airport (SNN)
Notable alumni
- MD Michael D. Higgins9th President of Ireland
- CC Catherine Connolly10th President of Ireland (since November 2025)
- EK Enda KennyFormer Taoiseach
- NC Nicola CoughlanActor
- MW Máire WhelanFormer Attorney General of Ireland and Court of Appeal judge
- BÓ Breandán Ó hEithirWriter and author
- BM Brian McManusHost of the YouTube channel Real Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How many CAO points do you need for the University of Galway?
It depends on the course and year. In 2026, Arts needed 337 points, Computer Science and IT 440, Commerce 451, Law 509 and Biomedical Engineering 555.
How much does the University of Galway cost for international students?
Non-EU fees for 2026/27 range from €15,640 to €55,000 a year, for example €19,390 for Arts and Commerce, €27,640 for Science and Computer Science and €55,000 for Medicine. 2027/28 fees had not been published at the time of writing.
What is the CAO deadline for 2027 entry?
The normal closing date is 1 February 2027 at 5pm, with late applications until 1 May 2027 (not for Medicine or mature applicants) and changes of mind until 1 July 2027.
What IELTS score does the University of Galway require?
Most undergraduate courses require IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no section below 6.0; some courses require higher scores.
Do I need Irish to study at the University of Galway?
Irish is a matriculation requirement, but applicants born or educated outside the Republic of Ireland are usually exempt.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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