The University of Galway, known until 2022 as NUI Galway, is a public research university in Galway on Ireland’s west coast. It was founded in 1845 as Queen’s College Galway and opened to students in 1849.[1][2] It is ranked 275th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from 284th the year before.[3]
The university’s fee page now shows 2027/28 rates for most undergraduate courses: non-EU tuition runs from about €16,050 to €30,250 per year, for example €20,650 for History and Commerce, €22,650 for Psychology and €29,550 for Computer Science.[4] Postgraduate taught fees for 2026/27 include €19,440 for the MA History and €21,640 for the MSc Corporate Finance for non-EU students.[4] EU undergraduates apply through the CAO; non-EU undergraduates apply through the International Office.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Galway (Irish: Ollscoil na Gaillimhe), formerly National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway)[2] |
| Location | University Road, Galway, H91 TK33; a 105-hectare urban campus along the River Corrib[2] |
| Type | Public research university[2] |
| Founded | 1845 as Queen’s College Galway; the first students started on 30 October 1849[1] |
| Name change | Renamed from NUI Galway to University of Galway, effective 1 September 2022[2] |
| Students | 19,335 in 2023/24, of which 14,405 undergraduates and 4,930 postgraduates (Wikipedia)[2]; 16,163 with 21 percent international (Times Higher Education profile, undated)[6] |
| Colleges | Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies; Business, Public Policy and Law; Medicine and Health; Science and Engineering; plus Adult Learning and Professional Development[7] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 275th (284th in the 2026 edition)[3] |
| Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 | 326–350 range[3] |
| Tuition, non-EU undergraduates (2027/28 schedule) | From €16,050 to €30,250 per year; e.g. €20,650 History · €22,650 Psychology · €29,550 Computer Science[4] |
| Tuition, postgraduate taught (2026/27) | EU €8,040 and non-EU €19,440 for the MA History; non-EU €21,640 for the MSc Corporate Finance[4] |
| How to apply, undergraduate | EU students through the CAO; non-EU residents through the International Office[5] |
| English test | IELTS 6.5 overall, no section below 6.0; some courses higher[8] |
| Official website | universityofgalway.ie |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About University of Galway
The university was founded in 1845 as Queen’s College Galway. Its first students walked through the archway into the Quadrangle on 30 October 1849.[1] It became a constituent college of the National University of Ireland as University College, Galway, and under the Universities Act 1997 a university in its own right within the NUI.[2]
The name changed from National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway) to University of Galway in 2022; Wikipedia gives 1 September 2022 as the effective date.[2] The university’s own pages still carry the older name in places (a fee page link and text refer to “NUI Galway”).[4] The Irish name is Ollscoil na Gaillimhe.[6]
The university has four colleges and a unit for adult learning: Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies; Business, Public Policy and Law; Medicine and Health; Science and Engineering; and Adult Learning and Professional Development.[7] Student numbers differ by source: Wikipedia gives 19,335 for 2023/24 (14,405 undergraduates, 4,930 postgraduates), while the Times Higher Education profile lists 16,163 students with 21 percent international. The university’s own student data is not public, so treat the figure as roughly 16,000 to 19,000.[2][6][3]
How is University of Galway ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Galway is 275th in the world out of about 1,500 universities. A year earlier, in QS 2026, it was 284th.[3] In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 the university reports the 326–350 range.[3][6]
Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. For the other Irish universities see our Ireland guide.
What can you study at University of Galway?
Teaching is organised in four colleges: Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies; Business, Public Policy and Law; Medicine and Health; and Science and Engineering.[7]
The undergraduate fee list shows the range, including Psychology, History, Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, Music, Film and Digital Media, Commerce, Computer Science and Information Technology, Biomedical Science, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Nursing, Podiatric Medicine and Medicine. It also lists programmes at the Shannon College of Hotel Management.[4] Postgraduate taught programmes include MA, MSc, LLM and MBA courses, among them Corporate Finance, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing and Computer Science with an Artificial Intelligence or Adaptive Cybersecurity specialisation.[4]
How much does University of Galway cost?
The undergraduate table on the fee page shows rates for the 2027/28 academic year for almost all courses, and one programme (Global Luxury and Experience Management, GY263) still under 2026/27. For that programme the EU total is €3,398 and the non-EU fee is €16,150 for 2026/27.[4] Fees are quoted per academic year; full-time EU undergraduate fees are fixed, while other fees rise each year for continuing students (5% in 2024/25 and 3.4% in 2025/26).[4]
Undergraduate, per year (2027/28 schedule)
| Course (CAO code) | EU total (incl. levy) | Non-EU fee |
|---|---|---|
| History (GY105) | €3,398 | €20,650 |
| Commerce, Accounting (GY207) | €3,398 | €20,650 |
| Psychology (GY104) | €3,398 | €22,650 |
| Music (GY130) | €4,076 | €23,150 |
| Computer Science and Information Technology (GY350) | €5,068 | €29,550 |
| Biomedical Science (GY303) | €5,068 | €29,550 |
| Nursing, General (GY515) | €4,906 | €30,050 |
The EU columns list a tuition fee marked as government-funded (for example €3,248), a student contribution of €2,350 and a student levy of €150 (€350 for some courses). For Medicine (GY501) the EU total is €7,073, but the non-EU column in the table does not show a clear tuition amount, so ask the university for that figure.[4] Non-EU rates across the list run from €16,050 to €30,250.[4] Discounts are available to students who enter through recognised recruitment agents, among them IUMC and Atlantic Bridge.[4]
Postgraduate taught, 2026/27
| Programme | EU | Non-EU |
|---|---|---|
| MA History | €8,040 | €19,440 |
| MA International Development | €8,290 | €20,040 |
| MA Journalism | €10,840 | €20,890 |
| MSc Corporate Finance | €11,840 | €21,640 |
| MSc Applied Clinical Data Analytics | €9,290 | €24,140 |
| MBA (excluding levy) | €16,300 | €18,300 |
Fees for the MSc Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) are listed for 2027/28: €9,300 for EU and €29,450 for non-EU students. The postgraduate columns are headed as totals including levies; the MBA row also shows the amounts including levy (€16,405 and €18,405).[4] Continuing students on multi-year programmes see an annual inflation increase; for 2026/27 it is 1.8%.[4] A deposit, usually €500 and sometimes €1,000, is due when you accept a taught postgraduate offer and is deducted from your fees.[4] For living costs see our Ireland guide.
How do you apply to University of Galway?
- Undergraduate, Irish, UK and EU applicants: apply to the Central Applications Office (CAO), the national admissions system, and upload supporting documents as the CAO instructs.[5]
- International undergraduates, full degree: if you are a non-EU resident, use the International Office undergraduate application section of the university site. If you are an EU resident with a second-level education in an EU country, you must apply through the CAO.[5]
- Postgraduate taught: apply through the online application system; some courses have their own instructions on the course page. The application fee is €35 (€100 for PME and MGO).[5]
- Research masters and PhD: you submit a research proposal with your application, and a potential supervisor must review and approve it.[5]
Entry requirements vary by programme, so check the programme page before applying.[5] We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme.
Which English level do you need?
If English is not your first language you need official proof of the required level. The general requirement is IELTS 6.5 overall with no section below 6.0.[8] Some courses ask for more:[8]
| Course | Academic IELTS |
|---|---|
| Arts, Business, Law, Science, Engineering | 6.5 overall, no component below 6.0 |
| Medicine (first-year undergraduates) | 6.5 overall, no component below 6.5 |
| BSc Nursing (General, Mental Health) and Midwifery | 7.0 overall, no component below 6.5 |
| BSc Speech and Language Therapy | 7.5 overall, no component below 7.0 |
| MSc Computer Science (Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence), Adaptive Cybersecurity and others | 6.5 overall, 6.5 in writing, at least 6.0 in every other component |
You can also show your level with a recognised secondary-level exam from a country where English is the main language, with a degree taught in English in an English-speaking country, or by finishing a University of Galway Pre-Sessional or Pre-Masters programme with at least 70% overall and 65% in each module. IELTS results are valid for two years. Students who need a study visa must also meet Irish immigration requirements.[8]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Galway the same as NUI Galway?
Yes. NUI Galway (National University of Ireland, Galway) was renamed University of Galway; Wikipedia gives 1 September 2022 as the effective date.[2]
How much are University of Galway fees for non-EU students?
How do I apply to University of Galway as an international student?
Non-EU undergraduates use the International Office application; EU residents with an EU second-level education apply through the CAO. Postgraduate taught applicants use the online application system.[5]
What IELTS score does University of Galway require?
IELTS 6.5 overall with no section below 6.0 for most courses. Medicine needs 6.5 in every component, Nursing 7.0 overall and Speech and Language Therapy 7.5 overall.[8]
How is University of Galway ranked?
It is 275th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from 284th in 2026, and in the 326–350 range in the Times Higher Education ranking 2027.[3]
More about studying in Ireland
- Ireland: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Ireland
- Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
- Dublin City University (DCU)
- Maynooth University
- Munster Technological University (MTU)
- National College of Art and Design (NCAD)
- RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM)
- South East Technological University (SETU)
- Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin)
- Technological University of the Shannon (TUS)
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Cork
- University College Dublin
- University of Limerick (UL)
Sources
[1] University of Galway: Our history and heritage (page without a date)
[2] Wikipedia: University of Galway (name change, status, campus and 2023/24 student numbers)
[3] University of Galway, Planning and Institutional Research Office: Student related data and rankings news (page without a date; news items of 18 Jun 2026 (QS 2027) and 30 Sep 2026 (THE 2027))
[4] University of Galway: Course fees (page without a date; undergraduate rows mostly 2027/28, postgraduate rows mostly 2026/27)
[5] University of Galway: How to apply (page without a date)
[6] Times Higher Education: University of Galway profile (page without a date; shows the 2027 edition and student statistics)
[7] University of Galway: About us (page without a date)
[8] University of Galway, Global Galway: Entry requirements and English language requirements (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.