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New Student Guides

Message from the Dean of Graduate Studies

Dónal Leech, Dean of Graduate Studies

‌I would like to welcome you to NUI, Galway. For some of you, entry into a graduate programme represents a continuation of your undergraduate studies here, for others you are at NUI Galway for the first time. Regardless of the path that brought you here, we hope that you will learn more about our University and the supports that are available to you in this guide.  I wish you a successful and enjoyable chapter of your life as a graduate student at NUI, Galway.

Dónal Leech

Guides for New Postgraduate Research Students

1. Before you arrive  

  1.  Contact your supervisor to discuss e.g. arrival date, desk space
  2.  Look for Accommodation
  3.  Find out when your Postgraduate research student Orientation day is taking place
  4.  Check the Registration website to see how you register for your research programme
  5.  Do you require student parking?
  6.  Do you require Disability Support Services?
  7.  Do you require campus crèche facilities?
  8.  How to get here http://www.nuigalway.ie/about-us/contact-us/how-to-find-us.html
  9. If you are an International student, the International office has a very useful and informative “Pre-arrival guide” on their webpage http://www.nuigalway.ie/international-students/studentsupport/.
    They also arrange an additional Orientation session specifically for international students.

2. Your first days here 

  1.  Find your way around campus
  2.  Meet with your supervisor
    • Find out who your Graduate Research Committee are
    • Discuss what taught modules you will take for the coming academic year and register for them. (You should check with module provider if there are places available and when module will take place before registering for them).
  3. Register for your postgraduate research programme.
    Online registration is open at peak times of the academic year. If online registration is closed, you will need to contact the Registration office directly (reghelp@nuigalway.ie).
    (Please note: Non-EU must register in person.  This can be done by visiting the Fees office first (located on the ground floor, Áras Uí Chathail and then proceeding to the Registration Help desks.
  4.  Arrange to have your fees paid on time.
    • Non-EU students must clear their fees prior to registration
    • If you are arriving in October or later, fees must be cleared before you can register.
  5.  Scholarship Payments (if applicable)
    • If in receipt of a scholarship, you much complete the online form and arrange for the budget holder to complete their section. Scholarship forms much be submitted by the budget holder to the Research Accounts about the 7th of the month in order to receive stipend payments at the end of the month.
    • If you are arriving in October or later, fees must be cleared before you can register. If you are in receipt of funding, your supervisor will need to confirm this to the Fee’s office so that you can register prior to completing your scholarship form. 
  6. Get your Student ID card
  7.  Set up your Campus Account Self Service (CASS) account
  8.  Access your student email account. All formal correspondence from the University will be sent to your student email account. It is important to check it regularly or re-direct incoming mail to an email account you use more frequently.
  9.  Read section 5. The Student of the University Guidelines for Research Degree Programmes
  10.  Attend Orientation. It is mandatory for all postgraduate research students to attend
  11.  Log into Blackboard. All registered postgraduate research students are automatically registered for 1GST1 on an annual basis on Blackboard. This site is used to share relevant information with postgraduate research students e.g. funding opportunities, upcoming workshops… as well as access to online Research Skills Training Resources.  
  12.  Sign up to some Clubs or/and Societies
  13.  If you are an International student, the International Office have a very useful and informative “After you arrive guide” on their websitehttp://www.nuigalway.ie/international-students/studentsupport/.

3. During your studies

Please go to Current Student webpage http://www.nuigalway.ie/students/ for additional links.

On Campus Facilities
Registration >

You must register each academic year for the duration of your research programme. It is your responsibility to make sure that you are registered correctly.

Fees >
Scholarship payments (if applicable)
  • If your fees are covered by a scholarship/grant from the first year of your research programme, you will have included it in your online scholarship form for the years covered.
  • If you receive a scholarship/grant to cover your fees after your first year, you will need to submit an online scholarship form. The budget holder will be able to advise you further on this
  • Irish Research Council Scholarships - Are available for new/current research students on an annual basis to apply for. You should ask your supervisor if they are aware of any other external funding which you can apply for if you commence your research programme as a self-funded student.
Information Solutions and Services (ISS) 
James Hardiman Library >
Student Services
Student Life
Postgraduate Student Representation 
  •  Academic Council is the chief academic authority and, subject to review by Údarás na hOllscoile, controls the academic affairs of the University, including the curriculum, instruction and education provided by the University.  Each September, two PG students are elected for this committee. The term is for one year. 
  • Údarás na hOllscoile the University's governing authority, is responsible for managing and controlling all of the affairs of the University (Governing Authority).  Each January each year, elections take place for Postgraduate student representation on this committee. The term is one year from the 1st February.  
  •  Graduate Studies Board
    Details on the Graduate Studies Board is covered in section2.2 of the University Guidelines for Research Degree Programmes. The Students’ Union Postgraduate Officer is on this Board and if required, another graduate student nominated by the Students’ Union (on an annual basis).
  • Postgraduate Research Society - Please check out link NUI Galway Postgrad Facebook 

  • Postgraduate Research Student Representatives.  Find the details of your rep here

Academic Supports and Contacts           

Vice Deans of Graduate Studies. 
Each College has a Vice Dean of Graduate Studies.

  • College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Celtic Studies - Dr Catherine Emerson catherine.emerson@nuigalway.ie
  • College of Business, Public Policy & Law – Dr Rachel Hilliard rachel.hilliard@nuigalway.ie
  • College of Engineering & Informatics - Dr Sean Leen sean.leen@nuigalway.ie
  • College of Science - Dr Nicholas Devaney nicholas.devaney@nuigalway.ie   
  • College of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Sciences - Dr Colette Kelly colette.kelly@nuigalway.ie 
Postgraduate Academic Coordinators 

Find the details of your PG Academic Co-ordinators here.

University Policies and Regulations

University Procedures and Code of Conduct and other Policies 
Standards and Policies for your Research
Health and Safety >
If there is any information that you would find useful as a new student here which is not included in the guides, please let us know by emailing us at graduatestudies@nuigalway.ie.