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New and Returning 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

COVID-19 Student FAQs

Guides for New and Returning Postgraduate Research Students

1. Before you arrive  

  1.  Contact your supervisor to discuss e.g. arrival date, desk space, if working on your research remotely during COVID is an option
  2. Download the NUI Galway app
  3.  Look for Accommodation
  4.  Find out when your Postgraduate research student Orientation will taking place. 
    It is mandatory for all postgraduate research students to attend.
  5.  Check the Registration website to see how and when you can register for your research programme and also Important Dates in relation to registration. For Registration queries, email registration@nuigalway.ie
  6.  Do you require student parking?
  7.  Do you require Disability Support Services?
  8.  Do you require campus crèche facilities?
  9.  How to get here http://www.nuigalway.ie/about-us/contact-us/how-to-find-us.html
  10. Check out the Postgraduate Research Mentoring Programme and get in touch if you wish to take part

  11. If you are an International student, please go to the International Office Orientation webpage (link to their upcoming events on this page also) and their webpage which is full  of useful information including pre-arrival and arrival information.
    Please also check out their International Student Experience webpage.
    Any questions please email international@nuigalway.ie

2. Your first days here 

  1.  Find your way around campus. The NUI Galway app will help!
  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. Please see Important Dates in relation to registration.
    If online registration is closed, you will need to contact the Registration office directly (reghelp@nuigalway.ie).
    Please go the their webpage for full information. 
    Prior to registering each year, you have to accept Terms & Conditions as per Terms & Conditions - NUI Galway webpage.

    For Registration queries, email registration@nuigalway.ie.

  4.  Arrange to have your fees paid on time.
  5.  Postgraduate research student Orientation - View Stage 1 Pre-recorded Presentations on webpage and attend Stage 2 Orienation including Q&A and relevant Stage 3 College session. Details available on the webpage. Noting it is mandatory for all postgraduate research students to attend both Stage 2 and 3.
  6. University level Campus Tours, Social and Specific Support Service events are expected to take place from 1st September – 1st October for incoming and returning 2nd year students.
    Full tour and event details can be found at https://www.nuigalwayevents.ie including dates/locations and registration links.
    Details on the new FIND-IT project developed by the NUI Galway Societies Office also included in link above, which will not only tell you where you are but provide information about all the buildings as you make your way around campus.
  7. 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. 
    • There is a student guide available on the Research Accounts website. You should read prior to starting your online form.
    • For queries regarding Scholarship Payments, contact your College Office or your Supervisor regarding the Scholarship form
  8. Get your Student ID card. Go to and go to 1st Year Postgraduate Student ID Care Distribution section. 

  9. Set up your Campus Account Self Service (CASS) account.

    For queries regarding your Campus Account, email servicedesk@nuigalway.ie

  10. Check out other Information Solution Services avaibable to students
  11.  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.
  12.  Read section 5. The Student of the QA245 University Guidelines for Research Degree Programme
  13. Check out the Postgraduate Research Mentoring Programme and get in touch if you wish to take part.
  14.  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.  
  15. Check out the Research Development Centre (RDC) at https://www.nuigalway.ie/rdc/ for upcoming workshops and events. The RDC is an initiative of the offices of the VPR and Graduate Studies to support the continuing professional development of all our researchers, from Postgraduate to Senior Fellows, at NUI Galway.
  16. Check out the James Hardiman Library
  17. Check out LinkedIn Learning
  18.  Sign up to some Clubs or/and Societies
  19.  If you are an International student, please go to the International Office Orientation webpage (link to their upcoming events on this page also) and and their webpage which is full  of useful information including pre-arrival and arrival information.
    Please also check out their International Student Experience webpage.

    Any questions please email international@nuigalway.ie

3. During your studies

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

University level Campus Tours, Social and Specific Support Service events are expected to take place from 1st September – 1st October 2021 for incoming and returning 2nd year students. Full tour and event details can be found at https://www.nuigalwayevents.ie including dates/locations and registration links.
Details on the new FIND-IT project developed by the NUI Galway Societies Office also included in link above, which will not only tell you where you are but provide information about all the buildings as you make your way around campus.

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.  Prior to registering each year, you have to accept Terms & Conditions as per Terms & Conditions - NUI Galway webpage. Please see Important Dates in relation to registration.
For Registration queries, email registration@nuigalway.ie

Fees >
Scholarship payments (if applicable)
  • If you are in receipt of a scholarship/grant from the first year of your research programme, you will have completed online scholarship form for the years covered.
  • If you receive/change a scholarship/grant after year one or take a leave of absence, you will need to submit a new online scholarship form for remaining years.
    The budget holder will be able to advise you further on this.
  • There is a student guide available on the Research Accounts website. You should read prior to starting your online form.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Student ID Card

  • Click here if you require information on Term of Use, How to Protect your card, or What to do if you lose your student card.
Researcher Development Centre
  • The RDC is an initiative of the offices of the VPR and Graduate Studies to support the continuing professional development of all our researchers, from Postgraduate to Senior Fellows, at NUI Galway.
Postgraduate Research Mentoring Programme
LinkedIn Learning
James Hardiman Library >
Research Ethics
Academic Writing Centre
Information Solutions and Services (ISS) 

Go to Services for Students for full list of services provided by ISS.
Examples below

Student Services
Student Life
International Students
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 and also Postgraduate Research Society webpage

  • 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 Lindsay Reid lindsay.reid@nuigalway.ie
  • College of Business, Public Policy & Law – VACANT
  • College of Medicine, Nursing, & Health Sciences - Dr Colette Kelly colette.kelly@nuigalway.ie
  • College of Science & Engineering - Dr Nicholas Devaney nicholas.devaney@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 or returning student here which is not included in the guides, please let us know by emailing us at graduatestudies@nuigalway.ie.