Master's Programmes

There are two types of Master’s degrees on offer at NUI Galway – Taught Master’s and Research-based Master’s.

Taught Master’s programmes usually take 1 or 2 years to complete and consist mainly of classes, seminars and coursework, as well as minor research project and dissertation. Taught Masters are designed to enable graduate students gain specialised skills and knowledge in a particular area of study.

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Entry requirements for Taught Master’s programmes vary. Please refer to the country specific information section of the website or contact the International Office for further details.

Standardised tests such as the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT etc., are not usually required in Ireland, however a personal statement, references and in some cases a portfolio or interview might also be required.

Research Programmes

Each of the colleges of the University, as well as our various research centres, offer opportunities to undertake supervised research at Master’s and Doctoral (PhD) level. High achieving research students can also apply for various sources of financial support offered by the University as well as external sources.

Research-based Master’s

Research-based Master’s courses usually take two years to complete and involve working on a specified research project under faculty supervision and the completion of a thesis.

Doctoral (PhD) Programmes

Doctoral (PhD) programmes usually take four years to complete. Students undertake independent research under faculty supervision before presenting a thesis for assessment. Structured PhD programmes also include a significant amount of professional and general skills training in addition to research.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for research programmes vary. Please refer to the country specific information section of the website or contact the International Office for further details for your country. Applicants whose first language is not English must also meet the University’s English language requirements.

Standardised tests such as the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT etc., are not usually required in Ireland, however a personal statement, references and in some cases a portfolio or interview might also be required.

Admission to a Research Master’s or PhD programme is at the discretion of the potential academic supervisor and the relevant School or College of the University. Students interested in applying to undertake a research programme should therefore begin by contacting a member of the academic staff in the relevant discipline to find out if someone is available to supervise your research and discuss your research proposal and possible funding opportunities.

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How to Apply

All postgraduate applications are made online via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) at www.pac.ie.

The online form is easy to use and you will be guided through the system step-by-step. Applicants indicate the PAC course code(s) for the programme(s) that they are interested in. These are indicated alongside the programme listings in the Postgraduate Prospectus and on the University website. See www.pac.ie for details.

In addition to the standard supporting documents required for all programmes, certain programmes may require additional documents. All supporting documentation other than transcripts (which must be posted) can be uploaded online. Research applications also have additional requirements, including a research proposal.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis up until the course is filled. Please refer to http://www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad/assessmentdates/ for information on the offer round dates.

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For further information about NUI Galway, please contact the International Affairs Office.