Student Life

At NUI Galway, we believe that being a student is about more than the course you are studying, and the University offers a large number of social, sporting and cultural activities for international students.

Sports Clubs

Sport plays a very important role in the life of the University. There are over 40 active sports clubs ranging from field sports and water sports to martial arts and indoor clubs. Our sports facilities include an impressive new Sports Centre and Swimming Pool, opened in September 2008. This includes a state-of-the art gymnasium, with fitness professionals available to offer you guidance and develop physical fitness programmes.

Additional sports facilities include 10 natural grass playing pitches, a floodlit synthetic grass pitch and an athletics track, suitable for a wide range of sports including hockey, soccer, athletics and general training purposes.

For more information visit http://www.sports.nuigalway.ie/

Student Volunteering

ALIVE (A Learning Initiative and the Volunteering Experience) was established in 2003 by the university as part of the Community Knowledge Initiative project.

Student volunteering is just one strand of this project. The goal of this project is to enable NUI Galway to become a role model in promoting the development of civic and leadership skills in students.  Over 700 students have been recognised to date for their volunteering commitment within a variety of pathways including community and non-governmental organisations, through participation within societies and clubs, and mentoring first year students through the Student Connect Programme to mention a few. Further information on student volunteering is available here.

Student Societies

International students also play an active role in student societies. Societies range from the social and artistic societies like DramSoc, to subject-based societies like French or English. There are also societies that reflect student interests and hobbies, such as the award-winning Political Discussion, Music and Photography Societies.

For more information visit http://www.socs.nuigalway.ie/societies/

Performing Arts

The University’s close proximity to Galway city also provides numerous opportunities for students to become involved in the various literary, musical and visual arts activities based in the city. More specifically, the Arts in Action programme, specially designed for students in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies, includes illustrated performances and lectures in all of the art forms on campus.

For more information visit http://www.nuigalway.ie/arts_office/

Student Facilities and Support Services

• Over 40 sports clubs and over 80 student societies
• Sports Centre (swimming pool, gym, basketball, etc.)
• Outdoor Sports fields (football, soccer, rugby, rowing, etc.)
• Accommodation Office
• Careers Service
• International Student Officer
• Student Volunteering
• Irish Language classes
• English Language Support classes
• Students’ Union
• Student Counselling Service
• Student Restaurants
• Libraries and PC Suites (Wifi hotspots throughout campus)
• Student Health Service and Disability Support Service
• On campus Bookstore, Convenience Store and Bank