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FAQs (frequently asked questions)
If you cannot find the answer you're looking for here, then please email
postgrad
nuigalway.ie
with your specific query.
1. Where can I find information on NUI Galway postgraduate programmes?
From the NUI Galway Postgraduate Admissions web site and from the individual College/Department web sites. We also attend various national postgraduate exhibitions and fairs. Our Postgraduate Open Day is held in NUI Galway in (usually) early-February each year. All are welcome.
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2. What’s the difference between taught and research programmes? And what's a 'Structured PhD'?
Broadly speaking, a taught programme involves seminars and lectures (much like an undergraduate programme), and is usually one or two years in duration (full-time or part-time). A research programme is usually longer in duration*, involves study of a specialised subject/area, and the student will present a thesis at the end of their research studies.
A Structured PhD is “a graduate programme of study undertaken by PhD students that maintains a research-based education, but one that is augmented by activities that support the acquisition of a range of relevant specialist and generic skills” ( IUQB 2009). A Structured PhD may include some transferable, discipline-specific, or generic skills training. Your studies, therefore, may have some “taught” components. As with all PhDs, the core component of a structured PhD programme is “the advancement of knowledge through original research”.
*A full-time PhD (including Structured PhD) is four years in duration. The PhD can be taken on a part-time basis and is six years in duration: however, not all Structured PhDs will be offered on a part-time basis.
For full detail of the NUI Galway awards (e.g., HDip vs. Masters distinction) see the HETAC web site: (Awards Range & Criteria document)
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3. Which programme should I choose
To discuss your postgraduate studies options you should first contact the relevant programme director for the programme(s) you’re interested in. Programme directors are listed in the programme pages of the
online postgraduate prospectus. Another option is to make an appointment to see a Career Development Centre adviser to discuss your further studies options:
click here for NUIG Career Development Centre.
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4. What are the entry requirements for each programme?
Our postgraduate prospectus is online
here: if you follow the links for the specific Colleges/Schools, you will see the entry requirements for each programme are listed on each individual webpage.
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5. If I see Level 7, or 8, or 9 mentioned in entry requirements, what does this mean?
Level 7 = Ordinary Bachelor degree
Level 8 = Honours Bachelor degree or Higher Diploma
Level 9 = Master degree or Postgraduate Diploma (Note: These levels refer to the academic level of the relevant programme, in terms of meeting specified learning outcomes, rather than to the applicant's performance or degree result. Thus, an applicant who reaches only a Pass, rather than an Honours, grade in a Level 8 programme is still awarded an Honours Bachelor degree; likewise, an applicant who achieves an excellent grade in a Level 7 programme is still awarded an Ordinary Bachelor [not an Honours Bachelor] degree.)
If our entry requirement states an honours degree, this means the applicant must have at least Level 8 qualification (& honours in that Level 8) to be eligible for entry.
There is a distinction between a postgraduate diploma (PDip) and a higher diploma (HDip). A PDip is Level 9; a HDip is Level 8.
More information is online (including the "fan diagram") at the
National Framework of Qualifications web site:
http://www.nfq.ie/nfq/en
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6. How do I contact the Postgraduate Admissions Office?>
Preferably by e-mail:
Research programmes
E-mail:
pgresearchnuigalway.ie
Arts programmes
E-mail:
pgartsnuigalway.ie
Commerce programmes
E-mail:
pgcommnuigalway.ie
Engineering programmes
E-mail:
pgengnuigalway.ie
I.T. programmes
E-mail:
pgitnuigalway.ie
Law programmes
E-mail:
pglawnuigalway.ie
Medical programmes
E-mail:
pgmednuigalway.ie
Nursing programmes
E-mail:
pgnursingnuigalway.ie
Science programmes
E-mail:
pgsciencenuigalway.ie
General enquiries
E-mail:
postgradnuigalway.ie
Also see
contacts section of this web site.
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7. Can I audit/attend some postgraduate classes (i.e., register as an 'occasional student'
With the permission of the Admissions Office, the Dean, and/or Programme Director, you may be able to attend some classes without formally registering on a programme. You would not present for examinations nor be awarded a formal qualification. A fee is incurred for attending a module as an occasional student. Contact the relevant College Office for more information.
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8. How and when do I register? What's my I.D. number?
Postgraduate registration is
online; you will not be posted out any registration material; please see:
http://www.nuigalway.ie/registration/student/new_postgrad.html for schedule and more detail.
Important: if you are an NUI Galway current student or graduate
your current/old NUIG student I.D. number is required for online registration (i.e., please do
not use your PAC application number). If you are a non-NUIG student starting postgraduate studies at NUI Galway then your
PAC number will become your student I.D. number and is required for online registration.
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9. When does my programme start?
For most taught programmes, term will commence in early-September, annually.
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10. Will I receive information about introductory lectures, etc., before registration?
The individual Discipline/School should send out material to you in advance of registration. Please contact your Programme Director for more information if necessary.
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11. I need to get a letter of acceptance from NUIG for my Grant Authority. Or I need a letter to say I've accepted a place and/or a letter certifying my registration. Where do I get this?
You can email the Postgraduate Admissions Office for an acceptance letter, or you can call into the Student Contact Centre (please note their opening hours). All non-EU students automatically receive a hard-copy offer letter, which they may require for visa purposes . Post-registration: if you need a letter stating that you're a registered student, or any other Statement of Attendance, this is provided by the Student Contact Centre, and you should contact them for this letter-type.
12. How do I apply to a postgraduate programme (for Entry 2012)?
NUI Galway postgraduate applications (for 2012–13 academic year) are made online via the
Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC). Note: A useful
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section is on the PAC web site. If you experience technical difficulties while completing the online form, then please email PAC technical support at:
tec-supportpac.ie
Research applicants: you are recommended, in the first instance prior to making an online application, to consult with the academic Department, or the Research Centre at NUI Galway in which you intend to do your research. At this stage, you should have prepared an outline proposal for the Department or Centre to consider and support.
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13. If I cannot access the internet, can an application be posted to me?
No, you must complete an online application. You will need a working email address to use this facility as all correspondence with regard to your application will be communicated to you by email. If you do not have access to a personal computer at home or at work, maybe try a relative or friend. Internet facilities should also be available at your local library or at an Internet Cafe.
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14. Can I make a research application for 2011–12 academic year?
Yes. The academic year you may be assigned to will depend on the proposed start date of your research proposal. If it falls before early-Summer 2012, (on approval and acceptance) you will be admitted to the 2011–12 academic year. After summer-2012 you will be entered into the 2012–13 academic year. You are recommended, in the first instance prior to making an online application, to consult with the academic Department, or the Research Centre at NUI Galway in which you intend to do your research. At this stage, you should have prepared an outline proposal for the Department or Centre to consider and support.
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15. How many programme choices can be made per application?
You can make (up to) three taught programme choices OR (up to) three research programme choices via the PAC online application system. If you want to make extra applications, you must create a second account on PAC (using a different email address), and another application fee will apply.
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16. How much is the application fee? Is it refundable?
€45 application fee (by credit/debit card), payable to PAC.
€50 application fee (by bank draft/postal order), payable to PAC.
This fee is non-refundable.
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17. What is the closing date/offer round date for programmes?
Click
here for closing date/offer round date listings. An application for most research programmes can be made at any time. However, research applications to the College of
Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies should be submitted before
mid-July or
mid-November in order to commence studies in September or January.
College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences: research applications are generally accepted at any time. However,
the structured PhD degree applications in the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
are considered for students commencing their programmes in September and in January. Further information on the Structured PhD can be found at
http://www.nuigalway.ie/colleges/mnhs/research.html
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18. Are late applications accepted?
Applications will continue to be reviewed during August if there are still programme places available. If programmes become filled in early rounds they will not accept applications and these programmes will be listed on this
Closed Programmes Website.
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19. I don’t have the results of my final exams, can I still make an application?
Complete the application as normal, forwarding PAC a copy of your certified transcript of exam results as soon as it becomes available to you.Back to top
20. What supporting documents are required for my specific NUI Galway programme?
Please click here to see the supporting documentation required for your programme.
Note: The Career Development Centre (NUI Galway) run workshops during the year on such topics as "Writing a Personal Statement" (many of our postgraduate programmes require a personal statement as part of the application submission). Details of these workshops are online here.
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21. What if I haven't got the supporting documents ready within five working days?
We recommend that you post in (to
PAC) all supporting documentation as soon as possible, as in some instances, a programme director may not be able to review your application until it's complete.
Note:
you can now
upload some documents (rather than having to post these in) via your PAC account, using the "Application Status" section after you log in.
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22. If I have to supply references, do they have to be from academic referees?
In most cases an academic reference is preferable, but professional references are acceptable also. Consult with relevant programme director if in doubt.
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23. Is there a different application procedure for international students?
Non-E.U. students can make an online application via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC). Applications can also be made via an NUI Galway representative in your home country. Please check the website for full details of appointed agents: www.nuigalway.ie/international/agents If there is no representative in your country or you do not wish to avail of this service, please apply as normal via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) at www.pac.ie/nuig
24. I have non-standard (international) qualifications. How are they recognised by the Irish system?
If you are unsure about how your qualifications compare to the Irish system, please email the International Affairs Office at
internationalnuigalway.ie or refer to
http://www.nuigalway.ie/student-life/international-students/your-country.html. The following websites may also be consulted for further information:
http://www.naric.org.uk/ and
http://www.qualificationsrecognition.ie/recognition/
25. Is there an English language requirement to study at NUI Galway as a postgraduate student?
All applicants whose first language is not English, or who have not been educated through the medium of English language during their two most recent years of study, must present one of the following qualifications in the English language.
Arts, Business, Medical and Law Programmes
Science, Engineering & I.T. Programmes
IELTS score of 6.5* IELTS score of 6.0*
TOEFL IBT score of 92 (or equivalent) TOEFL IBT score of 80 (or equivalent).
*with not less than 5.5 in any one component.
Language tests must be undertaken no more than
two years prior to commencement of your programme at the University.
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26. Where can I get information on TOEFL or IELTS?
For details of these English Language Proficiency Tests, see
www.ets.org/toefl/ and
http://www.ielts.org/ for information on testing centres and dates.
Note: the NUI Galway TOEFL institution code is
8861.
Other English Language tests may be acceptable, see
http://www.nuigalway.ie/international/english.html for a list of these.
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27. What happens to my application?
Your online application is acknowledged and updated by the Postgraduate Admissions Office, and you will be advised via PAC to ensure that you forward the required supporting documentation to the PAC Office; some documents can be uploaded online via your PAC account; others (e.g., transcripts) must be posted in. Once the advertised closing date/offer round date has passed (for taught programmes), your application is reviewed by the relevant Programme Director, who will assess it and make a recommendation. Finally, decisions are sent to the Postgraduate Admissions Office, who will issue the official decisions via PAC.Back to top
28. When will I hear the outcome of my application?
Since applications can take at least four weeks to review, if you wish to receive a decision in an early round, you should apply at least four weeks before that offer date. In the case of research programmes, allow up to six weeks, from the date we receive your application, before you can expect such notification.Back to top
29. How do I check my application status?
Web address:
http://www.pac.ie/nuig
Select Option: PAC login
Go to "Existing PAC User - Login"
Enter your email address, password and click "Submit".
Select "NUI Galway"
Under the heading "My Application" click on "Application Status".
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30. How do I know when a decision has been made with regard to my application?
You will receive an email alert from the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) to check your application status on the online application system. It is vital that you give the correct email address on your online application and that your email account is working. It is also important that you check your email regularly.
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31. I have been offered a place on a programme, now what?
Click here for offer information (taught programmes). Click here for offer information (research programmes).
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32. What’s a conditional offer?
You may be made an offer for a place on a programme conditional on certain criteria being met. For example, for final year undergraduates applying to a postgraduate programme, you may not have your final exam results. NUIG may choose to make an offer to you, based on you attaining a particular grade in your final exams.When you have met the conditions specified in your conditional offer, and have sent into PAC details of same (e.g., your transcript) you have automatically secured a place.
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33. Can I defer accepting my place (e.g., for a year)?
No, there is no provision to defer a place on a postgraduate programme. You must re-apply again (e.g., the following year), in competition with applicants in that round (i.e., there is no guarantee you will be offered a place in that particular cycle). However, if you choose to re-apply, then please mention in your "re-application" that you were accepted for a place previously. The
PAC application system holds records for three years. If you apply online at a later date PAC may still have your electronic record on file. Therefore please let PAC know your previous PAC number as they could append documents (e.g., transcripts, references) from your old application to your new application, if you so wish.
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34. Can I transfer from one programme to another?
If you are offered a place on a programme and accept it, and subsequently are offered a place on another programme, you may transfer your acceptance from one to the other. You will also need to inform the relevant staff member in the Postgraduate Admissions Office of your change of mind. Your deposit is also transferable from one NUI Galway programme to another, with the exception of the Professional Diploma in Education/Oideachas (Dioplóma Gairmiúil).
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35. Why wasn’t my application successful?
Please contact the relevant Programme Director if you require feedback as to why your application was unsuccessful.
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36. What's the programme place deposit? Is it refundable?
To secure a taught postgraduate place at NUI Galway a deposit (usually €500 or in some cases €1,000) is payable at offer-acceptance stage. This is deducted from your course fees at registration stage, so in effect is a partial-payment of your ultimate course fees. You are normally asked to pay the deposit within ten days of accepting your offer.
If you don’t take up the place you initially accepted, then this deposit is
not refundable. However, it
is refundable* in the event that you do not meet the conditions pertaining to your offer (if you were made a conditional offer in the first instance)
*With the exception of the Professional Diploma in Education/Oideachas (Dioplóma Gairmiúil)
programmes.
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37. How much does each programme cost?
Postgraduate programme
fee information for both E.U. and non-E.U. students is online at
Fees.
Funding information
online also. The definition of an E.U. student for fee purposes is as follows:
E.U. nationals (i.e., holding an E.U. Passport/or Birth Certificate) who have been ordinarily resident* in an E.U. member state for at least three of the five years immediately preceding their entry to the third level course.
* “ordinarily resident” excludes residency for educational purposes.
There is more detailed information available at the
Fees Office web site.
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38. My programme is fully-funded. Do I still have to pay the programme deposit?
If you are funded by a grant authority or other funding body, you are still obliged to pay the deposit to secure your place on this course.
On
registration, please provide the Fees Office at NUI Galway with evidence of your grant and they will invoice the grant authority for payment of your tuition fees. Once this payment has been made to your student record, the Fees Office will organise a refund of your initial deposit minus the student facilities levy. However, if your course fee is higher than the grant authority maximum you will be liable for the fee difference on registration.
More fees information here.
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39. Where can I find information on funding?
See
Fees and funding section of this web site.
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Postgraduate Admissions Office
National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
Phone: +353 91 495999
E-mail: postgrad
nuigalway.ie
This page was last updated Tuesday, January 31, 2012