FAQs for first year students

Please see www.nuigalway.ie/registration for relevant registration details.

Fees can be paid online.

Fees can also be paid using our unique bank giro. Please e-mail fees@nuigalway.ie stating your student ID number. This will be forwarded to your home address and can be used to pay your fees in any bank in the Republic of Ireland.

International students find out how to pay your fees.

How do I apply for the grant?

Contact Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) at www.studentfinance.ie

How do I find out if I am eligible for free tuition fees?

Free tuition fees is where the Higher Education Authority pays the tuition element on behalf of the student. This happens if: 

• The student is attending a full time undergraduate course 
• The course is a minimum of two years duration 
• The student has never been to third level before either here or anywhere else in the EU 
• The student:
  • is an Irish national who has lived here for the last 3 years 
  • is a national of an EU state who has lived in the EU for the last three years 
  • has Official Refugee status and who has lived in the EU for the last three years

If in doubt check out the full details for eligibility by reading the guidelines at www.studentfinance.ie

How do I get my fees refunded?

The University accepts no obligation to refund fees once a student has registered. However, if you de-register from your course officially by 30/09/12 you may be entitled to a refund. Please email fees@nuigalway.ie for further information. 

If you paid by credit card / laser card this refund will take up to 4 working days.  If you paid by bank giro this refund will take up to 10 working days. 

Registration is open from the 21st August, 2012.

Fees can be paid in two equal instalments: the first instalment of 50% is due immediately. Fees outstanding at the 31^st October 2012 will incur an additional financial penalty of €200.

Undergraduate programme fees are made up of three components:

(1)     tuition – varies for each course. See consult our list of Undergraduate Programmes. This is payable unless you are eligible for free tuition fees or are on a grant.

(2)     student contribution of €2,250. This is payable unless you have a grant.

(3)     student levy – payable by all students is €224.    

You pay €224 even  if you are on a grant and eligible for free tuition fees.

You pay €2,474 if you are NOT on a grant but are eligible for free tuition fees.

You pay the full course fee if you are not eligible for a grant or free tuition fees.

Assuming you are eligible for 'free tuition fees' you pay €224 online. You must bring your letter of grant award to the Fees Office by 31st October 2012.

Assuming you are eligible for 'free tuition fees'  but not eligible for a grant you pay €2,474.

No. However you may be entitled to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) funding. See www.studentfinance.ie

What is the tuition fee?

The tuition fee is the payment made for course instruction at NUI Galway.  This is payable unless you are eligible for free tuition fees or are on a grant.

The student contribution charge is €2,250. It contributes towards the cost of: student services, examinations, admissions, registration, fees administration and student records.

If you are eligible for a SUSI grant then SUSIwill cover this charge.  However, you must show us written evidence of this SUSI award by 31st October 2012.

The levy is €224.  All students must pay this as the grant will not cover this levy.

The levy is allocated to the following activities:

·           Sports Clubs

·           Societies

·           Students Union

·           Student Health Unit

·           Flirt FM

·           Áras na Mac Léinn

·           Student Project Fund

Keep your receipt in a safe place as you may be required to present it to Fees Office staff during the academic year.

This payment will be automatically transferred to your student record - a receipt is not necessary.  You should check your own financial history by accessing your student portal and the payment should be visible. 

Fees are due immediately.

You will be charged a late payment penalty of €200 if  you have not paid half of your fee by 31st October 2012. 

You will be charged another €200 if you have not paid the remainder of the fee by 31st January 2013. 

You will not be given your exam results.

You will not be conferred.

Access to transcripts etc. will be blocked

Yes. Unless you prove that you are entitled to a grant then you are liable for the full fee payment. You must bring your letter of grant award to the Fees Office by 31st October 2012.

If you withdraw from the University formally by contacting our Student Contact Centre after 1st February 2013 you will be ineligible for free tuition fees if you return to 3rd level studies in September 2013 and so will be obliged to pay the full tuition fee when you start a new course. You are also liable for the full fees regarding the year from which you withdrew.

I wish to defer my course on medical grounds. What do I do?

Submit your medical evidence and covering letter to the Fees Office indicating that you wish to repeat on medical grounds as a “free tuition fee” student.  You must supply detailed medical certificates that must include referrals to a consultant or consultants and/or hospitalisation, obtained at the time of the illness. It should be clear from such documentation that you were actively prevented from attending or participating in your academic course for a significant period.  Students who become ill after lectures (tuition) for the academic year are completed are not entitled to apply for "free tuition fees" on medical grounds.  

If the Department of Education agrees to fund you for a repeat year, you will be liable for the student levy  and the student contribution charge for your repeat year.  If granted, it applies only where a student is returning to the same college and the same programme. If you attend a different programme at NUI Galway or a course at another third level institution, you will be liable for half or full tuition fees based on the original period of attendance.  

Contact the relevant Dean of College to gain permission to defer the year.

Contact the Admissions Office to let them know you are deferring thus ensuring re-enrolment material will be forwarded to you the following academic year.

If you do not register for an academic year the Fees Office will not claim free tuition fees on your behalf and so you will be entitled to avail of the Free Tuition Fees when you resume studying. 

If you leave your course  prior to 31st January you will only be eligible for 50% of 'free tuition fees' when you resume your course. However, if you leave your course after 31st January you will be ineligible for 'free tuition fees' for one full academic year.

Please ensure that you withdraw ’officially’ with the Student Contact centre.

If you withdraw officially with our Student Contact Centre before  30th September 2012 there is no fee impact.

If you withdraw officially with our Student Contact Centre after 30th September 2012 but before 31st January 2013 you will have to pay 50% of the tuition fee should you return to 3rd level studies in September 2013.

If you withdraw officially with our Student Contact Centre after 1st February 2013 you will be ineligible for free tuition fees if you return to 3rd level studies in September 2013 and so will be obliged to pay the full tuition fee when you start a new course. 

You are liable for full course fee of €5,822

You are liable for full course fees of €5,822. 

You will be liable for 50% of the tuition fee €1,674 + student contribution charghe of €2,250 + student levy €224.

A total of €4,148.

 

I spent 4 months in a third level institution left in December 2011.  I received a CAO offer of Engineering at NUI Galway.  How much do I have to pay? 

You will be liable for 50% of the tuition fee €2,509+ student contribution charge of €2,250 + student levy of €224.

A total of €4,983.

I have an Arts Degree but am returning to NUI Galway to study Science.  How much do I have to pay?

As a degree holder you are liable for the full fee each year €7,492 in 2012/13.