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Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
University Life
Each year more than 4,000 choose NUI Galway as their University of choice. Find out what life at NUI Galway is all about here.
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About NUI Galway
About NUI Galway
Since 1845, NUI Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.
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Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools
NUI Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching across a range of key areas of expertise.
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Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
NUI Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at NUI Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at NUI Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni, Friends & Supporters
Alumni, Friends & Supporters
There are over 90,000 NUI Galway graduates Worldwide, connect with us and tap into the online community.
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At NUI Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Our History & Heritage
Our History
From Queen's College to National University of Ireland, the University's past is intertwined with the history of Galway and Ireland. Click below to watch a timeline of 175 Years of Memorable Moments.
Early Beginnings
The Quadrangle first opened its doors to 68 students on 30th October 1849 and the University, then known as Queen's College was born. The University was one of three Queen's Colleges, the others located in Cork and Belfast.
The Quadrangle building, built in local limestone in a Tudor Gothic architectural style, is modelled on Christ Church at the University of Oxford. The 'Quad' still stands proudly at the heart of the University today as a testament to its past. It is now used primarily for administrative purposes and houses the offices of the President and the Vice-Presidents.
In the first academic year, 1849 -1850, the University began with three faculties, Arts, Medicine and Law but there were also schools of Agriculture and Engineering. Female students later joined the student body and in 1906 Alice Perry graduated from the college, believed to be the first female engineering graduate in the world to receive a first class honours degree in civil engineering
There are many historical buildings on campus, such as the James Mitchell Museum, established in 1952. This geological museum contains high quality collections sampling a significant diversity of the planet's geology, with a fine display of fossils, minerals and rocks.
Changing with the Times
The University has had three different names:
- In 1849, it was called Queen's College Galway
- In 1908, it was changed to University College Galway, or UCG for short
- In 1997, it was changed again to National University of Ireland Galway, or NUI Galway for short
Newer parts of the University sprang up in the 1970s, including the iconic Arts/Science Concourse designed by architects Scott Tallon Walker. The 1990s also saw considerable development including the conversion of an old munitions factory into a student centre.
Since 2000, the University has invested €400 million in new buildings and facilities across campus. The early 2000s saw the addition of the Cairnes Building, Áras Moyola and the award-winning Engineering Building, all located in the north campus.
In recent years, we have added:
- a new Biomedical Science research centre
- the Institute for Lifecourse and Society
- the O'Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance
- and the new Human Biology building
As the capital development programme draws to a close, we are adding new residences on campus for over 900 students, as well as developing the Quadrangle - our very first building - into a centre for public and civic engagement.
University Presidents through the Years
Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh - 2018-
Professor Ó hÓgartaigh's term of office commenced in January 2018. A native of Galway city and a graduate of NUI Galway, Professor Ó hÓgartaigh came to the University from UCD, where he was Professor of Accounting and Dean of Business at UCD.
Dr. James Browne - 2008-2018
An Engineering graduate of NUI Galway, Dr. Browne is a former Dean of Engineering and
Deputy-President of the University with a record of achievement in academic leadership, strategic planning and change management.
Dr. Iognáid G. Ó Muircheartaigh - 2000-2008
Dr. Ó Muircheartaigh's term co-incided with development of a number of world-class research centres (eg. NCBES, REMEDI, DERI, Huston School of Film & Digital Media) and the construction of major new buildings, such as the Sports Centre, Áras Moyola, the IT Building and the Orbsen Building. Widely known as 'Iggy', key achievements of his term include a new approach to the promotion of third level education through Irish and the amendment of the 1929 Act.
Dr. Patrick F. Fottrell - 1996-2000
Dr. Fottrell introduced the first strategic plan for the university in 1997 called Strategic Plan 2006, which resulted in the strengthening of research activities in the university and secured the development of the NUI Galway as a world-class university.
Dr. Colm ó hEocha, 1975-1996
Under Dr. ó hEocha's leadership, student numbers doubled, research flourished and the present modern campus took shape.
Dr. Martin J. Newell, 1960-1975
An esteemed professor of Mathematics in UCG, Dr. Newell became President in 1960 and implemented many changes to the University, its campus and particularly to the curriculum by adding many new disciplines.
Monsignor Pádraig de Brún, 1945-1959
Pádraig de Brún, was formerly a professor of Mathematics in Maynooth before he became President of UCG to which he brought his passionate belief in the importance of the Irish language.
Monsignor John Hynes, 1934-1945
John Hynes, a Professor of Archaeology was instrumental in securing funding for UCG at a time of acute financial crisis and ensured the survival of the university.
Alexander Anderson, 1899-1934
Alexander Anderson oversaw the transition from Queen's College Galway, a University of the United Kingdom to UCG, the designated Gaelic University of Saorstát Éireann and an increase in the student body from 100 to 600 people.
William Joseph M. Starkie, 1897-1899
William Starke had a background in Ethics, History, English literature and Classical studies, and during his time as President of UCG, he published many studies on Irish education and the Classics.
Thomas William Moffett, 1877-1897
Thomas William Moffett was a Professor of Logic and Metaphysics and held the chair of History and English Literature before becoming President of UCG. He wrote and lectured extensively on Economics.
Edward Berwick, 1849-1877
Edward Berwick ,with a background in Law, led the university through very difficult times and defended Queen's College against its many detractors, so ensuring the survival of the college
The Rev. Joseph W. Kirwan, 1845-1849
A thoughtful and eloquent speaker Rev. Kirwan held a Docorate of Divinity was the first President of Queen's College Galway.
Quick facts

NUI Galway Has Over:
- 18,000 students
- 3,000 international students from 115 countries
- 2,500 staff members
- 120 links with universities across the globe
- 90,000 alumni in 107 countries
- 170 years experience providing university education
NUI Galway Is:
- Ireland's top University for graduate employability with 96% of our graduates employed or in further study within six months of graduating
- The largest and oldest university in the west of Ireland
NUI Galway is world leading for research in:
- Biomedical Science and Engineering
- Web Science
- Human Rights
- Marine Science, Energy and Environmental Science
- Applied Social Sciences and Public Policy
Humanities, in particular literature, Theatre and Irish Studies