-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
NUI Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
-
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.
-
Alumni, Friends & Supporters
Alumni, Friends & Supporters
There are over 90,000 NUI Galway graduates Worldwide, connect with us and tap into the online community.
-
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.
What is an adult learner
Adult learners are a diverse group – typically age 25 and older – with a wide range of cultural and educational backgrounds, abilities, responsibilities and experiences. Adult Learners return to education for personal or professional reasons.
The Centre for Adult Learning & Professional Development offers adult learners flexible, part-time courses in a wide range of areas through many different modes of study.
People often confuse an adult learner with a mature student. The mature student entry route refers to full-time undergraduate students only.
Anyone who is interested in progressing to third-level education, but who may not have the conventional entry requirements, and/or who has experienced educational and socio-economic disadvantage (including chronic illness or disability) can apply to participate on an Access course (also known as an Access programme).
Entry requirements
If you are 21 years or more by 1st January of the year you commence your part-time course, there are no formal entry requirements. If you are under 21 years you will be asked to fulfil the matriculation requirements for NUI Galway, find out more in our FAQs section.
Additional entry requirements
Some courses will specify specific work experience as part of the entry requirements (e.g. Social Care, Early Childhood Studies and Community Development Practice). Other courses will require a pass in Maths at Leaving Certificate or equivalent to gain entry to the course (e.g. Science & Technology, Commerce).
You will need to refer to the individual course pages for specific entry criteria.