Visiting Students

What will the student experience look like at NUI Galway in this academic year?

Academic Year 2021-22 at NUI Galway
In the face of the challenges posed by COVID-19, our University is working to ensure that your experience will be the best that we can deliver, whether you are starting a new course this September or returning for another year of study. At all times we will prioritise our university community’s health, safety and wellbeing as we structure the learning experience around the realities of a changed environment and will therefore at all times make decisions that adhere to public health advice.

Our students, staff and alumni are proud of our university and its reputation for excellence. We are determined to deliver a student experience that is as supportive as we can make it, and that enables the building of new relationships and development of talents. Colleagues, both academic and in professional services, are adapting to the changed circumstances, to deliver the best student experience that we can.

Semester Dates
For the vast majority of students, including visiting students, the semester will begin on September 6th. Full dates can be found here: Academic year 21/22 term dates

Undergraduate orientation will take place in the week commencing August 31st and comprise a mix of online and on-campus activities to help you familiarise yourself with the university, understand the structures and demands of student life, learn about the supports available to you and get to know your fellow classmates.

This year, we will structure orientation such that each College will have a different day of on-campus activities. A timetable of these activities will be issued to you prior to arrival. Orientation is a very important rite of passage for new students and we encourage all incoming students to engage fully with the programme of activities to give a solid start to their student journey. For those of you who are not able to attend in person, important orientation information will also be accessible online.

Accommodation
We encourage all of you on taught programmes to be in Galway from September, to be available for on-campus learning, and to experience the fullest student learning experience possible, given the COVID-19 restrictions. You should book accommodation and expect to be present in Galway throughout the semester. We will continue to abide by public health guidelines to ensure a safe living and study environment and, where possible, we will plan allocations to ensure you are in apartments with other students studying the same programmes to support peer-to-peer learning and laboratory/group project work.

See below under Accommodation for more information on booking on-campus accommodation. In addition, there is a wide choice of private off-campus accommodation available and all of the details are listed on NUI Galway Accommodation Office.

Student Supports
Our staff in Student Services are working to ensure that your time at NUI Galway is a rewarding academic, personal and professional experience. We will continue to provide a range of services and initiatives to support and encourage you both on-campus and online. We will address your concerns in targeted ways to ensure that we are supporting you effectively and appropriately.

 Please also continue to refer to our alerts and FAQs webpages for relevant updates:

• NUI Galway Alerts Page: http://www.nuigalway.ie/alert

Are all on-campus rooms single occupancy?

 Twin rooms are available for students who are willing to share.

What happens if I am unable to start my course in NUI Galway due to Covid-19 travel restrictions?

If you are unable to start University due to a Government-imposed travel ban in place in either your home country or here in Ireland and you have already booked accommodation with us, Campus Living will refund any deposit less an administration charge and refund any rent paid.

I am a study abroad or exchange student hoping to come to Galway in September or later in the academic year 2021/22. Can I still apply? 

Yes, like many partner institutions we are continuing to receive nominations for our exchange and study abroad programmes for the academic year 2021/2022 through the normal channels on our website: 

Where can I find information and advice?

• The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (Ireland) is monitoring the situation and updating its website regularly.

• You can find the latest travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at Department of Foreign Affairs Travel Advice.
• Please visit NUI Galway Alerts for up to date information and official updates from the university.
• Please visit NUI Galway’s Chinese website for up to date information and official updates from the NUI Galway’s China office.