Snapshot
Dates
| Term | Application Deadline | Orientation | Program Start | Program End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | March 15 | September 3-4, 2026 | September 3, 2026 | December 18, 2026 |
| Academic Year 2026-27 | March 15 | September 3-4, 2026 | September 3, 2026 | May 6, 2027 |
| Spring 2027 | October 15 | January 8-9, 2027 | January 11, 2027 | May 6, 2027 |
View the University of Galway academic calendar
Do not make travel arrangements until you have been officially accepted to the program by the host university and they have shared arrival/orientation dates and accomodation move-in dates.
*Note: The University of Galway normally requires that students have completed two full years of university before being admitted. Students may apply to this program during freshman or sophomore year, but should have completed sophomore year in good standing to participate in the program during junior or senior year.
About Program
Program Overview
- Population of Galway: 75,529
- Distance to Dublin: 130 miles
Galway is Ireland’s fourth-largest city and the perfect college town – large enough to offer everything you would want in terms of shopping facilities, theatres, restaurants, music venues, sports facilities – but small enough to be able to get to know people and get around easily. Galway is widely regarded as the cultural capital of Ireland and is home to the world-renowned Druid Theatre Company, the Macnas Street Theatre Company, and An Taibhdhearc, the national Irish language theatre company. Students account for approximately 20% of the population which gives Galway a young and vibrant feel. This creative energy of Galway is reflected in the many internationally renowned festivals, music sessions, cultural, and sporting events that are hosted every year. Connemara, the Burren, and the Aran Islands are also major draws for visitors who come to see the Ireland of rugged countryside, castles, lakes, and rivers and savor the unique atmosphere of its seafood restaurants, cafes and traditional Irish music pubs.
The University of Galway offers a wide range of internationally recognized degree programs in a welcoming academic community. Students pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs across five colleges:
- Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies
- Business, Public Policy, and Law
- Engineering and Informatics
- Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
- Science
Academics
University of Galway
Visiting students take 5–6 modules (classes) per semester. *Students selecting 2 or more modules from the areas of Science and Engineering will be charged the higher program fee due to the higher tuition rate in these subject areas at the University of Galway.
Modules are generally taught in large or medium-sized lecture halls and are the foundation on which you're expected to explore further on your own. Smaller seminars or tutorials sometimes supplement lectures and allow for discussion. Overall, your time may be considerably less structured than what you are used to at UMD, so you'll need to take ownership of your learning experience through independent reading and self-study. Most modules have an end of semester examination; however, some modules also include mid-term assignments and/or continuous assessment. Grades can be determined heavily by final exams or projects.
The University of Galway publishes the Visiting Student Academic Handbook before the beginning of each academic year, listing the specific modules available to visiting students. Students should refer to the relevant semester in the most recent handbook when identifying modules. Exact classes made available can vary from year to year.
If you're planning on taking courses to fulfill Liberal Education requirements, you should stay away from modules starting with codes of 3 or 4, especially if you don't have a background in the subject area.
- To view the subject areas offered at the University of Galway and the most up to date Visiting Student Module Handbooks, visit the University of Galway Study Abroad website click on the appropriate Visiting Students Academic Handbook (Semester 1 = Fall | Semester 2 = Spring)
- View University of Galway courses already reviewed at UMD (select University of Galway from the "Foreign University" list)
- Most syllabi can be found in the handbooks. If not in the handbook, check here.
- Understand how your grades abroad will convert at UMD by viewing the University of Galway Grade Conversion.
- To request disability accommodations, please contact International Programs and Services at [email protected] or 218-726-8764.
Cost Information
- Compare these program costs to UMD's cost of attendance for an academic year.
- View a list of all UMD Study Abroad program costs.
If you do not see a cost estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the cost has not yet been determined. Please note cost estimates and fees may change depending on international economic factors. UMD Study Abroad delays the posting of final fees until enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined in order to provide the most accurate pricing. We strive to post final fees by October 1 for Spring programs, March 1 for May/Summer programs, and May 1 for Fall and Academic year programs.
What’s included in the program fee?
- Personalized advising
- Pre-departure orientation
- Tuition
- On-site orientation
- On-site staff support
- Foreign transcript issuance
- Grade posting at UMD
- Foreign course evaluation at UMD
- Re-entry support
These estimated costs do not include the $50 application fee.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Scholarships
- Study Abroad Scholarships
- Note: Credits taken on study abroad programs cannot be used toward the Bulldog Bundle.
Financial Aid
Consult with One Stop to see how financial aid can apply to study abroad.
- Receive guidance about all things money-related
- Ask for estimates and budget samples
- Learn when and how financial aid is disbursed
- Ask about other scholarship opportunities & loan info
Plan your budget
Download this Study Abroad Budget Planning Form to estimate costs. Create duplicates to compare this program with others.
Housing
Housing Options
Important: On-campus accommodation (housing) is quite limited at the University of Galway, and it cannot be guaranteed for study abroad students.
Corrib Village, Goldcrest Village, and Dunlin Village are the three on-campus student residence options. There are also off-campus residences or rooms for rent in a private house or apartment. Most off-campus residences are located within a 10-20 minute walk from campus. Refer to the Accommodation Office at the University of Galway for a full list of on-campus residences and off-campus housing resources.
Student residences at Irish universities are usually self-catered which means you will cook your own meals. Units usually includes 3–6 bedrooms with shared kitchen and living areas.
Housing payments are made directly to the student residence or accommodation option.
Travel Documents
Travel Documents
- You are required to have a passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a passport or your passport will expire within 6 months after you will return from abroad, apply for a passport as soon as possible. It can take 2+ months to receive your passport after applying. You can apply for a new passport on-campus at the UMD Passport Acceptance Facility.
- Visa or residence permit guidance will be given by our office as applicable
- US and Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter Ireland as students but they must register with the immigration service after arrival. The University of Galway will help you with this process after you arrive.
- Roundtrip airfare should only be purchased after official acceptance from the foreign university
Contact
Alum
Want to talk to someone who's completed the program? Contact the alumni below.
Apply
Before you click on the "Start my application" button below, make sure you know how to identify the correct program by searching for the:
- Program Name: UMD - Study in Galway, Ireland: University of Galway;
and the - Term (e.g. Spring Semester 2026 or Academic Year 2026–2027)
A $50 non-refundable application fee will be billed to your One Stop account upon submission of an application.
After you apply
- After approximately 20 minutes, you will see checklist items for you to complete.
- It is recommended that you complete the checklist items within a month of applying, as applicable. Pre-departure Orientation details will be sent closer to the event date (usually April for fall/summer applicants and November for spring/winter break applicants).
- Your UMD Program Contact will review your application materials.
- You must complete the Confirmation of Participation form to confirm your participation.
- Once we receive your confirmation, your UMD account will be billed a confirmation deposit.
If you decide you cannot participate, you must log in to the online application system and submit the "Cancellation Request form."
Program health and safety information
is available at GO SAFE.
