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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 University of Galway as their University of choice. Find out what life at University of Galway is all about here.
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About University of Galway
About University of Galway
Since 1845, University of 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
University of 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
University of 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 University of Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni & Friends
Alumni & Friends
There are 128,000 University of Galway alumni worldwide. Stay connected to your alumni community! Join our social networks and update your details online.
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of 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.
Accessibility & LanguagePostgraduate Research Students Orientation
Our New and Returning Postgraduate Research Student's Guide is a very useful signpost document that directs you to relevant university services e.g. registration, fees, accommodation.
Welcome to University of Galway.
Orientation seeks to welcome you and provide you with the necessary information as you start your research journey at University of Galway.
Orientation will be in three stages.
Stage 1 Pre-recorded Presentations
Please note: Up-to-date Stage 1 Pre-recorded Presentations will be available from mid-August 2026.
(Click on this link or scroll down the page). Please review each of these presentations prior to Stage 2 and Stage 3.
Attendance at Stage 2 and 3 Orientation is obligatory. Your attendance will be recorded.
Orientation will give you the opportunity to learn more about
-the graduate research environment at University of Galway
-commencing your research programme
-services provided by the university
Orientation also gives you the opportunity to meet staff and other students.
Orientation Stages
Stage 1 - Pre-recorded presentations
Please note: Up-to-date Stage 1 Pre-recorded Presentations will be available from mid-August 2026 below. Please review each of these presentations prior to Stage 2 and Stage 3.
To view subtitles (if not provided within presentation)
- Google Chrome browser can generate captions for any audio or video file which you are watching/listening to in the browser (Settings > Advanced > Accessibility > Live Captions).
Or -
When going to each video presentation, if subtitles not available–select Watch on YouTube, you will have an option for closed captioning or to open a transcript for subtitles. Click on the cc icon in the bottom right of the video for closed captions or on the 3 small dots under email video and select Open Transcript.
Stage 2 - University level Orientation
Hosted by Prof. Dónal Leech, Dean of Graduate Studies
- Date/Time: Monday, 31st August 2026 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (This includes lunch at the end for those on campus)
Venue: MY129 Lecture Theatre 2 (Ground Floor), Áras Moyola (Building 33 on Campus map).
Contact: Sandra Donohue graduatestudies@universityofgalway.ie
Please let Sandra know if you have any dietary requirements by Friday, 21 August 2026.
Stage 3 - College Induction/Orientation
This is organised by the Vice-Dean of Graduate Studies in your relevant College.
- College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Celtic Studies
Date/Time: Monday, 31st August from 2 -4 pm
Organiser: Dr. Kevin O’Sullivan kevin.k.osullivan@universityofgalway.ie
Venue: THB-G011 Seminar Room, Hardiman Building (Building 20 on Campus map) - College of Business, Public Policy, & Law
Date/Time: Wednesday, 9 September from 11 a.m.-12 noon
Organiser: Prof. John Cullinan CBPPL@universityofgalway.ie
Venue: Whitaker Room (CA110), Cairnes Building (Building 35 on Campus map) - College of Medicine & Health
Date/Time: Monday, 31st August from 2-4 pm
Organiser: Prof. Sharon Glynn vdgs@universityofgalway.ie
Venue: HBB G019 Large Lecture Theatre, Human Biology Building (Building 11 on Campus map)
- College of Science & Engineering
Date/Time: Monday, 31st August from 2-3 pm
Organiser: Dr. William Ronan william.ronan@universityofgalway.ie
Venue: MY129 Lecture Theatre 2, Áras Moyola (Building 33 on Campus map) - Parking:
https://www.universityofgalway.ie/buildings/service-helpdesk/parking-get-to-around/
Further Supports for Incoming International Students
- Support services orientation for international Postgraduate students will take place on the 1 September. Full details will be available on the Global Galway webpage here.
The Global Galway website is also full of useful information including pre-arrival and arrival information. - Any questions, please email global@universityofgalway.ie.
- Chat with their student ambassadors on The Ambassador Platform (TAP) to learn more about life at University of Galway here.
Please also see:
- QA245 University Guidelines for Research Degree Programmes
- Accommodation Office webpage
- Fees office webpage
- Registration webpage for incoming Postgraduate Research students.
- Information Solutions and Services – Services for Students
- Student Events Calendar
Stay informed - Keep up-to-date and find the information you need by downloading the University App and connecting with the University team.
- Mobile App
- Yourspace.universityofgalway.ie for links to Clubs, Societies, Student Services and supports, and Volunteering and more
- If you have questions about university life you can ask Cara, the university virtual assistant.
- The PhD Student Survival Guide, curated by Oisín C. Joyce, at Trinity College Dublin.
ALL the essential tips for any new, current or aspiring PhD student from over 50+ resources online have been compiled into one place and can be found and downloaded on Oisín’s Linkedin post.
Looking forward to meeting you.
Regards,
Dónal Leech
Dean of Graduate Studies
Key Links and Contacts (from Stage 1 Presentations below - This will be updated for 2026-27 in mid-August 2026)
