International Students

How to Apply

Irish, EU/EFTA and UK Applicants

Applications from Irish and European applicants, including EU/EFTA and UK applicants, are normally made through the Central Applications Office (CAO).

You should check the entry requirements for your qualification as well as the specific requirements of the nursing or midwifery programme to which you are applying.

The normal CAO application deadline is 1 February. Late applications may be possible until 1 May, subject to the rules and restrictions set out by CAO.

Admission is competitive and meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee an offer of a place.

EU/EFTA Undergraduate Admissions

Apply trough CAO

Non-EU International Applicants

Students applying for a full undergraduate degree who are liable for full non-EU tuition fees should apply directly to University of Galway through the international undergraduate application system.

Applications open on 1st October each year for entry the following September.

For September 2027 entry, applications open on 1st October 2026.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis and programmes may close once available places have been filled. We therefore strongly recommend applying as early as possible.

International applicants to General Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Midwifery must meet the School's academic, subject and English-language requirements and are also required to complete an admissions interview.

You will be required to provide supporting academic documentation as part of your application. The documentation required will depend on your educational system and qualification.

Check the International Entry Requirements section below before applying.

Non-EU Undergraduate Applications

Check requirements for your country

International Entry Requirements

International applicants must meet the academic, subject and English-language requirements for their chosen nursing or midwifery programme.

The minimum international academic requirements are the same across our three undergraduate programmes. However, meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an offer of a place. Nursing and Midwifery are competitive programmes with a limited number of places available.

Applicants presenting qualifications from outside Ireland should also check the University's country-specific guidance to understand how their secondary-school qualification is assessed.

Required School Subjects

In addition to meeting the overall academic standard, applicants must have appropriate secondary-school study in the following areas:

• English or Irish (Requirement waived for Non-EU applicants; Non-EU students still must satisfy the English Language Requirements to be considered for the programme)
• Mathematics
• A laboratory science subject, such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics and Chemistry, or Agricultural Science
• Three other recognised subjects

International equivalents will be assessed according to the qualification and education system in which you have studied.

If you are unsure whether your subjects meet the programme requirements, please check the University's country-specific entry requirements before applying.

English Language Requirements

A high standard of English is required because students must communicate effectively and safely in both academic and clinical environments.

For the undergraduate General Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Midwifery programmes, the current English-language requirement is:

IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall, with no individual component below 6.5, or an accepted equivalent qualification.

Applicants may satisfy the English-language requirement through other recognised qualifications where permitted under University policy. Please consult the University's current English Language Requirements before applying.

Admissions Interview

International applicants from outside of the EU who satisfy the relevant academic requirements are required to complete an admissions interview as part of the selection process.

The interview provides the School with an opportunity to assess the applicant's suitability and preparedness for professional nursing or midwifery education.

Applicants will receive further information regarding the interview process if they progress to this stage of their application.

The interview requirement applies across General Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Midwifery in the approved entry-requirements table.

Important: Minimum Entry Requirements

The requirements shown above are minimum requirements for consideration.

Meeting the academic, subject and English-language requirements does not guarantee admission. Places on Nursing and Midwifery programmes are limited and applications are considered as part of a competitive admissions process.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their complete application as early as possible. After receiving an offer, they should aim to finalize their registration promptly to secure their place and allow enough time for their visa application.

Fees and Funding

The fees you pay depend on your assessed fee status and the academic year in which you begin your studies.

EU Applicants

Eligible students may qualify for Ireland's Free Fees Initiative, under which the State pays the tuition element of eligible undergraduate fees.

Students may still be required to pay the applicable student contribution and University levy.

Some students may also be eligible for financial support through SUSI, Ireland's national student grant scheme.

Eligibility for EU fees, the Free Fees Initiative and student financial support depends on specific nationality, residency and other criteria. Applicants should therefore check their individual eligibility rather than assuming fee status based on nationality alone.

Non-EU Applicants

Students assessed as liable for non-EU tuition fees should check the fee published for their programme and year of entry.

Non-EU tuition fees are charged on an annual basis. Students should also budget for living costs including accommodation, food, transport, health insurance where required and other personal expenses.

Fees may change between academic years, so applicants should always consult the University's current Fees Office information before accepting an offer.

Preparing for Clinical Placement

Nursing and midwifery students work directly with patients and service users. For this reason, additional professional and health requirements apply before students can participate in clinical placements.

International students should be particularly aware of these requirements and begin preparing relevant documentation as early as possible.

Health Assessment, Vaccination and Screening

All nursing and midwifery students are required to complete the University's pre-placement health assessment process.

Registered students must participate in the School of Nursing, Midwifery & Evidence Science Vaccination and Screening Programme, which is delivered in collaboration with our clinical partners.

Access to clinical placements is essential to successful completion of the programme. Students must therefore meet the relevant health, screening and clinical requirements necessary to participate safely in professional practice.

Further instructions are provided to students as part of the pre-placement process.

Garda Vetting and Overseas Police Clearance

Students must satisfy the University's Garda Vetting requirements before undertaking clinical placements.

If you have lived outside the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland for six months or more since the age of 16, you will also be required to provide a Police Clearance Certificate from each relevant country of residence.

Police clearance documents can take considerable time to obtain. International students are therefore strongly advised to begin this process as early as possible when instructed by the University.

Travel and Placement Locations

Clinical placements do not take place exclusively on the University campus or within Galway City.

Depending on your programme, you may undertake placements in hospitals, community services or specialist healthcare settings elsewhere in the West and North West of Ireland.

Students should therefore be prepared to travel to placement locations and should take this into account when planning accommodation, transport and living costs.

Placement arrangements vary according to programme requirements and the clinical experience required at each stage of the degree.

Looking for a Short-Term International Experience?

Not every international student wants to complete a full four-year degree at University of Galway.

The School also supports selected opportunities for students and healthcare professionals who wish to engage with University of Galway for a shorter period of study.

Available options and eligibility requirements differ considerably depending on the type of study and professional requirements involved.

Explore our International Opportunities section for information on currently available routes.