NUI Galway is a welcoming, safe and friendly environment for international students, with over 3,500 students from over 100 countries, studying across our five Colleges. The School of Medicine is home to the largest cohort of international students at NUI Galway, with close to 500 students currently studying on our flagship Undergraduate Medical Degree Programme.  

International students choose NUI Galway because of our international reputation in teaching excellence and research and the worldwide recognition of the quality of Irish medical education - meaning our graduates can practice medicine across the globe. We have a long tradition, of welcoming medical students from all over the world making it an exciting, vibrant and diverse learning environment. Through their cultural diversity, different backgrounds and educational and work experiences, our international students, enhance the quality of teaching and learning on our Programme, to the benefit of all students.  

At present, over 40% of our medical student cohort are international students, coming from 35 different countries. International students choose the city of Galway, because of its size, its location on the beautiful West Coast of Ireland, its cultural diversity and for the welcoming, safe and supportive environment it provides for our students.  

The School of Medicine, NUI Galway can promise you;

  • A world class medical education, with a modern, innovative curriculum, delivered in state of the art clinical and teaching facilities.
  • An internationally recognised Medical Degree, that will enable you to practice medicine anywhere in the world.
  • Access to world class leaders in teaching and learning, medicine and research.
  • A vibrant, friendly and safe campus, where you will make friends for life.
  • Student Support Services that are there for you all through your medical school journey and beyond.
  • A student experience that you will not find or experience anywhere else in the world!

Clinical Electives

The School of Medicine has extensive expertise in helping our students secure Clinical Electives nationally and internationally. In partnership with our HSE Clinical Sites, we offer a Summer Elective Program for NUI Galway and Visiting students, and offer over 100+ Clinical Elective places in medicine and surgery disciplines.

Additionally, we offer international students a number of curriculum based opportunities to undertake Clinical Electives as part of their medical education, in order to broaden their clinical knowledge and enhance their Internship/Residency applications. Students can register for a Summer Elective module, gaining academic credit for Electives completed, and in Year 4 and Year 5 of our Programme, students can complete an Away Elective for a four week period, in an international location of choice.

We have Elective Partners in Europe, the USA, Canada, China, Africa and beyond, offering exclusive Clinical Electives opportunities to NUI Galway Students. Additionally, we provide all our students with access to International Elective Portals (e.g. VSLO, AAMC, GEMx and AFMC), to help students source their own Electives in their preferred disciplines and locations.

For students wishing to source their own Clinical Electives, we have a strong, influential network of over 100,000 Alumni worldwide, employed in some of the world's leading hospital, healthcare, higher education and research facilities, who have been instrumental in supporting our students to secure bespoke clinical electives.

The School provides professional administrative support and advice to all our students, as they search for International Clinical Electives, and provide all of the necessary supporting documentation, verifications and insurance requirements to facilitate successful applications.

Find more information on our Clinical Electives opportunities please click here.

Pathways to Residency Programme

We work with our international students from their first day at medical school, to help prepare them for their medical careers at the end of their NUI Galway journey, and as they prepare to make the transition from student doctor to junior doctor in Internship/Residency positions accross the globe. It is our priority that all students maximise their potential throughout their Undergraduate training and to successfully enter a residency or internship programme of their choice.

Through our ‘Pathways to Residency Programme’ we provide extensive support to students applying to Internship/Residency Programmes across the world. We have supported students to secure places on Internship/Residency Programmes in countries including the USA, Canada, UK, Malta, Australia, various countries across Asia, and many more. We have created a roadmap with identified milestones, tasks and activities students should undertake at different junctures in their medical degree, and work with Class Representatives, MedSoc, NIMSA and international agencies (e.g. ECFMG, Medical Council of Canada), to ensure our students have the most up-to-date information required to make this transition as efficiently as possible.

Medical Graduates from the University of Galway have a number of post-graduate training opportunities available in Ireland or internationally, on completion of their medical education.

Irish Internship

  • Internship in Ireland is 12 months consecutive education and training in the first postgraduate year and is comprised of 4 x 3 month rotations in a named hospital or GP practice. Internship is part of basic medical training (undergraduate training plus internship), and you are not issued with your Certificate of Experience (CoE) by the Medical Council until you have successfully completed your Intern year, which will then allow you to progress to specialist or general training.The Health Business Services (HBS) at the Health Service Executive (HSE) is the body responsible for the recruitment and allocation of intern posts in Ireland through a single, national recruitment campaign. Application is made online and takes place in two stages, commencing in October of each year. Graduates must meet the eligibility criteria in order to apply for an internship.

United Kingdom Foundation  Programme (UKFP)

  • The Foundation Programme is a two-year, work-based training programme that bridges the gap between medical school and specialty / general practice training. The foundation programme is part of the continuum of medical education. It ensures that newly qualified doctors develop their clinical and professional skills in the workplace in readiness for core, specialty or general practice training. All medical graduates must undertake, and complete the Foundation Programme in order to work as a doctor in the UK. For more information http://www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/ 

North America

If you are interested in post-graduation clinical practice in North America, we provide dedicated support throughout your medical education, to support you on this journey. We provide bespoke, professional advice on the preparation of Residency Applications, including your Medical School Portfolios (MSPE/MSPR), and provide 'free' access to online study resources (e.g. UWorld), to support your study preparation for licensing exams.

  • USA: National Residency Matching Programme (NRMP): The National Residency Match Program® (NRMP®) runs the annual Residency Match, which pairs IMG residency applicants with residency and fellowship programs. For students considering the USA, formal preparation beings in Year 3 of the Undergraduate Programme, when you start to consider sitting the USMLE Step 1 (approx. 36 months before graduation).
  • Canada: Canadian Residency Match Services (CaRMS): Canadians who have trained in medical schools outside Canada and the US can compete for and obtain medical residency positions in Canada. For students considering Canada, formal preparation begins in Year 4 (approximately 20 months prior to graduation), when you start to consider registration with the Medical Council of Canada and sit the MCCQE1 and NAC Examinations.

Our graduates have excellent success, with 'Matching' to Residency Programs. Please click here to see a list of Programmes & Institutions in the USA and Canada where Irish graduates have secured Residency positions from 2015 – 2020. 

Hear from our Current Students about the supports provided to North American Students as they prepare for the Residency Match. 

Professional, Employability Services & Supports

Collaboratively with University colleagues and Student Societities (e.g. MedSoc) we deliver a range of Information Seminars, Professional, Employability Services & Supports (e.g. Career Guidance, Interview Preparation, Application Reviews), and can connect you with medical alumni across the world, through our Graduate Connections Programme.

The Career Development Centre, offers a comprehensive range of career guidance, development and information services focused on facilitating and empowering NUI Galway students to manage their own career development and faciliate effective career choices and transitions. 

We will ensure you are career ready, and ready to take on the role as a Junior Hospital Doctor, through completion of a Transition to Practice module, and a range of Junior Internships in Medical and Surgical discplines, in your final year of medicine. We also provide you with many opportunities to build your career outside of the classroom through voluntary, research and clinical electives.

The School of Medicine co-ordinates a Mentoring Programme for all our students, matching students with a Mentor from our Clinical, Academic and Professional Services Teams. Mentors are allocated in the first year of study, and remain your Mentor for the duration of your undergraduate medical education.

We also have a very active Sociocultural events programme within the School, which includes events such as International Student Dinners, Orientation BBQ's, Trips to the Aran Islands, and Treks along the Wild Atlantic Way, in addition to a comprehensive range of events and activities delivered through the NUI Galway International Affairs Office.  

Application & Entry Criteria

We welcome students from across the world to apply to our Undergraduate Degree Programme. At present, we have 450+ international students on our Undergraduate Medical Degree Programme, representing 42 countries. 

If you are a School Leaver from an International School or Local School in your region, or a graduate applicant, we would love to hear from you. Prospective students can meet with University of Galway and School of Medicine staff at recruitment events worldwide.

Please check with your School Counsellor or local Educational Agent for upcoming events in your region. The School of Medicine will also be hosting a series of 'Recruitment Webinars' throughout the recruitment cycle. Follow us on our Social Media platforms, to stay up-to-date with all upcoming events.  

All applicants are required to apply via one of our International Education Agents. Please visit the How To Apply section for country specific contact details and requirements.

We accept a wide range of internationally recognised qualifications, for entry to our five and six-year Programme, including GCE A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB), in addition to local international qualifications (e.g. AP, SAT, HKDSE, ATAR, ILC, STPM, CAPE).  

For international students presenting IB and A-Level results, the following is a guideline of the entry requirements for our 5 Year Programme. Applicants who fall short in the entry requirements for the 5 Year Programme, may be considered for our Six Year Programme.  

International Baccalaureate: Minimum of 36 points, excluding Bonus Points, and not less than 6 points in the following:

  • Higher Level Chemistry and
  • Higher Level Physics or Biology and
  • Higher or Level Standard Level Physics, Mathematics or Biology  

A-Levels

  • 3 x A Level subjects: AAA and A*A*A or higher in the same sitting with Chemistry and two of the following three subjects:   Physics, Biology and Mathematics.  

English Language Requirements

  • Applicants from non-English-speaking countries are required to present a valid IELTS (International English Language Testing system) Certificate with a minimum score of 6.5 in all categories.  

Application Documents

  • All applicants are required to submit an Application Form, Personal Statement, Academic Transcripts and Academic & Professional References. Documentation requirements will vary between countries. You will be advised on the specific requirements by the Educational Agent managing your application. Applicants will also be invited to attend for Interview at University of Galway, in-country location, or virtually.

If your application is successful you will be required to comply with the University of Galway Health Screening requirements, present a valid Police Clearance Certificate from your home country and complete Garda Vetting on arrival in Ireland. Students will be contacted about these requirements once registered for the undergraduate medical degree programme.

Immigration Regulations

Citizens of countries outside the EU may require a visa to enter Ireland. Please visit http://www.inis.gov.ie/ for more information. All Non EU/EEA citizens must register with the immigration service within 30 days of arrival in Ireland. Internaitional students will be asked to show proof of comprehensive medical insurance when registering with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Proof of health insurance is also required for student visa applications. Please contact the NUI Galway International Affairs Office (international@universityofgalway.ie) for queries relating to GNIB. 

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee for the Undergraduate Medical Degree at NUI Galway is €50,135 per year. 

Discounted fees are available to applicants, by applying directly to one of our highly experienced Educational Agents, based across the world. Our Educational Agents will will provide you information on the entry and application criteria to our School, based on your qualifications and country of application. 

Please visit the How to Apply section for details on how to apply, and learn more about the recruitment and application cycle. 

Scholarships

Please visit the Universityof Galway website for details on the Scholarship opportunities available to international applicants