Galway, Ireland
For nearly a thousand years, Galway has been the largest and most important city in the west of Ireland. As the capital of Connemara, Galway is at the heart of one of the world's most scenic and evocative landscapes. It is situated on the outcropping of land between Lough Corrib and the Atlantic Ocean. Galway is one of the larger cities in Ireland and has many medieval buildings. It is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a thriving cultural and commercial community. The older Gaelic culture is especially apparent. Galway is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country and is considered to be the cultural capital of Ireland. 

National University of Ireland, Galway

The University was founded in 1845. It became part of the National University of Ireland in 1908. In 1929, the University was given a special statutory responsibility regarding the use of the Irish language as a working language at the institution. There are seven Faculties at the University with academically strong programs of teaching and research. The scenic campus is located very close to the center of the city, on the banks of the River Corrib. The students at the National University of Ireland have access to a wide variety of extracurricular activities, including sporting, social and cultural clubs and societies. University students may also use the Library and Computing facilities on campus. 

The offices of the Registrar and the Overseas Student Officer provide academic and support services for PC students in Galway. 

Academic Program
At the National University of Ireland, PC students may pursue a year or a semester of study in the areas of arts, Celtic studies, commerce, engineering, law, medicine and science. Students may select courses from different departments to suit their academic needs. Courses are offered in the lecture format supplemented by group tutorials, where discussion and student participation are encouraged. Students will attend the same courses, submit papers, and take the same examinations as the Irish students. 

Students will enroll for the Irish equivalent of 15 US credit hours during the academic semester. Students will have an opportunity to discuss course selection in detail with Academic Advisors and faculty members in the appropriate departments at the University. Students often make final registration choices once they have arrived in Galway. There is a two week period after the beginning of the semester in which to change classes.

The academic year is divided into two semesters:
Semester I: mid-September to early December
Semester II: mid-January to early May
Examinations are normally finished by late May. 

Eligibility
For this program, students must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better. Assessment of the student's ability to provide the appropriate scholarly work in the courses and a capacity for independent, self-directed study are important aspects of the application process for this program.

Visit the National University of Ireland, Galway site.