Teaching medicine since 1845; non-EU students apply through regional agencies rather than directly.
Trusted UK and international medicine admissions specialists since 2012 · 2700+ taught
At a glance
The University of Galway (formerly NUI Galway) has taught medicine since its foundation in 1845 and sits on a riverside campus in the west of Ireland.
Its distinctive feature for international applicants is that it does not accept direct non-EU applications: North Americans apply through Atlantic Bridge and other regions through designated agencies. A new graduate-entry programme is planned for 2027.
Top 200 in the world for Medicine (QS); teaching medicine since 1845
The University of Galway was founded in 1845 and has taught medicine continuously ever since, graduating around 200 doctors a year. Its degrees are recognised by licensing authorities in the US, Canada and across the EU, which is why it has long been a well-trodden route for North American students, and it ranks inside the QS top 200 for Medicine.
Its biggest draw is location: a compact riverside campus in Galway, a famously friendly arts-and-festivals city on Ireland's Atlantic coast, with the main teaching hospital right beside the campus. Students get a tight-knit, scenic alternative to the larger Dublin schools.
Galway's campus sits on the banks of the River Corrib in the centre of Galway city, a small, walkable university city on the west coast known for its music, festivals and friendly student feel. It is one of the most scenic campuses in Ireland.
Where you train
Which route you use depends on where you are applying from, not which school you choose:
Applying from Canada or the US?
North American students apply to Galway through the Atlantic Bridge Programme: one application and one set of documents covering all six Irish medical schools. Our Atlantic Bridge Programme guide walks through eligibility, the MCAT or GAMSAT, Casper, deadlines, the personal statement and how to get in.
For the full picture across all six schools, see our guide to studying medicine in Ireland and the Irish medical schools comparison.
No interview format is published on the official admissions pages.
| Non-EU undergraduate | €55,000 per year (2026/27) |
|---|---|
| EU / UK / EEA | Eligible EU/EEA students under Free Fees pay the student contribution plus levy (around €2,640 a year). |
Galway does not accept direct non-EU applications for medicine, so non-EU fees may be quoted through your designated agency.
US federal loans: The University of Galway medicine programme does not participate in the US Federal Loan programme. Although the university is Title IV-eligible at institution level, medicine is excluded, so US students rely on private student loans. Do not assume FAFSA-based federal loans are available for medicine here.
Compare costs across all six schools in our Ireland medicine fees breakdown. Fees rise most years, so confirm the figure for your year of entry on the official course page.
A new Graduate Entry Medicine programme is planned, with a first intake expected in autumn 2027. It is not yet open for applications.
Graduate entry needs a 2:1 degree plus a GAMSAT or MCAT score. See our Graduate Entry Medicine guide and GAMSAT guide.
Complete medicine application support: UCAT tutoring, personal statement reviews and interview coaching from doctors.
An Irish medical degree from Galway is internationally recognised, but how you get home matters and is worth planning from your first year. Here is what the route back looks like:
North American applicants can read the full route home, including the USMLE, ECFMG and the residency match, in our Atlantic Bridge Programme guide.
From personal statement editing and interview coaching to our all-in-one Ultimate Package, we support applicants to Galway at every stage. Tell us where you are applying from and we will recommend the right option.
Work with doctors and admissions experts across every stage of your application.
North America (Canada and the US): apply through the Atlantic Bridge Programme.
Gulf (excluding Kuwait), wider Middle East and Africa: apply through the agency OnCampus Ireland.
Other regions: through designated agencies (for example IUMC for parts of Asia). Galway does not take direct non-EU applications.
EU, UK and EEA: apply through the CAO.
Non-EU undergraduate medicine at Galway costs €55,000 per year (2026/27). Eligible EU/EEA students under Free Fees pay the student contribution plus levy (around €2,640 a year). Galway does not accept direct non-EU applications for medicine, so non-EU fees may be quoted through your designated agency.
A new Graduate Entry Medicine programme is planned, with a first intake expected in autumn 2027. It is not yet open for applications.
Yes. Galway graduates sit the USMLE and gain ECFMG certification for the US match, and the school runs information sessions on arranging US clinical electives and preparing for the USMLE. Note that the medicine programme does not take part in the US Federal Loan programme, so US students fund their studies with private loans.
Canadian graduates return through CaRMS after the MCCQE and NAC examinations; the school advises students on Canadian board exams and on arranging Canadian electives, and the degree is recognised by Canadian licensing authorities.
The University of Galway was founded in 1845 and has taught medicine continuously ever since, graduating around 200 doctors a year. Its degrees are recognised by licensing authorities in the US, Canada and across the EU, which is why it has long been a well-trodden route for North American students, and it ranks inside the QS top 200 for Medicine.
Its biggest draw is location: a compact riverside campus in Galway, a famously friendly arts-and-festivals city on Ireland's Atlantic coast, with the main teaching hospital right beside the campus. Students get a tight-knit, scenic alternative to the larger Dublin schools.
Yes. The MB BCh BAO is recognised by the UK GMC for registration. Graduates can register with the GMC and enter the UK Foundation Programme.
Ultimate Package students from our 2025/26 cycle, with their UCAT scores and offers, who trained with us for the UCAT, personal statements and interviews.
“Harry got my UCAT up to 2,590, working through the sections I kept dropping marks on week by week. Gemma then ran my interview practice so the MMI stations didn't catch me out, and Dr Akash mentored me the whole way through. I'm off to King's for Medicine.”
“The interview prep was the part that actually moved the needle. Proper mock MMIs, not just lists of questions, and feedback that was honest about what I was getting wrong. I ended up with four offers and firmed UCL.”
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