FAQ’s for SWB Study Abroad students coming to NUI Galway
SCIENCE WITHOUT BORDERS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 2015 – 2016 CALL
UNDERGRADUATE STREAM
Application Process:
Q
How do I apply?
A.
Applications by Brazilian visiting undergraduate students applying under the Science
without Borders scheme can be made online "csfirlanda.ie" The online application system
for the 2015-2016 Call will open from Monday 12th January 2015 to Friday 30th January 2015.
The following documents must be submitted online:
·
·
·
College Transcript (in English)
Evidence of English Proficiency
Passport or Birth Certificate (copy)
Q
Am I required to submit an Academic Reference Letter and/or Personal Statement with my
application?
A.
You are not obliged to submit an academic reference letter and/or a personal statement
with your application as it does not affect the selection process. Submission of either
document is totally optional. However, if you have either document to hand we encourage
you to upload same with your application. We do not provide a template for either
document but request that it be no longer than 1 page, explains (in English) that you are
academically recommendable to studies abroad. If the document has been translated by
you we require that it be signed and verified by your university. Please address the
document to: Ms. Aisling Lennon, International Affairs Office, NUI Galway.
Passport:
Q
What is the acceptable minimum date of expiry for my passport?
A.
It is necessary to upload a copy of your current passport, regardless of the date of expiry.
The purpose of asking for a copy of your passport (or a copy of your birth certificate) is to
confirm your date of birth. You will need to apply for a new passport before travelling, but
for the purpose of the application process the out of date copy is suffice.
FAQ’s for SWB Study Abroad students coming to NUI Galway
Q
What size passport photograph is needed?
A.
A passport sized photograph (5x7 is fine) taken at home with high res is ok - it can be
scanned and uploaded with your application so that we can print your student card.
Alternatively if you don’t have a picture to hand we can use the picture from your passport.
Entry Requirements:
Q
Does NUI Galway require a minimum Gross Point Average (‘GPA’)?
A.
Visiting student applicants are required to have a GPA of 7.0 or above. Admission to classes
may also be subject to certain pre-requisites. Our minimum entry requirement is a GPA of
7/10 but this is given as a guideline and we assess each application on an individual basis
and have previously taken students with a GPA of 6.0 or above.
Q
Can I apply if I am in my final year of an undergraduate course in Brazil?
A.
Visiting students are required to have completed at least 20% and at most 90% of the study
plan planned for his/her course at the planned beginning of the study trip.
Transcripts:
Q
Am I required to submit an up-to-date Transcript?
A.
Yes. Please upload the most recent transcript in your possession when you apply to NUIG
on 12th January 2015. The transcript should outline the results you achieved in all courses
that you have attended to date. You can always follow up with the results of your last
semester in Brazil when you receive that transcript.
Q
Do my transcripts have to be translated officially?
A.
The translated academic transcripts don’t necessarily need to be sworn by an official
translator, they can be signed/stamped by your university International office when
translated. Please also upload your original official transcript in Portuguese together with
the translated version with the descriptions so that our academics can understand them.
They will then be in a position to see if you meet our minimum entry requirements.
Q
When does term start and how many holidays do students have during term?
A.
The academic term timetable is available at
http://www.nuigalway.ie/academic_dates/documents/academic_calendar_2015_2016.pdf
showing the holiday periods during and after each term.
FAQ’s for SWB Study Abroad students coming to NUI Galway
English Language Proficiency and PSE Programme Requirements:
Q
What are the requirements for English Language Proficiency?
systems/courses are provided?
What support
A.
All international students must demonstrate English language proficiency. NUI Galway does
not accept TOEFL ITP for direct admission. However, students presenting an ITP score may
be considered for an intensive TOEFL IBT preparation programme (PSE) prior to term. Please
note that CAPES are allowing a maximum of 2 months of English Language Classes for
students on this Call and they have set the PSE entry requirements.
At the end of the PSE programme students will undertake an in house TOEFL IBT exam, the
cost of which is covered by NUI Galway. This is just to ensure that you are ready for
university classes starting in September. Exam preparation will be covered during your PSE
programme and you will practice exams beforehand. It is less stressful and all our SWB
students who sit this in House exam do really well and achieve above and beyond IBT 80.
Furthermore the tuition and host family housing for the PSE are fully funded by CAPES. It is
a very beneficial programme as it gives students the chance to settle into life in a foreign
country and city before university classes commence and also provides the opportunity to
enjoy the summer festivals that held in Galway during the summer.
If students’ English score meet the direct entry requirements CAPES will not pay for PSE.
However, please be advised that NUIG provide free English Language Classes throughout
the academic year which focuses on English Academic Writing Skills to help students
prepare for essays, assignments and exams.
Q
When do English Language/PSE courses commence?
A.
Normally the first Monday of July (2 months PSE) and 1st Tuesday of August (1 month PSE).
Dates are to be confirmed.
Q
I have not received my official TOEFL exam result yet.
A.
We understand the considerable delays receiving the official results from TOEFL exams so
the online score/print screen will suffice for now and we will review your online application
taking the online TOEFL results into account. As soon as the official results arrive you can
upload/email them to us.
Q
Do you accept IELTS/Cambridge/Pearson’s English Exam Results?
A.
Yes NUIG accept all internationally recognised English Language Exam results including
TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge ESOL and Pearson’s.
FAQ’s for SWB Study Abroad students coming to NUI Galway
Modules Available and Choice of Modules
Q
Can I choose multidisciplinary modules within NUI Galway?
A.
Yes: The University publishes the Visiting Student Academic Handbook before the beginning
of each Semester, which lists the specific classes (modules) available to Visiting Students for
the coming semester. Please refer to our website for information on current classes
available to visiting students. You design your degree as you may choose a mix of subjects
from over 1000 modules available to study in NUI Galway to compliment your current
studies and may top them up with some electives like Languages, Psychology, Irish Studies,
Celtic Civilisation etc. A list of the modules you can choose to enrol on are available in the
Science without Borders Module Booklet Semester 1 (2014-2015) and Science without Borders
Module Booklet Semester 2 (2014 - 2015) and further details are provided at
http://www.nuigalway.ie/international-students/yourcountry/brazil/
In effect NUI Galway offers SWB students the opportunity to design their own degree and
choose their own class timetable. This has been a hugely attractive feature of NUIG’s
offerings under the SWB program. Students must take a minimum of 60% of their modules
related to their course in Brazil but can take one or two other complementary modules to
make up the remaining credits (25 ECTS).
Q
Do I need to stipulate my choice of modules when applying on-line? How many modules
must I choose? Is there a ‘change of mind’ option on arrival?
A.
Yes: students are required to upload a document online (under Provider Document) with
the list of 4-7 modules/classes of interest to them. This document should be uploaded
online at csfirlanda.ie. Students can choose the modules from Science without Borders Module
Booklet Semester 1 (2014-2015) and Science without Borders Module Booklet Semester 2 (2014 2015). The majority of students choose 3/4 Science modules and choose the other 1/2
complimentary modules (for example Celtic Civilisation, Languages etc.) on arrival. The
uploaded modules/classes list is required at application to facilitate forward planning with
respect to class capacity. When you arrive you have a two week trial period to change your
mind and choose other modules but for now just choose them from this booklet and upload
your choices with your application.
Q
A.
Do NUIG offer summer research/internship opportunities?
Yes. NUI Galway is world-renowned as an expert research-led University and we organise
and allocate research projects for SWB students to work in labs, research groups, industry
and hospitals here for 2/3 months over the summer. All of the previous SWB students at
NUIG who wished to avail of summer internships/research projects were facilitated and had
their period in Ireland extended to allow for this. I understand that this summer extension
will also be extended to students coming on this next Call that you have been offered a
place on. Check out some videos of our students who undertook research projects;
Research Opportunities for SWB students at NUI Galway, Science without Borders student
experiences at NUI Galway, and Ciência sem Fronteiras na NUI Galway. If you would like to
FAQ’s for SWB Study Abroad students coming to NUI Galway
avail of an internship or do some volunteering work while in Galway, you may be required
to produce police clearance for certain volunteering areas. If you have police clearance cert
from Brazil please bring this together with your ANVISA vaccination card in case these are
needed if you wish to complete a placement in some of the Health Science courses.
Q
If I am in my 4th or 5th year in Brazil can I take Masters Modules in NUIG?
A.
Our esteemed Professors have been offering Masters Modules to SWB students that have 4
or 5 years undergraduate completed in Brazil and are capable of taking more advanced
Masters Modules. The students are delighted with these offerings as they are getting
invaluable exposure to ground breaking research in cutting edge research institutes and labs
and forming international academic relationships and networks in their area of interest.
Please note that pre-requisites apply and students require academic approval to register on
Masters Modules in this way. Further information in relation to all our Masters programmes
is available here; http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/
Q
Do NUIG offer Architecture related modules?
A.
We do not have a School of Architecture but we do have Civil Engineering and a broad range
of related subjects which I know have attracted the interest of SWB architecture students as
we offer complimentary modules from Project Management, Quality Systems, Engineering
Materials, Communication Systems Engineering, Information Systems and Systems
Approach etc. Further information about the Civil Engineering Department is available at
http://www.nuigalway.ie/civileng/ and about the modules available to undergrad students
http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/undergraduate-courses/civil-engineering.html
Q
Can Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy, Health Science students apply?
A.
With regard to health science students, students may not be able to undertake clinical
classes in Ireland but they can apply under ‘Health and Science’ and take complimentary
subjects. We have a College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and offer a broad
range of subjects which I know have attracted the interest of SWB students as we are one of
the few universities in Ireland which offer such a broad range of complimentary modules.
Our Med School is organising guest speakers, tours of the on campus hospital, various clinics
and research projects in specialised areas for our Brazilian students and the students are
thrilled with this opportunity.
Q
Query in relation to NUI Galway computer science labs
A.
NUI Galway has some of the best facilities in the country with a new ICT Building, New
Engineering Building and the world’s largest research centre in web semantics (DERI –
Digital Enterprise Research Institute). All these labs, building and research opportunities are
available to the SWB students and we have students that choose to come here because they
want to work in the labs with our cutting edge researchers.
FAQ’s for SWB Study Abroad students coming to NUI Galway
Q
Do you offer a broad range of offerings in the Biomedical areas?
A.
We are in fact Ireland’s premier university in the fields of Biomedical Science and have
particular academic strengths and industry links in the Medtech area. NUI Galway has
established a world class reputation in Biomedical Science/Biotechnology. These subject
areas are also reflected in the Galway region more generally. For example:
NUI Galway hosts a number of leading research centres-of-excellence with global
reputations in these areas, including:
o
o
o
o
o
Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI)
National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES)
Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB)
BioInnovate
Centre for Chromosome Biology
Eight of the world’s 10 largest medical device companies are located in Ireland, with
Europe’s premier cluster of device companies based in the Galway region. In fact, 80% of
global stent production is carried out by companies based in the Galway region. Examples of
significant medical device companies with sustained operations in Galway include 4tech
Cardio, Anecto, Apica, Boston Scientific, Cappella Medical, Creganna, Crospon, Embricon,
Lake Region Medical, Medtronic, neoSurgical, Neuravi, Novate Medical, Pointec Medical,
SyncroPhi Systems, Veryan Endovascular, Veryan Medical, and Vivasure.
Q
What modules are available in Marine Science/Earth and Ocean Science?
A.
Modules are offered in Earth and Ocean Science, including Geology. For further information
search EOS in the Science without Borders Module Booklet Semester 1 (2014-2015) where there
are a number of EOS modules on offer (pages 46, 60 and 67). Please note that the headings
have been decided by an external body and therefore it is not possible to group them under
an EOS heading, however they are on offer.
Q
What modules are available in Environmental/Renewable Energy?
A.
NUIG offer both Environmental Science and Engineering modules and that these are flagship
programmes of ours due to ideal location on the Atlantic coast. The Government of Ireland
have their department for the Environment and Marine Institute both based in our city and
therefore all the groundbreaking research takes place in our university. These subject areas
are reflected in the Galway region more generally, hence NUI Galway hosts a number of
leading research centres-of-excellence with global reputations in these areas.
FAQ’s for SWB Study Abroad students coming to NUI Galway
Accommodation:
Q
Does NUI Galway provide on campus accommodation?
A.
Yes we have the on-site accommodation Corrib Village which will have a variety of options
and included is a page specifically aimed at international students, which you may find
useful. The apartments are clean, comfortable and have access to free wi-fi. Tuition fees,
housing, utilities and PSE will be paid on your behalf by CAPES by arrangement with NUI
Galway and you will receive a generous monthly allowance of €700 to cover food,
entertainment and transport. Please note that Corrib Village on campus accommodation is
a short walk away from your classes and it has 24 hour security. Students will have their
own room but will share a kitchen/living room with 3 to 4 others. Accommodation will be
available from Saturday 29th August 2015. Separate accommodation arrangements will be
made for students who participate in the PSE summer programmes. All amenities and
facilities are available on Corrib Village and fun events and activities are organised for
residents i.e. movie night, Irish dancing etc. The on campus accommodation Corrib Village is
restricted to registered NUIG students. However, we have placed SWB students in other
student residences nearby as these residences can accommodate non-NUIG students. This
is to facilitate SWB students whose boyfriends/girlfriends are studying English in Galway
while they are studying at NUIG.
Q
Is accommodation provided by host families in Galway city?
A.
Academic year accommodation is provided in Corrib Village only. Students who arrive
during the summer will be accommodated in Corrib Village and will remain there instead of
moving at the end of their PSE. If some students would like to live with host families during
the PSE we may be able to arrange this option also.
Q
If my friend and I both choose NUIG can we live together?
A.
Yes it would be possible to allocate housing together and this has been commonplace. Once
you and your friend receive an offer from us you should contact Corrib Village and request
an apartment together. It should be no trouble.
Q
Do I pay utilities, electricity and refuse charges?
A.
86% of the cost of utilities, electricity and refuse are covered and the only cost that the
student will pay is a refundable security deposit of €250 and a small contribution towards
heating and water use.
Q
What is the cost of living in Galway city?
A.
Galway is the most affordable of the main cities in Ireland in which to live. The cost of living
in Galway is 21% cheaper than Dublin, 26% cheaper than Limerick, and 11% cheaper than
Cork. You will receive a generous monthly allowance of €700 to cover food, entertainment
and transport.
FAQ’s for SWB Study Abroad students coming to NUI Galway
Medical Insurance:
Q
Is Medical Insurance included?
A.
Yes NUIG arrange and cover the cost of SWB student medical insurance.
Q
What if I have a pre-existing illness?
A.
It is common practice in Ireland that insurance providers do not provide cover for any preexisting illness known to the insured person at the time of purchase. If you have any pre
existing condition we recommend that you send your medical details on to our medical unit
based here on campus (healthunit@nuigalway.ie) and they can advise whether your
medication is available here and if so the cost of fulfilling your prescription. If the
medication is unavailable they would be best placed to advise on alternative substitutes and
the price of same.
Q
Is there a health unit/clinic on campus?
A.
Yes the NUIG medical unit is located in the centre of the campus and like all other support
services (counselling, chaplaincy, welfare etc) it is free for all registered NUIG students.
Information
in
respect
of
the
Health
Clinic
is
available
at
http://services.su.nuigalway.ie/site/view/325/health-unit/ and it operates on a first come
first served basis.
General Information:
International Rankings
We are proud to announce that NUI Galway is the only Irish university to increase its position in
the two main international rankings, having recently increased to 280th in the world in the QS
World University Rankings 2014/2015. With an increase of 53 places on last year’s position, two
bands in this ranking survey, NUI Galway now ranks at 261st in the Times Higher Education (THE)
Rankings 2014/2015. NUI Galway consistently ranked in the top 2% of Universities worldwide! We
are ranked in the 2014 Times Higher Education top 100 most international universities in the
world. In 2014 U-Multirank awarded NUI Galway the highest ranking for Arts graduate
employment rates and for student internships. NUI Galway’s focus on internationalisation and the
mobility of our students was also recognised. In 2013, the QS World University Rankings by
Subject ranked NUI Galway in the top 150 universities in the world in Computer Science,
Information Systems and History and in the top 200 in the world in English Language and
Literature, Pharmacology and Law. In 2013, NUI Galway’s Executive MBA programme secured the
prestigious AMBA international accreditation.
FAQ’s for SWB Study Abroad students coming to NUI Galway
Campus Facilities and laboratories/state of the art technologies


NUIG are in the final stages of a €400 million capital investment programme, which has
transformed the 105-hectare riverside campus and given students and staff access to the
very best facilities for teaching and research.
NUI Galway is home to the fastest expanding campus in the country and we are investing
€0.75 million per week to develop a world-class learning environment for our students.

We are constantly developing our campus to enhance our learning environment.

Green campus - in 2012, the University was awarded the ISO 50001 standard for energy
management—only one of two universities in the country to achieve this standard
NUI Galway’s new Engineering Building is the largest School of Engineering & Informatics in
the country at 14,200 square metres, housing 110 staff and approximately 1,100 students.
We are extremely proud of this so called ‘living laboratory’ as it is a groundbreaking
‘learning’ building which has won numerous awards including; Ireland’s favourite new
building, it was the Public Choice in this year’s RIAI Irish Architecture Awards 2012 while also
winning the award of the Sustainable Building of the year and Educational Building of the
year. Our esteemed Academics in the School of Engineering already have extensive
connections throughout Brazil and look forward to welcoming more students from Brazil to
study in this unique building.

Food:
NUIG has numerous university restaurants on campus where food is subsidised and therefore
cheaper for students i.e. a large meal would cost €5. Please also note that the campus is in the
city centre and within a short walk of a wide variety of eateries and restaurants catering for all
tastes, student discount is also given to NUIG students in the majority of these restaurants.
Furthermore, all the accommodation options are self catering and many students choose to
cook/prepare food at home and bring it with them as this can also prove cost effective – the
supermarkets are very close.
Safety
Ireland is a very safe and friendly country – it was voted the ‘Friendliest Country in the World’ and
Galway has been voted the no 1 destination to visit while in Ireland and also Ireland’s most Irish
city Galway is known as the cultural heart of Ireland and is renowned for its welcoming
atmosphere as we host a different festival every week. Galway has recently been designated a
UNESCO City of Film and is a very young and safe city with 20% of the population under 25.
Further information in relation to the University, city and testimonials from current Brazilian
students is in the attached brochure. An insight into the city of Galway is available in a short video
Galway in 3 minutes. There is 24 hour security on the NUIG campus and Corrib Village
accommodation.
FAQ’s for SWB Study Abroad students coming to NUI Galway
Student Societies and Sports Clubs:
NUI Galway has been voted the top Irish University for Student experience (by students) as we are
no 1 for volunteering programmes, have over 120 societies and over 50 sports clubs on our 250
acre campus that stretches from the city centre along the river. Our impressive, new sports
complex boasts the following; six-lane, 25 metre swimming pool, squash and racquetball courts,
National League basketball arena, 100-piece cardiovascular gym dedicated elite training gym, two
fitness studios, suitable for aerobic training, competition-style climbing wall, saunas and a steam
room. It is very popular with international students as the annual membership fee is considerably
reduced and they find it very good value. The University outdoor sports facilities include ten
natural grass playing pitches, a synthetic grass pitch, suitable for a wide range of sports including
hockey, soccer and Gaelic games and an eight-lane, international standard track, with jumping
and throwing facilities, suitable for athletics, cross-country and general training. These impressive
facilities are very popular with international facilities.
Internationalised Campus
NUIG has a large and diverse community of international students and it was recently confirmed
that more international students are enrolled in NUI Galway than any other Irish University..
Figures released by the Higher Education Authority show that NUI Galway has over 2,000
International students enrolled on a broad portfolio of courses, arts, business, public policy and
law, science, engineering, medicine and health sciences. The students come from over 104
different countries, all continents, with international students making up 16% of the overall
student population, and 27% of the University’s PhD students. The University has over 200
student exchange agreements with universities around the world. Further information of interest
to international students is available on our website on our website and in our International
Student Guide. We look forward to welcoming you to our multinational and culturally enriched
campus. Furthermore, nearly 250 SWB students that have started at NUIG or are coming soon
have set up a Facebook page and we also have a FB page just for NUIG Brazilian students and also
a Study Abroad at NUIG FB page that may help you. Two of the current SWB students have
created a video about their time in Galway and you can check it out at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CortVOl0vaM . We hosted a welcoming reception and
Barbeque recently where NUI Galway welcomed the Brazilian Deputy Ambassador, MinisterCounselor, Chief of Chancery, Elza Moreira Marcelino de Castro, and over 100 Brazilian students
to our campus. This welcoming reception coincided with Brazil's National Independence Day,
which took place on Saturday, 7 September. This great event was captured on video and can be
viewed on the NUIG YouTube Channel. We hope to extend a similar warm welcome to you and
your friends when you come to NUI Galway 