Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Thinking of doing medicine at NUI Galway, in Ireland?
Want to know more than the brochures tell you?
 What is the medical course really like?
 Will I fit in?
 What kind of social life do students of different
cultures have at NUI Galway?
 What sort of support can I expect?
 What are the essential facts that I need to
know about Ireland and Galway before I come?
 What should I bring with me? Etc. etc.
This is the guide for you. It is an honest account of
the medical course and life in Galway. It is:
A guide for students……….. written by students.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
Welcome to Galway
Welcome to the National University of Ireland, Galway School of Medicine. Over the
next six years you will learn more than you ever thought possible about Medicine, about
Life, and about yourself. After six years here, your accent may even change!
This Guide is not intended to tell you everything you will need to know about Ireland
and the medical system here, but we’ve tried to include things that will make the
transition to Irish life and culture easier.
The first section includes logistical information and some important addresses and phone
numbers to help you get set up. The remainder focuses on the course material for each
year, including some information on electives etc.
Disclaimer: The information included reflects the opinions of the students who
contributed and does not necessarily (and probably doesn’t) reflect the views of the
Medical School. If you find any factual errors, omissions, or just plain bad advice, please
offer your suggestions so we can improve next year’s edition.
Finally we would like to acknowledge the help that we received in preparing this guide
from Trinity College Dublin. We have based this guide on a similar publication for
North American students written by students at Trinity. We have adapted the Trinity
students’ format and content to the Galway context, and have designed a guide for
prospective students of all backgrounds and nationality
We look forward to meeting you when you arrive in Galway.
Co-Authors:
Student 1
Student 2
Student 3
Student 4
Debbie Monroe:
Peter Cantillon:
Mohammed Khanji
Hend Abdul-Jauwad
Ponatshego Gaolebele
Darwina Bolkim
Co-ordinator
Teaching staff representative
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1:
Introduction to NUI,Galway
About Galway
Getting to Galway
Climate!!!
Things to bring with you
Immigration & Registering at the Immigration Office
Tolerance for Overseas People
Payment of Fees
Faculty of Medicine & Health Science NUI,Galway
Chapter 2:
5
5
6
8
8
9
9
10
College Life
Recreation and Sport
Student Support Services
Religious Provision
Cultural Differences
Social Life
11
11
11
12
13
Daily living stuff
Searching for Accommodation
Groceries and Household Items
Communications
Transportation
Travel Agents
14
16
18
19
20
Banking and Post-offices
Bookstores
Health Insurance
20
21
21
Chapter 3:
A Guide to your Undergraduate Years 1 to 6
(including the 2 in 1 Supplement)
& The Intern Year
23
32
Chapter 4:
Useful Addresses & Websites
Map of Galway
Map of NUI,Galway
33
35
36
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
Chapter 1: A Bit About Galway
Galway, with a population of almost 62,000, is the third largest city in the Republic of
Ireland and one of Europe's fastest growing urban centres. Over fifteen per cent of
Galway's population are third level students. The resulting interdependence of town and
University has helped to build a compact, thriving city that caters to youth like few other
places can.
Regarded as the cultural capital of Ireland, Galway is located on the Western seaboard
and is close to areas of outstanding natural beauty such as Connemara and the West
coast of Clare. It is an energetic, cosmopolitan city, with a thriving cultural and
commercial community.
The University was founded in 1845 as Queen's College Galway. In recent times under
the Universities Act, 1997 University College Galway was reconstituted as a University
and became a constituent university of the National University of Ireland.
The campus itself is situated on the banks of the River Corrib, and is one of the most
attractive University sites in Europe.
The Medical Faculty was one of the original faculties of the University and the first
medical students were admitted in 1849. The Faculty has a long and illustrious history of
medical training. The school is well known for the excellence of its clinical training and
for the contribution that its many graduates have made to the world of medicine.
Getting to Galway.
Ireland is served by a network of major international airlines. Connections to the major
international hub at Heathrow, London are frequent and regular. The major airports for
international visitors to Galway are Dublin airport (on the East coast) and Shannon
airport (approximately 55 miles from Galway). Galway also had a smaller airport with
flights to and from Dublin, which connect with international flights. Galway airport is
approximately 5 miles from the city. A taxi service is available from the airport.
Dublin airport is on the outskirts of the capital. Buses leave Dublin Airport
approximately every 20 minutes for the central Bus Station (Bus Arus) in Dublin city
centre. Many of these buses continue to Heuston Railway station from which trains for
Galway depart. You can also get a taxi from the airport to the centre of the city but the
bus is much cheaper and just as fast.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
From Dublin to Galway - by Train
There is a frequent train service from Dublin to Galway daily. The journey takes
approximately three hours. Timetables can be viewed via the Internet at
http://www.irishrail.ie.
From Dublin to Galway - by Bus
There is a regular bus service from Dublin central bus station (Busarus) to Galway. The
journey will take about four hours. Some private bus operators also run scheduled buses
from Dublin airport to Galway.
Timetables can be accessed via the Internet at http://www.buseireann.ie .
Getting from Shannon Airport to Galway
There is a regular bus service between Shannon Airport and Galway. If you fly directly
to Shannon airport you will be able to get a bus from the airport to Galway. The journey
takes approximately one and a half hours.
Arrival in Galway
Upon your arrival in Galway Bus and Rail Station you should hire a taxi to take you to
your final destination. You should try to arrive in Galway on a weekday and
preferably not too late at night especially if you still have to arrange
accommodation. If long-term accommodation has not already been secured before
your arrival it is advisable to pre-book temporary accommodation. See the
accommodation section for further details.
Climate:
There’s no easy way to put it, but the weather in Galway from September to February is
often rainy, windy, cloudy, gloomy and overcast! It sounds bad, but the good (or bad?)
thing is that it hardly ever snows in winter and it doesn’t get ‘arctic’ cold.
Make sure you carry and umbrella with you at all times. It can start raining at any
moment. Don’t buy one of those cheap, flimsy umbrellas because it won’t last long in
the windy weather. If you don’t have an umbrella at least make sure you have a hood or
a hat with you at all times.
There is some sunny, warm-ish weather from April to September. The best
weather always seems to coincide with the summer exams in May and June! You
might also miss some of the best weather if you are you’re away during July and
August.
SOME TIPS ON HOW TO KEEP WARM AND DRY
(Shops mentioned are all in Galway)
1.
Buy woollen sweaters, not acrylic.
2.
Long-sleeved vests and long-johns i.e. thermal underwear made of fine wool –
keeps in the heat and can be purchased in Ryans of Shop Street, Galway. Try
also the Army and Navy Stores, Shop Street, Galway.
3.
Get a hat, gloves and scarf!
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Wear warm (flannelette) pyjamas or nightdress in bed. These are good value in
Penney’s and Dunnes Stores.
Buy a good set of waterproof clothing i.e. over trousers and jacket with hood –
Army and Navy Stores and Lifestyle – Penney’s
Buy an umbrella! – Dunnes and Penney’s.
Electric blankets are a great comfort! A single-bed size costs approximately 25.00
Euro in Roches Stores. Read instructions carefully.
A hot-water bottle can be surprisingly useful. They cost 6.00 Euro each
approximately in Dunnes.
When choosing accommodation, check about the heating system. Is it oil-fired
or solid fuel? How long is it on for? Is it included in the cost of accommodation
or otherwise?
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
Things to bring over with you
There are many things that you will wish you had when you arrive. We couldn’t possibly
list everything you’ll need, but here are some essentials.
1. A book you should get before you come over is a medical dictionary, such as Taber’s or
Stedman’s. Medicine is a completely new language, full of beautiful words like
“autochthonous” and “internuclear ophthalmoplegia.” Medical students must learn
more new words than the average student majoring in a foreign language. Therefore,
it’s a good idea to have a dictionary next to you no matter what you are studying.
Open it every time you come across a new word. You’ll be amazed sometimes at
words you think you understand until you look them up. Also, you sound much
more intelligent if you actually know how to pronounce those fancy medical words
you’ve been reading at night.
2. A waterproof jacket and boots are a key buy. It rains a lot on the West Coast. It’s
not usually a downpour, but you’ll still get wet! Anything made of Gore-Tex is
especially nice when you’re riding your bicycle to and from the hospital.
3. Your passport, driver’s license for backup identification, loan forms, your medical
school acceptance letter, and any receipts of fees paid.
4. Don’t bother bringing notebooks or paper unless you plan to refill on every trip.
The paper size is different over here, so it’s easier to buy your supplies here.
Immigration
Students from non-EU countries do need visas to enter Ireland. Immigration in Dublin
is pretty lenient. All you need to do to pass successfully through is the following:
1. Show your passport and visa.
2. You may be asked to show your medical school acceptance letter, and/or a receipt
saying that you have paid your deposit for your tuition fees.
3. Smile encouragingly!!
The immigration officer will stamp a date in your passport, usually for 1 month from
your date of arrival. You have permission to reside in Ireland until that date. Within this
period you must go to the Immigration Office (formerly known ominously as the
“Aliens Office”) and get officially registered to be able to stay for one year. More on this
process is included later in this chapter.
Immigration officials may ask you how you plan to support yourself. If you have a bank
statement with your balance on it from home, it's useful to show it to them. If you
haven't paid your tuition in full yet, tell the official that you will pay it when you begin
school. Usually there is no hassle and you will just walk through. On subsequent
visits, make sure your Immigration Office 'Green Book' is up to date or the
immigration officers may refuse you entry back into Ireland.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
Registering at the Immigration Office
This process can drive you crazy if you are unlucky enough not to know what documents
are required beforehand. After you have settled in and know your way around, head
down to Mill Street Garda (“police”) Headquarters in Galway, where the Immigration
Officer can be found. You will need to produce the following documents (have them all
in hand or it will be a wasted trip):
1. A bank statement from an Irish bank stating that you have at least 127 Euro per
week for your intended stay (i.e., about 2540 Euro). If you have less than this, you
may run into some difficulties getting your passport validated for the year.
2. Your passport with the date stamped by airport customs.
3. Three passport size photographs, which can be obtained at most chemists.
4. An acceptance letter from the medical school or a letter from the office saying that
you are registered for the upcoming year.
5. A statement from the NUI,Galway saying that all your fees have been paid.
6. You will need to repeat this routine each year, but with slightly less red tape.
Embassies
It’s probably a good idea to register, though some students have been here 5 years
without doing so. There are various functions throughout the year, including
celebrations etc. If you so wish, you may even be able to celebrate holidays with your
fellow expatriates. A list of embassies can be viewed at www.embassyworld.com
Tolerance for Overseas People
The first thing that may strike you is that it’s not very culturally diverse in Galway
compared to where you may have come from. Overseas students are treated well. Irish
people are very friendly and are genuinely interested in where you come from.
Galway people mind their own business and are polite. However, just like anywhere else
there are exceptions. You may get stared at or treated differently if you are obviously
‘not Irish’. Despite the friendliness foreign people are still considered by some Irish
people as ‘outsiders’ especially with the recent influx of asylum seekers into Ireland.
Payment of Fees
The Fees Office, is located in the Quadrangle. You should go and check to make sure
that everything is paid before registration day because the college may issue you with a
bill for late fees if your loans aren’t in. If for some reason your loans aren’t going to
come through by registration day, talk to Colette Gill in the Fees Office and explain your
situation. She’s very accommodating as long as you ask her nicely. Make sure you get a
receipt for full payment for the academic year.
Hours of service: M-F 9.15am - 1pm, 2:15pm - 5.15pm
Phone: 524411 Ext. 2386.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
NUI,Galway Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences (Dean's Office)
The Health Sciences Office is the place where all inquiries about medical curriculum are
handled for all the health science professions at Galway, including medicine. The Office
is located in the Clinical Science Institute on Costello Road. Rosaleen Carroll, Therese
Dixon and Maire Joyce are the administrators if you have any problems or questions.
Therese is there specifically to help International Students and is very helpful.
Office Hours:
M-F 9.15 am-1pm and 2.15 pm-5.15pm
Phone
Direct Line 524268 or 524222 Ext. 4475
Fax
750519
E-mail address
T.Dixon@mis.nuigalway.ie
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
Chapter 2:
College Life
Recreation and Sport
Sporting activities help students to relax and keep fit, and also provide the opportunity to
make new friends. The College Sports Centre is located in the Student Centre. Ms.
Kathy Hynes (Manager) is the person to contact there for information regarding opening
times, etc. The number of the Centre is (091) 750383, or College extensions 3482/3475.
There’s an International Students Society and a Muslim Youth Society.
There’s an open day for clubs and societies in the beginning of the year and you’ll be able
to join any that you want.
To become a member of a Club/Society, a student can register on the respective open
days for Clubs/Societies which are held each year in early October. The Medical Society
is a faculty based student society which organises social, sporting, academic
extracurricular activities. The class representative system should be able to help you out
with any queries regarding your course.
www.clubs.nuigalway.ie or www.soc.nuigalway.ie
The International Students Society provides a forum where Irish and overseas students
can meet and take part in social and cultural events together. Contact Ann Monahan,
Overseas Student Officer for further information. Ann.Monahan@nuigalway.ie. Ext.
3581.
Information System – the S.D.S. Website
Student Support Services within NUI, Galway hosts a comprehensive website covering all
aspects of Counselling, Health, Chaplaincy, Sport & Recreation, Overseas Students, the
Student Centre and more. You can keep up-do-date with what is happening in regards to
University Skills Programmes, Health Education Programmes, the Student Centre’s
exercise and fitness programme, and find lots of other useful information besides. The
internet website address that will start you off is: http://www.sin.ie
Religion Provision
For Muslim students there is a mosque where Friday prayers are held. The main campus
also has a small prayer room for students. There is a code on the door, so you’ll have to
ask your Muslim Youth Society representative what it is. The Clinical Science Institute
also has a small prayer room.
There are many churches of different denominations all over Galway (eg, Catholic,
Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, etc.). There is also a chapel on campus and
one in the hospital.
There is complete freedom of worship in Ireland. Chaplains representing the main
Christian churches are all available for consultation.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
Catholic:
Fr. Diarmuid Hogan, 48 Lower Newcastle.
Tel. 524853/524411, extension 2164
Sr. Avril O’Regan,
2 Distillery Road, Newcastle.
Tel. 524548/524411, extension 2168
Galway Islamic Centre:
13 Sandyview Drive, Riverside
Tel. 751621
Church of Ireland:
Rev. Patrick Towers, The Rectory, Taylor’s Hill.
Tel. 521914
Presbyterian/
Methodist:
Reformed Presbyterian:
Galway Christian
Fellowship:
Rev. Sahr Yambasu, , The Manse, 57 Westbrook,
Ballymoneen Road, Galway.
Tel. 591494
Rev. Raymond Blair, 89 Tirellan Heights,
Headford Road, Galway.
Tel. 763437
Mr. Fergal MacHale,
Monivea Road,
Galway.
Tel. 752989.
Cultural Differences
You have to do it yourself. That’s the biggest difference many students notice at
NUI,G (and in all of Ireland). You can get a fine education, but you have to expend
more effort. The fact that you were willing to come to Ireland to pursue your education
is a good sign that you are independent, motivated and mature enough to succeed here.
Things have improved in the past 7 years since Ireland’s economy took off. You will
quickly find, that Ireland has quite a relaxed pace of life. For example, you won’t have a
course schedule or syllabus until classes start (whereas you are probably used to having
one two weeks before the semester started back home). Dates of final exams will often
be announced as the exams approach, not at the beginning of the year. Don't pushpeople get offended and more walls go up. Be polite and ask questions, and your needs
will be met.
You may also find that you are given only as much attention as any "undergraduate"
course. Lecturers in the pre-clinical years are busy and sometimes preoccupied with
research. You will feel at times that the courses lack focus and direction, or that you
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
don’t know exactly what you are supposed to be reading. The Irish refer to this lack of
attention as "not being spoon fed." Call it what you like, but realise you have to take the
initiative to get things done. This is not, however, a reason to be discouraged about the
quality of medical training here. The other side of this coin is that you will do particularly
well in your courses if you put some extra effort into understanding the material and
picking up more information than what is given in lecture. To be positive about it, this is
good practice for a career that requires lifelong independent learning. Just as with any
experience, you will get out of it exactly what you put into it.
Nose to the Grindstone? Going straight from high school to medical school means
that Irish students are determined to enjoy college life as well as learn medicine. Irish
students are used to relaxing all year, then cramming (“swotting”) for two weeks before
finals, and passing exams that way.
Given their eagerness to enjoy college and their variable study habits, they may be
surprised to find out that you were studying on a Tuesday night with no exam for two
months. Everyone has their own approach, but the best plan is to do 2-3 hours of work
per night, and 5 or 6 hours on Saturday or Sunday, all year long. For most people, this is
enough time to keep up with all the lecture material and still have time to take off one
night and one weekend day each week to relax. This approach is much less stressful and
more effective than trying to cram eight months worth of anatomy, biochemistry and
physiology into the last two weeks in May.
Despite the demands on your time, it's also extremely helpful to join a college club or
society to meet people and maintain balance. Don't sacrifice every bit of your personal
life to the Altar of Medicine; you are expected to be a human being as well as a future
physician. Those who integrate into life in Ireland have a great time. (Don’t take this
too far though; you won’t get into a residency by saying, “At least I had a good time.”)
Social Life
The social life here often centres around alcohol and going out to pubs and clubs. You
may feel a bit isolated if you don’t drink alcohol or go to these pubs. However, there are
many non-Irish (and a few native Irish students) who prefer not to drink or socialize
around drinking. So, you’re not alone. If alcohol isn’t your thing, there’s the various
college clubs, the sports facilities and the movies (one cinema with 11 screens). Foreign
films are shown weekly (on Sunday nights) in the Town Hall Theatre from September to
December, sponsored by the Galway Film Society. There are also plays and musical
performances during the year both in the university theatre and in throughout the city.
Summer in Galway is punctuated with lots of colourful festivals the biggest of which is
the Galway Arts Festival in July.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
DAILY LIVING STUFF
Searching for Housing
For those of you who were lucky enough to get rooms in the student accommodation
consider yourself blessed; it’s a big hassle looking for a place to live. Below we have
given a list of the types of accommodation available to students in Galway.
The Student Accommodation Offices maintains an on-going link with registered
householders and accommodation services throughout Galway. Every effort is made to
ensure that students find suitable accommodation. However it should be noted that the
University does not own or control accommodation in the private sector. Students are
recommended to view a property very carefully. September is a particularly busy time
with new and returning students competing for limited accommodation. In short leave
plenty of time to seek suitable accommodation.
The Director of Student Accommodation, Ms. Margaret Faherty, provides a
comprehensive service to help students find suitable accommodation. She can be
contacted at the Accommodation Office, Quadrangle, NUI,Galway.
Hours of operation: M-F 9.15 am-1pm and 2.15 pm-5.15pm
Tel:
Fax:
353 91 750378
353 91 750505
E-mail: m.faherty@mis.nuigalway.ie
The best place to start looking for a flat or apartment is Galway Advertiser, the local
newspaper, which issues a list of accommodation each Wednesday at 2 p.m. at a cost of
1.27 Euro. Their office is located in Eyre Square Galway. The accommodation section
can be viewed online from Wednesday evening at
http://www.galwayadvertiser.ie/noframes/
Types of Accommodation
1.
(a)
On-Campus
Corrib Village
The campus has 176 self-catering apartments, providing accommodation for 760
students in 3&4 bed fully-furnished apartments. There are single or twin
standard rooms and en-suite rooms available. Corrib Village is located 10
minutes walking distance from the campus. Students can contact Corrib Village
directly for availability.
Tel.
Tel:
Fax:
E-mail:
Website address:
353 91 527112
353 91 519404
353 91 523661
info@corribstudents.com
http://www.corribstudents.com
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
Dunaras Apartments
Dunaras consists of both two and three-bedroomed fully equipped self
catering apartments with all bedrooms en-suite. Located just 15 minutes walk
from NUI,Galway, Dunaras provides accommodation for 409 students. This
style of accommodation is usually rented for the full
academic year. (180 – 220 Euro) per week per Apartment] [2 Bedroom].
Tel:
Fax
E-mail:
2.
353 91 589588
353 91 581222
cbracken@tbddevelopments.ie
Self-Catering Accommodation
This is where the student shares with the owner and has limited access to the
kitchen. Also worth knowing is that in self-catering accommodation, a students
may only have visitors at the discretion of the house owner. [Approx. 50.80 –
57.15 Euro per week].
3.
Shared Houses
These are normally rented for the full academic year (September to June). Rent
must be paid during Christmas and Easter vacations. The register of
houses/flats/apartments can be collected from the Student Accommodation
Office at the end of August. [A 3-bedroom house housing 5 students approx.
205 Euro per week].
4.
Bed-sits
There are sometimes known as studios and consist of one room in which a
student sleeps, cooks, etc. Students are discouraged from living in bedsits, as
they are seldom custom build and are sometimes represent poor value for money.
Experience also shows that students opting for this type of accommodation quite
often experience loneliness. [Approx. 102 Euro per week].
5.
Lodgings
Lodgings, otherwise known as "digs" is where the student stay with a host family
for the academic year. Some lodgings are only available on a 5-day basis
(Monday to Friday) and students cannot have visitors and must fit in with family
life.
[7 day week 95.25-107.95 Euro per week]
[5 day week 76.20-82.55 Euro per week].
6.
Temporary Accommodation
This is advisable to pre-book temporary accommodation such as a
hostel on arrival in Galway. There are a selection of room types
available and are of quite a high standard.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
Kinlay House, Merchants Road, Eyre Square, Galway.
Tel.
353 91 565244
Fax. 353 91 565245
Manager: Maeve Colohan
Rates for single 31.75 Euro.
Remember all tenants in shared houses and apartments should be prepared to pay one
month's advance rent and a deposit against damages not due to wear and tear. Utilities
such as oil and electricity are extra.
The accommodation used by most students is generally about 1 or 2 miles from the
campus, so you will need a bike or bus to get around. Rental costs rise steeply once you
get within a mile or so of the City Centre. Expect to pay 254 Euro per month for a wellequipped, two-bedroom apartment > 1 mile from campus. Nearer the university the rent
could rise to 762 Euro per month.
Try to find several classmates to share a house with you. Splitting the rent on a
three/four bedroom house can save lots of money if you’re willing to commute.
Wherever you live, check on the heating arrangements. Central Heating is a must!!
Groceries and Household Items
Big city-centre shops and department stores are open for six days a week, usually closing
at 5.30 p.m. or 6.00 p.m. Supermarkets are usually open late on Thursday and Friday
nights (until about 9.00 p.m.), and many are open seven days a week, but almost
everywhere you can find smaller corner shops staying open much longer hours, including
evenings and Sundays. They are usually a little more expensive for groceries than the
supermarkets. Most supermarkets will deliver groceries free of charge to your
accommodation.
Suggestions for Good Value:
(i)
For clothes, shoes, rainwear, bedding, towels and hardware:
Dunnes Stores (Eyre Square, Westside Shopping Centre, Terryland Shopping
Centre, Headford Road) and Penneys (Eyre Square Centre, Galway Shopping
Centre, Headford Road)
(ii)
For the same range of goods, plus electrical goods:
Roches Stores
(iii)
Main supermarkets in shopping centres for a general range of food:
Tesco (Galway Shopping Centre) and Dunnes Stores (branches listed above)
Super Valu (Eyre Square Centre)
(iv)
For wet weather clothing at reasonable prices:
Army and Navy Stores (Shop Street)
Dunnes Stores
Roches Stores
(v)
For sports clothing:
Lifestyle (Galway Shopping Centre, Headford Road)
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
(vi)
Irish-made gifts:
The Treasure Chest (Shop Street), Roches Stores, Craft Shop (Quay Street)
The area around Shop Street can meet all your shopping needs. Dunnes Stores You can
purchase all household items, such as duvets, sheets, lamps, and pots and pans at
Roches Dept. Stores (which generally has the best prices and selection) or Dunnes
Stores.
Food Shopping
At first the food appears quite bland. Coleslaw is very popular and is served with
everything you can imagine. People also eat a lot of chips (French fries).
Most students cook for themselves. The larger chain supermarkets: Dunnes Stores,
Supervalu, Tesco have the widest variety of food, especially fruits and vegetables. There
are good Fruit and Vegetable shops in the Terryland shopping centre and in central
Galway. Most of the supermarkets operate a free home delivery service, so you won’t
have to drag tons of bags home with you. Common herbs and spices are available in the
large supermarkets. There is a wider range available in the healthfood shops which are
situated in central Galway and in the Galway Shopping Centre on the Headford road.
The healthfood shops also stock a good range of vegetarian items.
For Muslim students who wish to eat Halal meat, there is a Mediterranean Foodstore in
Westside. It also sells imported Asian foods.
There are also canteens (cafeterias) in the university. There is a main canteen on campus,
one next to the hospital (known as the nurses’ canteen – it sometimes serves Halal meat),
one in the Clinical Science Institute and a few smaller sandwich and snack places.
However, the variety is not that great. There are restaurants all over Galway. Again,
there isn’t too much variety.
Pubs serve good food and many students like to have lunch in the College Bar.
There are many ‘corner shops’ that are open quite late. They can be a lifesaver when all
you need is a carton of milk or some chocolate. But they are a bit more expensive than
supermarkets.
Some supermarkets have “own brand” foodstuffs e.g. Tesco, St. Bernard in Dunnes.
These are usually cheaper than regular brands. Tesco, Dunnes and Supervalu will deliver
groceries to your accommodation if you spend over 20.00 Euro. Most supermarkets
have a good selection of lentils, beans, rice pasta etc., but it is also useful to know about
more specialist shops for buying these, plus oriental spices, fruit and vegetables outside
the normal Irish range. Some good shops:
*Healthwise
*McCambridge’s
*McDonagh’s
*Mediterranean Food store,
Lower Abbeygate Street
Shop Street
Fish Shop (Quay Street)
Westside. Hal-al meats are available at the
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
MEALS
The College Restaurant offers hot lunches and evening meals at reasonable prices.
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday
10.00 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. (breakfast)
12.00 noon – 2.30 p.m. (lunch) / 12.00 noon – 3.00 p.m. (grill bar)
4.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m. (evening service)
Friday
10.00 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. (breakfast)
12.00 noon – 5.00 p.m. (lunch & evening service)
The Junction (beside the Restaurant) opens
8.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m. (Monday – Thursday)
8.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. (Friday)
11.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m. (Saturday)
Snacks and light meals are also available in the Student Common Room (The Hub) in the
Student Centre, and also in the Student Bar and at two other snack bars on campus.
City centre restaurants are within eight minutes walking distance from the College.
Communications
Instructions for using telephones are found at the front of the telephone directory and in
the public telephone kiosks. A local call from a public telephone costs 38 cent for three
minutes. Call cards can be purchased at the Students Union Shop, post offices or at
general stores.
Special telephone services:
Operator
Directory Enquiries
Long Distance Calls
International Calls
dial 10
dial 11811
dial 10
dial 114
Telegrams (International) dial 196
Emergency International Telegrams dial 10
Time dial 1191
Do not ask the operator to make connections for you unless absolutely necessary,
as it is usually cheaper to dial through yourself.
Many students rely on mobile phones rather than getting a ‘land-line’ phone. There are
mobile phone shops all around Galway. You can get pre-paid cards to top up your
phone credit without having to enter into a phone contract (most students go for this
option).
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
If you want to install a land-line, it costs around 127 Euro to install and then another 29
Euro or so every two months t maintain the line. The tax is also very high and may make
up the bulk of your phone bill. It also might take up to 2 weeks to get your phone
installed.
To make international calls, your best bet is to buy a calling card or open an ESAT
Home account or a Spirit account. However, some Eircom rates via land-line can turn
out to be cheaper to certain countries. Be careful if you’re using a calling card from your
mobile phone because sometimes they charge a connection fee and a surcharge per
minute.
If you want to check your e-mail or surf the net you will be listed automatically with the
university computer service when you are registered with the university. You will have
access to your own e-mail address, secure electronic storage and full Internet access.
During the first few weeks, while you are waiting to get a college e-mail account, you can
use the Internet cafes in town. They charge around 5 Euro an hour. You can also open
your own Internet account to connect from home (of course, you’ll need a land-line
first). There are a few service providers (e.g., Eircom, Ireland Online, NTL, Ocean
Free). The lines are generally good.
If you wish to make a reversed charge (collect) call home, telephone freephone as
follows:
U.S.
France
Spain
1800 26 55 328
1800 55 10 33
1800 55 00 34
Germany
1800 550049
Transportation
BICYCLES
Can be hired or purchased second-hand from Europa Bicycles (opposite Cathedral),
Galway. Also check “for sale” advertisements in the Galway Advertiser newspapers.
The smaller bike shops away from the centre of town tend to offer good deals on used
bikes.
The national transport authority is Bus Eireann / Iarnrod Eireann (Irish Bus / Irish
Rail). Ceannt Station is the name of the bus/train terminal off Eyre Square in Galway
(behind the Great Southern Hotel). The Telephone Number is 561444 for train
services and 562000 for bus services. Private bus companies also operate from Galway
to Dublin on a daily basis. Tel. 797144.
You must have an International Student Identity Card with a current
TravelSave stamp
Twenty four hour talking timetables for Galway-Dublin trains 01-8054244.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
TAXI/HACKNEY
Can be expensive – ask what the price is likely to be before travelling!
Some useful numbers:
Big O Cabs
585858
Apollo/Corrib Cabs
567222
Pro Cabs
565900
United Hackney
529900
DRIVING IN IRELAND
A full driver’s licence from other countries is valid in Ireland for a period of up to one
year. The Irish drive on the left-hand side of the road. Maximum speed limit outside
towns is 88 km/h (55 m.p.h.). Seat belts are mandatory for drivers and all passengers.
Travel Agents and USIT/ISIC
The ISIC (International Student Identity Card) is a card that entitles you to cheap tickets.
It can be purchased in the USIT Office on the main Campus. USIT is a student-run and
student-friendly travel agency that sells cheap tickets for air and rail travel to anyone who
has an ISIC. To get the ISIC you need to supply a passport picture (which you can get at
USIT) and your university ID, which you will receive after registration during the first
week of October. You may also need a passport.
The ISIC costs 10 Euro but if you open a student account with the Bank of Ireland or
AIB Bank they will give you a voucher for a free ISIC card. They also sell a TravelSave
stamp, which is another 10 Euro (or sometimes free if you open an account), and will get
you discounts on travel in Ireland. If you will be travelling frequently by bus, or train, the
TravelSave stamp will quickly pay for itself. You do not need a TravelSave stamp to
book flights through USIT.
One note of caution: USIT fares are not necessarily the cheapest. Most of the time they
are, but sometimes you can get cheaper tickets with regular travel agents by flying via
other cities such as London or Paris. Shop around before you book a flight. The biggest
advantage to using USIT is the fact that you can change your flight date for about 31.75
Euro (depending on availability), whereas regular travel agents charge a lot more to
change your ticket. The biggest disadvantages are the smaller choice of flights, the long
lines at USIT, and the inexperienced student staff. Some students prefer to use a general
travel agent.
BANKING
Most banks provide bureau de change and travellers cheque facilities. Major credit cards
can all be used in Ireland (e.g. Visa, Access, Diner’s Club, American Express).
Bank opening hours are:
10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday
On Thursdays, banks are open until 5.00 p.m.
Banks:
Bank of Ireland at the end of the Concourse, NUI, Galway.
Allied Irish Bank on Distillery Road.
Ulster Bank opposite the University College Hospital.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
CURRENCY
The Euro became the official currency of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) on
1st January 1999.
POST OFFICES
The General Post Office (GPO) is on Eglinton Street, Galway. The opening times are
9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., Monday to Saturday (no lunch-time closing).
Postal services
Letters
Cards
Ireland/
Britain
E.C.
Airmail to countries
outside Europe
38pc
38c
38c
38c
57c
57c
A Post Office is located adjacent to the Newcastle Road entrance/exit to the College.
Services include stamps, registered post, express mail, parcel post, money orders, postal
orders, international reply coupons, T.V. licences and savings accounts. Local Post
Offices are open between 9.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. approximately, Monday to Friday. The
Post Office on the Newcastle Road closes 1.00 p.m. – 2.00 p.m. for lunch.
Bookstores
You can purchase textbooks in any of the following bookstores:
1. Fannin HealthCare- Dominick Street, Galway.
2. University bookshop – main concourse.
3. Easons (Shop Street.) Selection is limited.
4. Upper level students sell their used books on campus- look for the ads posted
just outside the Health Science Office and on the bulletin boards across
campus.
Health and Insurance
A student health service is provided on campus, which is free and completely
confidential. It is staffed by two doctors and two nurses, a physiotherapist and a sports
injuries therapist. The Student Health Service does not cover the cost of prescribed
medicine, hospitalisation, and optical or dental treatment so it is advisable to have a
thorough medical check up before leaving home. Students should ensure that they
arrange private medical insurance prior to departing from their home country or in
Ireland on their arrival.
Further information on medical care and regulations relating to overseas students can be
obtained from Ann Monahan, Room 218, Block S, NUI, Galway or from Nurse Edel
Quinn, Student Health Unit, NUI, Galway.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
The years ahead: NUI,G has a reputation for good clinical instruction. From what we
have experienced so far, each year seems to be better than the last. Throughout the
course, NUI,G strongly emphasizes self-directed learning, meaning you are required to
do a lot of independent reading without the safety net of a highly detailed syllabus. The
medical school also seems to operate on a sort of “inverse care law”– those who are the
most hapless (1st, 2nd and 3rd Meds), receive the least resources and guidance. However,
do not be discouraged. Third Med begins to seem clinically relevant and even enjoyable.
By 4th Med you will be treated like (and feel like) medical students rather than
undergraduates, and by 5th Med most of us were impressed with the personalised
instruction we received. The Final (6th) Medical Year is an excellent system of clinical
training, and it will make a qualified, competent physician out of you when you finally get
there.
The biggest advantage to studying medicine in Ireland, however, is the Irish people
themselves. The Irish medical school environment is much less “cut-throat” than those
you might find in other countries. While there is some personal and national pride at
stake when grades come out, cooperation and camaraderie are the norm. During the
clinical years, you’ll find that Irish patients love talking to students (sometimes for longer
than you would like) and are almost always willing to let you “practice medicine” on
them. This translates into endless opportunities to perfect your skills of history taking
and physical examination, which will give you a valuable foundation for your future
career.
The remainder of this Guide contains information about the course during each of the 6
years. If you are entering as a 2 in1 student, skip ahead to the 2nd med chapter.
Information regarding each year has been compiled from the opinions of students who
have just finished the year. Please read on with the caveat that things will be slightly
different for each student and from year to year.
Good luck in your first year!
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
Chapter 3:
Guide to Your Undergraduate years and the
Intern Year.
The Medical Course – An Overview
The medical course for most students is a 6-year course which is divided into two and a
half years of pre-clinical sciences and three and a half years of clinical sciences. It is
possible to do a 5 year medical course at NUI,Galway. However entry to the 5-year
programme will require excellent results at A level or international baccalaureate. It is
also possible for students with a prior science degree to do a 5-year curriculum.
The pre-clinical sciences aim to provide the students with a sound grounding in the
essential sciences for the practice of medicine. The course moves rapidly from biology,
chemistry and physics to the more applied sciences of anatomy, biochemistry and
physiology. Students meet patients from the first year onwards. There are two early
patient contact programmes in the first and second years, and a basic clinical training
programme in the third medical year.
The medical course is delivered over 3 terms. The Winter term begins in mid to late
September and carries on until the second week in December. The Spring term runs
from the first week in January to early March. The Summer term begins at the end of
March or early April and carries on into June. Most major examinations occur in either
May or June with the option to repeat examinations in the autumn.
The Grading System.
A pass in any assessment is 50%
Second class honours is 60%
First class honours is 70%.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
THE FIRST MEDICAL YEAR
The first medical year is designed to introduce you to the basic sciences of medicine.
The subjects include Experimental Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Behavioural Science and
Medical Computing. The Early Patient Contact programme involves introducing
students to patients and allowing students to practice patient interview skills.
Assessment
The major assessment for the first medical year occurs in the spring term with the repeats
occurring in the autumn. You will be examined in physics, chemistry and biology.
First Med: The students’ point of view
For some overseas students who have completed premed courses in the U.S, Botswana
or Malaysia, the First Year course might prove to be quite frustrating. You may have
covered most of the subject matter before. It can be a great year however for making
friends, getting to know Galway and settling in
Experimental Physics and Chemistry will be examined at the end of the first term. You
will also have an exam in parasitology around the same time. After the winter holiday,
you will be introduced to some new subjects including statistics, psychology, anatomy
(musculoskeletal system, nervous system), embryology and histology. Examinations for
these subjects are held in summer, early June and repeat exams are held in August.
The early patient contact (EPC) programme gives you the chance to meet patients in the
ward and lasts for 2 weeks.
Being first med gives you a chance to make friends with your classmates while
everyone is meeting for the first time. You will definitely be doing your
attachment and work more frequently with them all over the next 5-6 years.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
THE “TWO-IN-ONE OPTION
The 2-in-1 program applies to those students who have either completed an
undergraduate science degree or who previous education included undergraduate study in
a scientific discipline. This mainly applies to those whose coursework has partially
overlapped the First Medical Year.
The following courses apply:
First Medical Year:
Anatomy (Musculoskeletal system).
Biochemistry
Intro to Psychology
Genetics
Biology
Physics
General and Organic Chemistry
Histology (basic)
Embryology (basic)
Second Medical Year: Anatomy (Systems and Clinical)
Biochemistry
Physiology
Histology
Embryology
When applying for 2-in-1 status one must submit complete documentation regarding
previous coursework to both the Dean of Medicine and the Professor of each
relevant academic department; the major departments being Anatomy, Physiology, and
Biochemistry. Upon processing your submission, the department subsequently
determines your eligibility for exemptions and forwards a recommendation to the Dean
of Medicine. Therefore, the 2-in-1 syllabus is largely individual as it is formed by those
subjects from which you are not exempt.
Generally, the 2-in-1 program is a challenging year involving a rigorous academic
schedule thus, time management skills are essential. After successful completion of the
2-in-1 program, the student advances into the third medical year. As promised by the
title, the completion of two years of medical study in one year, enables the medical
degree to be earned in five years, rather than six.
Often, information is best received from those who have experienced the program firsthand. You may contact former 2-in-1, Elaine Byrne via e-mail at
Elaine.byrne@nuigalway.ie for such inquiries.
If you feel you are eligible for this program, please contact the Dean of Medicine for
further information.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
THE SECOND MEDICAL YEAR
Second Medical Year
The second medical year is often viewed by students as the year in which they start
medicine proper. The main subjects are Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry. There
is a second Early Patient contact course in which students spend time in general practice
seeing and examining patients, and observing doctors at work.
Assessment

Physiology: There are continuous assessment quizzes every other week. They make
up a large part of your marks at the end of the year. The main exam is at the end of
the year in May, along with an oral exam.

Biochemistry: You have an MCQ in December and another one in March along with
a practical MCQ in systems anatomy in December and another one in March along
with a practical MCQ. The main exam is in May and there also an oral exam.

Anatomy: You have an MCQ in systems anatomy in December along with an oral
exam in systems anatomy. The main exam in May encompasses systems anatomy,
histology, embryology and clinical anatomy which you will have studied as separate
subjects. They are all examined on the one anatomy paper. The end of the year oral
also includes all those subjects. There is a histology spot test at the end of the year
also.
The first semester (till Christmas) seems quite relaxed, as there are no big exams till
May. However, the heat builds up around March and people start to seriously get
down to studying.
There is an option to repeat in the autumn term.
Second Med: The students’ point of view
Basically there are only three subjects (anatomy, biochemistry and physiology) that you
will be studying in this year. That is what is written in your result transcript anyway. But
don’t party just yet. In this part of the course, Anatomy is divided into systemic
embryology (as opposed to general embryology in the first year), histology and clinical
anatomy. The good news is biochemistry and physiology are not divided into separate
subjects, but are still tough subjects and it is recommended to get advice from seniors or
lecturers about which books are best to use. Minor exams are held in the winter term
for anatomy. Physiology quizzes are held when you finish each body system. The marks
for the quizzes will add up to about 20% of your final marks. All the major exams will be
held in June as well as the repeat in August.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
THE THIRD MEDICAL YEAR
The third medical year is where student begin to leave the pre-clinical sciences behind
and move on to the clinical sciences. The first term consists of pharmacology,
neuroscience, biochemistry, applied physiology and behavioural sciences. The second or
spring term includes pharmacology, behavioural sciences, practical nursing (in which you
are attached to a nursing team for one week), an introductory clinical course and a
mechanisms of diseases course. The introductory clinical course has been designed to
teach students the basic skills of medicine. The include history taking, examination skills
and interpretation. It is a very comprehensive course that is run over 4 weeks and is
always highly rated by students. The mechanisms of disease course is an integrated
course run by the Departments of Pathology and Bacteriology in which the basic
mechanisms by which disease expresses itself are demonstrated and discussed.
The third term of third med includes the subjects of pathology, bacteriology, medical
informatics, medicine and surgery. This is where students begin their full exposure to a
clinical course. Their subjects are bacteriology and pathology are essential to the practice
of medicine. Medical Informatics shows students how medical information is created,
derived, stored and used. The students learn how to put their new found history taking
and examination skills to good use on the medicine and surgery attachments.
Assessment









Neuroscience exam is in December. There is also a neuroanatomy spot test.
Biochemistry exam in December. There is an oral.
Pharmacology exam is at the end of February. There is a pass/fail/honours oral.
Behavioural Science exam is at the end of February. There is an essay that is due in
November.
In January, you'll have a nursing attachment in the hospital for a week. This week
will be free from lectures and you'll spend your entire day on your assigned ward with
the nurses. This is usually quite boring and you don't get to do or see too much. But
its exciting finally to be in the hospital.
Once you have finished the "big" exams you can sit back and relax a bit from March
to June. There is an MCQ at the end of it but it's not worth much.
You'll also begin Pathology and Bacteriology which you'll finish in 4th year (and be
examined in then). There is a bacteriology essay that’s due at the end of May.
Pathology has MCQs after each section, so you'll probably have one or two MCQs
before the end of third year.
Medicine and Surgery: There is a negatively marked MCQ in May (again, no one
knows exactly how much its worth). You'll have a series of Medicine and Surgery
MCQs from now until Final Med.
You start clinical attachments. You will be assigned to a doctor or surgeon and his
team and you spend any free time following them around, receiving tutorials, taking
patient histories and standing around in operation theatres trying to look useful and
contaminate anything. The quality of the attachments varies. Some consultants
ignore you completely and put the burden of the teaching work onto their team,
whereas others are extremely helpful and take a more personal approach to teaching.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
Third Med: The students’ point of view
This year is going to be an interesting year as you are undergoing ‘transformation’ they
called it, from preclinical years to clinical years. Basically, you can consider yourself as
seniors to 1st and 2nd years. You will be sitting for your major finals in Neuroscience
which consists of neuroanatomy (100 is the full mark) and neurophysiology (also 100 is
the full mark) and Biochemistry AGAIN. Yes, this subject will still be haunting you till
your third year, but it is there for a good reason , trust us!
Concurrently, you will be having your lectures in pharmacology and behavioural science
and these two subjects will be examined in spring –around end of February. And on
March, where your clinical years begin, you will kick off with Introductory to Clinical
Course Programme which consists of video sessions, lectures and practical classes. This
course will take a month to complete after which lectures and attachments in medicine as
well as surgery will start. Basically the Introductory course, medicine and surgery will be
examined as multiple-choice questions (MCQ’s), which will form part of your final med
marks. This of course will be a minor contribution but you will be better of try to score
in these. Together with the surgery and medicine attachment you have, you will be given
lectures in pathology, bacteriology and medical infomatics as well. These are actually your
3 main subjects in 4th year. They started early simply because you finished your third year
course early and because they are a lot in it and you are going to finish it early in 4th year
as well. You will have your MCQ’s in June for two systems namely cardiovascular and
respiratory for pathology. That’s it for exams in third med. If you pass your exams in
winter and spring, you are to be sure to be called 4th Meds.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
THE FOURTH MEDICAL YEAR
The fourth medical year is a continuation of the end of the third medical for the first two
terms. That is you will continue to do Pathology, Bacteriology, Medical Informatics,
Medicine and Surgery.
This is the year that you will really begin to feel like a medical students now. It will feel
very exciting to wear your freshly starched and ironed white coat and carry your
stethoscope around in your pocket (which goes unused for weeks, depending on which
attachment you’re doing).
Assessment




The major examinations take place in March in the subjects of Pathology,
Bacteriology and Medical Informatics.
The third or summer term consists of Social and Preventative Medicine, Forensic
Medicine, Medical Ethics, Human Rights, Legal Medicine and Dermatology.
You will have third term exams in Social and Preventative Medicine, Forensic
Medicine, Medical Ethics, Human Rights and Legal Medicine.
There are repeats in the autumn.
Fourth Med: The students’ point of view
As mentioned, your core subjects are Pathology, Bacteriology, Medicine, Surgery and
Medical Informatics. For pathology, you are going to have MCQ’s after you have
finished each of the systems you are taught. For bacteriology, you will have to write an
essay and submit the title for the lecturer’s approval and your major exam will be in early
February together with pathology and medical informatics. Medicine and surgery lectures
and attachments in hospital will be ongoing in this year and MCQ’s will be held in
December. After the spring exam, subjects like social and preventive medicine, forensic
medicine, medical ethics, human rights, legal medicine and dermatology will be
introduced. Examinations for these subjects are held in June and repeats will be in
August.
SUMMER ELECTIVES
During the summer months you have ample free time to add to your medical experience.
A good option is a research project. There are projects available at NUI,G if you want to
spend a summer in Galway. Ask around- many research groups both on campus and in
the hospitals would be happy to have another pair of hands.
Staying in Ireland
The advantages are obvious- you can pick whatever subject you like, with a consultant
who is known to be eager to teach, and guarantee yourself a spot by asking early.
Consultants in affiliated hospitals are very willing to have you hang around for an extra
month. The disadvantage is that you don’t get to see medicine practiced in another
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
country. It helps to see things somewhere else to identify strengths and weaknesses of
the Irish system.
Wherever you end up on your elective, prepare for it by reading about the subject in
advance, approaching it with enthusiasm, and focusing on getting a good letter of
recommendation out of it.
THE FIFTH MEDICAL YEAR
The fifth medical year is divided up into a series of clerkships. These are in Paediatrics,
Psychiatry, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Oto-rhino-laryngology and
General Practice. There are also lectures in Surgery and Medicine. The major exams are
in General Practice, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology and ENT and are held in
May of the fifth medical year. Repeat examinations are held in the autumn.
Assessment
You will undergo assessments in all the major subjects including Paediatrics, Psychiatry,
General Practice and Obstetrics & Gynaecology. These are held on a phased basis
throughout the year.
Fifth Med: The students’ point of view
The 5th Medical year is really the beginning of your final med to be frank. There are series
of clerkships in Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Ear,
Nose and Throat (ENT) and general practice. As it has started in third year, lectures and
attachments in medicine and surgery will also go on in this year. During this year, you will
also be posted to hospitals outside Galway for a two-week attachment for exposure and
in the summer you will have to do your attachment for a month in any hospital
regardless of where the hospital is (e.g. Ireland, US, Malaysia, Botswana, India), as long as
it is not in Galway regional hospital.
SUMMER ELECTIVES
During the summer months you have ample free time to add to your medical experience.
A good option is a research project. There are projects available at NUI,G if you want to
spend a summer in Galway. Ask around- many research groups both on campus and in
the hospitals would be happy to have another pair of hands.
Staying in Ireland
The advantages are obvious- you can pick whatever subject you like, with a consultant
who is known to be eager to teach, and guarantee yourself a spot by asking early.
Consultants in affiliated hospitals are very willing to have you hang around for an extra
month. The disadvantage is that you don’t get to see medicine practiced in another
country. It helps to see things somewhere else to identify strengths and weaknesses of
the Irish system.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
Voluntary Services Abroad (VSA)
This is a program that sends students to developing countries to give them a glimpse of
what life is like outside the comforts of Western civilization. Don’t be fooled into
thinking you will save a little corner of the world if you go; usually it turns out to be an
exotic vacation in a place you otherwise might never see. The advantages: you can
choose any poor country on earth and see spectacular sights. You can get funding to
help you get there. You may even help a few people along the way. You may have the
best summer of your life. And when is the next time you are you going to have the
chance to visit a developing country for free? In addition, if you have a strong academic
record, a visit to the Third World gives you an interesting background when applying to
residencies.
The disadvantages: You may learn medical habits that you cannot practice anywhere.
You will have to invest time throughout the year to raise money for VSA.
THE FINAL MEDICAL YEAR
The final medical year includes the subjects of Medicine, Surgery, Anaesthetics,
Radiology and revision courses if necessary in Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Another
feature of the year is the junior internships. During these, the students are attached to as
junior interns for 4 week periods to medical or surgical firms either in Galway or
elsewhere. These are very valuable when preparing for imminent graduation and
internship.
Assessment
The final medical examination is held in May of each with the option to repeat in the
autumn.
Final Med: The students’ point of view
Finally, here you are in your last year of study after which you will be paid for what you
do, but still the most important thing to bear in mind is that you will be in for a very big
responsibility for any action you do or decide which will involve the life and well being of
your patient. But anyway, don’t be discouraged by the first line I have written, the good
thing is, by this year you would have known a lot after your five year of study/four for
the 2 in l students and basically, if you revised them all back and study your materials in
your final year as it supposed to be, you will have no problem of becoming a good doctor
and patients will be glad having you as their treating doctor.
Subjects taught in this year include Radiology, Medicine and Surgery (AGAIN – but no
worry, this will be the last of it), Anesthetics and revision courses if necessary in
Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Another feature of the year is junior internships. During
these, you are attached to as junior interns for 4 weeks periods to medical or surgical
firms either in Galway or elsewhere. These are very valuable when preparing for
imminent graduation and internship. The final medical examination is held in May of
each year with the option to repeat in the autumn.
One last thought: Galway is a great place to do medicine, but it is up to you to make the
best of what Galway has to offer. The best of luck to you all!!!
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
THE INTERN YEAR
All medical students who qualify from NUI,Galway are guaranteed an intern year. This
is a pre-registration year in which you are temporarily registered by the Irish Medical
Council as a medical practitioner, but you are practising under supervision. The year
typically consists of 6 months spent as a medical intern and 6 months as a surgical intern.
During your internship you will be attached to a medical or surgical team. As the most
junior member of the team, a lot of the organisation and responsibility for the team will
fall to you. This includes doing the admission of new patients, the organisation of tests
and procedures and the reporting of events on a daily basis to other members of the
team, including the consultant. You will need to be good at keeping medical records and
at organising your time. You will have your first proper experience of on-call. You can
expect to be on duty over night at least 2 nights a week on average.
The intern year will provide you with great experience and will get you off to a good start
in your medical career. You will be well supported by other members of your team who
will typically include at least one Senior House Officer (greater than one year post
qualification) and a Specialist Registrar in addition to the team leader or consultant.
When you complete your intern year, you need to arrange with the Dean for a certificate
of satisfactory completion of the intern year. When this is sent to the Irish Medical
Council, you are then eligible for full registration within Ireland and elsewhere. Your
medical degree is recognised in all countries in the world, but you will have to do further
entrance tests such as the PLAB if you come from outside the EU area in the EC and the
USLME if you intend working in the United States.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
CHAPTER 4
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
Useful Addresses
Overseas Student Officer,
Ann Monahan,
Overseas Student Officer,
Room 201, Block S,
Tel. (091) 524411 Ext. 3581/2781.
E-mail. ann.monahan@nuigalway.ie
Counselling & Pastoral Care
Jim Byrne, Counsellor
Margaret Fletcher-Egan, Counsellor
Student Development Services,
Room C104, Aras de Brun,
Tel. (091) 524411 Ext. 2484.
(091) 750377 Direct Line
Sport & Recreation
Tony Regan,
Sport & Recreation Officer,
Aras na MacLeinn.
Tel. (091) 524411 Ext. 2235.
E-mail. m.doran@mis.nuigalway.ie or
Maria McHugh (Secretary)
Aras na MacLeinn,
Tel. (091) 524411, Ext. 3482.
Student Health
Dr. Fionnuala Lysaght-Geraghty
Student Health Unit,
Aras na MacLeinn.
Tel: (091) 524411 Ext. 2604.
Consular Section,
Department of Foreign Affairs,
72-76 St. Stephen’s Green,
Dublin 2. Tel. (01) 4780822
Islamic Foundation of Ireland
163-165 South Circular Road,
Dublin.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
Useful Web Addresses
www.medicalcouncil.ie
This website gives an overview of what
the Irish Medical Council is, how it functions
and provides some insight into Medicine training
in Ireland.
www.pgmdb.ie
The Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board has
Information on postgraduate training in Ireland.
www.medicalcouncil.ie
Irish Medical Council
www.whb.ie
The Western Health Board.
www.fsmb.org
The Federation of State Medical Boards Website.
www.usmle.org
The Official USMLE website.
www.ecfmg.org
First stop for Foreign Medical Graduates wanting
To head to the States.
www.socs.nuigalway.ie and www.clubs.nuigalway.ie
This new site allows access to the webpages of
NUI,Galway’s Clubs and Societies.
www.sin.ie
This is the official website for NUI,Galway students
With access to up-to-date information, clubs and
Societies events, on-line bulletin boards etc.
Useful Maps
Map of Galway City (See Overleaf)
Map of NUI,Galway (See Overleaf)
Schematic map of Galway City and NUI, Galway’s Location
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway
Schematic map of Galway City and NUI, Galway’s Location
Map of main Campus – NUI, Galway
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2001, Press & Information Office, NUI Galway.
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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway