International Student Application Process

All non-EEA students must enrol in a full-time course to satisfy their visa requirements. You may need a visa to come to Ireland if you’re a non-EU/EEA & non-Swiss national. For visa requirements please check the INIS website.

Undergraduate applications 

Learners applying for full undergraduate degree programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), and who are liable for full non-EU tuition fees, should apply directly to Galway Business School at info@galwaybusinessschool.ie 

Applicants can expect a decision usually within 1-4 weeks of submitting a complete application.

Your application must include:

• The completed Galway Business School Application.
• Original or certified copies of school transcripts/examination certificates (or forecast results if available). Where an applicant has not yet completed Secondary School (High School), the most recent transcript should be submitted.
• A copy of your Passport
• A Personal Statement (typed) of no more than 500 words outlining your academic interests, sporting and/or cultural interests and your reasons for wanting to study at Galway Business School. You may also include any relevant work or professional experience that you have acquired that will be beneficial to your studies.
• Two Letters of Recommendation, ideally from a teacher and/guidance counsellor or someone who knows you personally.

English Language requirements for international students

If you are a non-native speaker of English, you must have an English language level of IELTS 6.0+ or its equivalent for all business degree programmes.

Pre-sessional Business English

If you are a non-native speaker of English, you must have an English language level of IELTS 6.0+ or its equivalent for all business degree programmes.

All international learners must complete a mandatory 3-week extensive pre-sessional business English course prior to the beginning of all Galway Business School academic programmes. 

This course will be delivered online for all students to facilitate travel arrangements ahead of the start of the academic year.

The pre-sessional business English programme will provide you with an intense focus on academic English. You will also gain the analytical tools needed to study a full undergraduate course at Galway Business School.

This is a mandatory requirement and the course will take place in our language school Galway Cultural Institute.

If you're not sure of your level now, you can take this quick online English level test.

Visa Application and Refund Policy

Visa students payment 

If you require a visa before you come to Ireland, you should pay your fees in our Escrow account Transfermate. With no fees or set up costs, preferential exchange rates and lower admin costs, GBS  students can make significant savings on admin time and bank charges worldwide.

Transfermate benefits:

• Receive international payments within 48 hours
• Fully referenced payments for instant reconciliation
• Eliminate international receiving transfer fees
• Back-end system with full payment history
• 24/7 customer service and online tracking of payments

Please see link below. 

When to apply

Our main student intake is September of each year, the start of a new academic year. Occasionally, we have a second intake in our business school, January of each year. 

Applications for September entry can be submitted from 1st of January of every year while applications for January intake can be submitted after September of each year. 

Applications for current academic year should be submitted by at least six weeks prior to the new academic year starting date the latest (e.g. August 15th for September intake, December 15th for January intake), but in some cases late application are also accepted, pending review from the admissions department. 

Application Fee

There is no application fee for Non-EU Undergraduate Applications.

View all fees here. 

Stay back option

The Irish government offers a one-year stay back visa for bachelor degrees graduates and up to two years for master’s graduates. This allows non-EU/EEA students who have graduated from Irish higher education institutions to remain in Ireland for up to 24 months to seek employment.

 Many international students stay in Ireland after finishing their studies and start their careers here.

• Graduates with an award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications will be granted a twelve-month permission
• Graduates with an award at Level 9 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications qualify for the Programme will be granted permission for twenty-four months

Medical Insurance

Non-EU students are required to purchase medical Insurance before they travel to Ireland. It is a requirement of your Visa to have medical insurance. The Galway Business School can assist you in this process. Please ask the GBS academic team about medical insurance when you are enquiring about your course. 

The policy provider and policies meet the insurance requirement for non-EEA students.

How to submit your application

Please submit your complete application by email to info@galwaybusinessschool.ie

Application deadline

Applications would need to be submitted by mid-July (end of July the latest) prior to September intake for all visa requiring students to allow for an effective visa application process. Similarly, applications must be submitted by 31st October prior to the following January intake.