Living in Galway: A city guide for international students

Galway is Ireland’s fourth-largest city and has a strong reputation as a college town. With a large student population at the University of Galway, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway, and several other English language and business schools, students make up approximately 20% of the city's residents during term time. Offering a youthful and vibrant vibe, the city centre is conveniently sized, meaning students can reach classes, cafes, and part-time jobs on foot or by bike without a long commute. 

Galway is also an important industry hub. It's home to one of the world's leading clusters of medical technology companies, including Medtronic, Boston Scientific and Aran Biomedical, as well as a growing tech and pharmaceutical sector. This creates internship, placement and part-time work opportunities for students studying engineering, science, business, and computing. 

Culturally, Galway offers a wide range of experiences for a city of its size. It's known as Ireland's festival capital, hosting the Galway International Arts Festival, the Galway Races, and a busy calendar of traditional music, literature and film events throughout the year. The city also sits at the edge of the Wild Atlantic Way, with the Aran Islands, Connemara, and the Cliffs of Moher all within easy reach for weekend trips. 

It's worth noting that Galway has a wetter, cooler climate than many other study destinations, and its popularity among students means accommodation can be competitive, particularly near campus. With early planning, students can prepare for these challenges. The sections below explore these areas in more detail. 

Compared with Dublin, Galway is generally more affordable for international students, while still offering a high standard of living. As a general guide, international students in Galway may spend approximately €450 to €1,000 ($520-$1,160) per month on living costs, excluding tuition fees and rent. However, the exact amount will depend on your accommodation, lifestyle, and spending habits. 

Here's a general breakdown of what to expect: 

 *Please note that USD figures are estimates only. 

Student discounts can help you manage everyday expenses in Galway. Many shops, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, and local attractions offer student rates, so remember to carry your student ID and ask about discounts before paying. You may also benefit from an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which can provide access to additional student discounts on travel, culture, entertainment, and other services in Galway.

Securing accommodation early is one of the most important things you can do before moving to Galway. The city has a large student population relative to its size, and housing near the University of Galway and the city centre can fill up quickly ahead of the academic year. 

Key neighbourhoods to explore 

Galway is made up of a handful of distinct areas, each with a different feel, price point, and distance from campus. 

 When comparing areas, think beyond rent alone. Consider your commute, safety, proximity to a supermarket, and the kind of daily life you want, whether that's a quiet residential street or a central location close to shops, services and entertainment. Your university's accommodation office is usually the best starting point for verified listings and safety guidance. 

Housing options for international students 

• University-managed and on-campus housing: Often the most practical option for first-year international students, with accommodation such as Corrib Village on the University of Galway campus. It offers convenience and opportunities to meet other students, though some of the student residences can be more expensive than off-campus options. 

• Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA): Privately run, furnished developments aimed specifically at students, typically found around Newcastle and the city centre. These often include bills and amenities such as study spaces, gyms, and communal areas in the rent, which can make budgeting more predictable. 

• Shared houses and apartments: Renting privately with flatmates, common in areas like Newcastle, Salthill, and Shantalla, is usually the most affordable option and offers flexibility in choosing your area. It does mean arranging utilities, internet, and a lease yourself, along with an upfront deposit. 

• Homestays: Living with a local host family can be a good option if you are new to independent living or want extra support settling in. It can also help you build confidence with everyday English and learn more about Irish culture and customs. 

Cost of accommodation options 

Accommodation costs vary depending on the type of housing, location and what's included: 

*Please note that USD figures are estimates only. 

Whichever option you choose, read your tenancy agreement carefully before signing. Check what's included in the rent, the notice period, and your responsibilities as a tenant, and try to view the accommodation in person or via a verified virtual tour before making any payments. 

Student life in Galway is shaped by the city's compact size and its reputation as a festival capital. With so much happening within walking distance, it's easy to build a social life alongside your studies. 

• Music: Traditional music sessions are a nightly feature in pubs such as Tigh Neachtain and Monroe's Tavern, where local musicians gather informally to play. The Latin Quarter around Quay Street is the centre of Galway's nightlife, with live music, buskers and a vibrant social scene. 

• Festivals: Galway hosts an unusually busy festival calendar for its size. The Galway International Arts Festival in July, A Taste of Galway food festival in May and November, the Galway Races Summer Festival in July/August, Galway Comedy Festival in October, and several other literary, movie, music, food and comedy festivals throughout the year. 

• Sport: Rugby is huge in Galway, home to Connacht Rugby, while Gaelic football and hurling draw passionate local support. Many students join university sports clubs, from rowing on the River Corrib to paddleboarding at Salthill. 

• Food: Galway offers a diverse food scene, from the Saturday Galway Market near St Nicholas' Church, which sells local produce, seafood, baked items, and more. You’ll also find a growing range of restaurants serving international cuisines in the city, reflecting its diverse student population. 

• The outdoors: Salthill Promenade is a favourite for walks, runs, and sea swims year-round, and the surrounding coastline offers surfing and sea kayaking within a short bus or drive from the city centre. For those preferring hiking and other land-based adventures, there are Connemara National Park and Derroura Mountain Bike Trail.  

Galway is one of the most walkable student cities in Ireland, and many students living centrally can reach campus, work and social life entirely on foot. 

• Bus network: Bus Éireann and City Direct operate Galway's city buses under the Transport for Ireland (TFI) framework. The bus routes cover the university, city centre, Salthill and outer suburbs like Knocknacarra and Renmore. A TFI Student Leap Card can help get reduced fares on these services and is worth applying for as soon as you enrol. 

• Walking and cycling: The compact layout means many students walk to lectures, especially from areas like Newcastle and the city centre. Cycling is increasingly popular, with several bike lanes and a growing network connecting the university to nearby neighbourhoods. 

• Intercity travel: Galway has direct train and bus links to Dublin (around 2-2.5 hours), as well as regular services to Limerick, Cork and towns across the west of Ireland, making weekend trips straightforward. 

• Car ownership: Usually less common among students given the city's size. 

Living on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way 

One of the biggest attractions of studying in Galway is its position at the edge of the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's longest defined coastal driving route. Living here gives you easy access to some of the country's most dramatic scenery without needing to travel far. 

The Aran Islands, reachable by a short ferry from Galway City Docks or Rossaveal, offer a glimpse of traditional island life and Irish-speaking communities. Connemara, just west of the city, is known for its mountains, bogland and coastal villages, and is a popular weekend hiking or day-trip destination. The Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland's best-known natural landmarks, are also within reach by bus tour or car. 

Closer to home, Galway itself sits on Galway Bay, and Salthill's promenade is a daily fixture for many residents, whether for a run, a swim, or simply watching the sunset. This access to nature and the coast is a defining part of student life in Galway, and something that sets it apart from Ireland's larger cities. 

Galway is a significant economic hub for its size, and this creates real opportunities for students looking to gain work experience or supplement their income. 

The city is becoming one of Europe's leading centres for medical technology, home to major employers including Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and a cluster of smaller medtech and biomedical companies. This makes Galway a strong base for students studying engineering, biomedical science, business or computing who are looking for internships, placements or graduate roles. The wider region also has a growing technology and pharmaceutical sector. 

For part-time work alongside your studies, Galway's hospitality, retail, and tourism sectors offer plenty of opportunities, particularly given the city's steady flow of visitors and its busy festival calendar. Popular part-time roles include hospitality, retail, tutoring, and campus-based jobs through your university. 

You should check the specific work rights attached to your visa status before accepting any paid work, as rules on weekly hours during term time and holidays can change and vary by nationality and course type. Many students also become eligible for a post-study work visa after graduation, subject to current immigration requirements, which can be a valuable pathway into the Irish job market. 

Once you're settled in Galway, it’s helpful to know a few things about day-to-day life in the city. 

The weather can shape your daily habits more than you might expect. Rain arrives without much warning, so locals and students alike carry a compact umbrella and a waterproof jacket as standard, and wearing layers is the norm rather than the exception, even in summer.  

Healthcare works differently here. For most health concerns, you will need to visit a local general practitioner (GP) rather than going straight to a hospital, and a routine GP visit typically costs somewhere between €50 and €70 unless it's covered by your insurance. University Hospital Galway handles emergencies, but waiting times can be long, so it's worth registering with a GP early rather than waiting until you're unwell. 

Galway is a genuinely safe city by international standards, though the usual precautions apply, particularly late at night. The Garda station on Mill Street handles non-emergency queries like Fire and rescue, ambulance, coast guard, etc.  

Life in Galway tends to beslower-paced and more social than in a larger city. It’s common to see familiar faces in shops and cafes and make small talk with locals. The community feels tightly knit given the city's size, something many students say takes a little adjustment but quickly becomes one of the things they love most about Galway.  

Galway rewards students who want a close-knit, walkable city with easy access to some of Ireland's most striking scenery. Between its compact size, strong sense of community, thriving cultural scene, and growing industry base, it offers a distinctive study experience that's different from Ireland's larger cities. 

If you're drawn to a smaller, sociable city where you can walk almost everywhere, want easy access to the outdoors and coastline, and are comfortable with Ireland's wetter climate, Galway is likely to be a strong fit. It also suits students who want a lower cost of living than Dublin without sacrificing career opportunities, particularly in the medtech and tech sectors. 

It may be less of a fit if you're specifically looking for the wider range of industries, fast-paced lifestyle, or nightlife of a larger city. Competition for popular student housing can also be intense ahead of the academic year, so early planning is essential. 

Before deciding, consider whether Galway aligns with your academic goals, your budget, and the kind of lifestyle you want to build outside the classroom. If you'd like first-hand insights before deciding, you can also join the IDP Student Community. It lets you hear real-life experiences from other students who have been living and studying in Galway. Chat to them one-on-one and get a better idea of what everyday life in Galway could be like. Join the community for free and connect with students who have studied in Galway. 

Join the IDP Student Community for free!

Studying in Galway can be an exciting step towards your academic and career goals, but choosing a course, applying to university, and preparing to move overseas can feel complex. IDP's experienced counsellors can provide personalised guidance throughout your study journey, helping you explore courses, compare universities, and understand application and visa requirements. In short, you receive support at every stage of the process, enabling you to make informed decisions about your future.