• School diploma required
  VWO (Dutch pre-university diploma) i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Source

  www2.cao.ie

  Netherlands … What qualifications are accepted? Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO (Gymnasium A/B and Atheneum A/B) diploma).

  ✓

  For you, Met: Your VWO diploma counts.
• Required school subjects
  No specific subjects i

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Source

  universityofgalway.ie · physics with options

  Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint), Computer Science or Agricultural Science) and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

  ✓

  For you, Met: Nothing to meet.
• Minimum subject grades
  6 different subjects at 6 or higher, at least 2 of them at 8 or higher, including English, Mathematics and laboratory science subject i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 2 subjects grade 8 and 4 subjects grade 6 in the VWO

  If two versions of the same subject are presented, the average score will be included in the calculation.

  universityofgalway.ie · physics with options

  Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level … including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject … and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Enter your subjects and grades to check. Add your subjects
• Minimum overall grade
  None i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Source

  www2.cao.ie

  The minimum eligibility criteria follow. … six distinct recognised subjects which must include 3 subjects grade 8 and 3 subjects grade 6 in the VWO.

  6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 2 subjects grade 8 and 4 subjects grade 6 in the VWO

• Language level required
  English: VWO engels 8 or higher or an accepted language test i

  English: at least 8 for engels on your VWO list or IELTS Academic (6.0 minimum in each component) 6.5 or TOEFL iBT (0–120; L18, R18, S21, W22) 88 or TOEFL iBT (from 21 Jan 2026; L4, R4, S4, W4.5) 4.5 or Pearson PTE Academic (59 minimum in each component) 63 or Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency (169 minimum in each element) 176 or LanguageCert Academic (65 minimum in each component) 70 or Oxford English Language Level Test (6 in each component) 7 or Trinity ISE III (Pass in every component) or MELAB (Speaking test result at least 3) 85 or City & Guilds IESOL Diploma (C1/C2 pass in Listening, Reading and Writing and separate Speaking pass)

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  The minimum acceptable level of English is 8 in the VWO or equivalent English Language competence.

  universityofgalway.ie · entryrequirements

  To enter the University of Galway, you need an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall, with no section below 6.0.

  TOEFL iBT (including home edition) … 88 overall (L18, R18, S21, W22) … Pearson PTE Academic … 63 overall; no less than 59 in any one component.

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: English: enter your grade for engels. Add a language test
• Minimum age
  Born before 16 January 2011 for 2027, going by the 2026 rule (born before 16 January 2010) i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Source

  universityofgalway.ie · faqs

  Students must normally have attained the age of seventeen years by 15 January following entry: e.g. for entry in 2026, date of birth must be on or before 15 January 2010.

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Enter your birth year to check. Add your birth year
• Extra steps
  None i

  Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  Restricted courses normally require additional assessment procedures, for example, the submission of a portfolio, an oral assessment or interview, or a written assessment.

  8 GY320 Physics

  universityofgalway.ie

  CAO Code GY320 … BSc (Physics)

• Other requirements
  Irish required unless born and educated outside the Republic of Ireland. i

  How it works: Irish is a matriculation requirement, but applicants born and fully educated outside the Republic of Ireland are automatically exempt.

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Sources

  universityofgalway.ie

  Candidates born and fully educated outside the Republic of Ireland (26 counties), whose address is outside the Republic of Ireland and who are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate for matriculation are automatically exempt from Irish and do not need to make application to NUI.

  universityofgalway.ie · entryrequirements

  IELTS | 6.5 (with 6.0 in each component) B2 | 7.0 (6.0) | 2 years

  Pearson PTE Academic | 63overall; no less than 59 in any one component | 2 years

  8 more from this page

  TOEFL iBT (including home edition) | 88 overall (L18, R18, S21, W22) | 2 years

  TOEFL iBT (including home edition) For exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 | Minimum overall TOEFL score of 4.5 (Listening 4, Reading 4, Speaking 4, Writing 4.5) | 2 years

  CPE | 176 overall with not less than 169 in each element of the test | 2 years

  Language Cert Academic | 70 overall; 65 in each component | 2 years

  Oxford English Language Level Test | 7 overall | 6 in each component | 2 years

  Trinity | ISE III | Pass in every component | 2 years

  MELAB Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency | 85 (acceptable only if Speaking test is included with result of at least 3) | 2 years

  City & Guilds International ESOL (IESOL) Diploma | Pass at Level C1 or C2 in Listening, Reading and Writing report, and Pass in separate Speaking report | 2 years

  www2.cao.ie

  The minimum acceptable level of English is 8 in the VWO or equivalent English Language competence.

  ✓

  For you, Met: Not required for you: you were born and permanently live outside Ireland.
• VWO English grade 8 or higher: no English test needed. Otherwise, an accepted test must meet its overall score and the minimum scores for its individual parts. Test results are valid for two years. i

  How it works: If using IELTS Academic instead of VWO English grade 8: minimum 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each component. Valid for two years. If using Pearson PTE Academic instead of VWO English grade 8: minimum 63 overall and at least 59 in each component. Valid for two years. If using TOEFL iBT instead of VWO English grade 8, for tests taken before 21 January 2026: minimum 88 overall (L18, R18, S21, W22). Valid for two years. If using TOEFL iBT instead of VWO English grade 8, for tests taken on or after 21 January 2026: minimum 4.5 overall (L4, R4, S4, W4.5). Valid for two years. If using Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency instead of VWO English grade 8: minimum 176 overall with at least 169 in each element. Valid for two years. If using LanguageCert Academic instead of VWO English grade 8: minimum 70 overall and 65 in each component. Valid for two years. If using Oxford English Language Level Test instead of VWO English grade 8: minimum 7 overall and 6 in each component. Valid for two years. If using Trinity ISE III instead of VWO English grade 8: pass in every component. Valid for two years. If using MELAB instead of VWO English grade 8: minimum 85, including a Speaking test result of at least 3. Valid for two years. If using City & Guilds International ESOL Diploma instead of VWO English grade 8: C1/C2 pass in Listening, Reading and Writing and a separate Speaking pass. Valid for two years.

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Sources

  universityofgalway.ie

  Candidates born and fully educated outside the Republic of Ireland (26 counties), whose address is outside the Republic of Ireland and who are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate for matriculation are automatically exempt from Irish and do not need to make application to NUI.

  universityofgalway.ie · entryrequirements

  IELTS | 6.5 (with 6.0 in each component) B2 | 7.0 (6.0) | 2 years

  Pearson PTE Academic | 63overall; no less than 59 in any one component | 2 years

  8 more from this page

  TOEFL iBT (including home edition) | 88 overall (L18, R18, S21, W22) | 2 years

  TOEFL iBT (including home edition) For exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 | Minimum overall TOEFL score of 4.5 (Listening 4, Reading 4, Speaking 4, Writing 4.5) | 2 years

  CPE | 176 overall with not less than 169 in each element of the test | 2 years

  Language Cert Academic | 70 overall; 65 in each component | 2 years

  Oxford English Language Level Test | 7 overall | 6 in each component | 2 years

  Trinity | ISE III | Pass in every component | 2 years

  MELAB Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency | 85 (acceptable only if Speaking test is included with result of at least 3) | 2 years

  City & Guilds International ESOL (IESOL) Diploma | Pass at Level C1 or C2 in Listening, Reading and Writing report, and Pass in separate Speaking report | 2 years

  www2.cao.ie

  The minimum acceptable level of English is 8 in the VWO or equivalent English Language competence.

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Check this yourself.
• Score needed to get in
  444 CAO points or more: the 2026 cut-off, which changes every year i

  Applicants are ranked by CAO points; the highest get the places. The cut-off is the lowest score that got a place, so it moves with each year's applicants.

  Earlier cut-offs: 422 in 2025 (CAO Round 1), 401 in 2024 (CAO Round 1).

  How the score is worked out: Average of the best 6 distinct recognised subjects taken in a single sitting: 10 → 600, 9 → 595, 8 → 541, 7 → 374, 6 → 250, 5 → 200.

  +25 for wiskunde B or wiskunde D at 6 or higher, if it is one of the subjects counted.

  Two versions of one subject, such as wiskunde B and D, count once, at their average.

  Grades are rounded to whole numbers first, as on the diploma.

  The university gives only these rows and does not say how averages between them convert, so a score between two rows is a range.

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  Points Required for Entry to 2026 Level 8 Courses … GY320 Physics 444

  www2.cao.ie

  The indicative equivalence will be calculated, based on the average of the best 6 distinct recognised subjects taken in a single sitting as follows:

  Average Mark IPS 10 600 9 595 8 541 7 374 6 250 5 200

  4 more from this page

  Bonus points of 25 will be awarded for grade 6 or better in Advanced level Mathematics (i.e., B or D) where mathematics is one of the subjects counted for points.

  If two versions of the same subject are presented, the average score will be included in the calculation.

  NB Sample grades only. The steps between points shown are not necessarily even as they are based on statistical comparisons.

  average of the best 6 distinct recognised subjects taken in a single sitting … Average Mark IPS 10 600 9 595 8 541 7 374 6 250 5 200

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Needs grades for at least 6 different subjects; you have entered 0. Add your grades

How places are given

• Cap on places (numerus fixus)
  Limited; the number is not published

  The 2026 figure; the 2027 one is not out yet.

  i

  Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  universityofgalway.ie · leavingcert

  Admission to first year full-time Undergraduate Degree Courses is competitive and based on the Leaving Certificate points system or a system of equivalent standing.

  universityofgalway.ie · entry requirements

  There is a high level of demand for places in University of Galway and fulfilling the matriculation requirements is not usually enough to guarantee admittance to the course of your choice.

• How applicants are picked
  Ranked by school grades; the highest get the places i

  Eligible CAO applicants are ranked by points converted from their school-leaving results; offers are made in merit order, with random selection for ties at the last place.

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.

  Source

  www2.cao.ie

  After the points have been calculated, applicants are placed on a list in order of merit for each course for which they are eligible.

  If there are five applicants with an identical points score competing for one remaining place, random number selection applies and the place will be offered to the applicant with the highest random number.

• Past admission numbers
  In 2026 the lowest score that got in was 444 (CAO Round 1).

  In 2025 the lowest score that got in was 422 (CAO Round 1).

  In 2024 the lowest score that got in was 401 (CAO Round 1).

  i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Source

  www2.cao.ie

  Points Required for Entry to 2026 Level 8 Courses … GY320 Physics 444

Once you have started

• First-year minimum to continue
  Pass all 60 credits in the first year; if you do not, you can resit or repeat the year i

  Every course is worth a number of credits, which you earn by passing it; a full year is 60.

  In the university’s words: A full-time student must complete the 60 ECTS stage before progressing. Modules at 35–39% can be passed by compensation when they total no more than 15 ECTS and the aggregate stage mark is at least 40%; below the pass/compensation conditions, failed modules must be repeated. Science and Engineering students have two years to complete each year’s examinations; after that they cannot proceed further.

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Sources

  universityofgalway.ie

  For completion of a Stage (or Programme Year), fulltime students will be required to successfully complete the relevant aggregate credit standard, 60 ECTS.

  Students must successfully complete each stage before progressing to a subsequent one.

  1 more from this page

  The pass standard for a Module is 40%. However a student with marks of less than 40% in one or more modules will be deemed to have passed the Stage provided … the module(s) with marks in the range 35-39% total 15 ECTS or less.

  universityofgalway.ie

  A time limit of two years applies to the successful completion of examinations in each year of a programme.

  Students failing to complete examinations within the specified periods will be ineligible to proceed further towards their degree in this University.

After you graduate

• Where graduates go
  The course prepares graduates for research, technology and scientific careers including climate science and medical physics.

  What University of Galway says its graduates go on to do; not measured.

  i

  Fairly sure — Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Source

  universityofgalway.ie · physics with options

  In the second year … students will begin to specialize in one of the degree options: theoretical physics, applied physics, biomedical physics, climate physics, or astrophysics.

• Where graduates went (measured)
  University of Galway honours-degree graduates of 2024 in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics, nine months after graduating: 54.3% working full-time, 4.3% part-time, 0.4% about to start a job; 31.6% in full-time and 1.3% in part-time further study; 5.6% unemployed; 2.6% other activities.

  Measured from all natural Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics graduates of University of Galway, not just this programme (2024). Past graduates, not a promise.

  i

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Sources

  public.tableau.com · HEI Comparison

  Undergraduate Honours Degree Programmes … Field of Study: Natural Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics … University of Galway … Working full-time 54.3% … Working part-time 4.3% … Due to start a job in the next 3 months 0.4% … Engaged in full-time further study, training or research 31.6% … Engaged in part-time further study, training or research 1.3% … Other Activity 2.6% … Unemployed and looking for work 5.6%

  hea.ie

  HEI level data (GO Class of 2024) … 3. HEI-Level Information (UG Honours Degree): This looks at employment outcomes for undergraduate honours degrees for each HEI