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Studying Astronomy at NUI Galway

Members of the centre working in the Departments of Experimental Physics and Information Technology offer a variety of taught and research degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Denominated Degree in Physics and Astronomy
Post-Graduate Research
Notes on Post-Graduate Research Funding

Denominated Degree in Physics and Astronomy

This four-year program covers astronomy subjects such as observational techniques, cosmology, solar system geology, and stellar physics in addition to Physics, Mathematics and Computing options. Follow this link for more information.

As of 1st of October 2007 - The Teaching Council has recognised this degree for the purpose of teaching Physics in secondary schools. Therefore graduates of this program will be automatically recognised for admission to the Register for Post Primary Teachers. This greatly streamlines the application procedures for entry to Higher Diploma in Education programmes.

Post-Graduate Research

The research page gives an overview of research themes and/or directions within the Centre.

Notes on Post-Graduate Research Funding

(1) Fees.
The University charges fees for postgraduate students. In 2005-06 the annual fees were € 3,965 for M.Sc. and € 4,290 for Ph.D. degrees per annum. Fees for M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees are expected to increase to about € 4,850 in 2006-07. Full details of fees charged by NUI, Galway may be found here
(2) Local Authority Grants (Higher Education Grants Scheme).
If you had an Irish Local Authority Grant for your undergraduate degree, your Local Authority will also cover your fees (and possibly up to € 3,000 maintenance) for the first postgraduate course you undertake. Often Local Authority grants can be held in addition to other awards. You should contact your Local Authority and check the details with them. Details of the Higher Education Grants Scheme may also be found in the "General Services" section of the Galway County Council web site http://www.galway.ie
(3) Postgraduate Teaching Fellowship (PGTF)
These fellowships are awarded by the Science Faculty ( http://www.nuigalway.ie/science). Details for 2006-07 are not yet available but in 2005-06 the awards were worth up to a maximum of € 11,000 per annum. Fellowships may be topped up from other sources, if available, to a maximum value of € 12,700. Fees paid by local authorities are considered as a top-up and the cap of € 12,700 applies. There is a provision to have the award paid over 9 months and seek other funding sources during the summer months. Awards are based on final degree marks and you will need a minimum 2.1 honours grade. The closing date for applications is normally the last Friday in June, with awards being announced in August/September. Fellows are required to demonstrate for 6 hrs a week during term.
(4) IRCSET, Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology
IRCSET offer an excellent fellowship programme as part of their Embark initiative. The scheme is very competitive and you will almost certainly require a first class honours degree. In 2006 the value of the award will be € 24,003 per annum, with € 16,002 of this being the student stipend, and the balance to pay for fees, travel and equipment. The deadline for applications is Thursday 13th April 2006. There may be a second call for applications in the summer, although the number of awards may be much smaller. The application is via an online form. You are asked to submit a supervisor's name and a research proposal with your application. It is also possible to seek permission to change institution or supervisor after you have been awarded a fellowship. http://www.embark.ie/grant_schemes/postgrad.html
(5) Project specific funding.
Some supervisors may have research funding for a specific project that can be used to pay postgraduate students. (Funding agencies include HEA, EI, EPA, SFI). Often this support is at the IRCSET level and may include fees. You should ask individual supervisors if they have such funding, and generally they will advertise the fact. Research funds can also be used to supplement PGTFs.
(6) Other funding sources
There may be some possibilities for supplementing income by additional laboratory demonstrating, invigilating at exams, giving grinds, etc. However, often these activities are not well paid and you need to be very careful that the involvement does not significantly increase the time it takes you to complete your degree.
(7) Duration
Note that most fellowships are limited to three years. IRCSET Embark fellowships have the possibility of a fourth year. PGTF offer a 6 month write-up grant after the three years. Generally it can take up to two years to complete a M.Sc. and up to four years to complete a Ph.D. You should discuss the question of completion times and what happens after three years with any potential supervisor.

Centre for Astronomy, School of Physics
National University of Ireland, Galway,
University Road, Galway, Ireland. Phone: +353 91 524411