Academics

Firstly, remember that in Ireland, classes are college modules! 

At University of Galway, you have access to modules across a range of disciplines. From Economics to Biology, to Theatre and beyond, this can be a suitable study abroad location for just about any major. Use this link to get an idea of modules available to visiting students by navigating to the visiting students' handbook. 

You can search modules in the visiting students' handbook here. 

You will likely register for modules (classes) once you're in Galway. This can always change, so keep an eye on your email for any opportunities for early registration! Module registration is not competitive at UG like it is here at Holy Cross. Irish students don't typically register for modules until just before the start of any given semester. Since you're going to Ireland, you will do as the Irish do when it comes to registration! You will register for classes when you arrive in Galway. Don't worry- you'll have a chance to add/drop/change your selections once you are on the ground! Remember, 30 ECTS (typically 6 modules) is a standard course load at University of Galway. You MUST register for 30 credits. 

One of the most common questions the Office of Study Abroad receives is whether or not a certain class abroad will count towards a student's major, minor, concentration, etc. The answer is...maybe! 

If you think a class might work for your major...

You need to talk to the Study Abroad Faculty Advisor (SAFA) in your major department. 

You should obtain a syllabus or some information about the class before contacting the SAFA. They appreciate as much context as possible.

If you think a class might work for your minor...

You need to talk to the Study Abroad Faculty Advisor (SAFA) in your minor department. 

You should obtain a syllabus or some information about the class before contacting the SAFA. They appreciate as much context as possible.

If you think a class might work for a Common Area requirement...

You need to talk to the Registrar's Office. You can send an email to Jared Chapman (jchapman@holycross.edu) to gain clarity on Common Area requirements abroad. 

You should obtain a syllabus or some information about the class before contacting Jared. He appreciates as much context as possible.

The Holy Cross credit approval system works like this: 

1. After you arrive in your study abroad destination (or right before, depending on the program), you will receive an email from Jared Chapman in the Registrar’s Office with instructions for submitting Course Approval Forms (CAFs). Students must submit one CAF per class.

2. Once the Registrar's Office receives your CAFs, they will work with Study Abroad Faculty Advisors in the relevant department(s) to evaluate each course for approval. 

3. Shortly after you submit your CAFs, you'll receive an email from the Registrar's Office detailing which classes have/have not been approved. 

Note: If you talk to your advisors before leaving and stay in touch during the course selection process, you should not receive any 'surprise' course rejections. 

Courses not accepted for Holy Cross credit:

1. Online or hybrid (partially online) courses

2. Pre-professional, business, law, and marketing courses

3. Other non-liberal arts courses

4. Courses of similar content to those you have already taken

5. Any major courses required by your major department to be taken at Holy Cross

6. Courses taken without a letter grade (e.g. auditing, pass/no pass, etc.)

A module that carries at least 5 credits is equal to one HC course; 

A module that carries 15 credits or higher is equal to two HC courses.

GRADE CONVERSION  UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY

70+ A

65 – 69 A-

60 – 64 B+

55 – 59 B

50 – 54 B-

45 – 49 C+

40 – 44 C

35 – 39 C-

30 – 34 D

29 & below F

Some tips from your Holy Cross peers who studied abroad in Ireland:

“Take classes you really want to do and don’t sign up for ones that look super easy. Take classes that interest you and ones you would never be able to take at Holy Cross.”

“Don’t go there with the mentality that classes will be easier and you’ll get special treatment because you’re an international student.”

“Attendance isn’t monitored but going to class is the only way you know what will be on the final exam. Finals are very important! Reading lists are also given but with little guidance, so going to class is the best way to figure it out.” 

“Don’t get distracted in class – stay present and take notes (don’t play on your laptop like everyone else around you).” 

“There can be huge lecture halls, sometimes taught by PhD Candidates, with 200 students. Professors do not interact with students in class.  So go to office hours and ask for a tutor if you don’t feel like you’re performing well in a class.”

You can look forward to much more academic independence when you study abroad. In the Irish system, there is frequently only one (sometimes two) assignments that account for your entire course grade. This puts a lot more pressure on that one assignment, but it means you are free from the myriad of smaller assignments you are accustomed to at Holy Cross. There are resources available like the academic writing center and maths center if you feel you are struggling or would like extra help. You will need to take the initiative should you need assistance. Also important to note is that in Ireland, grades are given on ability, not necessarily merit. You should be studying for each class more than double the amount of time you are actually in the class. 

If you have academic accommodations at Holy Cross, you must let the Office of Study Abroad know so we can start making arrangements at University of Galway now. It is very important that you take personal ownership over your own experience. It's a good idea to think about the support you might need in advance so we can start planning. In Ireland, academic accommodations are not as common as they are in the united states, and may look a little different to what you are accustomed to at Holy Cross. You can read more about academic accommodations at UG here.