About the university
Galway Business School (GBS) is a small, independent higher education provider in Salthill, Galway, on Ireland's west coast. It has taught Irish, European and international learners since 2000 and shares its campus and leadership with the Galway Cultural Institute English school.
GBS teaches business only, at undergraduate level: a Higher Certificate in Business, an ordinary Bachelor of Business, a one-year honours top-up in International Business and a four-year BA (Hons) in Enterprise Management. Its awards are QQI qualifications on the Irish National Framework.
For Indian students GBS is a low-cost, small-class route into an Irish business degree, with total yearly fees of €9,000 to €9,500 in 2026/27 and both September and January starts. It does not offer master's degrees, so it suits school leavers and diploma or three-year-degree holders looking for a level 8 top-up.
The campus is in Salthill, by the sea in Galway city, and GBS residences are 15 to 40 minutes away by bus.
- Teaching since
- 2000
- Type
- Private, independent higher education provider; QQI awards
- Campus
- GCI House, Salthill, Galway (shared with Galway Cultural Institute)
- International mix
- Students from around 20 countries in a typical year
- Class sizes
- Most modules have 20 to 40 students
- Intakes
- September and January
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Business (Hons) in International Business (top-up)
- Fee / year
- €9,500
- Duration
- 1 year (60 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or equivalent (CEFR B2+); PTE and Duolingo accepted
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Enterprise Management
- Fee / year
- €9,500
- Duration
- 4 years (240 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 or equivalent (CEFR B2+)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €9,000
- Duration
- 3 years (180 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2027
- English
- IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (CEFR B2+); PTE 59
- Undergraduate
Higher Certificate in Business
- Fee / year
- €9,000
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (CEFR B2+)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Business (Hons) in International Business (top-up) | 1 year (60 ECTS) | €9,500 | ≈ ₹10.1 lakh |
| Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Enterprise Management | 4 years (240 ECTS) | €9,500 | ≈ ₹10.1 lakh |
| Bachelor of Business | 3 years (180 ECTS) | €9,000 | ≈ ₹9.5 lakh |
| Higher Certificate in Business | 2 years (120 ECTS) | €9,000 | ≈ ₹9.5 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Galway Business School with similar universities in Ireland.
Scholarships
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Non-EU applicants need a school-leaving certificate equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate; for the Bachelor of Business this means at least five passes.
- The honours International Business top-up needs a completed ordinary or pass degree at NFQ level 7 or equivalent; ask GBS whether your Indian diploma or three-year degree qualifies.
- Deadlines: 1 July for September entry and 31 October for January entry, including documents and payment. Decisions usually come within 48 hours of a complete application.
- Non-EU students must study full time and complete a mandatory three-week online pre-sessional business English course (€375) before starting.
Postgraduate
- GBS does not offer master's degrees; its honours top-up graduates progress to MSc, MA and MBA courses at other institutions.
Documents
- Completed GBS application form
- Original or certified school transcripts and certificates (or forecast results)
- Passport copy
- Proof of English
- Personal statement of no more than 500 words
- Two letters of recommendation
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 for the Bachelor of Business; 6.5 for the honours degrees (CEFR B2+) |
| PTE Academic | 59 is treated as equivalent to IELTS 6.0 |
| TOEFL and Duolingo | Accepted; GBS does not publish the scores, so ask before you book |
| GBS English test | Applicants may be asked to sit the online GBS English Competency Test |
Accommodation and living costs
GBS arranges host families and shared residences (twin or single rooms, some en suite, self-catering) about 15 to 40 minutes from the school by bus. It does not publish room prices online; ask the school for the current accommodation fee list.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Refundable residence depositFor all residential students; long-stay students may pay a higher deposit | €150one-off | ≈ ₹15,900 |
| Extra charge for more than one accommodation change | €35one-off | ≈ ₹3,710 |
Campus and location
GBS teaches at GCI House in Salthill, Galway, by the sea, with a library, cafeteria, Moodle and the EBSCO online library.
- Small classes, mostly 20 to 40 students per module.
- Full-time day timetable over four days a week, with blended learning.
- Shared campus with the Galway Cultural Institute English school.
- GBS shows ACCA accredited programme status; ask which programme and exemptions it covers.
Careers and graduate outcomes
GBS graduates move into business, management, marketing, finance and HR roles, or on to postgraduate study. A level 8 honours degree is the usual minimum for Ireland's Stamp 1G stay-back route; see our Ireland guide for the rules. GBS does not publish graduate employment figures.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in Ireland
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Ireland. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does Galway Business School cost?
The 2026/27 international schedule lists €9,500 a year (tuition plus a €250 academic fee) for the honours degrees and €9,000 for the Bachelor of Business and Higher Certificate, plus a €375 pre-sessional English course.
Does GBS offer a master's or MBA?
No. GBS teaches undergraduate business degrees and pathway programmes only.
Can I start in January?
Yes. GBS has September and January intakes; the January deadline is 31 October and the September deadline is 1 July.
Does GBS accept PTE or Duolingo?
Yes. GBS accepts IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge and Duolingo; PTE 59 is treated as equal to IELTS 6.0.
What happens to my fee if my visa is refused?
GBS says fees are refunded if a visa is refused, apart from a €300 deposit, unless the refusal was due to false or inaccurate information.
Sources
- GBS: 2026/27 international fees (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- GBS: prospectus and fees (opens in a new tab)
- GBS: international application process (opens in a new tab)
- GBS: Bachelor of Business (opens in a new tab)
- GBS: Bachelor of Business (Hons) in International Business (opens in a new tab)
- GBS: BA (Hons) in Enterprise Management (opens in a new tab)
- GBS: residential accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- GBS: about us (opens in a new tab)
- GBS: about Galway Business School (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.galwaybusinessschool.ie (opens in a new tab)
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