Incoming Student Guide

PRACTICAL INFORMATION 1

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK 2

FACULTIES & DEPARTMENTS IN UL 2

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION DIVISION 3

ERASMUS CONTACTS 3

ORIENTATION PROGRAMME 4

GETTING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK 4

■ By Air 4

■ Airport Collection – Shannon Airport Only 4

■ By Train 4

■ By Bus 4

STUDENT SERVICES 6

■ Visa & Immigration Requirements 6

■ Health Insurance 7

■ Student Counselling 7

■ Chaplaincy 8

■ Student Health Centre 8

■ Disability Services 9

■ Cost of Living 10

STUDYING AT UL 11

■ Academic Calendar 11

■ Public Holidays 11

■ Enrolment 12

■ Module Registration 12

■ SULIS 13

■ Examinations & Assessment 13

■ Class Timetable 13

■ English Language Requirements 13

■ UL Erasmus Academic Coordinators 13

■ Working in Ireland 14

1 #ONE

FACILITIES ON CAMPUS 16

BUILDINGS ON CAMPUS 18

LIBRARY 20

COMPUTER FACILITIES 20

E-MAIL 20

SPORTS 21

UNIVERSITY RESTAURANTS 22

CAMPUS BARS/RESTAURANTS 22

BANKING 22

CRECHE 22

USIT TRAVEL OFFICE 23

BOOKSHOP 23

SMALL FOODSTORE 23

OTHER FACILITIES 24

STUDENTS UNION 24

■ Clubs & Societies 24

ACCOMMODATION 26

■ On-Campus Accommodation 26

■ Off-Campus Accommodation 28

LIVING IN IRELAND 30

GEOGRAPHY 32

■ Landscape 32

■ Climate 32

■ Time Zone 32

■ Currency 32

■ Banking 32

■ Credit Cards 33

■ Postal Service 33

■ Religion 33

■ Safety 33

■ Electricity 33

2 #TWO

3 #THREE

■ Telephone 34

■ Radio & Television 34

■ Newspapers & Magazines 34

■ Driving in Ireland 34

■ Public Holidays 34

LIMERICK CITY 35

■ Limerick at a Glance 35

■ Entertainment 37

■ Sport 38

■ Shopping 38

■ Eating Out 38

■ Cinema 38

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 40

APPENDICES 44

APPENDIX 1: USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS 46

APPENDIX 2: MAP OF REGION 47

APPENDIX 3: CAMPUS MAP 48

APPENDIX 4: CAMPUS RESIDENCES MAP 49

APPENDIX 5: COUNSELLING INFORMATION 50

APPENDIX 6: HOTELS AND BED & BREAKFAST ACCOMMODATION 51

APPENDIX 7: ADMINISTRATION AND DEPARTMENT OFFICES 52

4 #FOUR

5 #FIVE

1 #ONE

Practical Information

University of Limerick

The University of Limerick is an independent university established as the National Institute for Higher

Education by the Government of Ireland in 1972. It is located in the 600-acre National Technological

Park on the banks of the river Shannon, 4km east of the medieval city of Limerick.

A map of the region can be found in Appendix 2.

The University was developed to help meet the rapidly changing economic and social needs that

emerged on Ireland’s accession to the European Union in 1973. It is a dynamic institution, which plays

a pivotal role in the economic development of the Mid-West region of Ireland.

The University has also become a focus for a wide range of artistic activity and is home to the Irish

Chamber Orchestra and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. Some fine collections of Irish

Art are also housed in various locations on campus. The compact nature of the campus and the

University’s size foster a close sense of community. The University believes strongly that the creation

of a friendly, caring and cooperative atmosphere is essential to the successful pursuit of any study

programme.

Faculties & Departments in UL

The University of Limerick undertakes programmes of education and research in its five constituent

faculties:

Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Kemmy Business School

Education & Health Sciences

Science & Engineering

Irish World Academy of Music & Dance

More information on the faculties can be found on www.ul.ie & www3.ul.ie/courses/

Student enrolment is on average over 13,500 including undergraduate and graduate students; 17% of these students are international.

02 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

International Education Division

The International Education Division (IED) at UL was first established in 2001 and is responsible for:

• The European Union’s exchange programmes under: ERASMUS+

• International Student Exchanges with countries outside the European Union.

• The Study Abroad Programme which attracts students for one study semester or for a full academic

year from the USA and other countries.

• The recruitment of international students from Non-EU countries on full-time undergraduate and

postgraduate programmes at the University of Limerick.

• 3 week Summer Schools in Irish Studies and Engineering Studies.

IED provides information and assistance to all international students and University of Limerick

students undertaking a study placement abroad through Erasmus or International Exchange. It also

provides an orientation programme to give all incoming students further information, advice and

support on arrival at the University of Limerick.

Erasmus Contacts

Dr. Patricia O’Flaherty Dearbhla McNamara

Erasmus Institutional Coordinator Incoming Erasmus Administrator

T: +353 61 202304 T: +353 61 213133

F: +353 61 213062 F: +353 61 213062

E: patricia.oflaherty@ul.ie E: incoming.erasmus@ul.ie

www.ul.ie/international www.ul.ie/international

Address:

International Education Division

Room EO-020, Main Building

University of Limerick

Limerick

Ireland

T: +353 61 213153 www.ul.ie/international

F: +353 61 213062

Office Hours: Monday to Friday – 9.30am – 12.30pm & 14.30 – 16.30

Erasmus Institutional Code: IRL LIMERIC01

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 03

Orientation Programme

An Orientation Programme, organised by the International Education Division, introduces students to

services and systems in operation at the University of Limerick, e.g. academic regulations, enrolment

and module registration as well as health services, sports facilities, arts and entertainment.

The Orientation Welcome Week for students takes place the week prior (referred to as Week Zero) to

the commencement of classes.

The Thursday & Friday of Week Zero are specific to Erasmus Students, so are compulsory.

Getting to the University of Limerick

Shannon International Airport (SNN) is the nearest airport to Limerick City. Before leaving the airport

ensure you have enough Euro (€) with you until more permanent banking arrangements have been

made. There is an ATM in the Arrivals terminal.

There are taxis available from the airport to the campus. The average cost is approximately €40-

€60.Plassey Cabs (http://www.plasseycabs.ie/) a local taxi service will collect from the airport and

bring to student accommodation. They offer a special student rate of €40 per car. Advanced booking

is essential.

There is a regular bus service from Shannon Airport to Limerick City outside the Arrivals terminal.

Fares cost approximately €10.00 and the journey takes 45-50 minutes. Stay on the bus until it reaches

Limerick Railway Station (Colbert Station). There are taxis at the station and they will take you to the

University campus or to your residence. The cost is approximately €12.00. A regular bus service runs

between the city centre and the University campus. A single fare costs €2 or €4.20 for a day saver

ticket which allows you to use any Limerick City bus service for a full day. The City Centre-University

Bus departs from lower William Street.

Airport Collection

You may be able to avail of Airport Collection offered by the International Education Division from

Shannon Airport only on specific dates and times. Information regarding this collection system will

be sent to you by e-mail.

Airport Collection – Shannon Airport Only:

The arrival guides will be dressed in yellow t-shirts and are very easy to identify in the Arrival Terminal

in Shannon Airport.

04 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

By Air

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 05

Colbert Station is Limerick’s only train station and trains arrive regularly from Dublin and Cork. Train

timetables can be checked on the Irish Rail website: www.irishrail.ie

Taxis are available outside the station for transfer to the University, which will cost approximately

€10.00. See Appendix 1 for taxi telephone numbers.

The national bus company, Bus Éireann, operates daily services from all the major cities to Limerick.

Bus timetables can be checked on the Bus Éireann website: www.buseireann.ie

Weekly and Monthly Commuter tickets for students are available.

See link http://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=271

These can also be purchased on the bus or at Limerick bus station, next to Colbert Railway Station.

Eir Eagle bus service provides a direct transport link from Dublin airport to Limerick with information

available at http://www.eireagle.com/routes/limerick-dublin-airport

Dublin Coach is also a reasonably priced and comfortable bus service to the University from Dublin

Airport. The N7 Service will bring you to the Red Cow LUAS stop. Change here and join to M7 Express

Service which will bring you directly to the University.

Please see www.dublincoach.ie

The JJ Kavanagh bus service leaves directly from Dublin Airport to the UL main entrance. See the

following link:

http://www.jjkavanagh.ie/images/stories/timetable/Shannon-Dublin.pdf

“Shannon International Airport (SNN) is the nearest airport to Limerick City. ”

By Train

By Bus

Student Services

Visa Applications

Information about VISA requirements is available at the following website:

www.educationinireland.com/en/how-do-i-apply-/get-your-student-visa/for-higher-education/

registration-gnib-.html

Further information about visa application is available at www.ul.ie/international/en/home/quicklinks/visa-and-immigration/

If you are an EU citizen, there are no visa requirements when entering Ireland. International students

who are citizens of a Non-EU country are advised to contact their local Irish Diplomatic Mission. Those

who do not have an Irish Diplomatic Mission in their home country should apply directly for a visa

application form, well in advance of their departure, to:

Visa Section T: + 353 1 6167700

Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (From 14h30 to 16h00 Monday to Friday)

13-14 Burgh Quay F: +353 1 4751201

Dublin 2 E: visamail@justice.ie

Ireland

Further information on student visa requirements for individual countries is available on the following

web site: www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Students

All Non-EU students must register with the Immigration Authorities in Limerick within one month

of arrival in Ireland. The International Education Division will organise an appointment with the

Immigration Officer, details of which will be sent to you by e-mail. At this meeting you will be required

to provide the following:

• Registration Certificate Fee of €300 (payable by credit card or bank giro –

the owner of the credit card must be present)

• Valid passport

• Recent passport photographs (4).

• Proof of medical insurance.

• Proof of financial security to cover your stay in Ireland. This can consist of a bank statement,

letter from a parent or the home university guaranteeing financial support.

• Completed UL immigration letter (sent to students by e-mail).

06 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

Visa & Immigration Requirements

Immigration

Non-EU students who wish to travel within Europe while on Erasmus in Ireland will be required

to obtain a re-entry visa or a multiple-entry visa. A letter of support can be requested from the

International Education Division and should be submitted to The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration

Service Office in Dublin accompanied by an application form, relevant documents and the appropriate

fee (Re-Entry Visa: €60; Multiple Entry Visa: €100).

It is not necessary for students from the EU/EEA to register with the immigration authorities.

All EU nationals are required to obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the home

country. Please contact the Health Authorities in your home country for information. Further

information can be obtained from the following website: http://www.ehic.ie/ under Visitors to

Ireland. Please note that the card provides entitlement to public health care only. The EHIC is

available to all EU citizens without payment of a fee. A €120 charge applies to accident and

emergency treatment at hospitals in Ireland, unless a doctor’s referral letter is produced. Attendance

at a General Practitioner in Ireland normally carries a fee. The Castletroy Park Medical Centre

(opposite Castletroy Park Hotel) recognises the EHIC, so that the patient does not have to pay for

the service directly at this practice.

Non-EU nationals are required to hold medical insurance for the duration of their stay in Ireland.

This is an immigration requirement and the immigration authorities will require proof of medical

insurance. Students may extend medical policies from their home countries to cover the period

of study in Ireland or, alternatively, policies are available from the following Irish health insurance

companies:

• Voluntary Health Insurance: www.vhi.ie

• Aviva: www.avivahealth.ie

• Laya Healthcare: www.layahealthcare.ie

The International Education Division at the University of Limerick has negotiated special medical

insurance discounted rates for international students. Please see www.odon.ie/ul

Student counsellors provide a confidential counselling service, free of charge at UL. The service can

help students deal with a wide range of problems common to student populations.

Counselling also offers services for students, including Stress Management, Personal Development

and Study Skills. The drop-in times are 11 to 12 am and 3 to 4 pm every weekday. Mindfulness and

Positive Thinking sessions are available throughout the academic semester.

Counselling Service www.ul.ie/counselling

Room: CM073

Please see also Appendix 5: Counselling Information

Health Insurance

Student Counselling

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 07

Chaplains are available to provide help and support to students of all denominations. Various

activities, including a Community Outreach Programme, are organised to foster student interest in

both spiritual and personal development. A wide range of religious services are provided on campus

on a scheduled basis. The courtyard area of the Student Centre houses a contemplative space. This

area is designed for quiet contemplation and prayer.

Chaplains are located near the Student Health Centre on campus:

Roman Catholic Chaplain

Fr. John Campion Sr. Sarah O’Rourke

Room: CM-071 Room: CM-071

University of Limerick University of Limerick

Limerick Limerick

Ireland Ireland

T: +353 61 202180 T: +353 61 213635

E: john.campion@ul.ie E: sarah.orourke@ul.ie

www.ul.ie/chaplain

Teach Fáilte, Student Welcome Centre, in the courtyard outside the Students’ Union (061-233635)

An acute care advisory service is provided to all registered students. There is a fee to use this service.

There is a full time nursing service and appointments may be made to see a doctor. A consultant

psychiatrist and chartered physiotherapist are available through internal referral. All students are

recommended to register with a local General Practitioner to cover minor ailments and ‘non-office’

hours/emergencies. The Student Health Centre is open Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 16h00.

For further information contact:

Student Health Centre

Room CM-060

University of Limerick

Limerick

Ireland

T: +353 61 202534

www.ul.ie/medical

08 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

Chaplaincy

Student Health Centre

There is a private clinic, Castletroy Park Medical Centre, situated opposite the Castletroy Park Hotel

(opposite UL).

Castletroy Appointments:

No appointments are necessary although priority will be given to those who have called in to make

an appointment.

Castletroy Park Medical Centre 15 Pery Square,

Castletroy, Limerick

Limerick

T: +353 61 507200 T: +353 61 314810

E: info@cullenhanlyfamilydoctors.ie

The Disability Services Office provides support for students with learning, physical, sensory and other

disabilities. Students with a disability who require assistance during their period of study at the

University of Limerick should notify the Disability Services Office before their arrival.

Website:

www2.ul.ie/web/WWW/Services/Student_Affairs/Student_Specialised_Supports/Disability_

Support_Services/Disability%20Support%20Services%20Staff

Brenda Shinners-Kennedy Peter Dooley

Disability Officer Disability Officer

Room GL0036 GL0014 (ground floor, Main Library)

University of Limerick University of Limerick

Limerick Limerick

Ireland Ireland

T: +353 61 202346 T: +353 61 234191

E: Brenda.Shinners-Kennedy@ul.ie E: peter.dooley@ul.ie

Additional financial support to meet the student’s needs is available on application through the

home University to the EU Commission. This additional financial support should be sought well in

advance (one year preferably) of the Erasmus placement. A quotation on cost of services (personal

assistant, technical support, hire or purchase of equipment, etc) may be sought in advance from the

Erasmus Administrator or Coordinator at UL.

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 09

Disability Services

GUIDE

10 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT

Cost of Living

The estimated cost of living for students in Ireland is at approximately €800.00 per month.

Estimated Cost of Living for an Academic Year: E

• Books and other academic requisites 450 • Campus accommodation (Plassey Village) 3,380 • Food 2,630 • Immigration registration fee 300 • Health Insurance 120 • Airfare 1,000 • Clothing 800

Total 8,680

* On-campus accommodation includes electricity and heating charges.

** Based on cheapest accommodation option. This does not include travel within Ireland or social

expenses.

“The University of Limerick operates an academic year which consists of two semesters... ”

Studying at UL

The University of Limerick operates an academic year which consists of two semesters, the Autumn

semester (September to December) and the Spring semester (January to May). Students are advised

to arrive at least a week before classes commence to allow time to settle in, prepare for courses and

participate in orientation.

Autumn and Spring Semesters (Weeks 1 – 15):

• Teaching Semesters/Terms take place over a 12-week period (referred to as Weeks 1 - 12),

• Followed by a reading week (Week 13) before examinations.

• Examinations take place over a two week period (Weeks 14 – 15).

For exact examination times, please see exam timetable, published online in week 9. Examination

dates and times are not available before this date. The link for this timetable is available at

www.saa.ul.ie

* Students may remain in their accommodation during holiday breaks.

There is a one week holiday during Spring semester for Easter, subject to calendar.

Please note:

Reserve departure arrangements for after the final date of the examinations.

Prior to your arrival at the University of Limerick, you will receive an e-mail advising you to enrol

online using your student ID number. The link and procedure for online enrolment will be sent to

you by e-mail some weeks prior to Orientation. Once you complete the online enrolment, you will

receive an email confirmation which should be printed and signed by you. This confirmation must

be presented during Orientation in order to receive the University of Limerick Student Identity Card.

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 11

Academic Calendar

Enrolment

In order for ERASMUS students to register for the modules they wish to study at the University of

Limerick, the following procedure should be followed:

• A Module Registration Form will be provided at Orientation.

• This form is to be completed by the student and signed by the Erasmus Academic Coordinator

(details below) for your subject area.

• The completed and signed form is submitted to the International Education Division by the end

of week 2.

.

Each module is awarded 6 ECTS credits (there may be some rare exceptions). Registration must be

completed by the end of week 2 of each semester.

Every ERASMUS student is assigned an Academic Coordinator who will assist students on their module

selection and sign their Module Registration Form. During the first week of the semester all students

will have an opportunity to meet with an Academic Coordinator from the specific subject area.

It is very important to note that the initial selection of modules is by its very nature provisional. It is

advisable to make a provisional selection of six or seven modules, in order to deal more efficiently with

inevitable clashes or unsuitability of modules. The module booklet is only a guide to courses, because

the timetable depends on the availability of certain modules and the availability of specialised

Lecturers. It is also highly likely that certain modules will clash and that the student will be obliged to

choose an alternative. It is not possible to change the timetable. Once it is published, it is definitive. It

takes at least one week and usually two to make a final decision about which modules to register for.

Students are entitled to attend as many modules as they wish in the initial two-week period of the

semester, in order to ensure that modules are suitable for studies at the home University.

Failure to submit the Module Registration Form to the International Education Division by the end of

Week 2 will result in a €20 fine. Please note that all students are expected to sit examinations in all

subjects for which they have registered.

12 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

Module Registration

N.B. ERASMUS students are required to take a minimum of 3 modules (from within the subject

area under which the student is nominated) and a maximum of 5 modules (2 may be taken from

any other subject area) per semester but restrictions apply within Journalism, Psychology and

Sport Sciences. A bilateral agreement must exist between universities, within these subject

areas, in order for students to be nominated and study at the University of Limerick.

SULIS is an on-line teaching and learning

platform used in UL, which lecturers use to

communicate course material with students.

Information will be given at the beginning of the

semester on how students are entered onto the

SULIS system.

Studentsareadvised toretaininformationon USB

memory sticks and photocopy all assignments

submitted to the lecturers (professors).

Assignments, reading lists and assessment

procedure for each course are usually described

and documented at the first lecture. Assessments

vary from class to class. Assessment may consist

of a 100% exam or a division of marks between

assessments and final examination. Past

examination papers are a source of information

and can be accessed on SULIS.

As ERASMUS students are required to possess

sufficient language skills to attend lectures and

sit examinations at the University of Limerick,

students should be competent to communicate

through the medium of English.

Courses are offered by the University of Limerick

Language Centre situated in the Languages

Building. The courses are optional and are not

regarded as part of the ERASMUS programme.

For further information refer to the website:

www.ul.ie/languagecentre

It is possible to register for a module in English

as a Foreign Language as part of studies at the

University. A test is conducted at orientation to

determine the student’s level of English, so that

they may be allocated to the right level of class.

If a recent IELTS or TOEFL test has been taken by

the student, this certificate will serve as criteria

for allocation to a class and it is not necessary to

take the test.

The class timetable is published just before the

beginning of the semester and will be e-mailed

to students once it is released. It contains the

lecture, tutorial and laboratory times and room

for each module. The number of teaching hours

per module varies, depending on the subject

being covered and the size of the class. Lectures

and tutorials are usually of 50 minutes duration

(beginning on the hour and ending 10 minutes

to the hour), with laboratory classes lasting for

2-3 hours.

An Erasmus Academic Coordinator is appointed

to students for each subject area.

This Coordinator will:

• Provide a more detailed overview of modules

• Assist in module selection

• Sign the Module Registration Form and

Learning Agreement

• Assist in and advise on academic matters

The student will have the opportunity to meet

with the Erasmus Academic Coordinator during

the first week of the semester. Details of this

meeting will be sent to students by e-mail.

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 13

Erasmus Academic Coordinators Class Timetable

Language Requirements SULIS

Examinations & Assessment

EU/EEA students are allowed to work in Ireland without restriction on the number of hours or on

the type of work. Non-EU/EEA students are not permitted to work during the course of their stay in

Ireland.

Before starting employment, a PPS number is required. The application is made at the Social Welfare

Office in Limerick.

Social Welfare Office

Dominic Street

Limerick

Ireland

T: +353 61 414799

Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 09h15 to 12h00, 14h00 to 16h00

Applicants must present the following documents in person, fill out an application form and return to

the office two weeks later to collect the PPS number:

• Offer of Employment

• Completed application form

• Passport + one other form of identification

• Proof of address in Limerick

• Support letter from the University of Limerick which may be requested online from the International

• Education Division at

www.ul.ie/international/en/index.php/information-for/current-ul-students/online-letter-request-form

14 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

Working in Ireland

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 15

2 #TWO

Facilities on Campus

Buildings on Campus

There are sixteen buildings on campus: Main Building, Foundation Building, Glucksman Building

(Library), Lonsdale Building, Schrödinger Building, Schumann Building, Physical Education Building

(PESS), Languages Building, Computer Science Building, Kemmy Business School, Health Sciences,

Engineering Research, Irish World Academy, Medical School, Millstream and the University Sports

Arena. The administrative services (Admissions, Student Academic Administration, International

Education Division, etc.) are all located in the Main Building. The Foundation Building houses a 1,000-

seat concert hall. For a full list of administration and department offices refer to Appendix 7.

18 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

BUILDINGS SERVICES

Main Building

Block designation:

A, B, C, D, E

Admissions, Student Academic Administration, Fees,

International Education Division, Student Health Centre,

Restaurants, Computers, Laboratories, Classrooms

Foundation Building

Block designation: F Concert Hall, Restaurant/Café, Classrooms

Glucksman Building

Block designation: G Library, Restaurant/Café, Computers

Lonsdale Building

Block designation: L Chemistry/Physics Laboratories, Classrooms

Schrödinger Building

Block designation: SR Life-Science Laboratories, Computers, Classrooms

Schuman Building

Block designation: S Computers, Restaurant/Café, Classrooms

Physical Education Building

Block designation: P Restaurant/Café, Classrooms

Computer Science Building

Block designation: CS Restaurant/Café, Computers, Classrooms

Engineering Research Building

Block designation ER Classrooms, Research areas

Health Sciences Building

Block designation HS Restaurant/Café, Computers, Classrooms

Irish World Academy

Block designation IW Restaurant/ café, Music rooms, Classrooms,

Practice rooms, Performance spaces

Millstream Building Restaurant, Staff Common Room

Medical School

Block designation GEMS

Classrooms, GEMS Administration, Computers, Café

Languages Building

Block designation: LC Classrooms, Language Resource Area

Kemmy Business School

Block designation KB Restaurant/ Café, Classroom, Lecture Theatres,

Simulated Trading Floor, Computer Labs

University Sports Arena 50m Swimming Pool, Gym, Sports Hall, Sports Bar/Café

Classrooms in the university are designated by letters and numbers e.g. if Chemistry 1 is timetabled

to be in classroom A1-050, the room can be found as follows:

• Building designation: Block A, Main Building

• Floor designation: Level 1

• Classroom number: 050

(For a full map of University Buildings refer to Appendix 3)

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 19

Library

The University Library, which is fully computerised, is a designated European Documentation Centre

and receives all official publications of the European Union.

The current collections in the library number 200,000 books and 7,250 audio-visual items. There

are subscriptions to approximately 5,500 journals and periodicals and seating for 1,450 people. The

library is open:

Term Time Opening Hours

Days Library Building

Self Service Staffed Service

Monday – Friday 08.30 – 23.00 09.00 – 21.00 Saturday 10.00 – 19.00 10.00 – 16.30 Sunday 11.00 – 18.00 Closed

Please also check the screens in the library foyer and the library website for extended opening hours

prior to exams and non-term time opening hours.

Computer Facilities

The Information Technology Department (ITD) provides computer facilities for all University of

Limerick staff and students. PCs are available to students on an open-access basis, except when they

are booked for classes. Most PCs are heavily booked between 09h00 and 17h00 during the semester.

However, the biggest PC cluster (Room A0-060) is not block booked, and is open 24 hours a day on a

‘first-come, first-served’ basis. ITD PC clusters are open from 09h00-22h00 during the semester.

The software applications available to students are based on Microsoft Windows. Students do not

require their own software copies as all software is centrally maintained on file savers. The same

group of applications is available in all PC clusters. Some familiar Windows software applications

available are: MSWord, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, SPSS, CD-ROM database access, etc. More specialised

applications on offer are outlined on the ITD website: www.ul.ie/ITD. Network connections are

available in all on-campus accommodation at a charge of €68.00 per semester.

E-mail

ITD issue all students with a personal email account which can be set up after online enrolment.

Instructions will be sent to students by e-mail after successfully enrolling online. This is the email

account to be used by students for the duration of their stay at the University of Limerick.

20 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 19

Sports

The University of Limerick offers extensive and first class on-campus sport facilities. The diverse

range of facilities is unmatched anywhere else in Ireland. People from Olympic class athletes to staff

and students can avail of all facilities, which include the following:

• Olympic size 50m indoor swimming pool • Indoor diving pool

• Steam room • Sauna

• Four full sized indoor courts • Cardio-fitness suite

• Elite training facility • Aerobics studio

• 60m six-lane indoor sprint track • 2 squash courts

• 225m suspended three lane indoor jogging track • Indoor climbing wall

• 4 outdoor tennis courts • 8 lane 400m outdoor athletics track

• Over 40 acres of playing fields • Floodlit astro turf

• Extensive changing facilities

A detailed description of all sport facilities is available at: www.universityarena.com.

In addition, students can enjoy horse riding, orienteering, sailing, canoeing and windsurfing at the

University of Limerick Activity Centre in Killaloe, Co. Clare.

“The diverse range of facilities is unmatched anywhere else in Ireland. ”

University Restaurants

There is a wide choice of restaurants and bars on campus, The student centre complex has the Stables

bar and The Paddocks restaurant, two restaurants are located in the Main Building and a further

six in other buildings on campus. These restaurants are open all day with a basic meal costing

approximately €5.00 - €6.00.

Campus Bars/Restaurants

There are three bars on campus: the Stables Club, the Sports Club and Scholars. Each bar provides hot

food daily, there is free entertainment nightly in the Stables bar, in the form of live music, comedy,

table quizzes etc.

Banking

The University has one bank on campus: Bank of Ireland (BoI). The Bank of Ireland offers free student

banking, Bureau de Change and ATM facilities. Two mobile banking ATM units are in place on campus

between the Glucksman Library Building and the Stables Complex and the other on the North side of

the campus near the Medical School Building.

Permanent ATMs – two in the student courtyard outside the bank and one each at the Arena and

Pavilion buildings and in the Red Raisins Café, Main Building.

Crèche

Silver Apples is a custom-built crèche situated on the university campus. The crèche has been built to

comply with the relevant childcare regulations in Ireland. The crèche caters for children in a happy,

relaxed environment. A number of places are available to students with families each year. For

further information contact:

Oliver Moloney T: +353 61 213468

Silver Apples Crèche E: silverapplescreche@ul.ie

University of Limerick

Limerick

Ireland www.ul.ie/creche

22 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

USIT Travel Office

An International Student Identity Card can be obtained at the USIT travel office, which is located at

the student centre courtyard on the university campus. To receive up to 50% discount on trains and

buses in Ireland, students will need to purchase a Travel save Stamp. This stamp entitles students to

discounts on Bus Éireann, Irish Rail and Irish Ferries. When applying for the USIT Student Identity Card

and the Travel save Stamp, students will need to bring their UL student identity card, one photograph

and €13.00. A colour passport photograph machine is located in the travel office. The USIT travel

office is open Monday to Friday from 10h00 to 17h00.

Bookshop

O’Mahony’s Bookshop is located in the student centre complex on campus. It stocks all academic

course titles, novels, stationery, newspapers and magazines. The bookshop is open Monday to Friday

from 08h30 to 17h00.

Small Foodstore

Spar Foodstore is located in the Student Centre Complex. The store sells fruit, vegetables, frozen

foods, dairy, and also has a delicatessen section where sandwiches and rolls are made to order, along

with hot food.

Academic Semester Opening Hours

Monday to Thursday from 08h30 - 18h00

Fridays from 08h30 - 17h00

Saturdays from 10h30 - 14h00

Other facilities on campus include:

• Laundrette

• Farmers Market every Tuesday 12-5pm

• Snap Printing

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 23

Other Facilities

24 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

UL Students Union

All students’ of the University of Limerick automatically become members of the students union on

enrolment. The purpose of the union is to represent students’ views within the university and on

local and national issues. It is also responsible for providing a variety of services to students, such as

entertainment events, clubs and societies. The union is run by students for students, independent of

the university. The Student Union Offices are located in the Student Centre.

For further information refer to the website: www.ulsu.ul.ie

The Clubs and Societies Office is located in the Student Centre and is fully equipped to facilitate

exclusively the development of student activities by its students. Clubs and societies are administered

by the Students Union and their full time Clubs and Societies Development Officer. There is a wide

variety of clubs and societies on campus such as the Drama Society, GAA Club etc.

Students can join during weeks 1 and 2 of each semester and there is a small fee for membership: wwwulsu.ie/ulwolves

“There is a wide variety of clubs and societies on campus...”

Clubs and Societies

Clubs

American Football

Archery

Athletics

Badminton

Basketball

Boxing

Capoeira

Chess

Dance UL

Darts

Equestrian

Fencing

GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association)

Handball

Karate Shotokan

Kayak

Krav Maga

Ladies Hockey

Ladies Rubgy

Men’s Hockey

Men’s Rugby

Mountain bike

Outdoor Pursuits

Parkour

Rowing

Sailing

Skydive

Soccer

Sub-aqua

Surf

Swim

Tae-kwon-do

Trampoline

Ultimate Frisbee

Windsurfing

Societies

Africa Club

Animal Welfare

Anime and Manga

Architecture

Christian Union

Comedy

Computer

Cumann Gaelach

Debating Union

Drama

Enactus UL

Engineering

Fan Forum

Games

History

International Society

Law

Literary

Marketing

Medical

Mature Student

Music

Ogra Fianna Fail

Out in UL

Photographic

Poker

Psychology

Racing/Motorsport

Science

Sinn Féin

Surgical Club

Tea Appreciation

UL Give Club

ULFM

Young Fine Gael

The International Society offers international students an opportunity to meet and participate in

cultural events, e.g. International Food Fairs, and organises weekend excursions to various parts of

Ireland. The society is open to both international and Irish students, with the aim of encouraging

integration and creating an atmosphere from which students will benefit.

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 25

24 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUID

E

ACCOMMODATION

A number of single rooms have been reserved for ERASMUS students in the five student villages on

campus. On-Campus Accommodation at UL consists of:

These residences are of a very high standard.

All houses, unless otherwise requested, are mixed, with Irish and non-Irish students. The shared

amenities of each house are a fully equipped kitchen/living room with cable TV and two shower/

WCs. Houses also contain a card-phone, credit for which can be bought in the village reception. All

bedrooms in Dromroe, Thomond and Cappavilla Villages are ensuite. Individual study-bedrooms

contain a bed, desk, wardrobe and washbasin. Duvets are supplied. However, bed linen and pillows

are required. The Village Centre also has a mini-supermarket, hairdressing salon and launderette.

“These residences are of a very high standard.”

Thomond Village

Plassey Village

Kilmurry Village

Dromroe Village

Cappavilla Village

4 and 6 bedroom apartments

8 and 4 bedroom houses

6 bedroom houses

mainly 6 bedroom apartments

6 bedroom apartments

On-Campus Accommodation

Please note that on-campus accommodation is very limited and is allocated on a‘first come first served’

basis. Furthermore, priority is given to full-year students. There are various off-campus residences

as an alternative: for example Parkview Hall and Groody. The on-campus online accommodation

application must be accompanied by a €250.00 booking deposit to confirm the reservation. Students

requiring on-campus accommodation should select more than one option in order of choice. Every

effort will be made to allocate students their first preference.

Enquiries and applications should be submitted to:

Ms. Deirdre Ryan T: +353 61 202433

International Bookings E: Deirdre.ryan@ul.ie

Accommodation Office

University of Limerick

Limerick

Ireland

Prices are for the semester (15 weeks), and are inclusive of an estimate of heating and electricity and

a service charge.

If you secure a room on-campus, you are advised to arrive during office hours Monday to Friday from

09h00 to 17h00. If this is not possible, arrangements must be made by you to have your keys left at

the University’s Main Reception, which is open 24 hours a day. You will need to inform the Village

Manager of your date and time of arrival approximately a week in advance in order to avail of this

facility. Please confirm with your village their arrival dates for each semester.

Please note:

• All payments must be made payable to Plassey Trust Co. Ltd.

• The total rent for one semester plus the deposit must be paid on or before arrival.

Students will not have access to their accommodation until full payment has been made.

• It is not possible to pay by instalments.

• Payment can be made by Credit Card, where a surcharge of 2% will be added,

or by Bank Wire Transfer. See accommodation form for more information.

• International Postal Money Orders are not accepted.

• Euro cheques and Personal cheques are not accepted.

• Once village accommodation has been assigned, living arrangements may not be changed upon

arrival at the University.

• Students may remain in village accommodation during holiday breaks.

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 27

If you are a resident in one of the villages, your address is:

Name Name Name House No., Room No. House No., Room No. Apt. No., Room No. Plassey Village Kilmurry Village Dromroe Village Plassey Park Road Castletroy Castletroy Castletroy Limerick Limerick Limerick

Name Name

Apt. No., Room No. Apt. No., Room No. Thomond Village Cappavilla Village Castletroy Castletroy Limerick Limerick Ireland Ireland

(For a full map of on-campus accommodation refer to Appendix 4)

(outside of and not affiliated with the University)

There are 2 options in this regard:

1. student residence (Parkview, Groody, etc) in which private rooms are provided, usually with

bathrooms and communal kitchens and living rooms

2. privately (landlord) owned house, rented with other students.

Students are advised to be cautious about reserving private off-campus accommodation prior to their

arrival in Limerick. Private sector accommodation, where a house is rented with other students, should

be viewed before reservation. This is not always practical, especially as accommodation is increasingly

difficult to find. The best is often taken well before the start of the semester.

If at all possible, it may be prudent to travel to Limerick to reserve accommodation well in advance.

Students are advised to book a room in temporary accommodation (bed & breakfast, hotel) in order

to look for suitable accommodation on arrival. A list of bed & breakfast and hotel accommodation is

available in Appendix 6.

Alternatively, call any Irish Tourist Board Office or visit the following website: www.shannondevelopment.ie/Tourism/

The accommodation office or the international office provides a list of off-campus accommodation,

owned by private landlords.

28 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

Off-Campus Accommodation

Accommodation Office T: +353 61 202331

Room D0-035 F: +353 61 202827

University of Limerick E: accommodation@ul.ie

Limerick

Ireland

www.ul.ie/international/en/home/quicklinks/accommodation/

Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9h00 to 13h00, 14h00 to 17h00.

Rooms in private accommodation are of a varying standard, but are generally clean and comfortable.

They are usually in houses with non-resident landlords. Duvets and bed linen are not provided and

study desks are not always available. Students share all other facilities. Kitchens are normally fully

equipped. Weekly or monthly terms as agreed with the landlord, are currently approximately €250-

€350 per month. Electricity, heating and refuse collection charges are additional to rent.

Please note:

A deposit of one month’s rent and an electricity deposit are generally required.

It is advisable to inspect a number of properties carefully before reserving a room.

Students may remain in self-catering accommodation during holiday breaks.

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 29

3 #THREE

Living In Ireland

Geography

Ireland is the most westerly country of the European Union, separated from Great Britain by the

North Channel on the northeast and the Irish Sea on the east. Ireland is an island of 84,430 sq.

km (32,598 square miles). Its greatest length is 485 km (302 miles), its greatest width 304 km (189

miles), and its coastline extends for over 5,631 km (3,500 miles). The highest mountain Carrantuohill

(1,040 metres/3,414 feet) is part of the Macgillacuddy Reeks range near Killarney in County Kerry. The

longest river is the Shannon (370 km/230 miles). The largest lake is Lough Neagh (396 sq. km/153

square miles) in Northern Ireland.

The country is divided into four historic provinces; Ulster (9 counties) in the north; Munster (6 counties)

in the south; Leinster (12 counties) in the east; and Connacht (5 counties) in the west. The population

of the 32 counties of Ireland is approximately 6.3 million.

The landscape varies from bogs and lakes in the

central lowlands to mountains and rocky islands

in the west. Between these two extremes, the

island has abundant lush, green pastureland but

little natural woodland.

Winters in Ireland are mild and summers

temperate due to the prevailing south- westerly

winds and the influence of the warm waters

of the North Atlantic Drift. Ireland has a mild

climate all year-averaging 2°- 7°C (35°- 45°F)

in winter and 18°- 24°C (65°- 75°F) in summer.

May and June are the sunniest months with an

average of over 7 hours of sunshine per day.

Ireland is in the same time zone as Great Britain,

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The clocks change

twice yearly for summer time. The summer time

period starts the last Sunday in March at 1.00am

GMT, i.e. the clock goes forward one hour. The

summertime period ends the last Sunday in

October at 1.00am GMT, i.e. the clock goes back

one hour.

The currency of the Republic of Ireland is the Euro

(€). Euro notes come in seven denominations:

5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euro. There is

100 cent to the Euro and coins are in eight

denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, and 1

and 2 Euro. As Northern Ireland is part of the

United Kingdom, the pound sterling (£) is in use

and denominations are similar to that of the

Euro.

There are five retail banks in Ireland, the Bank

of Ireland (BOI), the Allied Irish Bank (AIB), the

Ulster Bank, the Danske Bank and Permanent

TSB Bank. The bank on campus is Bank of Ireland.

Most banks are open from Monday to Friday

from 10h00 to 12h30 and from 13h30 to 16h00,

with some branches open through lunch. There

is extended opening until 17h00 on one day per

week (the choice varying from place to place).

ATM facilities are available is most towns and

villages.

32 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

Currency Landscape

Climate

Time Zone

Banking

“Ireland is the most westerly country of the European Union,...”

All major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard and Euro

Card) are accepted in the majority of services

and retail outlets. Some outlets may accept

Diners Club and American Express cards. Most

credit cards can be used in ATMs, especially the

Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Bank (AIB) ATMs.

Post Offices are open from 09h00 to 17h30

during the week and from 09h00 to 13h00 on

Saturdays. They offer full postal services to all

countries and often offer banking facilities. The

closest Post Office to the University is situated at

Castletroy Shopping Centre.

Ireland is a predominantly Christian state with

approximately 84% of the population professing

to the Roman Catholic faith. In addition there are

Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist and

Baptist Churches, as well as Eastern Orthodox.

In addition to the Christian denominations there

are centres for Buddhists, Hindus, Bahais. There

are also Mosques and Synagogues catering for

those of the Islamic and Jewish faiths.

In the Republic of Ireland the Police are called

the Gardaí (Guards). In the case of an emergency

dial 999 or 112 to contact the Gardaí, Ambulance

or Fire Brigade services. Ireland is a relatively

safe place to live, however it is advisable to take

suitable precautions, such as avoiding poorly lit

or back streets in the cities and larger towns at

night. If you feel intimated or frightened in an

area, it is best to avoid eye contact and leave the

scene as quickly as possible.

Always remember to lock your room and

windows before you go out. Always be careful

with your personal belongings and don’t leave

valuables unattended.

In Ireland, the standard electricity voltage is

between 220 – 240 volts, and frequency is 50

Hertz the same as in most parts of Europe. If

your electrical items are not suited to work under

these conditions you should equip yourself with

a transformer. Buildings in Ireland have sockets

for 13 amp square pin fused plugs. Adaptors can

be bought in most hardware shops to adapt your

plugs to fit 3 pin sockets.

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 33

Credit Cards Safety

Postal Service

Religion

Electricity

Public telephones have become less common in

Ireland in recent years. Most people in Ireland

have a mobile phone and students are advised

to purchase a mobile phone on arrival in Ireland.

A cheaper option is to purchase a SIM card to use

in your own phone. There are four mobile phone

companies in Ireland, Vodafone (www.vodafone.

ie), O2 (www.o2.ie) Meteor (www.meteor.ie) and

3 (www.three.ie) offering these services.

The international dialling code for Ireland is +353

and the area code for Limerick is (0) 61.

Ireland has three state controlled television

channels, RTE1, RTE2 and the Irish language TG4

Teilifís na Gaeilge, and two privately run channels,

TV3, which also has a sister channel 3E and UTV

Ireland. There are six national radio stations

and many local ones. British TV channels can be

picked up in most parts of Ireland on Cable TV

and satellite.

Popular national daily newspapers include

the Irish Times, Irish Independent and the

Irish Examiner. There are also daily tabloid

newspapers. Most towns have a local or regional

paper. The local paper for Limerick is the Limerick

Leader. The Limerick Post is a free newspaper

that is published weekly and is a good source of

information for services and entertainment. All

good newsagents sell a wide variety of special

interest magazines, from sport to business.

In Ireland, cars are driven on the left-hand side of

the road. In towns and cities the speed limit is

normally 50 kilometres per hour but on certain

roads higher limits may apply. A general speed

limit of 100 kilometres per hour applies on all

roads except for motorways where a speed limit

of 120 kilometres per hour applies.

The laws regarding speeding, drink-driving and

wearing seatbelts in Ireland are very strict. There

is a penalty point system in operation, whereby

points will be added to your driving licence for

road safety offences. Full details on all road safety

offences can be found at www.penaltypoints.ie

Public Holidays

October Bank Holiday Last Monday in October Christmas Day 25th December St. Stephen’s Day 26th December New Year’s Day 01st January St. Patrick’s Day 17th March Good Friday As per calendar

Easter Monday As per calendar

May Bank Holiday First Monday in May June Bank Holiday First Monday in June August Bank Holiday First Monday in August

34 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

Newspapers and Magazines Telephone

Radio and Television

Driving in Ireland

“Limerick City...is a lively, interesting and attractive place to live and study.”

Limerick City

The Vikings founded Limerick over a thousand

years ago. The third largest city in the Republic

of Ireland, Limerick City (population 90,000) is a

lively, interesting and attractive place to live and

study. The city is magnificently sited on one of

Europe’s finest rivers, the Shannon. Limerick is a

city of many contrasts, illustrated in the form of

a medieval core with a later Georgian addition.

Of particular importance are:

King John’s Castle, built in the 12th Century, to

defend the river frontier between the Gaelic

West and Norman Munster and Leinster. It is

open daily from 09h30 to 17h00 (Last Admission

16.00).

St. Mary’s Cathedral, built c.1172. Originally the

seat of Donal Mór O’Brien, King of Munster, the

palace was later donated to the church. It is still

in use today as a place of worship.

It is open daily from 09h00 to 17h00.

The Hunt Museum houses an eclectic and

interesting collection. Collected by John and

Gertrude Hunt, the paintings and artefacts were

originally housed in the University of Limerick

before moving to their new home in the old

Customs house in Limerick City. The Museum is

open Monday to Saturday from 10h00 to 17h00,

on Sunday from 14h00 to 17h00.

The recent pioneering programme of urban

renewal has transformed Limerick, into a thriving,

energetic and all-embracing modern city. The

Mid West Region, which comprises the greater

Limerick/Shannon area, is one of the leading

growth centres of the country. The proximity of

Shannon International Airport ensures that the

Region’s important trade links with the global

market place are maintained.

Limerick offers an unequalled base from which

to explore the Southwest and West of Ireland.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Adare, Lough Gur,

the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Killarney, and the

lakes and mountains of Galway and Kerry, are all

within easy driving distance.

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 35

Limerick at a Glance

34 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

“Limerick has long enjoyed a reputation as a major cultural and artistic centre, having contributed to the world of entertainment through its many achievements in theatre, music and the visual arts.”

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 35

Entertainment

Limerick has long enjoyed a reputation as a major

cultural and artistic centre, having contributed

to the world of entertainment through its many

achievements in theatre, music and the visual arts.

Every year the city is home to the EV+A arts festival.

Information about this event can be obtained from

www.eva.ie. The Belltable Theatre usually hosts a

variety of artistic events all year round, including

theatre, film, exhibitions, poetry readings and music.

Limerick city is host to a wide variety of internationally

acclaimed groups and organisations, including the

Irish World Music Centre, the Irish Concert Orchestra,

Daghdha Dance Company, and the Island Theatre

Group. The Lime Tree Theatre, situated on the

grounds of Mary Immaculate College in Limerick City,

plays host to a wide range of performances, including

theatre, music, comedy, traditional arts, schools’

performances. More information about upcoming

events can be found at www.limetreetheatre.ie.

Limerick was the National City of Culture in

2014 and is bidding for the European City of

Culture 2020 - www.limerickcityofculture.ie/

At night the city comes alive with music

and entertainment, and during the summer

months an almost continental atmosphere

is generated among the diners at the many

street-side cafes, bars and restaurants.

By night, old-world pubs ring to the sound

of traditional Irish music, or to the sounds

of rock, folk and jazz. The many wonderful

pubs include Dolan’s, Nancy Blake’s, The

Locke, Mickey Martin’s, The White House and

Tom Collins.

“At night the city comes alive with music and entertainment... ”

For a city of its size, Limerick can take pride in its

sporting achievements. New students arriving in

the city will have a wide range of sporting outlets,

with all the mainstream sports well represented.

Rugby Union is a major sport in the area, with

Limerick now universally acknowledged as

Ireland’s unofficial “Rugby Capital.” Thomond

Park is the home of Munster Rugby in Limerick.

The Limerick hurling team is always a powerful

force in the national game and Gaelic football is

gaining in stature. Horseracing is well catered

for with a new racecourse nearby. There are four

top-class golf courses within a six-mile radius of

the city centre.

Tennis and hockey facilities are also well

developed, and the river Shannon provides

a permanent backdrop for many rowing and

angling clubs with a long tradition of successful

activities.

Shopping in Limerick offers a wide variety of

choice and caters for all tastes and ages. The

city has a reputation for its fashion design and is

renowned for its lace industry. There are several

shopping malls in Limerick city and surrounding

suburbs as well as many outlets offering all

sorts of items from jewellery to the latest

fashion, sports gear and games to antiquities

and handmade crafts. Main shopping hours

in Limerick city are Monday to Saturday from

09h30 to 17h30 with some department stores

staying open late at midweek and weekends.

There are plenty of supermarkets and

grocery stores in the city, and include many

multinational companies such as Aldi, Dunnes

Stores, Tesco, Debenhams, Lidl and Centra. There

is a lively farmers market on Saturday mornings

in the Milk Market. Fresh vegetables, fruit, meat,

fish, and gourmet foods along with many other

items can be purchased at reasonable prices.

International food stores are located throughout

the city centre. These cater for the growing

multicultural population that is now a welcome

aspect of modern Ireland. These include Afro/

Caribbean, Eastern European, and Asian Stores

offering a wide variety of produce and regional

specialities

There are several places in Limerick where you can

dine, with various price ranges to suit depending

on your choice of venue. Restaurants in hotels

can be more expensive and offer classic French

cuisine to international contemporary dishes.

Casual dining in pubs is very popular in Ireland.

Lots of pubs in Limerick have restaurants that

offer either à la Carte or fixed menus. Limerick

is well catered for by numerous fast food outlets

offering a range of foods that mirrors its ethnic

diversity. All have seating arrangements and

many are open throughout the day till late in

the evening.

There are three cinema theatres situated in

Limerick. The closest one to the University, Odeon

Cinema, is located in the Castletroy Shopping

Centre complex. The second, The Omniplex, is

located in Dooradoyle adjacent to the Crescent

Shopping Centre. There is a third cinema,

Showtime, located on the Ennis Road outside of

the city at the Jetland Shopping Centre.

38 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

Sport

Shopping

Eating Out

Cinema

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 35

“For a city of its size, Limerick can take pride in its sporting achievements....”

4 #FOUR

FAQs

? FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Does Ireland use a different electrical power point?

A: The regular Irish electricity point will take 220 – 240 volts. Plugs most commonly used in

Ireland are 3-pin flat. It may be advisable to purchase electrical appliances in Ireland, as the

electrical current here (240 volts) may differ to your home country. If you do take your own

appliances, remember to take an adaptor with you or purchase one when you arrive in Ireland.

Q: How should I handle my money?

A: Please ensure that you have enough € (Euro) in cash on arrival to pay for transport, meals and

groceries, while you sort out more permanent financial arrangements for your stay.

Q: Will I be able to open a bank account in Ireland?

A: Yes, to open a bank account in Ireland is an easy process. Banking for students is free and

the only documentation required is your passport and documentation indicating your home

address and address in Limerick which you will receive at Orientation.

Q: Is there a society for international students?

A: Yes there is a society for international students. Representatives will speak with you and give

you details of how to join up at Orientation.

Q: Where can I get information on the modules on offer at the University of

Limerick?

A: The modules on offer for each semester are available on the International Education Division

website: www.ul.ie/international

Go to the ERASMUS Exchange Programme and click on module booklet.

Q: Where can I receive a copy of the class timetable?

A: You will be e-mailed a copy of the timetable once it is published. You can then begin to

compose your timetable based on your provisional module choices, before finalising your

timetable by week 2 of the semester as detailed above.

Q: How long do I have to finalise my module selection?

A: You have until the end of Week 2 of each semester to register for your modules. Failure to

submit the Module Registration Form by the end of Week 2 will result in a €20 fine. Selection

of modules takes time and patience; please expect to encounter difficulties such as clashes of

times and unsuitability of modules.

42 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

Q: When will I receive my exam results?

A: Results can be accessed on-line towards the end of January and towards the end of June. The

official transcript of records will be sent directly to your home address 6-8 weeks after sitting

examinations.

Q: What happens if I am sick and cannot sit an exam?

A: Students can apply for an “I” grade in cases where the student has not completed all of the

requirements for a module due to medical and/or psychological illness or family bereavement.

Q: What happens if I fail a module?

A: You will be sent a letter from Student Academic Administration with instructions on how

to repeat your examinations (please ignore the section on progression; this refers to UL full

degree students only). Please check with your home university if you are required to take the

repeats. Please be aware all repeats examinations are capped at a C3 (with the exception of I

grades which remain uncapped).

Q: Does the International Office arrange internships?

A: No the international Office is only engaged in academic affairs and does not arrange either

paid or unpaid internships.

Q: What clothes should I pack?

A: Students are advised to pack clothes that can be worn in layers, for example thermal

underwear, jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts and sweaters. You may also wish to consider taking

the following with you, bearing in mind your airline luggage allowance and what you can

realistically carry: • Warm waterproof coat or jacket

• ski jacket (for colder weather)

• comfortable walking shoes or sneakers

• hat, scarf and gloves

An umbrella and an electric blanket are highly recommended, and both can be purchased in

Limerick after you arrive. Sheets and towels can also be bought in Limerick.

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 43

5 #FIVE

Appendices

Appendix 1: Useful Telephone Numbers

NOTE: The code for the Limerick area is 061.

To ring a Limerick number from outside Ireland the code is +353 61 (plus the local number).

46 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

Airport: Shannon International Airport 061 471 444

Bicycle Hire: Emerald Appliances 061 416 983

Bus: Bus Eireann 061 313 333

Car Hire: Avis 061 715 600 Budget 061 471 361 Hertz 061 471 369

Golf: Castletroy Golf Club 061 335 261 Rathbane Golf Club (Public) 061 313 655

Directory Enquiries: Directory Enquiries 11811

Emergency: Police/Fire Brigade/Ambulance 999 or 112

Ferry Companies: Brittany Ferries 021 427 7801 Irish Ferries 01 661 0743 Stena Sealink 01 204 7777

ICOS: Irish Council for International Students 01 660 5233

Hospitals: University Hospital Limerick 061 301 111 St. Johns Hospital 061 415 822

On-Campus Plassey Village 061 202 347 Accommodation: Kilmurry Village 061 202 081

Dromroe Village 061 202 977 Thomond Village 061 237 000

Taxis: Plassey Cabs 061 336 336 Castletroy Taxis 061 332 266 Economy Taxis 061 411 422

Tourist Information: Limerick Tourist Office 061 317 522

Train: Limerick Train Station 061 315 555

University of Limerick: Main Reception 061 202 700 International Education Division 061 202 414

Visa Office: Department of Foreign Affairs 01 478 0822

Appendix 2: Map of Region

LIMERICK CITY:

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 43

Belfast

Galway Dublin

Shannon Airport

Limerick

Cork

1 Main University Entrance

2 East Gate Entrance

3 Castletroy Park Hotel

4 Plassey Student Village

5 International Science Centre

6 Robert Schuman Building

7 International Business Centre

8 Computer Science Building

9 Silver Apples Creche

10 Glucksman Library and

Information Services Building

11 Foundation Building and

University Concert Hall

12 Engineering Research Building &

Millstream Courtyard

13 Main University Academic Building

14 Plassey House

15 Visitors Information Centre

16 Students Centre, Shops, Banks, Bars

17 Kathleen Lonsdale Building

18 Material and Surface Science Institute

19 Physical Education &

Sports Science Building

20 Schrodinger Building

21 Grounds/Maintenance Compound

22 University Arena including

National 50 metre pool

23 Sports Club

24 Kilmurry Student Village

25 Horticultural Unit

26 Dromroe Student Village

27 The Boat House

28 Kemmy Business School

29 Tierney Building

30 Languages Building

31 The Living Bridge

32 Health Sciences Building

33 Irish World Academy

34 Medical School Building

35 Quigley Residences

36 Sports Pavilion and

All Weather Pitches

37 Irish Chamber Orchestra

Building

38 Cappavilla Student Village

39 Thomond Student Village

40 President’s House

48 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

Appendix 3: Campus map

Appendix 4: Campus Residences Map

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 49

Thomond Student Village

Quigley Cappavilla

Residence Student

Village

Dromroe

Student Village

Killmurry Student Village

National Technology Park

Student Centre

UL East Gate

UL Main Entrance

Plassey Student Village

Key

Bus Stop

Supermarket/Shop

Post Office

Restaurant/Pub

Laundrette

Bank

Medical Centre

Bakery

Sports/Recreation

Travel Agent

UL campus

UL buildings

Student Accommodation

Private Accommodation

Parkland

Commercial Area

Cycle Paths

Appendix 5: Counselling Information

Dear Student

We are glad to hear that you are considering taking up an overseas placement here at U.L. I am

writing to you now as a preventative measure, to ensure that you take care of all the necessary pre-

requisites regarding your health before you travel. In particular I want to draw attention to the level

of psychological services available to you here and what to expect. Also, I want you to realise the level

of re-adjustment that overseas placement can require.

Specifically I wish to point out to those of you who are already attending a professional for

psychological or stress related matters, it is imperative that you consult with this person regarding

the appropriateness of your travelling, taking into account that you may not be able to avail of the

same level of support as you are used to in your own home country.

We require that all students obtain a clean bill of health, both mental and physical, from their own

health professional before travel. We do not recommend that students with severe mental illness

take up an overseas placement, due to the stress likely to be generated by the transition and the fact

that there is no comprehensive psychiatric service attached to the University, to ensure adequate

support and care. Our experience in the past has been that for such students, what was hoped would

be an enjoyable and rewarding trip to Ireland ends up being one of unhappiness and isolation.

Should you arrive in Ireland and discover that you are not able to cope with the situation, and then

of course we will be only too happy to meet with you and provide whatever level of psychological

counselling you require.

Yours sincerely

Dr. Declan Aherne

Head of Counselling

50 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

Appendix 6: Hotels and Bed & Breakfast Accommodation

NOTE: The code for the Limerick area is 061.

To ring a Limerick number from outside Ireland the code is +353 61 (plus the local number).

Name Address Email/Website Telephone

Travelodge Park Point, Castletroy,

Dublin Rd, Limerick www.travelodge.ie 061 603 500

Castletroy Park

Hotel Dublin Rd., Limerick www.castletroypark.ie 061 335 566

Kilmurry Lodge

Hotel Castletroy, Limerick www.kilmurrylodge.com 061 331 133

Annville Newtown, Castletroy,

Limerick (1st turn right after

Chawkes Maxol Petrol

Station, Dublin Road,

350 yards on Right)

annville@hotmail.com 061 330 023

Blackberry Way Hawthorns, Newtown,

Castletroy, Limerick

(1st turn right after

Chawkes Maxol Petrol

Station, 350 yards on Left)

blackberry@irish-bnb.com 061 336262

Castle Moor Rivers, Castletroy,

Limerick

On Dublin Road.

After Kilmurry

Roundabout, 2nd last

house on right before

Annacotty Roundabout.

Bus Stop outside gate

www.castle-moor.com 061 330 789

Cregans Dublin Rd., Castletroy,

Limerick cregansbandb@eircom.net 061 331 347

Sandvilla Monaleen Rd.,

Castletroy, Limerick sandvilla@indigo.ie 061 336 484

Twin Oaks Dublin Rd, Castletroy,

Limerick www.twinoakslimerick.com

061 311 663

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 51

Appendix 7: Administration & Department Offices

The following office numbers may be useful to you during your stay at the University of Limerick

52 ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE

FACULTY/DEPT Room No. Department Office

Administration EO-001

DO-035 Admissions Office

Accommodation Office

EO-005 Co-operative Education EO-001A Fees Office EO-020 International Education Division GLG-020 Information Technology DO-033

E1-006

Plassey Campus Centre -

Student Village Accommodation

Print Room CM-060 Student Health Centre EO-001 Student Academic Administration

Kemmy Business School KB3-022

KB3-22A

KB3-018

KB3-035

Accounting and Finance

Economics

Marketing and Management

Personnel & Employment Relations

Faculty of Arts, Humanities C1-076 History & Social Sciences MC1-002

FG-013 Culture and Communication

Law MC1-002 Modern Languages & Applied Linguistics F1-018 Politics & Public Administration F1-003 Sociology

Faculty of Science ER3-015 Architecture & Engineering B3-046

B3-046 Chemical & Environmental Science

Civil Engineering & Materials Science LRG-008 Computer Science & Information Systems SR3-025 Design & Manufacturing Technology D2-031 Electronic & Computer Engineering SR2-038 Life Sciences A2-016d Mathematics & Statistics L1-034

CO-064

Mechanical, Aeronautical and

Biomedical Engineering

Physics & Energy

FACULTY/DEPT Room No. Department Office

Faculty of Education PESS Physical Education & Sport Sciences & Health Sciences E1-026

GEMS3-011

Psychology

Graduate Entry Medical School CM-082c Education & Professional Studies HSG-004 Nursing & Midwifery HS2-027 Clinical Therapies

ERASMUS+ INCOMING STUDENT GUIDE 53