The college was founded in 1845, originally known as "Queen's College Galway". Later the name was changed to National Universities of Ireland Galway. As the name suggests the university is located in the city of Galway, Ireland In 1950, the university became a part of Queen's University in Ireland. Foundation for this university, that is, the Galway University Foundation which is the foundation for this University was established in 1998. The aim of this foundation is to deal with generating financial support from private individual.The university comprises of five colleges including College of Arts, social science and Celtic studies; College of Business, public policy, and law; College of engineering and informatics; College of medicine, nursing, and health science; College of science. NUI Galway has about 150 active societies for the students, which include societies for academic activities, artistic and performing society, religious society, societies for different lifestyles, and many other such different societies. NUI Galway has clubs for different sports, such as indoor sports, water sports, martial arts, athletics, triathlon, and clubs for other sports as well. The total of their academic staff consists of 2,079 members, and their administrative staff is comprised of over 2,015 members. They provide courses at both postgraduate and undergraduate level. They are known to have taught almost 14,464 undergraduate students, 2,623 postgraduate students, and 278 other students. That makes a total of 17,318 students taught by them out of which 3,000 students are international students. Out 100% of the total students, 16% are international students studying in the university.