Shannon College of Hotel Management

Shannon College of Hotel Management is a specialist hospitality and business college based at Shannon International Airport in County Clare, Ireland. It is part of the University of Galway and is focused on hotel management, hospitality business, practical training and international work placement.

For students planning a September 2026 start, Shannon College is worth considering if you want a small, industry-focused college with a University of Galway award and a course structure built around real hotel experience.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Institution type	Specialist hotel management college within University of Galway
Location	Shannon International Airport, Co. Clare, Ireland
Founded	1951
Main study area	Hospitality, hotel management and business
Popular intake	September 2026
Undergraduate awards	Level 8 business degrees in international hotel management
Postgraduate option	MSc Business and Hospitality, PgCert Hospitality Management and related hospitality programmes
Known for	Paid work placement, practical training, hotel industry links and graduate employability
Campus style	Small specialist college with airport-region access and practical hospitality facilities

Why Shannon College Can Be A Good Fit

Shannon College is not a broad multi-subject campus. Its strength is that students join a focused hotel management environment where business education, practical training and placement are built into the study plan.

The Bachelor of Commerce in International Hotel Management includes 21 months of paid work placement and leads to a University of Galway award. This is useful for students who want a hospitality degree that is clearly connected to employment rather than only classroom learning.

The college also suits students who want Ireland as their study destination but prefer a smaller specialist setting. Shannon is close to Limerick and Galway by road, and the campus location beside Shannon Airport supports the college's international hotel and travel-industry identity.

2026 Tuition Snapshot

These are the key 2026 planning figures published for Shannon College and University of Galway courses.

Course example	2026 fee information	Notes
BComm International Hotel Management	Non-EU Year 1 total about €15,640	Includes non-EU tuition and levy for 2026/27
BComm International Hotel Management	Non-EU total published at about €51,510	Across the charged years, including levy; final year has no tuition fee listed
International Foundation Business Programme	€13,700	One-year pathway programme
MSc Business and Hospitality	€19,300 international tuition	One-year postgraduate programme
PgCert Hospitality Management	Check current University of Galway/Shannon College fee listing	Short Level 9 postgraduate certificate

Admission Snapshot

Area	What students should check
Undergraduate route	International non-EU applicants apply directly to Shannon College
Main undergraduate start	September 2026
Academic requirement	Strong school results for Level 8 entry; Irish CAO applicants have Leaving Certificate requirements
Interview	Undergraduate applicants may need a selection interview
English requirement	IELTS or equivalent English evidence is normally required for international applicants
Documents	Academic transcripts, English test result and passport copy
Postgraduate entry	Relevant undergraduate degree or experience, personal statement, CV, references and interview for selected programmes
Placement planning	Students should check visa, work placement and uniform/cost requirements before applying

Campus And Student Life

Student life at Shannon College is shaped by hospitality training, professional standards and a smaller community. Students should expect practical sessions, business modules, presentations, group work and industry-facing activities.

The setting is different from a large city university campus. Students who want hospitality careers may see that as an advantage because the environment is more focused. Students who want a large campus lifestyle should compare Shannon carefully with the wider University of Galway experience.

Who Should Consider Shannon College?

Shannon College can suit students who want:

• A September 2026 intake in Ireland
• Hotel management, hospitality business or hospitality leadership
• A University of Galway award from a specialist college
• Paid placement as a major part of the degree
• A smaller professional learning environment
• Career routes into hotels, resorts, revenue management, operations, events, luxury hospitality or hospitality consulting

Things To Check Before Applying

Before finalising Shannon College, students should confirm:

• Whether they are applying for BComm, BBS, foundation, MSc or PgCert study
• The exact 2026 fee for their chosen programme
• Interview requirements and application deadline
• English language requirement for their country and qualification
• Placement structure, expected salary and visa rules
• Uniform, meals, accommodation and living-cost planning

Shannon College of Hotel Management is popular with students who want a hospitality degree that connects classroom study with paid hotel work experience.

Popular For

• International hotel management and hospitality business
• University of Galway awarded hospitality degrees
• 21 months of paid work placement on the BComm pathway
• Practical training in service, accommodation, food and beverage and hotel operations
• Small specialist college environment
• Strong links with hotel employers in Ireland and internationally
• September 2026 entry for students targeting Ireland

Best Known For

Shannon College is best known for preparing students for global hotel and hospitality careers. The college has operated since 1951 and positions employability, practical training and structured placement as central parts of the student experience.

Good Fit For

• Students who want hospitality instead of a general business degree
• Students who value paid placement and professional grooming
• Students aiming for hotel operations, revenue, rooms division, food and beverage or guest experience roles
• Students who prefer a specialist college attached to a recognised Irish university
• Students who want Ireland as a study destination but do not need a large city campus