University College Cork, Ireland

University College Cork:
UCC is Ireland's leading university (named University of the Year for 2003-2004) with a very wide range of courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and an extensive programme for international students. UCC welcomes over 1700 international students every year. From more than 75 countries worldwide, some students come for a year or less as visiting students; others enroll as full-time students for the duration of our programmes. University College Cork has eight faculties: Arts, Celtic Studies, Commerce, Engineering, Food Science and Technology, Law, Medicine and Science. We offer a range of Bachelor's, Master's and PhD degree programmes.

Since its foundation n 1845, as one of the Queen's colleges in Ireland, University College Cork has been guided by one overriding goal - to offer its students the highest standards of education and teaching. Our beautiful campus, with state-of-the-art facilities, is one of the finest in these islands. UCC is undergoing a major reorganisation to consolidate its position as a leading European, research-intensive, student-centred University. An essential part of this reorganisation is the restructuring of the existing Faculty structure into four Colleges to focus the University's research and teaching efforts. The Colleges are:

- College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences
- College of Business and Law
- College of Science, Engineering and Food Science
- College of Medicine and Health

UCC was 'Irish University of the Year' 2005-2006 and was also 'Irish University of the Year' 2003-2004. Graduates in business, politics, technology, research, medicine, arts and in all walks of life bear testimony to the quality of the education they have enjoyed at UCC. Delivering a first class education is our primary focus but we also seek to ensure a university experience that is rich and varied.

UCC is Ireland's leading university with a very wide range of courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and an extensive programme for international students. We offer undergraduate bachelor & graduate (master, Phd) degree programs in Science, Food Science & Technology, Engineering, Medicine (including Dentistry), Law, Commerce, Arts. Also diploma and summer school courses, ESL English programmes.

Why choose University College Cork for Postgraduate study?

Excellence in Research
UCC's commitment to excellence in both research and teaching is its defining characteristic as a university. UCC's key research strengths are in the areas of Bioscience, Food and Health, Informatics, Environmental Sciences, nano-Sciences, Photonics, Microelectronics and the Humanities (incl. Business and Law). UCC's gross income from peer-reviewed research grew, by 20% to 55m euro in the academic year 2003/04. UCC has achieved 80m euro for more than 30 separate research programmes funded by Science Foundation Ireland. Ireland's first ever Marie Curie excellence team (one of only 18 awarded across Europe from over 230 applications in 2004) was awarded to UCC's Dr Catriona Ni Laoire

The Centre of Major Research Institutes
UCC's strong research profile is evident in it being the location of major international research centres of excellence including the Tyndall National Institute, the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, the BioInnovation Centre, the Bioscience Institute and the Environmental Research Institute. Developments at the Boole Centre for Research in Infomatics, including recent supercomputer investments, position UCC for major industrial links.

A Lifestyle Choice
Founded in 1845, UCC is now Ireland's largest university outside Dublin. Cork City is a modern cosmopolitan city while maintaining the feel and sense of a smaller town. Within ten minutes walk of the college gates, you are in the city centre, with an endless supply of pubs, clubs, cinemas and cafes on hand. UCC is in the heart of the city, which contributes to a student's quality of life. The recently opened Glucksman Gallery is a major addition to the UCC campus as well as being a major cultural centre nationally. The excellence of the Glucksman Art gallery has been recognised in architectural and design awards won this year and interviews in national and international media. With over seventy clubs and societies, including the Postgraduate Students Society, it is hard to think of an interest that is not catered for in some shape or form.

University Facilities
UCC's ongoing programme of investment in facilities for teaching, learning and research is evidenced recently by a number of major developments, including investment of 32m euro for a new postgraduate research library. UCC's investment in the future is evidenced in Capital Developments in progress, including a new purpose-built Environmental Research Institute building and the development of a BUPA Ireland research centre.

Range of Programmes
Over 200 graduate programmes are offered across the four colleges ranging from Higher Diplomas to doctoral research degrees. The university offers two types of postgraduate degrees:

- Diploma and Master level taught programmes
- Research based programmes leading to Master and Doctoral degrees

Many of our taught programmes are offered on a part-time basis and the university is committed to increasing flexibility in its postgraduate programmes by introducing modular and distance learning programmes. Whether you wish to continue studying in a particular subject area, or you wish to convert to a new subject area, UCC can offer a range of options.

The Accommodation Office provides information on the various accommodation options available to students free of charge.

On-campus accommodation
If you want to make a smooth transition to University life then come live at UCC Campus Accommodation. UCC Campus Accommodation is more than just a place to eat and sleep - it provides social, cultural and sporting outlets and the chance to develop friendships that will last a lifetime. We currently own and manage three complexes: Castlewhite Apartments, University Hall and Victoria Lodge. Our accommodation services are divided into our two areas of operation, one being the provision of safe, modern accommodation for those studying during the academic year and the other the provision of excellent summer accommodation for holiday or summer course visitors who are seeking what is a very special environment to stay in with every modern convenience but steeped in history and the ambiance of one of Europe’s oldest and most highly regarded universities.

Lodgings/Digs
This is where the student lives with a family and 1-5 other students and you get your breakfast, evening meal and light supper. Rates are available for both single and shared rooms, five days or seven-day board. Prices are set and no landlady can charge over this agreed rate. This is a very economical and safe accommodation option and particularly well suited to first year students. Lists of landladies, including maps, grid references to each house, etc. are available free from the Accommodation Office by post, fax and email. We recommend that you make an appointment to meet several landladies before you choose the one who suits you best.

Shared Student Housing 
Vacancies are advertised in the Accommodation office throughout the year. Updated lists of vacancies are available daily.

Living with a Landlord
Some people who have bought their home choose to rent a room out to help pay the mortgage. Usually this provides more mature students with a high standard of accommodation at reasonable rents, usually a little below the market price. Vacancies are advertised in the Accommodation Office throughout the year.

The main campus of UCC is half a mile west of Cork city centre, about 15 minutes walk along Washington Street from the UCC Downtown Centre in the Grand Parade or take a city bus. The College Gates on Western Road are ceremonial (foot access only): the entrance to the main campus is on College Road, and there are side entrances on Donovan’s Hill, Gaol Walk, and other entrances on College Road. Other UCC locations around the city tend to have a single main entrance. There are usually plenty of taxis in the city and at the airport, rail and bus stations, but check with your contact in UCC before arrival to make sure you tell the driver the correct address. Taxis from the city centre cost about €5.