Ireland: University College Cork

University College, Cork, opened its doors to students on November 1849. In 1997, The Universities Act established UCC as a constituent university of the National University of Ireland. Today, the University College, Cork has over 60 academic departments under eight faculties: Arts, Celtic Studies, Commerce, Engineering, Food Science and Technology, Law, Medicine (including Dentistry) and Science. Due to the growth of the student population, almost 13,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, today the campus is a combination of past and present: a modern campus has emerged amongst the original buildings combining early and modern architecture along a riverside garden setting close to the city center.

The city of Cork is Ireland’s second largest city and is located on the south coast, 160 miles southwest of the capital of Dublin. Cork is ideally situated at the head of the inlet of Cork Harbor: the sea is just to the south; mountains, hills and river valleys are to the north and east; and the well-known lakes of Killarney are only a 90 minute drive to the west.

There is a good mixture of educational, sporting and cultural interests in the city of Cork. Among Cork’s cultural offerings are an art gallery with public painting and sculpture galleries, an Opera House, numerous theatres and a city museum. The city has an active social life and is a center each year for International Film, Choral and Jazz Festivals.

Curriculum:

Students can take courses in the following disciplines: Anthropology, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English, Environmental Science, Geography, History, Languages, Law, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology.

Accommodations:

The University Accommodation Office provides a comprehensive service designed to assist students in quickly finding suitable and reasonably priced accommodations. UCC provides eight apartment-style complexes close to the campus, which are modern and convenient. All apartments have electrical heating and cooking facilities, and all rooms are singles but kitchen and toilet facilities are shared with the other occupants of the apartment. Internet connection is available in the rooms.

Requirements:

Students should meet the following requirements:

• 3.0 GPA or above
• Strong academic background
• Evidence of good character, maturity, and motivation
• Ability and willingness to adapt to a foreign environment

International Community:

In the West Wing of the Main Quadrangle, students can find the International Education Office, which provides assistance to UCC’s international students.

Health Insurance:

It is recommended that American students arrange private health insurance in advance of their arrival in Ireland.

Orientation:

In order to introduce you to life at UCC, and to help you settle in, the University runs a series of orientation programs designed to tell you about life on campus. In addition, incoming visiting students have the opportunity to attend an informal reception, where you can meet other students and academic and administrative staff responsible for your welfare while there.

Approximate Dates:

• Semester 1: Early September to late December
• Semester 2: Early January to late May