University College Cork – Cork, Ireland

Institution
University College Cork (UCC), founded in 1849, is built around a beautiful stone quadrangle. Today there are four campuses that house a combined total of over 17,000 students. UCC typically has over 2000 international students from a variety of backgrounds each school year.

Main features include:
• Student Centre including cafes, a multifunctional hall, photocopying shop, bank, bookstore, travel agency, mini-market, stationery shop, pool gallery, meeting rooms, and public telephones
• Cork Campus Radio broadcasted daily
• Over 80 student societies
• Boole Library containing over 1 million books and 8,000 print and online periodicals and research journals
• Helpful subject-based staff on each floor of the library
• Nearly 3,000 “reader places” in the library
• 50 PCs accessible to students
• Photocopying and printing facilities
• Microcomputer centres at various locations throughout campus
• On-campus restaurants
• Confidential health services
• Student counseling and development services and workshops
• Disability support services
• Campus Watch Service for safety
• Airport 6 km from University
• 60 academic departments of study

City of Cork
With a population of nearly 300,000 people, Cork is Ireland’s second-largest city. Its sister cities are San Francisco, Shanghai, Rennes, and Cologne. Although Cork is modern and cosmopolitan, it is not removed from the countryside of Ireland; the “city” and “country” lives blend together well in the city of Cork. It has amenities for business, banking, shopping, recreation, and sports. In 2005 it was designated the “European Capital of Culture” because of its art, music, and theatre, and it’s all within walking distance of UCC’s main campus.

Program in Brief
Most international students at UCC will choose to take courses in the College of Arts, Celtic Studies, and Social Sciences. Though there are limitations, most departments will be happy to consider applications from international students to take classes usually reserved for regular Cork students. In addition, UCC’s International Education Office is dedicated to giving international students the most comfortable experience possible while at UCC.

Academic Program and Areas of Study
UCC offers a wide variety of courses in over 60 different disciplines. Detailed information about these courses is available on the College’s website here.

Orientation
There is a mandatory set of pre-departure orientations at PC for all students planning to participate in the program. There is also a Welcome Program for newly arrived international students hosted by the International Education Office.

Housing and Meals
There are many different options for both on- and off-campus accommodation. You may choose to live in a student apartment complex run by either UCC Campus Accommodation or privately owned and managed. Prices, including the price of the security deposit, and tenancy agreements will vary from location to location.

There are three UCC-owned student apartments, all of which are self-catered. Most of these are single-bedroom, suite-style apartments with kitchen and living space shared with three or four others. Utilities are not included in the cost of rent.
All on-campus accommodation is fully furnished, and most off-campus accommodation will be as well.
Though there is no set meal plan for University College Cork students, there are many different on-campus main and mini restaurants offering a variety of food and snacks. Meal prices are reasonable, and students usually get a discount at on-campus catering facilities.

For more information visit:

http://www.ucc.ie/en/international/