University College Cork
A Leading Research University | World Ranked #246
Overview
University College Cork (UCC) was founded in 1845 as one of three Queen's Colleges in Ireland and has grown into one of the country's leading research universities. Located on a beautiful riverside campus along the River Lee, UCC combines historic limestone buildings with modern research facilities, creating one of Ireland's most picturesque university settings.
UCC has been named Sunday Times University of the Year on multiple occasions and is internationally recognised as a leader in sustainability. It was the first university in the world to receive a Green Flag award. The university is home to world-class research centres in food science, pharmacy, photonics, and environmental science, and attracts significant EU and national research funding.
With over 22,000 students including 3,500 international students from more than 100 countries, UCC offers a close-knit and supportive learning environment. Cork itself is Ireland's second-largest city, famous for its vibrant food culture, live music scene, and friendly atmosphere, all at a significantly lower cost of living than Dublin.
Why Choose University College Cork
Multiple-Award-Winning
UCC has been named Sunday Times University of the Year multiple times and consistently ranks among Ireland's top universities for teaching quality and student experience.
Sustainability Leader
UCC is Ireland's first Green Flag campus and a global leader in sustainability, winning numerous international awards for its environmental initiatives and green campus practices.
Cork City Lifestyle
Cork is Ireland's second city and European Capital of Culture 2005, offering a vibrant food scene, live music, festivals, and a welcoming community at a lower cost of living than Dublin.
Pharmacy #1 in Ireland
UCC's School of Pharmacy is the top-ranked in Ireland, with state-of-the-art facilities, clinical placements, and strong links to the pharmaceutical industry in the Cork region.
Food Science Excellence
Home to one of Europe's leading food science programmes, UCC benefits from its location in Ireland's food industry heartland with companies like Kerry Group and Dairygold nearby.
Supportive International Office
A dedicated International Office provides comprehensive support including airport pickup, orientation week, buddy programme, and ongoing academic and welfare assistance.
Popular Courses for International Students
Undergraduate Programmes
BSc Computer Science
Software development, AI, cybersecurity, data science, cloud computing
BComm Commerce
Accounting, finance, management, marketing, economics, business information systems
BCL Law
Constitutional law, EU law, criminal law, contract law, moot courts
BE Engineering
Civil, electrical, electronic, process & chemical engineering
MB Medicine
Clinical placements, anatomy, pathology, teaching hospitals in Cork
BPharm Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, clinical pharmacy practice
BSc Food Science
Food chemistry, nutrition, food safety, quality assurance, processing
BSc Science
Chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, applied mathematics, geology
Postgraduate Programmes
MSc Data Science
Machine learning, statistical modelling, big data analytics, Python, R
MSc Business Economics
Microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, policy analysis
MSc Food Science
Food processing, quality management, nutrition, food safety regulation
LLM (Master of Laws)
International law, human rights, corporate law, EU law
MSc Interactive Media
UX design, digital storytelling, web development, multimedia production
MSc Pharmacy
Advanced pharmacology, clinical research, pharmaceutical technology
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate
- Academic: Completion of 12 years of education with strong grades equivalent to Irish Leaving Certificate points
- IELTS: 6.5 overall (no band below 5.5)
- TOEFL: 90 (internet-based)
- PTE Academic: 63
- Application: Via CAO (Irish system) or UCC Direct for international applicants
- Documents: Transcripts, personal statement, passport, English test results, reference letters
Postgraduate
- Academic: Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours (2:1) or equivalent GPA
- IELTS: 6.5 – 7.0 (depending on programme)
- TOEFL: 90 – 100 (internet-based)
- PTE Academic: 63 – 72
- Application: Direct via UCC's online application portal
- Documents: Transcripts, CV, personal statement, 2 academic references, portfolio (some programmes)
Application Deadlines
- September Intake (Main): February 1 (CAO) / June 30 (UCC Direct, recommended: April for visa processing)
- January Intake: Limited programmes; check specific course pages on ucc.ie
- Rolling Admissions: Some postgraduate programmes accept applications year-round until places are filled
Scholarships for International Students
UCC International Student Scholarship
Up to €5,000
High-achieving non-EU international students applying to full-time undergraduate or postgraduate programmes
Quercus Talented Students Programme
Up to €5,000 + mentoring
Students demonstrating excellence in academics, sport, community engagement, or creative and performing arts
Sports Scholarships
Up to €4,000
Elite athletes competing at national or international level who will represent UCC in intervarsity competitions
Government of Ireland Scholarship
€10,000 + full fees
Outstanding non-EU students selected through the national HEA competition
UCC Postgraduate Research Scholarships
Full fees + stipend
PhD and research master's candidates with outstanding academic records in funded research areas
Cork University Business School Scholarship
Up to €3,000
High-achieving international students accepted to taught postgraduate business programmes
Campus & Student Life
Campus Facilities
- Historic riverside campus along the River Lee
- Boole Library: over 1.3 million volumes and extensive digital collections
- Western Gateway Building: state-of-the-art IT and research facility
- Environmental Research Institute (ERI)
- Tyndall National Institute, Ireland's largest research centre for ICT
- Mardyke Arena sports complex with gym, climbing wall, and pool
- On-campus accommodation at Castlewhite and Victoria Lodge
- Multiple dining options including the award-winning UCC restaurant
- The Glucksman Gallery, a contemporary art gallery on campus
- UCC's famous Stone Corridor and historic Quad
Student Life
- 110+ clubs and societies covering sport, culture, and academics
- UCC International Students Society and buddy programme
- Philosophical Society and Law Society, fostering an active debating culture
- Sports clubs: rugby, soccer, GAA, rowing, sailing, mountaineering
- Cultural societies: drama, music, film, traditional Irish, dance
- Students' Union with welfare, events, and advocacy services
- Part-time work: 20 hours/week during term, 40 hours during holidays
- UCC Spring & Summer festivals and cultural events
- Career services with Cork-based employer partnerships and fairs
Location & Contact
Address
College Road, Cork, T12 K8AF, Ireland
Getting There
- From Cork Airport: 20 minutes by bus (226) or taxi (€15–€25)
- Bus: Multiple Bus Eireann routes stop near UCC's main gates
- Train: Cork Kent Station is 20 minutes' walk or short bus ride
- From Dublin: 2.5 hours by train or 3 hours by bus (Aircoach/GoBus)
Contact Information
- Phone: +353 21 490 3000
- Email: internationalstudents@ucc.ie
- Website: www.ucc.ie
- International Office: www.ucc.ie/en/international
Office Hours
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (GMT/IST)
Ready to Study at University College Cork?
Join 3,500+ international students at one of Ireland's most award-winning universities. Our team will guide you through every step, from application to arrival in Cork.
