University College Cork | Ireland

Fall: March 15
Fall/Winter/Spring: March 15
Winter/Spring: September 15
Summer: March 15

- English proficiency
- Sophomore or higher
- GPA of 3.0 or above

Participants are enrolled as regular students, taking classes with Irish and other international students. There is a range of teaching methods at Cork, often depending upon the discipline of study. Arts and business students, for example, will generally have a combination of lecture and tutorial classes. Lectures can vary in size from 20 to 100 and the associated tutorial classes are much smaller and allow for open discussion of material. Science and Engineering students usually receive a combination of lecture and laboratory classes. Fieldwork may form a large part of some classes. The formal contact hours vary. In Ireland more emphasis is placed on independent study outside of class contact hours compared to what students may experience in Oregon.

Courses or classes are called ‘modules’ at Cork and are generally intended to be undertaken in specific years of a degree. In a UCC undergraduate degree of three years, modules are taken at three levels: first year (100 level), second year (200 level) and third year (300). These are generally equivalent to second, third, and fourth year of a U.S. degree.

Most modules have a weighting of 6 ECTS (the European Union standard academic credit). Students are required to take a full-time load while at UCC which means they must enroll in 30 ECTS credits per semester. The number of credits earned in Oregon for these units will be determined by the student’s home campus. Students at UCC can expect to earn approximately 24 Oregon credits per semester.

Early Start Program

Students can attend a late summer program of intensive study before the Autumn semester, focused on an aspect of Ireland’s archaeology, history, or culture. These add additional credits to the semester. Following this program, you will select courses for the semester that complement your Early Start module. Please contact your campus study abroad advisor if you wish to add this option to your semester in Ireland.

International Summer School in Irish Studies

Students also have the option to participate in UCC’s summer program, focusing on Irish studies. The program takes place from the end of June to the end of July, typically, and provides an ideal location in which to explore Irish history, literature, and culture. The first two weeks will focus mainly on Irish history and how specific events have shaped the identity of the people of Ireland. The second two weeks will focus on the expression of that cultural identity through modern writers. All of this is accomplished via lectures, seminars, and field trips.

To prepare adequately for the study program in Ireland, students participate in an all-day pre-departure orientation here in Oregon (in November and in May). This orientation provides information on cultural adjustment, visas, travel, university policies, and more. Most importantly, you’ll meet other students going to Ireland through the IE3 Global program.

Upon arrival in Ireland, UCC provides a two week welcome program (for academic year participants). The program is designed to make the transition into Irish culture and university life as smooth as possible, and combines information meetings with excursions and fun social events (learn Irish dances in an evening of music and dance, or go on a walking tour of Cork). This is followed by a three day orientation, where you receive academic information, meet with department representatives, and learn about administrative and student support services at UCC.

Students must also maintain satisfactory academic progress throughout the application process and during their study abroad program, and otherwise comply with policies and procedures of the host university, IE₃ Global, and their home university International Programs Office.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements, please consult with your home campus contact person before applying. The minimum requirements are as follows:

• English Proficiency
• Sophomore or higher
• GPA of 3.0 or above

UCC guarantees on campus accommodation to international students in a variety of living situations, most of which have single bedrooms in a shared apartment. This is an ideal way to be located at the heart of the campus and get to know Irish and other international students. UCC can accommodate families and students with special needs, given appropriate notice.

If you prefer to live off campus, there are also a number of options. Be aware that UCC will provide you with assistance in finding either on or off campus housing, and that you should book early to secure your preferred space on campus.

UCC offers a range of services and student support programs from accommodation and orientation services to advising and social activities. This link gives you valuable information about the support, and answers some basic questions: http://www.ucc.ie/en/international//visiting/information/.

If you have other questions about on-site support, feel free to ask your IE₃ Program Advisor.

IE₃ Global seeks to make its exchange programs affordable and accessible.  For detailed information regarding the program budget (both the program fee and an estimate of personal expenses), please click on the following:

• Cork – Fall (Exchange)
• Cork – Fall (Study Abroad)
• Cork – Year (Exchange)
• Cork – Year (Study Abroad)
• Cork – Spring (Exchange)
• Cork – Spring (Study Abroad)
• Cork - Summer

Exchange: For each Cork student studying at OSU, OSU is allowed to send one student to Cork in their place under our bilateral exchange agreement. Within the terms of this agreement, Cork tuition charges are waived; this means that an OSU student who is awarded an exchange spot does not pay Cork tuition while studying there, which results in a considerable price cut for the program. Because the number of exchange spots we can award depends heavily on the amount of students who study at OSU from Cork, spots are limited and thus very competitive. Students should apply and complete the necessary essays found in their IE3 application to qualify and be considered for one of these spots.

Study Abroad: Qualifying students also have the option to study at Cork as a traditional study abroad student (non-exchange). These students do pay Cork tuition for their studies, the amount for which is included in the “Incidental Fees” section of the Study Abroad cost sheet.

The program fee includes academic and administrative fees, orientation expenses, and health and accident insurance. The program fee does not include airfare, room and board,  visa fees, campus-based fees and personal expenses such as local transportation, textbooks, laundry, recreation (including travel), personal supplies and incidental expenses.  All finances shown on the cost sheets are listed in US Dollars.

Blog Posts:

• Read about Sofia Ellis-Curry's study abroad experience: The Ring of Kerry
• Read about Amy Wyman's study abroad experience: Full Circle
• Read about Fallon Craig's study abroad experience: Day Trip to the Giant's Causeway
• Read about Jennifer Jones's study abroad experience: From Killarney National Park to the Fota Island Estate

Student Testimonials:

“One of the most rewarding parts about studying abroad was meeting people from Europe but a lot of people just stay with their American friends. Don't do it. Everyone who did regretted it in the end… I got involved right away in a hiking society and the LGBT society. I made a ton of Irish friends that way, had things to do throughout the week and felt involved… The city of Cork is pretty small and you get to know it quite well in a short amount of time. I luckily had saved up enough money to where I could travel around Ireland almost every weekend.”

–Sofia Ellis-Curry, 2014