Established in 1845 and home to around 18,000 students, the University College Cork campus has developed into one of Ireland’s major universities. The campus centers on the historic quadrangle, and is an easy walk or bus ride from the city center. UCC prides itself on being an environmentally aware and friendly campus.
More photos from this program can be found here.
Established in 1845 and home to around 18,000 students, the University College Cork campus has developed into one of Ireland’s major universities. The campus centers on the historic quadrangle, and is an easy walk or bus ride from the city center. UCC prides itself on being an environmentally aware and friendly campus. Its historic heart is complemented by cutting edge technical, laboratory, and library facilities. UCC is number 181 in the Times Educational Supplements’ list of the 700 top universities worldwide, and Ireland’s first “five star” university.
UCC is home to students from more than 100 countries, and every year the campus hosts an International Cultures Fest. Cork offers more than 50 sports clubs, so students can get involved a range of athletic activities and make use of the excellent arenas, fields, and sports and fitness facilities. There are also clubs and societies that focus on drama, music, politics, volunteering and other activities. You won’t be short of things to do.
For general information the University College Cork visit: http://www.ucc.ie/en/
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.
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.
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.
Home to 18,000 students, University College Cork campus developed from its establishment in 1845 into one of Ireland’s major universities. The campus centers on the historic quadrangle, and is an easy walk or bus ride from the city center. UCC prides itself on being an environmentally aware and friendly campus. Its historic heart is complemented by modern, cutting edge technical, laboratory and library facilities. UCC is number 181 in the Times Educational Supplements’ list of the 700 top universities worldwide, and Ireland’s first “five star” university.
UCC is home to students from more than 100 countries, and every year has an International Cultures Fest. Cork offers more than 50 sports clubs, so students can get involved a range of athletic activities, and make use of the excellent arenas, fields, and sports and fitness facilities. Other clubs and societies focus on drama, music, politics, volunteering and other activities. You won’t be short of things to do.
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:
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:
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.
“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
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