University College Cork logo

University College Cork

Cork, IE · Ranking #246

University College Cork (UCC) is a leading public research university in Cork, Ireland, founded in 1845 and part of the National University of Ireland system. It offers a research‑led curriculum across four main colleges — Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences; Business & Law; Medicine & Health; and Science, Engineering & Food Science — with more than 120 degree programmes. UCC is recognised for academic excellence, strong industry collaborations, high graduate employability, and a vibrant multicultural community drawing students from over 130 countries. It combines historic campus heritage with modern facilities and extensive global partnerships, and has been repeatedly named Irish University of the Year.

University College Cork logo

University College Cork

About the university

University College Cork (UCC) is a leading public research university in Cork, Ireland, founded in 1845 and part of the National University of Ireland system. It offers a research‑led curriculum across four main colleges — Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences; Business & Law; Medicine & Health; and Science, Engineering & Food Science — with more than 120 degree programmes. UCC is recognised for academic excellence, strong industry collaborations, high graduate employability, and a vibrant multicultural community drawing students from over 130 countries. It combines historic campus heritage with modern facilities and extensive global partnerships, and has been repeatedly named Irish University of the Year.

Key information

  • Location: Cork, IE
  • Ranking #246
  • QS #246
  • THE #351
  • US News #399
  • National ranking #5
  • Institution type: public

Popular faculties

  • Arts & Humanities
  • Business & Law
  • Medicine & Health
  • Science & Engineering
  • Food Science

Programs (12)

  • Computer Science
  • Business Administration
  • Nursing
  • Law
  • Education
  • Linguistics
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics
  • Biology
  • Finance and Accounting
  • Data Science
  • Medicine

Student body

  • Total students: 24,000
  • Undergraduate: 16,500
  • Graduate: 7,500
  • International students: 16%

Campus life

UCC’s campus life is dynamic and community‑oriented, with modern facilities including libraries, labs, sports centres, concert venues and social spaces. More than 100 societies and 50 sports clubs provide diverse extracurricular activities, and students engage in cultural events, charity initiatives and academic societies year‑round. The city of Cork enriches the student experience with cultural festivals, local businesses and social venues, creating a vibrant university and city lifestyle.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: €500 - €900 / per month

Housing options

  • On‑campus halls
  • off‑campus apartments
  • shared rentals

Student clubs and organizations

  • Academic societies
  • cultural societies
  • gaming clubs
  • sports clubs
  • volunteer groups
  • international societies

Sports

  • Rugby
  • football
  • athletics
  • hockey
  • rowing teams

Career & internships

Employment rate: 96%

Partner companies

  • Amazon
  • Apple
  • Pfizer
  • Siemens
  • Boston Scientific

Internships: UCC provides career and internship support through its Careers Service, offering work placement opportunities, industry networking, career workshops, and guidance to enhance employability and practical experience alongside academic study.

Admission requirements

Required tests

  • IELTS
  • TOEFL

Required documents

  • Secondary school diploma
  • academic transcripts
  • English proficiency certificate (IELTS/TOEFL)
  • personal statement
  • references
  • passport copy

Minimum GPA: 3

Tuition costs

  • €17,000 - €25,000 / per year
  • Acceptance rate: 41.00%
  • Scholarships available: UCC offers various scholarships and financial support for international students, including merit‑based awards, fee reductions and participation in Irish government schemes such as the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships. Eligibility and amounts vary by programme and nationality, and students can apply through UCC’s Scholarship Office.

Quick facts

  • Founded: 1845
  • Teaching languages: english
  • Study formats: offline

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