Cork, Ireland
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Erickson '15 - "Irish Patchwork", Dromberg Circle, West Cork, Ireland
Summary: Set on 42 acres of wooded ground, University College Cork (UCC) is only a 10-minute walk from city center. Holy Cross students have the unique opportunity to directly enroll in a full course load (usually 6 classes) at UCC. Our students will join Irish students and other international students in apartments just steps away from campus and attend a range of classes offered across the university.
Cork is Ireland’s second largest city (after Dublin) located in Ireland’s largest county: County Cork! Known as “the rebel county,” it is home to an abundance of history and culture. Cork is well connected to the rest of Ireland, though there is plenty to explore in Cork City! Check out the English market on a Saturday afternoon with friends or walk through the Crawford Art Gallery! Between the amazing restaurants and bars and the many annual festivals and events, there is always something exciting going in on in Cork. Cork and neighboring Kerry are also home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Ireland. Head down to the Dingle Penninsula for a weekend or try a day trip to Kinsale! Learn more about all Cork has to offer by clicking here: https://www.wearecork.ie/live/
This program is unique in that it includes a mandatory early-start program, which gives students a chance to get well-acquainted with various aspects of Irish culture before the start of the semester. It’s a great fit for independent students who are looking for an authentically Irish experience. This location is suitable for most majors! It is particularly popular amongst music majors & minors. Give Cork a chance- we know you’ll love it!
Check out the UCC Compass, your comprehensive guide to all things study abroad in Cork! Continue reading below for a snapshot:
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Name: University College Cork
Location: Cork, Ireland
University size: 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students (16% international)
University founded: 1845
Terms available: academic year, fall
Dates: mid-August to mid-May (academic year); mid-August to late December (fall semester) Start and end dates noted are tentative and subject to change.
Calendar: https://www.ucc.ie/en/international/studentinfohub/beforeyouarrive/keydates/#visiting-us-and-non-eu-orientation-and-semester-dates
Pre-university program: There is a required early start program that runs for 3 weeks before the Fall semester (generally mid-August to early September). Students choose from six options, which are subject to change each semester. Examples include Irish Archaeology; Irish Folklore and Tradition; Irish History and Modern Ireland; Literatures in Ireland; Irish Traditional Music; Management and Marketing in the EU). Students also have the option of completing one of several Certificates at UCC, depending on the modules they take (see the Study Abroad Website below for more information under “What Can I Study?). See more information about the early start program here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/international/studyatucc/visitingusandnoneustudents/esfull/
Registration info: 60 credits per year (30 per term) is a full course load. This usually amounts to six 5-credit classes per semester. There are some 10-credit classes! If you take one 10-credit class and four 5-credit classes, that is considered a full-time course load even though you are only in 5 modules (classes). The early start program does not count towards the semester/year course load.
ICIP required: Yes for academic-year students (can be fulfilled with 2 semesters of Irish language, language classes will not count towards the required 60 credits).
Housing: Students live in a student apartment complex called the Spires. HC students are not guaranteed to be housed together.
Maximum capacity: 20 students between fall and academic year terms: This is a highly competitive program. We are only able to send 20 students for fall and academic year terms combined, with preference given to Academic Year students. In the event that we receive more applications than available openings, we will select participants with the highest GPAs in their respective majors to attend UCC. It is advisable that students interested in UCC arrange to meet with Assistant Director Emma Meade (emeade@holycross.edu) to discuss alternative locations in the event that student interest in Cork exceeds capacity.
University website: https://www.ucc.ie/en/
Study Abroad website: https://www.ucc.ie/en/international/studyatucc/visitingusandnoneustudents/
Student life/campus activities: http://societies.ucc.ie/ and http://sport.ucc.ie/
Visa fees: Garda (police) registration fee is 300 EUR. Visa not required for U.S. citizens (students must show access to $3,000 when registering with the Garda National in Ireland). Non-US citizens must check visa requirements for their country of citizenship: http://www.inis.gov.ie/
Housing deposits: Students are required to pay a REFUNDABLE housing deposit to The Spires (student accommodation) at UCC. Last term, the deposit amount was €250. This amount is subject to change each semester.
Course Catalog (module search)*: http://www.ucc.ie/admin/registrar/visiting/
Courses previously taken by Holy Cross students: https://sa.holycross.edu
On left-side menu, click on Courses Taken Abroad for Holy Cross Credit then select program. Please be aware this list is meant to give you an idea of the types of courses available to you at UCC based on what past students have taken. This is NOT a list of classes that are guaranteed to be available to you and you are not limited to the classes on this list. Class offerings change each semester and you can certainly register for classes that you do not see on this list.
Grade equivalency sheet: Available on the Holy Cross Registrar’s website: https://www.holycross.edu/support-and-resources/office-registrar/study-abroad-equivalencies
*Note: In Ireland, classes are called “modules” and majors are called “courses.”
All information listed above is subject to change.
