Established in 1845, UCC is a leading research university located in Cork. It was the world’s first university to be awarded the international Green Flag for environmental sustainability and is renowned for its beautiful campus and research excellence.
University College Cork, UCC, is a public research university in the south of Ireland, with about 22,500 students and 2,900 staff, and roughly 20 percent of the students from abroad. It was founded in 1845 as Queen’s College Cork, and it sits on the River Lee in the west of the city, on grounds that include a limestone Gothic quadrangle, an old stone chapel and a modern science campus. It became part of the National University of Ireland in 1908.
The mathematician George Boole was appointed the first professor of mathematics in 1849, and he developed his work on Boolean logic while at Cork. The central library carries his name, and the university celebrates the link with the algebra that underlies digital computing. UCC was also the first university in the world to receive the International Green Flag, awarded for its environmental programmes on campus, and it keeps sustainability high on its agenda.
The university is organised in colleges for arts, celtic studies and social sciences, business and law, medicine and health, and science, engineering and food science. Research is strong in food and health, with APC Microbiome Ireland studying the gut and its role in disease. The Tyndall National Institute carries out research in photonics and microelectronics, and the MaREI centre covers marine and renewable energy.
Irish and other EU undergraduates generally pay no tuition under the Free Fees Initiative but pay a yearly student contribution, while students from outside the EU pay tuition that varies by programme. Check the current tariffs. Irish applicants use the CAO system, and international students and postgraduates have their own application routes.
Teaching is in English. Cork is Ireland’s second city, smaller and cheaper than Dublin, with a lively food market and a strong music scene. Most students can walk from the centre to campus.
Domains taught:
Chemistry, Ecology and Sustainability, Engineering, Food Science, Life Sciences, Microbiology and Genetics, Optics
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
UCC has strong links with industry in the Munster region, particularly in the pharmaceutical, food, and tech sectors. It is home to the Tyndall National Institute, a leading European research centre.
Research:
UCC is a research-intensive university with world-class research in areas such as food and health, photonics, and sustainability. The Tyndall National Institute at UCC is a global leader in ICT research.
Famous Alumnis:
George Boole, Cillian Murphy
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
2900
Current students***:
22500
Foreign students***:
20%
Cumulative former students***:
150000
Pros
Beautiful and historic campus, a world leader in sustainability, and strong research in food science and technology.
Cons
The cost of accommodation in Cork can be high, and some of the university buildings are old and in need of renovation.
Best For
Students interested in a research-led university with a strong focus on sustainability and a vibrant campus community.
A good alternative in the same country is Trinity College Dublin, which likewise covers chemistry, life sciences and engineering; it also offers mba programmes and covers nanotechnologies and physics as well.
Where this university leans on food science, life sciences and engineering, University College Dublin does the same, and it is larger, enrolling about 38,000 students against roughly 22,500 here, and is also a public institution.
Another national school that puts life sciences and engineering at the centre is University of Galway, and it is also a public institution, and runs the same bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
Dublin City University follows much the same lines as this university, with chemistry and engineering as common ground, and it is slightly smaller, at about 17,500 students against roughly 22,500 here, and is also a public institution.
Munster Technological University sits close to this university on chemistry and engineering; it also offers associate degree, certificate and diploma programmes, and covers marine science and agriculture as well.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
In China, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine teaches much the same core subjects, microbiology and genetics, chemistry and life sciences, and it runs the same bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes, and has almost the same size, at about 20,000 students.
In China, Wenzhou Medical University teaches much the same core subjects, microbiology and genetics, optics and life sciences, and it is also a public institution, and teaches at the same levels, namely bachelor's, master's and doctoral.
Beyond national borders, Umeå University stands out as a comparable school for microbiology and genetics, chemistry and ecology and sustainability; it is also a public institution, and teaches at the same levels, namely bachelor's, master's and doctoral.
Chonnam National University, in South Korea, takes a similar route through life sciences and engineering; it covers civil engineering as well, and is slightly larger, at about 26,000 students against roughly 22,500 here.
Pusan National University in South Korea shares the life sciences and engineering orientation of this university, and it is slightly larger, at about 26,000 students against roughly 22,500 here, and is also a public institution.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
Where is UCC?
On College Road in Cork, Ireland, on the River Lee.
When was it founded?
In 1845, as Queen's College Cork.
How large is UCC?
About 22,500 students and 2,900 staff, with around 20 percent of students from abroad.
Who was the first professor of mathematics?
George Boole, who took up the chair in 1849.
What is the International Green Flag?
An award for environmental programmes, and UCC was the first university in the world to receive it.
What is UCC best known for?
Food and health sciences, microbiome research, photonics, marine energy and medicine.
What is the Tyndall National Institute?
A research institute linked to UCC that works in photonics and microelectronics.
Does UCC charge tuition?
Irish and other EU undergraduates generally pay no tuition under the Free Fees Initiative but pay a student contribution. Students from outside the EU pay tuition that varies by programme. Check the current tariff.
How do you apply?
Irish undergraduates apply through the CAO system. International students and postgraduates have separate routes.
Is Cork cheaper than Dublin?
Generally yes. Cork is smaller and has lower living costs.
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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