Martina Barni

I have always been passionate about learning about people: understanding why we do what we do, how do we think about different subjects and the differences between various cultures. The BA anthropology in UCC is unique in Europe in that it follows the American four fields model – socio-cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology - which allows students to explore the different facets of anthropology.

Through its interdisciplinary nature, it fosters valuable skills such as critical thinking, digital literacy, research, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. My areas of anthropological focus are varied but turn around a will to find eco-sustainable ways to live more in harmony with the world around us: namely multispecies anthropology, the nature-culture divide, environmental anthropology, multinaturalism, and ecologizing ethics. After the BA in Anthropology, I would like to continue my studies into a Master's and a PhD to work in the field of ethnobotany as part of my keen interest in the multispecies anthropology.

Taylor Berry

My name is Taylor Berry. Upon completing my second year in the UCC Anthropology course, I would recommend it to anyone interested in the degree. I was someone who had many different possible career interest. This course covers many fields, so it leaves me open 
to many of my interest. One of the most enticing aspects for me about the UCC degree is it’s taught in the North American standard, so the course approaches all the fields, instead of just focusing on cultural anthropology. This is helpful, as mentioned before, my ideas went from law to museum curation with even more in between.

Though, I have not completed my main thesis yet, my main areas of focus is within the biological anthropologic field with interest in possibly finding career somewhere in forensics. With the different career interest, this degree is very helpful. Not only in teaching me all about humans and cultures of the past, present, and ideas on what is to come, but with the freedom to learn all these different theories of life, it inspires me to truly find what I enjoy. This degree has allowed me to explore a range of subjects while broadening my knowledge on so many interesting topics and reviving my interest from my younger years. Overall, I enjoy the course work and the 
classes, as well as the general environment of UCC.

Alana Correia

I chose to study the BA in Criminology at UCC because I have always been passionate about understanding the social forces that shape human behaviour and the justice system. The course offered a perfect balance between theory and real-world application, allowing me to explore topics like gender, trauma, and social control from both academic and practical perspectives.

One of the most rewarding aspects was the supportive learning environment and the opportunities to collaborate across disciplines and even with community groups through modules like Inside-Out. This Inside- Out programme was definitely one of the highlights of my degree. It was a transformative experience that challenged my thinking and deepened my empathy. I would strongly encourage anyone who gets the opportunity, to put themselves forward for it, you will learn as much about yourself as you do about the justice system.

For my thesis, I explored the societal stigmatisation, marginalisation, and control of voluntarily childfree women in modern Ireland. Drawing on the theory of secularisation and labelling theory, I examined how cultural expectations around motherhood can lead to harmful stereotypes and social exclusion. My research aimed to give voice to a group of women often overlooked in criminological and sociological discourse.

Studying Criminology at UCC strengthened my drive to work in a field where I can support people facing difficult life circumstances and contribute to more inclusive and understanding communities. I am now preparing to pursue a master’s in occupational therapy, where I hope to carry forward this commitment.

Brayden Spencer

I chose to study Digital Humanities as part of the BA in English because the program blends the arts with technology and it’s taught in my native language. Although I come from a strong computer science background, I wanted a course that allowed me to explore my creative interests alongside tech. What I love most about Digital Humanities is how relevant it is to today’s digital landscape. It not only covers core computer science skills but also teaches us to critically analyse emerging technologies and their impact.

While I’m not currently working on a thesis, I plan to focus on digital archiving and storytelling, specifically in the context of indie cinema. Beyond my academics, one of the highlights of my time at UCC has been getting involved in student life by participating in societies, where I made great friends and helped enhance the student experience.

Caragh Hegarty

Studying Digital Humanities at UCC offers the opportunity to explore technology and computer science under a humanitarian lens. The diverse course allowed me to develop practical computer science skills, while simultaneously developing an understanding of the ethical, environmental and humanitarian impact of the digital world. With Spanish as my minor, I specifically devoted time to assessing the impact of technology on languages and culture.

My favourite part of this course was the ability to shape it to everyone’s interests, particularly with the final year project. I wrote a thesis exploring the importance of Irish in a digital context and developed an app to preserve and promote the language. This project allowed me to combine the skills I had developed throughout the course (including coding, data analysis, language and critical thinking) and apply them to a personal area of interest. This made the work both unique, expansive and rewarding.

Eve Roche

I chose to study the BA in Digital Humanities & Information Technology because I wanted to explore technology without letting go of my passion for the arts. The course offered the perfect balance, blending creativity with technical skills. I especially enjoyed the modules in data analytics and digital humanities, which allowed me to think critically and work with real-world data.

One of the highlights of my time at UCC has been the sense of community, I've made great friends, and the staff have always been incredibly supportive and approachable.

For my final year project, I explored Topic Modelling: A Corpus of Female Politicians, 1990–2020, where I applied natural language processing techniques to uncover evolving themes in political discourse across decades. It was a rewarding and eye-opening project.

Sinead Mulcaire

I decided to do the BA in English as I have been an avid reader since I was a child, and English was my favorite subject in secondary school. The BA in English nurtured my love for books even further, and broadened my perception of how cultural and social issues are reflected within literature. The staff in the English department are very passionate about the subjects they teach, which made my experience doing the BA extremely enjoyable.

Although I didn't have a specific focus throughout my degree, (the English department offers such a wide range of modules, I wanted to do them all!), I wrote my dissertation on the representation of Black girlhood in female-authored African-American texts. In the near future, I will be pursuing a masters in publishing in hopes of entering the publishing industry, as the BA in English has inspired me to make all kinds of literature more accessible to people!

Stephen O'Brien

I decided to study the BA English course as I not only enjoyed studying English in secondary school, but I loved to express myself and my thoughts in written word. The course gave me a love for reading plays, and a general passion for the art of literature. My area of focus in my dissertation was the transgressive and late 20^th century transgressive literature — primarily the works of Dennis Cooper.

My commitment to my dissertation and my passion for Cooper’s work led me to visiting Cooper in Paris, along with connecting with writers who I referenced in my dissertation. Going forward I am interested in pursuing a career in the field of publications and media.

Luke Condon

Taking the decision to pursue a degree in Early Years and Childhood studies in UCC has been a very worthwhile choice, not only to receive the required accredited educational requirements, but also has enabled me to meet fellow professionals in the field during my time on professional placement practice.

I particularly enjoyed areas surrounding social policy, applied psychology and broadening my knowledge on neurodivergence. This course allowed me to think critically about pedagogy, personal reflection and how educators can support children to develop into their full potential.

Building on my classroom experience, I aim to pursue further studies in psychology and education with the goal of becoming a lecturer in this field. I want to contribute to the next generation of educators by combining practical teaching experience with psychological theory in order to help trainee teachers understand both the science of learning and the art of teaching.

Michelle Meaney

I've always had a passion for teaching, but as a mature student and mother, primary school teaching felt out of reach. I became interested in Early Years education, a vital and exciting stage in a child’s life, and was drawn to the work-life balance it offers. After attending UCC’s Open Day and speaking with lecturers and the Mature Student Office, I knew UCC was the right fit.

The lecturers’ experience in the Early Years sector and their approachability have made the course especially rewarding. The degree offers valuable hands-on experience in real Early Years settings through its work placement programme.

This qualification opens pathways to pursuing careers in  primary school teaching, social care, and psychology. I’m particularly passionate about supporting children with additional needs and plan to work as an AIM support worker while pursuing a master’s within Early Years education.

Stella O'Driscoll

I decided to study this degree as I really enjoy working with children, I am a big child at heart. I always hoped to try help as many children as I can to enjoy a happy childhood while they learn and grow to reach their full potential.

I enjoyed my time at UCC with the lovely friendships I formed where we often chatted on campus over coffee. The highlight of studying EYCS was my work placements. I worked with incredibly talented staff in every setting.

My thesis focus was the primary school supports available for children experiencing bereavement of a primary caregiver inspired by two remarkable children I met during placement. I learned valuable lessons from this research and collected eye opening data.

Going forward I plan to gain valuable experience working with children in early years and primary school environments before completing post graduate degrees in play therapy and psychology, continuing my thesis research further. I am hoping to support children experiencing adverse childhood experiences.

Laura Fioretti

I am currently entering my third year as an undergraduate, majoring in Film and Screen Media with a minor in English Literature. I chose this degree for its engaging course content and the opportunities offered by Cork's vibrant filmmaking scene. One of the aspects I have come to value most is the strong sense of community within the programme and the collaborative atmosphere shared between peers and professors alike.

The lecturers are not only passionate about their subjects but are also committed to supporting students' academic and creative development. The programme equips us with the tools to critically engage with the frameworks and conventions of cinema and visual culture, encouraging experimentation in our own practice. Although my primary focus is screenwriting, I am open to exploring the various pathways the filmmaking industry has to offer.

Tereza Feixova

The course was a perfect fit for me because it teaches you everything from scratch regardless of prior experience. I learned so much about various aspects of filmmaking and media, gaining both a broad and deep understanding of the audiovisual world and how to navigate it.

Essentially the course provides a strong foundation for creatives who not only want to make art, but also instigate change in society. The BA in Film and Screen Media helped me grow and improve not only as a filmmaker, but also as a socially responsible person endowed with the knowledge that my art can contribute to a better future.

Grainne Ahern

I chose to study this degree because of my passion for music and the opportunity to combine it with another subject. UCC's strong reputation in traditional Irish music particularly appealed to me as a traditional musician. One of the highlights of the programme was the wide range of modules on offer—from music education and cognitive ethnomusicology to more hands-on classes like music technology and ensemble performance.

I really valued the chance to explore different areas while connecting with like-minded students who shared similar interests and passions. Throughout my time on the programme, I focused heavily on traditional music and performance-based modules, which helped deepen both my practical and academic understanding of the tradition. I’m looking forward to progressing into the BMus (fourth year) next year, where I hope to complete a dissertation and deliver a performance recital. Long term, I hope to complete a PME and become a secondary music teacher. This degree has laid a solid foundation for my future in music and teaching. 

K. O'Regan

Studying music at UCC was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I ever made. One aspect about the degree that I loved most is the wide range of subjects available to students. I have had the opportunity to learn about and play a range of different instruments which really added to my experience.

Likewise, the opportunity to study the sitar was invaluable as it significantly improved my improvisational skills as a musician. I’ve become friends with some truly amazing people on the course resulting in strong collaborative musical partnerships that will continue to prosper in the years ahead. 

Shannon Buttimer

I decided to study Theatre as I have long-standing passion for drama. I got the opportunity to intern with Graffiti Theatre company. I also had the wonderful opportunity of working with UCC TV for voiceover and acting work. Most of all, I enjoyed making lifelong friendships and working collaboratively with many talented artists and great industry minds.

My main area of focus was theatre education during my time in UCC. I focused on developing skills as a facilitator of theatre with children and completed a research project on Theatre in Education. My goal now is to complete a Professional Master’s in Education to become a primary school teacher.

Samantha Anderson

I always loved languages and growing up in various places around the world gave me a strong desire to be able to communicate with as many people as possible. With the option to study three languages, World Languages was incredibly appealing as were the options, covering many European and Asian languages. I loved the mix of cultural and general language modules and felt it really enhanced the experience.

The highlight for me was my year abroad in Mexico, an opportunity that has completely changed my life. Now, I’m currently working in Manchester at a multinational company for English teaching, where I get to use my languages to assist students. It’s a truly unique course that you can customise it to your preferences. I would recommend World Languages as a great degree for students to pursue. 

Zenas Feachem

I enrolled on the the BA in World Languages to pursue my love of languages. Those I focused on were Chinese, Japanese and French. For my study year abroad, I attended university in Tokyo, Japan. Undoubtedly it was one of the best parts of the degree and improved my Japanese immensely. I also took an English teaching module in final year which will help me pursue a teaching career abroad in the future.  

Barromie Fullah

As someone who does not come from a political background, I liked how the degree combines elements of politics, business and law to provide students with a well-rounded and comprehensive perspective on current affairs and contemporary politics. My favourite part of the programme was work placement. I completed a 6-month placement in Cork City Council's Housing Directorate. This enabled me to see the practical element of what I had studied in local government modules.

For my final year, I completed a dissertation on the political participation of individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups in Irish local government. I chose to research this area of politics as I find the subject of political participation among underrepresented and minority groups quite interesting. I am currently working in a local authority and enjoy getting to see how the delivery of essential services is carried on a local level. I aim to complete a master’s degree and hope that in whatever environment that I am in, I make a positive contribution. 

Michael Harpur

The BEd in Physical Education, Sports Science, and Arts has allowed me to pursue my interest in sport at an academic level. The best part of the programme is the level of collaboration and encouragement provided by the lecturers. Their approachability and willingness to support students to reach their full potential creates a productive and enjoyable learning environment.

Facilities like the Mardyke provide ideal settings in which to learn to play and teach certain sports and activities. In PE, key practices are learned via sport-specific settings, which allows for better retention and comprehension. Ultimately, this course allows future teachers to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people, guiding them to improve their studies as well as instilling an active and healthy lifestyle.

Ava Guiden

My name is Ava Guiden. I am studying biology and chemistry teaching through the B.Ed Science Education course. The course includes many interesting and engaging modules. I also completed an 8-week work placement in a primary school in Douglas, where I taught science to children aged 9–12. This placement taught me so much about classroom teaching. I plan to become a secondary school teacher teaching Junior Cert science and Leaving Cert biology and chemistry when I have completed my degree.

Niamh O'Mahony

I came into the course through the QQI route The balance of lecture hours and placement hours is perfect for me. I struggled with the typical school environment, sitting in a classroom and learning things off for an exam. Although there is studying and lectures involved the class discussions and chance to take on a placement each year balances out the typical academic routine. Every week I have the chance to apply what I have learned in practice!

The small class sizes is another aspect of the course that make the BYCW course the one for me.

Chloe Ahern

Mar iarmhac-léinn den chlár BEd Gaeilge, bhain mé an-tairbhe as gach gné den chúrsa. Thug na socrúcháin scoile deis iontach dom scileanna múinteoireachta a fhorbairt i dtimpeallacht thacúil, agus bhí deis agam mo chuid foghlama a leathnú i scoileanna difriúla. Chuir an tacaíocht ón bhfoireann go mór le mo mhuinín agus le m'fhorbairt gairmiúil.

Bhí an tréimhse sa Ghaeltacht fhíorluachmhar dúinn chomh maith. Chuir siad go mór le mo chuid Gaeilge labhartha agus le mo thuiscint ar chultúr na Gaeilge. Bhí an clár Erasmus ar cheann de na heispéiris ba shuantaisí dom, ag tabhairt léargais dhomhanda ar an oideachas.

Thaitin an éagsúlacht i measúnú go mór liom. Thug sé deis dom mo láidreachtaí a léiriú ar bhealaí éagsúla, bíodh sé trí thionscadail, podchraoltaí dátheangacha, léachtaí nó obair phraiticiúil. Bhí an t-aiseolas óna léachtóirí thar a bheith cabhrach le linn na measúnaithe. Mholfainn an clár seo go mór d’aon duine atá paiseanta faoin nGaeilge, teangacha iasachta agus faoin mhúinteoireacht.