In January 2018, UCC was granted University of Sanctuary status.  "UCC’s Sanctuary Status is a marker not just of what has been achieved in UCC, but an indicator of the need for sustained and creative work to support asylum seekers and refugees locally and internationally, according to UCC’s (then) Senior Vice President, Professor Caroline Fennell." https://www.ucc.ie/en/news/ucc-named-university-of-sanctuary-launches-scholarship-scheme-for-refugees-1.html

UCC’s University of Sanctuary mission is to ensure that UCC is a place where (a) people learn about what it means to seek sanctuary; (b) develop a sustainable culture of welcome for asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants and (c) share good practice with other institutions.

The work has progressed through the efforts of the University of Sanctuary Working Group (USWG) executive and its sub-groups and committees.  Membership of the group comprises staff and students in UCC as well as external stakeholders who are working with and for asylum seekers in Cork.

In 2019, the UCC USWG was very pleased to be awarded the prestigious MacJannet Prize by the Talloires Network, which is given to recognise exceptional student community engagement initiatives.