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Please see grade requirements under 'HOW DO I APPLY'
GRADE REQUIREMENTS: You must meet minimum grade requirements in 1st and 2nd year which we will discuss at the study abroad information sessions (October/November each year).
EXCHANGE PLACES AVAILABLE: Study abroad in not guaranteed for any student and places at our partner universities are limited.
Application Type
Link to application
Deadline to apply
Study Abroad application (EU and non-EU preferences)
Studying abroad with UCC is not guaranteed and is subject to availability, academic achievements, degree suitability and additional requirements from our partner universities.
Attention
Please see below list of degrees that apply directly to their UCC Coordinator and not to the International Office (unless instructed to by your coordinator).
Living abroad as an exchange student does not come free, and the costs vary from country to country, and according to the period of time you spend abroad.
While you are not charged for tuition at the host university, you will need to budget for flights, accommodation, food and other general expenses.
A survey was conducted of UCC students studying in the US and Canada about the costs involved- Please right click here for results Cost of studying abroad survey 2021/2022
You must be registered for a four degree at UCC and you are only permitted to study abroad during your 3rd year.
Studying abroad with UCC is not guaranteed and is subject to availability and academic achievements.
Do I get a grant to study in Europe?
All students participating in the Erasmus+ programme are entitled to apply for an Erasmus grant. The Erasmus grant is intended as a contribution to the overall cost of the year abroad, to cover the cost of living differential associated with living abroad. The grant will be calculated based on the total number of days at the host university rather than total number of months. During the academic year students will be required to submit certificates to UCC confirming date of arrival and date of departure. Students will be eligible to receive a travel grant also.
If your course has a mandatory year abroad, your academic advisor will discuss with you what you are required to take.
If I need mental or physical health assistance while abroad, who do I contact?
Firstly, contact the host university. They will provide you with relevant information and resources available on campus. They will also provide this information at orientation so it is important to attend that at the start of the semester. If you feel the need to reach out to UCC, please do. We are here to help.
Do I need to meet certain academic requirements to study outside the EU?
Non-European Universities require a minimum of a 2.1 (overall grade of 60%) in 1st year and in 1st semester of 2nd year.
Do I need a visa to study outside the EU?
Yes, you will need a visa or study permit. Your host university will provide information and paperwork to assist you with this.
As part of your application to the host university, you will be required to show proof of finances. This can range from 3,000-24,000Dollars (USA) and 10,000CAD (Canada).
Your host university along with the UCC International Office will assist you with your visa/study permit. We will run an information session in April.
Are all students placed?
You must be registered for a four degree at UCC and you are only permitted to study abroad during your 3rd year.
Studying abroad with UCC is not guaranteed and is subject to availability and academic achievements.
Can I apply for the Erasmus grant?
No, the Erasmus grant is onlyopen to students studying in the European Union
The International Office does not provide funding. Please check with your college/department directly.
Yes, as per immigration and UCC policy, you need to have health/travel insurance.
Your host university may require you to take out their own insurance. Many of the US and Canadian Universities will have mandatory health insurance and will not waive your Irish health insurance policy.
How much does it cost to study abroad outside the EU?
You will pay your normal UCC fees (do not pay tuition fees to the host university), however, you are expected to cover all other costs such as student ID card, orientation, visa, flights, health insurance, accommodation, books etc.
How do I know if a university is suitable for my UCC studies?
The university you choose must offer suitable modules for your UCC degree. Students must contact their UCC Academic Coordinator and discuss if their preferred university offers suitable modules. Your UCC Academic Coordinator needs to approve of your host university.
Where can I get an idea of what modules I need to take while abroad?
Please check here for what modules would be taking place for your course in 3rd year
If your course has a mandatory year abroad, your academic advisor will discuss with you what you are required to take.
Can I go for a semester instead of a full year?
Yes, students are permitted to study abroad for one semester (September-December Semester)
There may be an opportunity to study abroad for semester 2, but this is subject to approval by your UCC Academic Coordinator.
Not all UCC degrees are permitted to study abroad in semester 2 due to work placement etc.
If your UCC degree has a mandatory study abroad year, then you must go abroad for the full year.
I am going on a J1 to the US for the summer, do I have to come back to Ireland before flying back out?
Please consult with your J1 summer provider (USIT etc). We do not provide assistance with the J1 summer visa.
We only provide information on the J1 study visa.
If I need mental or physical health assistance while abroad, who do I contact?
Firstly, contact the host university. They will provide you with relevant information and resources available on campus. They will also provide this information at orientation so it is important to attend that at the start of the semester. If you feel the need to reach out to UCC, please do. We are here to help.
The International Office will review your application.
If you are successful, we will email you offering you a place in one of our partner universities.
If you accept the offer, we will nominate you to the host university.
The host university will inform us of their decision following our nomination.
If the nomination is accepted, they will then ask you to complete their application and upload supporting documents.
For US universities, from the time you are offered a place by UCC to submitting your application to the host university, the turnaround can be very tight due to their early deadlines. Please familiarize yourself with their application requirements as soon as you can to be prepared.
Are all students placed?
Studying abroad with UCC is not guaranteed and is subject to availability and academic achievements.
Be patient- with the paperwork, UCC/Host university staff, yourself and your parents.
Be proactive- Internet research, make lists, readthe information you are given.
Be respectful to staff- With both UCC and the host university. We are here to assist you throughout the process so we expect you to show respect.
Email v Text Message- Do not email UCC or the host university using text speech. Address the staff member correctly especially at your host university where they may not tolerate informal emails.
Take responsibility- As a student in 3rd year, your study abroad period is your chance to step up and take responsibility for yourself. All requirements should be completed by you, the student.
If you are away for the summer (J1 in the US etc), it is your responsibility to have your paperwork completed in advance. We will not facilitate your parents or friends completing your paperwork on your behalf during the summer while you are abroad.
Registration at UCC and your host university
Students are required to register and pay their normal UCC fees
Students are required to register and enrol in classes at their host university
Students are not required to pay tuition fees to the host university (exchange agreement) but will be responsible for all other costs
Academic Requirements
You must discuss your module choices with your UCC Academic Coordinator. It is very important that you register for classes suitable for your UCC degree
You must request an academic transcript (list of your grades) from your host university after your exams and submit them to UCC
You must pass second year (including repeat exams) to study abroad in 3rd year
Important Forms for Students
The International Office will email you with these forms prior to your departure along with further information.
New contact details form
Insurance policy details
Statement of Responsibility Form
Important Forms for Erasmus+ Students (Students going to Europe)
The International Office will be in contact directly about these forms.
Certificate of Arrival Form
Learning Agreement
Certificate of Attendance Form
Acknowledgement of Erasmus Student Mobility Grant Form
Final Report
Erasmus Online Language Assessment
Visa/Study Permit
Applying for a study visa/permit must be completed by the student. You cannot do this until you recieve information from your host university.
Health Insurance
All students must purchase health/travel insurance.
Please note, the US and Canadian universities may require you to purchase their insurance. This is mandatory for many of our partners and will not grant a waiver.
Meeting deadlines set by UCC and your host university
Students are responsible for meeting deadlines given to you by UCC or your home university.
Knowing where to go if you need assistance while abroad
Firstly, contact the host university. They will provide you with relevant information and resources available on campus. They will also provide contact information at orientation so it is important to attend that at the start of the semester. If you feel the need to reach out to UCC, please do. We are here to help.
Your mental and physical health plan while abroad.
Accommodation and Flights
Do not book your flights or accommodation until you have received your letter of acceptance from the host university or your visa (if applicable)
Tuition Fees
You must pay your normal UCC fees.
You are not required to pay tuition fees to your host university as we have an exchange agreement in place, however, you will be expected to pay for books, health insurance, orientation fees, visa's, flights and accommodation etc.
The figures are a guideline only to the cost of living in the relevant city/country.
Students will find further detailed up-to-date information on the partner university website.
Health and Travel Insurance
All students going abroad are advised to have comprehensive health and travel insurance policy for the duration of the study period abroad. Students must be covered for hospitalisation and repatriation. Students should check the information received from the host university as many universities require students to sign up for the university insurance policy.
Students studying in non-European countries- Your host university normally requires students to purchase their mandatory insurance. Please check with the host university as many universities do not waive this requirement.
Visa Requirements
Students travelling to countries outside the EU will require a study visa or study permit.
The International Office will provide an information session regarding requirements.
You cannot apply for your visa until you have received a letter of admission and visa documents from your host university.
Academic Requirements
Please keep in close contact with your departmental coordinator regarding your courses when you are abroad. If you encounter any problems, it is important that you contact UCC immediately.
Return of Examination Results from Host Institution
Examination results from your study period abroad should be submitted to the International Office as soon as they are available.
Important: Some institutions forward transcripts to UCC, others do not. Please ensure that you are clear about the procedure at your host institution before you return to Ireland. It is the responsibility of the student to prove that they have successfully achieved the required number of credits at their host institution.
Important Forms for Students
Studying in Europe- Erasmus paperwork
All students: New contact details, statement of responsibility. (Emailed to you before departure)
Flight restrictions/entry to the country rules (Negative PCR test, Vaccination, Flight waiver (Check if passengers from Ireland are permitted to fly into the country)
Quarantine measures in place (How many days you need to quarantine, hotel or self-obtained accommodation, Covid-19 tests etc)
Campus/Accommodation guidelines- Some host universities will require that you are vaccinated to gain access to accommodation/campus/in person class. Please contact your GP.
Click here to read about student experiences abroad from UCC Students.
Erasmus+ is a European education programme that promotes exchanges between university students (both undergraduate and postgraduate), teaching staff and administrative staff throughout participating countries.
This provides opportunities for academic and administrative staff to travel to work or teach at partner institutions. Please see the "Teacher/Staff Mobility" section below for further information.
The Erasmus+ programme enables students to spend a placement period between 2 months and 12 months in an enterprise or organisation in another EU participating country as part of a degree course.
Student 'placement' is an alternative term to the widely used term 'traineeship' or 'internship'.
UCC students, Henry Keyes, Sean O’Donoghue, Colm looney, and Ronan Foley who are currently studying abroad in North Carolina State University participated in a tournament with Raleigh GAA in Baltimore, USA this September.
During the 2024-2025 academic year, the George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship, a prestigious exchange program between the University of Maine and the University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland, will celebrate its 25th anniversary.
Do you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)? All students who will study in Europe are strongly advised to have a EHIC. Some European universities will require students to provide a copy of their EHIC as part of the application process.
We are delighted to be sending UCC students around the globe to experience studying abroad at one of our partner universities. Best of luck to all 3rd year students preparing to leave Ireland for their new adventure.
Webinar 1 explores the study opportunities offered to our students in Year 3 of CK201. In BComm 3 a flexible business education is provided to maintain our students’ academic excellence and adaptability to change. Find out more about the BComm Convention 2022: https://www.cubsucc.com/events/bcomm-convention-2022---ck201/
Mid American Universities International (MAUI) is a consortium of 18 universities within the United States. These universities work together to enhance international education opportunities by creating student, faculty, and staff mobility, collaborate on recruitment efforts, and more.
Erasmus+ is a European education programme that promotes exchanges between university students , teaching staff and administrative staff throughout participating EU countries.