University College Cork has been placed fourth internationally in one of the world's most prestigious rankings on the sustainability of over 1,700 universities. 

The latest UI GreenMetric World University Rankings were announced this week at a ceremony in Azerbaijan, where UCC’s fourth place was revealed – confirming that UCC has now ranked in the top ten in every year for the last decade.

• Ireland’s cultural and creative sectors can strengthen engagement with climate change.
• Arts and cultural sectors can build the collective capacity needed to act on climate change in communities across Ireland.

• Researchers at Tyndall National Institute have helped develop a breakthrough microchip designed to enable future 6G and satellite communications.
• International research team combines world-leading expertise in semiconductor and wireless technologies.

• Climate change, migration and the Sustainable Development Goals were the focus of a major EU Presidency associated event at University College Cork. 

• New research provides the first national-scale picture of coastal exposure to climate hazards around Ireland.
• The study identifies coastal communities and heritage sites along Ireland’s most exposed stretches of coastline.
• Findings show that 38% of Ireland’s coastline benefits from potential exposure reduction provided by coastal habitats.

• Major €2 million European project invites public to help map the Viking legacy.
• Sounds of the Vikings will return to Cork after 1,000 years with an exclusive performance by Einar Selvik.
• The iViking App will allow users to discover Viking sites and stories while helping to map the enduring legacy of the Vikings across Europe.

• 340 Peer Support Leaders welcome 4,870 new students to UCC.
• Largest ever group of Peer Support Leaders deliver the University’s peer-led Orientation for first-year students.

• Close to a thousand years old, the manuscript is considered one of the most important surviving records of medieval Ireland 
• Recording the Past: The Annals of Inisfallen and the Making of Irish History exhibition opens at the Glucksman, UCC, from 2 September to 1 November 2026.

University College Cork Soccer Club will take its place among the founding clubs of the new Football Association of Ireland (FAI) National League this season, creating a new opportunity for UCC student athletes to compete at national level and marking a significant new chapter for football at the University and in Cork. A launch event took place this week at the Mardyke Pavilion to mark the occasion.

• Hearing children of deaf adults (Codas) can experience stigma and discrimination because of their association with their deaf parents.
• Research highlights the significant resilience and agency of children of deaf adults, including efforts to protect their parents from prejudice.
• Researchers call for greater recognition of children of deaf adults in research, policy and family services.

Tyndall National Institute has today published its 2025 Annual Report, marking a landmark year for research, innovation and industry engagement, highlighted by the launch of three new semiconductor spin-out companies and growing evidence of Ireland’s emerging indigenous semiconductor sector.

University College Cork (UCC) continued to play a role in Ireland’s EU Presidency as a reception was held this week to mark the Informal Meeting of European Union (EU) Fisheries Ministers. This was the second event hosted by the Government at UCC as part of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. 

An ambitious three-year project designed to enable behaviour change in Cork City by encouraging people to rethink and reduce the number of short car journeys has been awarded €750,000 through the Creative Ireland Climate Action Fund III (2026–2029).

• As Ireland begins its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Government of Ireland welcomed the College of Commissioners to University College Cork.

During a visit to Tyndall National Institute based at University College Cork (UCC) to mark the commencement of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, today announced a major expansion of the institute, marking a significant milestone for Ireland's research, innovation and semiconductor ambitions.

• Professor Claire Connolly wins major Irish literature award for ‘Irish Romanticism: A Literary History’.
• UCC Professor of Modern English honoured by the American Conference for Irish Studies.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD this week hosted a special commemorative event in Government Buildings to mark the centenary of the University Education (Agriculture and Dairy Science) Act 1926, legislation that established the Faculty of Dairy Science at University College Cork and the Faculty of Agriculture at University College Dublin.

University College Cork (UCC) has become the first and only university in Europe to achieve one of the world’s most prestigious sustainability ratings.

The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS), is the world's leading framework for measuring and publicly reporting sustainability performance in higher education, and UCC has obtained a Platinum rating, placing it alongside leading global institutions including Cornell University, Stanford University and the University of California.

• The Apprenticeship in Social Work is led by UCC in partnership with the HSE and Tusla under the national Generation Apprenticeship initiative. 
• Inaugural cohort demonstrates how innovative earn-and-learn pathways can help address growing workforce needs.

Paschal Donohoe was today presented with an honorary award of Doctor of Economic Science by University College Cork (UCC).

University College Cork (UCC) has risen twenty-six places in one of the world’s leading education rankings. The 2026/2027 edition of the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, released today by the global higher education analyst, sees UCC placed 220 in the world.

The GAA has announced a new partnership with University College Cork (UCC) to publish an Atlas of the GAA, a major new publication that will explore, map and celebrate the cultural significance of the organisation both nationally and internationally.

• Isabelle Huppert, Doireann Ní Ghríofa and Adania Shibli among the authors and artists featured in a literature programme presented by Cork Midsummer Festival and University College Cork.

Researchers at University College Cork (UCC) will lead three new Research Ireland centres. The announcement was made today by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, who also announced a new enhanced research national network, 'Rinn'.

• UCC and Met Éireann collaboration combines science, creativity and education to support climate change learning in primary and secondary schools
• Classroom-ready lesson plans, graphic novel and activities developed through workshops with students and teachers.

•  A landmark initiative advancing inclusion in higher education.

A researcher working on protecting democracy through her work on false memories, deepfakes, and conspiracy theories, a spin-out company developing next‑generation therapeutics using a microneedle patch platform and Ireland’s leading energy systems modelling team bridging research and policy were among the awardees honoured for their contributions to research and innovation at the 2025 University College Cork (UCC) Research and Innovation Awards, held at the Lewis Glucksman Gallery on Wednesday, May 27th.

• Uachtarán na hÉireann visited Gaelcholáiste Mhic Shuibhne and UCC in first official trip to Cork.

• UCC marked its membership of the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies, bringing together diplomats, researchers and members of the Ukrainian community to celebrate the milestone and outline future plans for Ukrainian Studies at UCC.
• The event highlighted UCC’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ukrainian scholars, advancing research and teaching on Ukraine, and new initiatives including the East Central Europe and Ukraine research cluster.

Four senior academics from University College Cork (UCC) have been elected to the Royal Irish Academy (RIA), the highest academic honour in Ireland.

The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, today announced the appointment by the Government of University College Cork's Dr Aisling Parkes as Special Rapporteur on Child Protection for a two-year term.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, Marian Harkin TD, today announced a new and exciting Social Care apprenticeship, which will provide 55 additional training places for social care workers from September 2026.

• Improved pupil wellbeing, better emotional regulation and greater readiness to learn linked to trauma informed approaches in schools.
• Research finds whole school approaches contribute to stronger engagement with education
• Study highlights schools’ vital role as safe and supportive spaces in communities experiencing disadvantage.

• University College Cork, Cork Prison, Queen’s University Belfast and Hydebank Wood Secure College launch prison education toolkit to break barriers across higher education and justice systems.
• The toolkit aims to challenge stigma associated with the criminal justice system while promoting more inclusive pathways to education, learning and social justice.
• Lived experience of criminal justice and injustice is central to the toolkit, ensuring perspectives that have historically been excluded from policy, practice and public discourse are valued.

• Future Humanities Institute to address the human dimensions of today’s most urgent global challenges.
• New institute to drive collaboration across arts, culture, social sciences, environmental sciences and technology.
• Humanities-led research aims to shape policy and support a more equitable and sustainable future.

• Urgent action is needed to address persistent barriers facing Traveller students in Irish schools, a new report finds.
• Discrimination, exclusion and inequalities remain embedded within the education system in Ireland.
• The report makes recommendations for policy-makers, schools and the wider education system to tackle barriers faced by Irish Travellers.

A new exhibition at University College Cork (UCC) shines a light on the story behind one of Ireland’s most iconic documents, focusing not on its words, but on the people who made its existence possible.

University College Cork celebrates the Anatomy and Neuroscience teaching team led by Dr Mutahira Lone, who've won the 2025 DELTA Award – a first for the College of Medicine and Health and the second for UCC.

• Traveller Living History exhibition will celebrate honour Traveller culture, heritage and identity.
• A restored Barrel-top wagon, storytelling, music by Steo Wall and Alen MacWeeney’s photography to feature as part of living history event.
• The event invites members of the public to engage directly with Traveller culture and lived experience through demonstrations, workshops, and talks

Cork University Business School (CUBS) at University College Cork marked a significant milestone this week, celebrating a decade of impact and its recent achievement of triple international accreditation, something held by less than 1% of business schools globally.

Developing a framework to guide healthcare organisations in using artificial intelligence (AI) safely, exploring how bilingual children’s language skills influence their ability to solve mathematical problems, and understanding how cities can improve the well-being of their communities in a digital world are the University College Cork (UCC) projects to receive funding under the Research Ireland Collaborative Alliances for Societal Challenges (COALESCE) programme.

Leading research projects at University College Cork (UCC) have been awarded combined funding of €6.2m under the Research Ireland Infrastructure Programme.

University College Cork celebrated a year of outstanding sporting excellence at the 41^st UCC Sports Star Awards, which took place in the River Lee Hotel on Monday 13 Arpril 2026 at an awards ceremony hosted in partnership with The River Lee Hotel, Bank of Ireland, and media partner the Irish Examiner.

Professor Conor O’Mahony, Dean of the School of Law at University College Cork, has been appointed by President Catherine Connolly to the Council of State.

Early-career researchers at University College Cork (UCC) have received a combined €4.3m in research funding in the 2025 Government of Ireland (GOI) Postdoctoral Fellowship and Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship awards.

• Nursing, English Language and Literature, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, and Performing Arts ranked within the Top 100, according to the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.

University College Cork (UCC) researchers, and Principal Investigators at APC Microbiome Ireland, are amongst the newly elected fellows to the prestigious European Academy of Microbiology (EAM).

Three University College Cork (UCC) researchers have been selected as new members of the Young Academy of Ireland (YAI), an all-island multidisciplinary network of researchers and innovators that aims to empower talented early-career researchers and future leaders.

University College Cork (UCC) welcomed An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, for an official visit that included a tour of one of UCC’s research flagships, Tyndall National Institute.

• Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reflected on her years in public office and warned of growing pressures on democratic systems, including misinformation, polarisation and declining public trust in politics.
• She pointed to the prospect of significant constitutional change ahead, including the possibility of Scottish independence and focus on Irish reunification.
• Awards were presented to UCC’s Government and Political Science BSc students and Arts-Politics BA students.

University College Cork (UCC) has today announced its 5 year capital development plan, setting out a strategic framework for campus development and physical and digital infrastructure investment over the coming years.

University College Cork (UCC) and the University of San Francisco (USF) have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a new framework for academic, research, and innovation collaboration between Ireland and the United States.

Teagasc and University College Cork (UCC) have signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), reaffirming their long-standing, valued, partnership.

The delivery of co-created school workshops on fossils and exploring how modern technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), contribute to more efficient agricultural systems are the two University College Cork (UCC) projects to receive funding through the Research Ireland Discover Programme.

University College Cork (UCC) is delighted to announce the reappointment of Dr. Seán McCarthy, managing director of Hyperion Ltd – a training company specialising in designing and delivering training courses on European Union (EU) research programmes, as Adjunct Professor within the Office of the Vice President for Research & Innovation.

University College Cork (UCC) experts have been appointed as members of Ireland’s new National Science Advice Forum.

Eating unhealthy foods early in life leave lasting brain and feeding changes but gut bacteria can help restore healthy eating, a new University College Cork (UCC) research study finds.

• Wildlife sound-recordist Seán Ronayne is among those being honoured by Alma mater.
• Other recipients of UCC alumni awards include Irish rally driver Billy Coleman

Analysing the effect of climate change on Ireland’s forestry carbon stores and exploring the reuse of municipal wastewater to irrigate grassland in Ireland are amongst the University College Cork (UCC) projects to receive a combined €1m in funding under the annual Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Research Call.

A new research project aims to strengthen how parents prepare for breastfeeding, addressing a critical gap in antenatal care.

University College Cork (UCC) has been named a European Union (EU) Gender Equality Champion in Research & Innovation, recognising the University’s outstanding efforts to advance gender equality, diversity, and inclusion across all levels of research and academia.

A €10 million investment will be made in a cancer care project that is aiming to provide cancer patients in the south of Ireland with greater access to the newest cutting-edge healthcare.

• An Taoiseach Micheál Martin opened conference celebrating centenary of radio in the Republic of Ireland.

Cork University Business School (CUBS) at University College Cork (UCC) has joined the global elite of business schools after receiving full EQUIS accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). The achievement places CUBS among the top 1% of business schools worldwide.

PEACE-Air (Partnership for Evidence and Action on Clean Air) is an all-island initiative working to improve air quality and protect public health across Ireland and Northern Ireland through evidence-based policy, collaboration and innovation.

• World’s first research-backed intervention reduces harmful engagement with AI-generated explicit imagery.
• As the Grok AI-undressing controversy grows, researchers say user education must complement regulation and legislation.
• Study links belief in deepfake pornography myths to higher risk of engagement with non-consensual AI imagery.

University College Cork (UCC) welcomes today’s announcement that the Government has approved the expansion of the Tyndal National Institute, a major research flagship.