Student Information and Services: On Arrival Information - Orientation and Registration
Orientation & Registration for Degree Students
Open Door Welcome for parents/guardians and families
At University College Cork we believe that the parents/guardians, as well as other family members play a significant role in a student’s adjustment to university life. Whether you are sending your first or last child to university our Open Door Welcome, from Monday 29th August to Friday 2nd September, will give you an opportunity to view the campus and get to know the various support services in place for students.
More information is available at http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/orientation/FYE/Family/
International Education Office Welcome Programme
The Welcome Programme is organised by the International Education Office for newly arrived international students. It is specifically designed to help with the initial adjustment to living in Cork and studying at UCC. The programme is full of events and activities providing a great opportunity to make new friends and to familiarise yourself with UCC and Cork . The range of activities includes a familiarisation tour of UCC campus, a practical walking tour of Cork city, cinema, day trips, questions & answers over coffee as well as Irish music and Irish dancing. Participation is free of charge. However, there is a limited number of places for some events and they book out quickly. Feedback from previous participants has been extremely positive.
Students attend the following:
- Welcome Meeting
- Orientation 2011
- Registration
- Essential Information Session
- Freshers Fest
1. Welcome Meeting - all international students
All International Students are invited to attend a Welcome Meeting. Hosted by Suzanne Buckley, Support Officer for International Students, Welcome Meetings take place in the Conference Room in the International Education Office at Roseleigh, Western Road, at 12 noon each day, commencing Monday 5th September 2011. As well as the opportunity to meet fellow students, advice and information for the initial adjustment to living in Ireland is provided. At the Welcome Meetings students may sign up to participate in the range of activities organised for Welcome Weeks.
2. Orientation 2011
University College Cork is committed to making your transition to third level education a positive one. Before actually starting your undergraduate lectures, you will be invited to attend Orientation 2011 designed specifically to enhance the experience of incoming undergraduate students and which will encourage you to take advantage of all the university has to offer. While undergraduate students Orientation and Registration runs from 5th September to the 16th September students do not attend every day – instead each student is assigned particular days, usually two, based on subject discipline. The details will be emailed directly to you.
Graduate Entry to Medicine
A specialised orientation and registration programme is organised for Graduate entry to Medicine students. Details will be emailed directly to you.
Visiting Student Orientation
Focused orientation and registration programmes are arranged for our visiting students.
Visiting US & Non-EU students
Early Start Semester 2011 Orientation: Friday, 19th August 2011
Autumn Semester/Full Academic Year 2011/2012 Orientation: Thursday, 15th September and Friday, 16th September 2011
Spring Semester 2012 Orientation: Tuesday 3rd January 2012
Further details available at http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/international/visiting/orientation/
Visiting EU students
Autumn Semester/Full Academic Year 2011/2012 Orientation: Wednesday, 14th September and Friday, 16th September 2011 (dates to be confirmed)
Spring Semester 2012 Orientation: Tuesday 3rd January 2012
Further information available at http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/international/visiting-eu/orientation/
Joint Degree Programmes and Undergraduate Diploma Programmes
Students participating in joint degree programmes or undergraduate diploma programmes, undertake studies in their home university before transferring to UCC or study at UCC before transferring to a home institution. UCC is currently offering such programmes in (a) Computer Science (b) Economics (c) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (d) Food Science (e) Business. In 2011 we welcome our first cohort of students from ACMS to study medicine. Details of specific orientation and registration programmes will be emailed to you directly or through our agents and representatives.
Undergraduate Degree Orientation
Orientation 2011 takes place September 5-16. The programme will address the academic, general, practical and social aspects of campus life. Student Ambassadors - current UCC students - will provide useful information and advice and will act as a resource for you and your Faculty. Your Peer Support Leader will be able to address questions you may have about your programme of study, life away from home, the importance of becoming involved in campus life and social opportunities. More importantly they will support your efforts to become fully integrated into the University. During your Orientation Programme, you will meet your Peer Support Leader, learn about the Student Services available to all students, take an in-depth tour of campus, meet with your academic staff and be informed of what will be required in your programme of study, hear about the many Clubs and Societies active on campus, and, finally, have an opportunity to get to know your fellow classmates during the social events sponsored by the Students’ Union.
Orientation 2011 will be your bridge to a successful and pleasant integration to university life. We look forward to having you on campus and plan to make your Orientation Programme exciting and informative.
The schedule for Orientation 2011 includes morning sessions, dealing with general issues, for all students. These sessions will all take place in the Boole Lecture Theatres. Afternoon sessions dealing with specific Faculty and Departmental topics will be co-ordinated by individual Faculties and will also meet in the Boole Lecture Theatres. Registration Part II (collection of id cards) will also be factored into your specific Orientation day.
International full degree students must also attend the Essential Information Session on Saturday 17th September in Boole 1 at 10am.
Undergraduate Degree Orientation 2011 Timetable
Details of the undergraduate orientation timetable are automatically emailed directly to you. Students attend orientation during the days assigned to their particular discipline only.
Full details of Orientation 2011 are available at http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/orientation/
uLink Peer Support
First year undergraduates at UCC can avail of the support of a peer support leader, an experienced UCC student, trained to assist you in the transition to university. You are linked with a peer supporter at orientation who will provide help and support throughout your first year at UCC. Peer support leaders come from all backgrounds, courses and years and include mature students, students with specific disabilities and international students. You can be put in contact with specific students should you require it. Nothing is too small to ask or talk about with a peer supporter.
Evening Entertainment hosted by Peer Student Leaders
Schedule of Evening Events on Campus from Monday 5 September to Friday 16 September
• Don’t miss this opportunity to meet up with fellow students, participate in organized activities and competitions, win amazing prizes and have fun – all activities are FREE!
• You are welcome on campus every evening!
Postgraduate Orientation
Postgraduate students are invited to attend an orientation and induction programme, designed to meet their specific needs.
Graduate Studies Office has organised a programme to officially welcome you as a postgraduate student at UCC. The purpose of this programme is to let you know something about the support and facilities offered at UCC. There will be information on what University College Cork has to offer you as a postgraduate student as well as details of administrative support, clubs and societies and making the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate studies. This will be followed by an informal reception where you will get the chance to meet your classmates.
International postgraduate students should attend the Essential Information Session held on Saturday 17th September at 10am in Boole 1 hosted by the Support Officer for International Students.
Postgraduate Orientation Timetable 2011
Taught Postgraduate Students - Monday 19th September 2011 4-6pm (venue to be confirmed)
Research Students - A two day induction programme will be held on October 5th and 6th. (Devere Hall, Student Centre)
Full details will be available at http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/postgrad/incoming/ in mid-August 2011.
3. Registration as a UCC student
Registration is divided as follows:
Registration Part I - Online Registration
Verification of original documentation (on arrival at UCC)
Registration Part II - Issuing student ID card
At registration students are officially enrolled as students of UCC. Details are recorded and students receive their UCC student card, which grants them access to all the usual range of student services on campus and constitutes proof that they are in fact, registered students here. It also gives you access to the Mardyke Arena. It is essential to register on the day assigned to your course.
Your student card is also a machine-readable library card, enabling you to use the library's borrowing services immediately.
Undergraduate International Full Degree Registration:
Registration Part I will be done be each student themselves online prior to travelling to UCC. Verificaton of documentation and Registration Part II will take place between Monday 5th and Friday 16th September 2011. Exact dates are emailed directly to you. Please note that Registration Part II will be factored into the schedule on your specific Orientation day.
Postgraduate International Registration:
Registration Part I will be done be each student themselves online prior to travelling to UCC. Verificaton of documentation and Registration Part II will take place on the week of the 20th September 2011. Details of your registration schedule will be emailed to you.
What do I bring to Documentation Verification?
- Letter of Offer
- Passport
- Valid student visa if you are from a country that requires a student visa - please see visa section.
- Evidence of Fee Payment or scholarship letter
All original documentation required for admission eg academic transcripts, graduation certificates, IELTS/TOEFL, must be presented a pre-registration for verification.
- *Garda (police) Clearance documentation.
Please note that your registration will not take place if you fail to present any of the above.
*Garda (Police) Clearance
All students entering courses in the College of Medicine and Health will be working with vulnerable people in sensitive clinical areas during their time at University College Cork. Most of these clinical areas will be under the ownership and authority of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE requires all students working within its organisation to obtain "Garda Clearance" which involves a police check to establish whether any criminal convictions have been sustained in the past or whether there are any criminal proceedings pending.
The Gardaí (police) are obliged to provide this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of 6 months or more (including permanent residence).
ALL Students entering courses in the College of Medicine and Health who have resided outside Ireland for a period of 6 months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from the country or countries of residence. This Certificate should state that the student has no convictions recorded against him or her while residing there.
4. Essential Information Session - all undergraduate and postgraduate international full degree students
All international full degree students should participate in the Essential Information Session in Boole 1 on Saturday 17th September provided by Suzanne Buckley, Support Officer for International Students. Topics covered will include visas, immigration, part-time work, personal security etc. There will be a questions and answers session and panel discussion with current international students.
5. Freshers' Fest
The Registrar's Office is organising a welcome weekend for new students called Freshers' Fest. The Fest will take place on the 17th September and will involve activities such as drama, music, cookery demonstrations, exhibitions, tours of campus, the library, the Glucksman Art Gallery and the Mardyke Sports Arena. Cork Circus Company will provide entertainment for the day and food stalls, craft stands and jewellery stands will be set up on campus for the day providing something special for everybody. Hands on Drumming will also perform, and who knows, you might like to learn how to play the drums!
Workshops are also an essential part of the Fest. There will be two elements to the workshops: (a) Generic Academic Skills and (b) Life Skills. These workshops will give you a head start on student life and will help you to settle in to UCC.
By attending the Fest you will make friends and have lots of fun too.
Exact details will be available on the website or from the International Education Office.
All students are welcome to participate, after attending the Essential Information Session.
