UCC Express is the student newspaper of University College Cork. By far the most successful student medium in Cork, the paper has a print run of over 3000 copies each fortnight. Its readership includes the vast majority of UCC’s 15,000 students, as well as staff and many other individuals outside the university.

The paper is written and edited entirely by students of the University and published in association with the Students’ Union. It is run on a non-profit basis, funded by advertising revenue and distributed free of charge around the university campus.

The paper has had a convoluted, if relatively brief, history. Launched in 1997 as the University Examiner, it quickly carved itself a place in the affections of the student population. Less risque than its predecessor, the infamous Gazette newsletter, the Examiner was nevertheless a mostly entertaining read, with a dash of serious journalism.

Those halcyon days ended, however, when the paper found itself in ‘difficulties’ with its publisher. Emerging from its battles scarred but not beaten, the paper was hurriedly rebranded the Campus Chronicle in 2001. The utter naffness of that moniker necessitated another change of name in 2002 to the University Xpress.

After a few hiccups, things were on the up for the paper from here on in. In early 2004, it was nominated for six Oxygen Student Media Awards, including Newspaper of the Year – the first time the paper was nominated.

The paper continues to evolve with each year. In 2004, a decision was taken to rename the paper the UCC Express. Other changes effected for the 2004/2005 academic year include the inclusion of a magazine-style supplement and the launch of an online version of the paper.