Orientation and Registration

Overview

University College Cork is committed to making your transition to third level education a positive one. Before actually starting your lectures you will be invited to attend Orientation, Registration and Welcome Programme. These are specifically designed to enhance the experience of incoming students, provide you with necessary guidance and support, and encourage you to take advantage of all that the University has to offer.

Registration as a UCC Student

What is Registration?

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 give you access to the Mardyke Arena. It is essential to register on the day assigned to your course.

Student ID Card

Your student card is also a machine-readable library card, enabling you to use the library's borrowing services immediately. It also allows you to open an e-mail account. It acts as a SMART card. https://smartcard.ucc.ie/Home/About

When is Registration?

Exact dates are automatically emailed directly to you. Please note that Registration Part II will be factored into the schedule on your specific Orientation day.

Steps to Register as a Visiting EU/Erasmus Student

1. Online Enrolment

2. Online Module Selection

3. Issuing student ID Card

4. Confirmation of Module Registration

Details will be emailed directly to students who are accepted onto UCC programmes.

Steps to Register as a Visiting US and Non-EU Student

1. Online Enrolment

2. Online Module Selection

3. Issuing student ID Card

4. Confirmation of Module Registration

Details will be emailed directly to students who are accepted onto UCC programmes.

Steps to Register as a Non-EU Undergraduate Student

Registration is divided as follows:

Registration Part I – Online Registration

International Student verification of original documentation

Registration Part II – Issuing student ID card

*Garda Vetting and Police Clearance

Students entering UCC programmes which involve placements with children and vulnerable adults will be subject to Garda Vetting and Police clearance. Letters of Offer will make reference if your programme requires you to have clearance. More details available at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/admissionspolicies/

*Infectious Disease Policy

Students enrolling on certain course in the College of Medicine and Health are at increased risk of contracting and transmitting certain infectious diseases, as a result of being in the clinical environment as part of their course. It is important in order to protect both patients and students that healthcare professionals are screened for certain infectious illnesses and immunized against these illnesses. More information is available at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/admissionspolicies/

*Fitness to Practice

Students pursuing some degree programmes are required to meet the University’s “Fitness to Practise” policy. Details are available at https://www.ucc.ie/en/academicsecretariat/fitnesstopractise/

Essential Information Session

All international full degree students should participate in the Essential Information Session 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. The schedule will be emailed to you.

Steps to Register as a Non-EU Postgraduate Degree Student

Registration is divided as follows:

Registration Part I – Online Registration

International Student verification of original documentation

Registration Part II – Issuing student ID card

*Garda Vetting and Police Clearance

*Infectious Disease Policy

*Fitness to Practice

Essential Information Session

Orientation

What is Orientation?

University College Cork is committed to making your transition to our university environment a positive one. Before actually starting lectures, you will be invited to attend Orientation to obtain information about how we do things and how to make the most of your time here. Orientation is designed specifically to enhance the experience of incoming students and encourage you to take advantage of all the university has to offer.

The Orientation Programme will address the academic, general, practical and social aspects of campus life. You will 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.

Aim

Orientation 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.

Peer Student Leaders

Current UCC students will provide useful information and advice and will act as a resource for you and your Faculty. Your Peer Student 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.

When is Orientation?

Orientation usually takes place immediately prior to the start of term. You will be advised of your specific dates in your letter of offer or you can check your dates at the Key Dates section of the website.

Welcome Programme

The Welcome Programme is organised by the International 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, as well as Irish music and Irish dancing. Participation is free of charge. However, there is a limited number of places for some events, such as day trips, and they book out quickly. Feedback from previous participants has been extremely positive. The programme will be posted online in early August.

Welcome Meeting

All International Students are invited to attend a Welcome Meeting. Hosted by Suzanne Buckley, Support Officer for International Students, Welcome Meetings take place twice daily during the Welcome Programme. 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.

uLink Peer Support

Students new to 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. Please see the following link for more information: https://www.ucc.ie/en/pass/ulinkpeersupport/

Freshers' Week

The Registrar’s Office is organising a welcome weekend for new students called Freshers’ Fest. The Fest takes place the weekend before term starts. It involves activities such as drama, music, cookery demonstrations, exhibitions, tours of campus, the library, the Glucksman Art Gallery and the Mardyke Sports Arena. Food stalls will be set up on campus for the day providing something special for everybody.

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 into UCC. Please see the following link for more information: http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/orientation/signup/