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Accommodation
Overview
Once you have officially accepted your course offer at UCC you will be sent a link to a form, where you can input your personal details if you would like to be contacted with accommodation information, and potential offers of accommodation, from our Office of Accommodation & Community Life. As this service is not a guarantee of accommodation, we would advise you to follow the information below to start searching for accommodation independently as soon as you have received your offer to study at UCC.
There are three housing options in Cork: UCC Campus Accommodation, private student apartment complexes and private rentals.
We would advise all incoming students to begin their accommodation search the January before they are due to arrive in UCC. Many of the private student complexes will open from January and will take deposits on rooms which can be cancelled at a later date if needed (see the T&C's for individual student complexes on their websites). UCC Campus Accommodation usually opens for applications, for one month only, from mid February. Private rentals will have various application dates.
We strongly recommend that students book their accommodation early before arriving in Cork to ensure their needs are met. If this is not possible, then contact the Office of Accommodation & Community Life for advice. We advise students to consider all safe and affordable accommodation options.
Office of Accommodation & Community Life
As an international student coming to study in UCC, our Office of Accommodation & Community Life provides an accommodation information and advisory service for all students seeking accommodation.
Residential Issues and Accommodation advice
Students can seek advice in relation to accommodation, discuss residential issues or complaints, by emailing the office at resservices@ucc.ie or by phone at +353 (0)21 490 3849. The office is also open for students to visit and is located in the South Lodge on main campus (behind the Boole library on main campus).
Follow the office Facebook and Instagram accounts for the most up to date accommodation information. Further details can be found on the website.
UCC Campus Accommodation
UCC Campus Accommodation offer several different residences near the main UCC campus. These residences are owned and managed by UCC, and are specifically designed for student life, offering security, a reception service and other amenities.
UCC Campus Accommodation offer rooms on a randomised lottery basis. The lottery application system opens between mid February and mid March every year and you must apply within these dates to be considered for a room. It is free to enter the lottery and a refundable deposit is required to secure a room if you receive an offer. Offers are usually announced, via email, at the start of April. Details on the process and the rental costs are available on the website.
Privately Owned Student Apartment Complexes
Cork boasts a wide range of purpose built student accommodation (apartment style), which is privately owned, but caters predominantly to UCC students. These complexes range in price and in distance to UCC and have various room types including sharing rooms, single rooms, ensuite rooms (own bathroom) and private studios. You will find a full list of privately owned accommodation providers on the Accommodation & Community Life website.
Private Housing Options
The University is situated in a pleasant residential area where there is a wide variety of private housing options to suit individuals or groups. Students can rent a room in a landlord owned student house or a room in a house that is occupied by the owner (known as Digs). Rents can vary according to size, type, location, distance from the University and facilities.
Popular areas to live around UCC
Popular areas for UCC students to live include College road, Magazine road, Glasheen, Barrack street and Wilton. Other areas of the city such as Ballincollig, Douglas and Carrigaline are also popular choices as they are serviced by frequent public bus services. Areas outside the city, such as Cobh, could also be considered based on the available transport options to the city. It is important to consider all options with frequent transport links to Cork city and UCC. Use this journey planner to assess the transport options between UCC a room you are considering renting.
UCC Studentpad - search engine for rooms
UCC has a search engine to find private rentals called UCC Studentpad. As an incoming student to UCC you can register for Studentpad at this link to search for rooms in private rentals and owner occupied houses.
- In Ireland, if you agree to rent a room in an owner occupied house then the homeowner is not required to give you a contract, although some do. We would advise that you have some form of agreement in writing detailing the deposit and rental cost, the date the rent is due and any other agreement with the homeowner. The homeowner should give you a receipt for any money paid to them.
- If you agree to rent a room in a shared house with other tenants (and not owner occupied) then you should be given a signed rental agreement (lease), by your landlord or rental agency, and are not required to pay more than one month's rent as deposit and one month's rent in advance of moving in.
Other sites for Private Rentals include Daft.ie and Rent.ie. You can find further information on Studentpad and other private rental sites at this link.
Scams
Be careful of scams when you are looking for accommodation options, particularly on social media sites such as Facebook. If a room looks too good to be true, such as the price is below the market rate or the image on Google Maps does not match the description or photographs, then it more than likely is a scam. Do not send money to someone who is advertising a room if you are unsure.
You will find advice on how to spot these scams on the Accommodation & Community Life website. If you have any concerns email resservices@ucc.ie before making a financial commitment.
Recorded webinar for incoming postgraduate students - April 2025
Accommodation advice and options for incoming postgraduate students. Presented by the UCC Accommodation & Community Life Officer and recorded in April 2025.