Overview

A visiting student is a student currently registered at another university and applying to undertake a programme of study at undergraduate level for one semester or one year. A visiting student is not being admitted to a programme leading to a Degree, Diploma or any other award of the university.

An exchange student will also be considered as a visiting student. An exchange student is a student nominated under an exchange agreement that is in place between UCC and their home university. 

We have over 3,300 international students studying at the University during a typical academic year. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures and do much to enhance and enrich life at the University.   Many of you will be some distance from home and we will do our best to ensure that your stay with us will be academically rewarding and socially enjoyable.

We hope you will find the information in this website informative and helpful. We are confident that your stay with us will be a fruitful one and that you will leave Ireland with fond memories of your time spent in University College Cork.

Karen McSweeney
Visiting Student Coordinator

What Can I Study?

Book of Modules for Visiting Students

Click on the following link to view the Book of Modules for Visiting Students

Please note that modules may be altered, cancelled, replaced, augmented or otherwise amended at any time during the semester.

The 2021/2022 Book of Modules for Visiting Students will be availble in August 2021.

Please note the correct semester when choosing your modules.

Semester 1- Autumn Semester- September to December

Semester 2- Spring Semester- January to May

Year Long- Full Academic Year-  September- May (Semester only students cannot take Year Long modules) 

Programmes Available to Visiting US and Non-EU Students

Information on each of these programmes is available by clicking on the relevant link in the menu below:  

Autumn Semester

• Autumn Semester Programme
• Early Start Semester in Irish Archaeology 
• Early Start Semester in Irish History and Modern Ireland 
• Early Start Semester in Literatures in Ireland 
• Early Start Semester in Irish Traditional Music 

Full Academic Year

• Full Academic Year Programme
• Early Start and Full Academic Year 
• Certificate in Irish Studies

Spring Semester

• Spring Semester Programme

Summer Programmes

• Intensive Greek and Latin Summer School Intensive Greek and Latin Summer School 
• International Summer School in Irish Studies

How Do I Apply?

‌Definition of a Visiting Student

A visiting student is a student currently registered at a Non-European university and applying to undertake a programme of study for one semester or one year. A visiting student is not being admitted to a programme leading to a Degree, Diploma or any other award of the university.

An exchange student will also be considered as a visiting student. An exchange student is a student nominated under an exchange agreement that is in place between UCC and their home university. 

Confirmation of Acceptance

Once your application has been approved you will receive a letter confirming your acceptance at UCC via email. You must bring a printed version of your letter of acceptance with you when you enter to Ireland to commence your studies.

If, for some reason, you are unable to accept your place at UCC please advise the International Office as soon as possible.

For further information, please contact one of the following: 

Entry Requirements

G.P.A. Requirement

The minimum GPA. required is normally 3.0 or above. However, applications between 2.8 and 3.0 will be considered in exceptional circumstances. Thus, if a student who wishes to study History at UCC has good grades in history or a related topic but an overall GPA. of less than 3.0 because of lower grades in an unrelated subject, his/her application will be treated sympathetically. We regret that applications with a GPA of less than 2.8 cannot be accepted.

English Language Proficiency

• IELTS: 6.0 (with no individual section lower than 5.5)
• TOEFL iBT: 79-80

You must submit an official certificate with your application form. 

Please contact mb.murphy@ucc.ie with any questions. 

What Will It Cost?

For academic year 2020/2021 and previous, please email k.mcsweeney@ucc.ie for Fee schedule.

Exchange students: If your home universty nominated you under an exchange agreement that is in place between UCC and your home university, please contact them in relation to your tuition fees.  

The Tuition Fee Schedule for the 2021/2022 academic year is as follows:

Autumm Semester

Spring Semester

Full Academic Year

Paying Tuition

For direct enroll students, you will receive your tuition bill and payment instructions with your letter of acceptance. 

For further information, please contact:

Karen McSweeney,

International Office, UCC.

Phone: + 353-21-4904727

Fax: + 353-21-4904735

Email: k.mcsweeney@ucc.ie

Cost of Living

Students will need to budget for accommodation, food, books, transportation, utilities and other personal expenses, and these can be viewed at our cost of living section: Cost of Living

Orientation and Semester Dates

Semester Dates 2021/2022

Autumn Semester 2021 (Semester 1)

Orientation may take place online. Please see orientation dates below.

Spring Semester 2022 (Semester 2)

 Orientation Programme

‌‌‌In order to introduce you to life at University College, Cork and to help you to settle in, the University runs a series of orientation programmes designed to tell you about life on campus. In addition, incoming visiting students have the opportunity to attend an informal reception, where you can meet other students and academic and administrative staff responsible for your welfare while here.

All students are required to attend the Orientation Programme. Full information on the orientation programmes will be available online nearer the relevant dates.

2022/2021 Academic Year

• Autumn Semester/Full Year Students: Wednesday 8^th, Thursday 9^th and Friday 10^th September 2021
• Spring Semester: Thursday 13^th and Friday 14^th January 2022

Semester Dates 2020/2021

Autumn Semester 2020 (Semester 1)

Orientation will take place in September online. 

Spring Semester 2021 (Semester 2)

Orientation will take place in January online. 

Welcome Programme

The International Office organises a two week Welcome Programme for all International students.  The Welcome Programme will take place from the end of August. Dates for 2022 are yet to be confirmed.

A number of events will be organised during the two week period such as information meetings, walking tours of the city centre, cinema nights, table quizzes, Irish music and dance night, and trips at the weekend

Plan for Ireland

Student Info Hub

Moving to a new university, new city, and new country is exciting, but not without challenges. Our Student Support Information is designed to give you as much assistance as possible before you arrive in Ireland, after you arrive at UCC and when living in Cork. Some important steps include:

Visas and Immigration

For information on visa and immigration please click on the following link: Visa and Immigration

Irish Bank Account

Please click on Opening an Irish Bank Account

Accommodation

Details will be sent to you upon acceptance.

Orientation and Registration

For information on orientation and registration please click on the following link: Orientation and Registration

Module Selection and Registration

‌Online Enrolment

Instructions for Online Enrolment: Autumn/Full Year:

Accepted students will receive instructions for the above in mid-August.   

Instructions for Online Enrolment: Spring Semester: 

Accepted students will receive instructions for the above in mid-November.   

Timetables

Instructions on completing your timetable will be issued with the above information.

Module selection and confirmation of Modules

Accepted students will receive instructions for the above in mid-August for the Autumn Semester and mid-November for Spring Semester. 

Online enrolment must be completed in order to select your modules. 

Examinations and Transcripts

It should be noted that as students are permitted to choose modules across faculties and years there is a possibility of exam timetable conflicts occurring. In the event of such conflicts arising alternative arrangements are made through the International Office. Please contact Karen McSweeney, International Office: k.mcsweeney@ucc.ie

Grading Scale

The marking scale used in UCC ranges from 0-100%. The following marking system is used:

1H - First Class Honours: > 70%

2H1 - Second Class Hons, Grade 1: 60% - 69%

2H2 - Second Class Hons, grade 2: 50% - 59%

3H - Third Class Honours: 45% - 49%

Pass: > 40% - 44%

Final Examination Results

Autumn Semester Results

Results for the Autumn Semester will be available to view online (My Student Admin) in February. 

Full Year and Spring Semester Results

Results for the Full Academic Year and Spring Semester will be available to view online (My Student Admin) at the end of June (date to be confirmed).

Examinations Appeal

Students may formally seek a check of their examination results or appeal their examination results. For further information please contact Karen McSweeney, International Office - k.mcsweeney@ucc.ie

Transcripts for Current Visiting Students:

Autumn Semester Students: 

Offical transcripts for Autumn Students who have completed their studies at UCC will be issued directly to providers/home universities in late February. 

Full Academic Year and Spring Semester Students:

Transcripts will be issued in early July. 

*Please note examination results will available on the student portal prior to release of transcripts.

Study Abroad Students:   

Transcripts will automatically be issued directly to Study Abroad Provider or Home University e.g. Arcadia, IFSA Butler, API, USAC, Quinnipiac University.

Direct Enrol Students:

Transcripts will be issued to your permanent home address.

Students may also request a transcript be issued to their home university by emailing  Karen McSweeney, Email: k.mcsweeney@ucc.ie  

Transcript Requests for Past Visiting Students

Past Visiting Students can request their transcript by completing the Online Transcript Request Form

Please contact Karen McSweeney, Email: k.mcsweeney@ucc.ie with any queries.

Contact Us

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the International Office. 

Saint Patrick's Day Competition

For participating universities only

St Patrick's Day Competition 2021