UCC ranked in top 50 European universities

12 Jul 2018

UCC is ranked in the top 50 universities for teaching and learning according to the Times Higher Education* Europe Teaching Rankings published last night (July 11). 

250 universities in eight European countries were ranked for their student teaching and learning environments and their student outcomes. 

Great news for UCC as it has been ranked in the top 50 universities in Europe and number one in Ireland in the Times Higher Education Europe Teaching Rankings. 250 universities in 8 European countries were measured. More: https://t.co/7RUiVfF6hM @EduIreland @DanMulhall pic.twitter.com/VraUSVe6JY

— UCC Ireland (@UCC) July 12, 2018

The performance indicators were grouped into four key areas:

• Engagement-does the institution effectively engage with its students?
• Resources– does the institution have the capacity to effectively deliver teaching?
• Outcomes– does the institution generate appropriate outputs for students?
• Environment– is the teaching and learning environment inclusive?

Delighted to see @UCC is number one in Ireland and in top 50 overall. Congratulations to all our dedicated educators. https://t.co/iN0COzHbrr

— Pádraig G. Ó Sé (@osheaucc) July 11, 2018

The Rankings sought to compare like with like so only universities that were classified from a ‘developed economy’ by the United Nations were included.

“These Rankings can become a powerful counter-balance to the dominance of research in traditional global rankings and will provide a much needed fresh perspective on excellence,” says Phil Baty, Editorial Director Global Rankings at Times Higher Education.

Wonderful news tonight: @UCC has tied for 47 th place with the University of Strathclyde and the University of Kent in the European Teaching Excellence Rankings #TeachingEx @osheaucc @johbees @ionadbairre . Congratulations to all who have worked so hard for this accolade!

— Marian McCarthy (@MarianSOTL_UCC) July 11, 2018

The Ranking success was welcomed by UCC which invests hugely in providing the best education for its students, both national and international. The effectiveness of UCC’s education programmes is evidenced by its student retention and employment rates. First-year retention rates were 93.4% for the academic year 2017/2018 which was on a par with elite third-level institutions in the US, while employment rates of its graduates, including those in further study were at an historic high at 94% and 95% at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

In 2016, UCC conferred more undergraduates with degrees (4,097) than any other university in Ireland. The University is also a leader in access to third level education. Over 23% of UCC’s undergraduate intake are mature students, students with disabilities or non-traditional college-goers, reflecting the University’s ethos of equality, diversity and inclusion for all.

@UCC ranked in top 50 universities for teaching and learning in Europe https://t.co/SXfLJoiuFS

— Jerry D Murphy (@JerryDMurphy66) July 11, 2018

“We’re an acknowledged centre of academic excellence in both learning and teaching, and we aim to make a significant, sustainable and responsible contribution to Ireland and its people,” says Professor Patrick O’Shea, President of University College Cork. “The University prepares world-ready and work-ready graduates and adds to the attractiveness of Cork and Ireland as a place in which to live, work and to do business.”

Traveller activist Brigid Quilligan describes the transformative effects of education in the short video below.

*The Times Higher Education is a weekly magazine based in the UK reporting specifically on news and issues related to higher education. It is the UK’s leading publication in its field and is involved in international ranking systems of universities worldwide

For more on this story contact:

Ruth Mc Donnell, Head of Media and PR, Office of Marketing and Communications, UCC  Mob: 086-0468950