2016 Press Releases

UCC named on ‘most international’ list

14 Jan 2016
Celebrating Holi at University College Cork. Photo: Clare Keogh

University College Cork has made it into the Times Higher Education’s list of the top 200 most international universities.

Times Higher Education used the ‘international outlook’ indicator of the World University Rankings to create this list; all institutions in the top 800 of the ranking have been considered, making UCC’s inclusion at 147 a significant achievement.

UCC’s international outlook helps to attract the very highest calibre of staff and students. Both the diversity of the university’s student body and the extent to which its academics collaborate with international colleagues are factors among the 13 carefully calibrated performance indicators considered by Times Higher Education to produce the most comprehensive global university rankings in the world.

“Recruiting a broadly diverse international student body helps to promote sustainable growth while at the same time providing a dynamic mix of ideas and talents,” said UCC Director International, Dr Christopher Brown.

“In its purest form, internationalisation enhances the quality of the classroom experience for everyone, spurs new ideas and combinations in research, and promotes greater intercultural understanding. I am proud of our progress towards making global thinking part of our everyday business at UCC.”

Unlike many Universities, UCC has large numbers of international students from diverse regions of the globe: the goal is to attract the best students not only from China, India, Brazil, and the USA, but also from Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa as well, Dr Brown added. The result is a healthy mix of students coming from close to 100 nations, and a balance of different perspectives and backgrounds.

UCC prioritised internationalisation in its strategic plan, Sustaining Excellence 2013-2017.  

“Coming to the end of that roadmap, and looking forward to the next iteration, we have learned that internationalisation, research, and excellence in teaching & learning reinforce each other. As of the Fall Semester 2015, just above 16% of students were international, spread across a range of categories including undergraduate, taught postgraduate, research postgraduate, visiting students, and exchange students,” Dr Brown said.  

International students who come to UCC almost always have a variety of offers on the table, from elsewhere in Ireland as well as from institutions in other countries, but they choose to come to Cork for a combination of reasons, he explained.

“UCC’s appeal begins with its academic excellence, both in terms of ranking and employment prospects.  Our historic campus, our competitive price point, and our warm, welcoming community are key factors that help to encourage prospects to choose UCC.”

International students are part of the fabric of the community; from their first week on campus, they are strongly encouraged to participate in wide range of co-curricular and social activities.

“UCC’s location in the safe, affordable, and beautiful city of Cork— large enough to be exciting but not so large as to be overwhelming —helps our students to make the transition from their home countries”. 

According to Dr Brown, UCC could never have achieved its current state of internationalisation had academic staff not been deeply committed and involved.

“There is a constant flow of researchers, lecturers, and administrators pursuing academic objectives around the world.  We try to use these opportunities to showcase the quality of our institution, and then let prospective students decide for themselves if the fit is right.  At the end of the day, we want students who can succeed at UCC, and who will contribute to our academic successes.”

With offices in China, India, and the USA, and teams dedicated to specific regions almost everywhere else, UCC’s outreach is indeed global. Worldwide initiatives like the George Boole 200 celebrations -- lectures, film screenings, talks, publications, and presentations— are helping to build the world's awareness of UCC as a University that encourages independent thinking and innovation.  

“An institution’s global outlook is one of the key markers of a prestigious university. The top institutions hire faculty from all over the world, attract students from a global market of top talent and collaborate with leading departments wherever they happen to be based,” said Phil Baty, Editor, THE Rankings.

“It is great news for all the institutions in the list of the most international universities in the world. It is a sign of great potential, competitiveness and dynamism.”

See the full list here: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/worlds-most-international-universities-2016

University College Cork

Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh

College Road, Cork T12 K8AF

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