Your Journey Starts Here
Begin your UCC journey by exploring our courses, entry requirements, application process, and first year information.
For Parents/Guardians
Transitioning from secondary school to university is a big change for students, and for you as their parent or guardian. We have HEAR and DARE application information, accommodation details, and help to support them in the next steps of their journey on our Parents and Guardians page.
For Guidance Counsellors
Need to access the school's presentation or check the CAO alert list? Visit our Guidance Counsellors area for support to help your students in their move to university.
Applying to an Undergraduate Course?
Here's what you need to know before applying
What type of Applicant am I?
- An Irish Leaving Certificate Applicant - Taking the Irish Leaving Certificate or presenting a previous year's Leaving Certificate.
- A Ukrainian Applicant - Students living under Temporary Protection in Ireland, who are either enrolled in school in Ireland and taking the Irish Leaving Certificate or presenting with Зовнішнє незалежне оцінювання (3HO; in English, Independent External Examination or IEE) or Національний мультипредметний тест (HMT; in English, National Multi-Subject Test or NMT)”
- An EU/EFTA Applicant - Usually presenting a school-leaving exam from an EU country such as the French Bac, German Abitur, European Bac, International Bac.
- A UK A-Level or BTEC Applicant - Taking UK-based GCE A-Levels and GCSEs or presenting previous year's A-Levels and GCSEs. Presenting specific BTEC Diplomas.
- HEAR Applicant - The HEAR Scheme supports school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are resident in the Republic of Ireland.
- DARE Applicant - The DARE Scheme supports school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second-level education.
- A Mature Applicant - An Applicant who is aged 23 years or above on 01 January in the year of entry, who wishes to pursue a full-time undergraduate degree programme.
- A QQI/FE Applicant - Taking exams in a recognised QQI linked course usually provided by Colleges of Further Education.
- An Advanced Entry (Transfer) Applicant - An Applicant looking to transfer to a year beyond 1st year from another Irish/EU University studying the same or similar course.
- An EU/EEA/UK Undergraduate Non-CAO Applicant - An Applicant applying directly through UCCApply for one of our non-CAO courses including Dental Nursing and Dental Hygiene.
- A Flexi-Options Applicant - An Applicant applying to study up to thirty credits of a degree, but not the full degree.
- An Asylum Seeker or Refugee - Applicants through the Sanctuary programme, or those who have claimed asylum or been deemed a refugee in Ireland. This does not include Ukrainian applicants who are hear under the Temporary Protection Directive.
Am I an International Applicant?
For admission purposes, there are two categories of applicant: EU/EFTA/UK or International (non-EU).
Fees status should be established prior to making an application to UCC. Fee status will be retained for the duration of a course. To determine whether you are an EU/EFTA/UK applicant or a Non-EU applicant please complete the EU/Non-EU Fees Assessment Form located on the Fees Office website and email it to feesassessments@ucc.ie or return to the Fees Office in the North Wing.
For further information, please visit the Fee Status section of the Fees Office website.
EU Status: If your status is EU/EFTA/UK, you should apply through the Central Applications Office
International Student: If your status is Non-EU, you should apply directly to the International Office using the undergraduate online application system: Undergraduate Programmes
How Do I Apply?
In the majority of cases, applicants must make an application through the CAO to be considered for a place in UCC. The CAO is an online application form that opens in early November and closes on 1 February for normal applications each year.
The following applicants apply through the CAO:
- Irish Leaving Certificate Applicants
- EU/EFTA/UK Applicants (including those presenting A-level or BTEC exams)
- Mature Student Applicants
- QQI/FE Applicants
- Ukrainian Applicants
For the below, prospective students apply through UCCApply:
- Transfer/Advanced Entry
- Non-CAO Direct Entry courses
- Diploma in Dental Hygiene
- Diploma in Dental Nursing
- BSc Paramedic Studies - Practitioner Entry
- BSc Nursing Studies
- BCL Evening Law
- Flexi-Options modules
Find out more!
Need information about entry requirements and points?
Visit the Entry Requirements pages to learn about the requirements to study in UCC - whether you're just out of your Leaving Cert (or EU/EFTA/UK equivalent), doing a QQI/FE course, a mature applicant, or hoping to transfer in.
Need some help with your Application?
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Need a bit more detail?
Be ready to take your place in UCC with more in-depth information on entry requirements, admissions policies, and other practical advice below.
