Named Irish University of the Year in 2003, 2005, 2011 and 2016 by the Sunday Times, University College Cork, Ireland is set on making India its focal point for collaborative research, recruitment and awareness strategy — SUMMIYA YASMEEN

Founded in 1845 as one of three Queen’s Colleges in Belfast, Cork and Galway, University College Cork (UCC) is among the oldest and most highly rated and respected institutions of higher education in the Republic of Ireland. A constituent institution of the National University of Ireland, it combines a rich tradition of teaching, research and scholarship and was named Irish University of the Year by the Sunday Times in 2003, 2005, 2011 and 2016. In the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2015 based on bibliometric indicators compiled by the Netherlands-based Leiden University’s Centre for Science and Technology Studies, University College Cork, Ireland was adjudged #1 in Ireland, #16 in Europe and #52 globally. Moreover, in the recently released QS World University Rankings 2015, the 170-year-old university is ranked #233 worldwide.

Currently the university’s four colleges — arts, Celtic studies and social sciences; business and law; science, engineering and food science; and medicine and health — offer a rich menu of undergraduate and postgrad programmes to over 20,000 students with 3,000 foreign students from 100 countries around the world including 200 from India, instructed by 762 faculty. “As Ireland’s leading research-led university, UCC prides itself on the quality of its faculty and study programmes. Our students can expect an academic system that focuses on individuals rather than whole classes. We are also consciously making India a focal point for collaborative research, recruitment and awareness strategy. Last year, University College Cork, Ireland had a 100 percent increase in applications from India,” says Dr. Christopher Shepard, international strategy officer, University College Cork, Ireland, who visited India last month (November).

Cork. Ireland’s second largest city, Cork (pop. 300,000) offers the advantages of a metro with none of its disadvantages. Situated on the banks of the river Lee, this scenic city with expansive gardens is the principal commercial and banking centre of southern Eire with a busy, thriving seaport, which hosts a large number of modern industries. On the eastern side of the city, quays and docks on the river banks lead to Lough Mahon and Cork Harbour, one of the world’s largest natural harbours.

Recently named the ‘European capital of culture’, the city also boasts a number of art galleries, museums, theatres, cinemas, cafes, restaurants, pubs, and sports facilities. The busy market town of Middleton, on the city’s doorstep, distils the world-famous Jameson whiskey while the picturesque town of Cobh — the last port of call of the Titanic, and Kinsale, the ‘Gourmet capital of Ireland’, are a short drive away.

The climate of Cork, like the rest of Ireland, is moderate and changeable with abundant rainfall. There are 204 rainy days on average per year. Temperatures in summer range from 14°C- 18°C and between -2°C-8°C in winter.

Campus facilities. Sprawled over 130 lush green acres, the UCC campus is distinguished by its main quadrangle i.e, The Quad built in Tudor style in 1849. Several buildings have been added over the years to provide state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, lecture halls, arts studios, sports and other recreational facilities. Major campus attractions include the Lewis Glucksman Gallery — listed in 1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die — housing four gallery spaces, lecture facilities, a riverside restaurant and shop; the Granary Theatre encompassing a black box theatre, studio and foyer; and Devere Hall (students centre). In 1997, UCC acquired Brookfield House, 500 metres from the main campus, to house the university’s nursing, medical and therapies schools.

The main library, named after George Boole (1815-1864), the first maths professor of UCC and on whose mathematical logic modern computer technology is based, offers access to over 700,000 volumes, 30,000 electronic resources and wireless internet. It is supplemented by two off-campus libraries — for the health sciences sited in Brookfield complex and the hospital library of Cork University Hospital.

Sports facilities are extensive and include the Mardyke sports grounds with a seating capacity of 800; a synthetic hockey/football pitch — a top-class facility with covered viewing accommodation for 750 spectators; UCC Athletics Track; Curraheen Road Sports grounds comprising 55 acres of manicured cricket pitches and the Mardyke Arena featuring three sports halls, a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre, two squash courts, climbing wall, aerobics/dance studio.

The university also offers membership to over 61 sports clubs and 103 societies ranging from academic and creative to charitable, political, debating, religious and social.

Admission. The minimum eligibility requirements for admission into UCC’s undergraduate programmes are successful completion of class XII and English language proficiency. Applications from international students need to be submitted online (www.ucc.ie) with supporting documents including secondary school exam transcripts, two academic references, IELTS or TOEFL score, and a 500 word statement of purpose together with an application fee of €50 (Rs.3,550). The time window for submitting online applications is December 2, 2015-May 31, 2016. For admission into postgraduate programmes, a first class bachelor’s degree and English language proficiency are the minimum eligibility criteria.

For further information, contact the International Education Office, University College Cork, Roseleigh Western Road, Cork, Ireland. Ph: +353 214904733; e-mail: internationaloffice@ucc.ie; website: www.ucc.ie.

Accommodation. UCC offers high-quality student accommodation options. They include the Victoria Lodge, Victoria Mills, Castlewhite Apartments, and Aras Ui Thuama. All residences are within a five-10 minutes walk from the university and offer apartments with single study bedrooms and shared living rooms and kitchens.

Degree programmes. UCC’s four colleges offer over 120 degree programmes (see box).