University College Cork

Overview

University College Cork (UCC) is situated on a limestone bluff overlooking the River Lee in Ireland. The university’s motto, “Where Finbarr Taught, Let Munster Learn,” honours Saint Finbarr, a 6th-century figure whose monastery and school were once nearby. Originally established as Queen’s College, Cork in 1845, it was part of the Queen’s University of Ireland before evolving into a component of the Royal University of Ireland and eventually becoming a founding member of the National University of Ireland in 1908.

UCC’s iconic campus, centred around the quad and the Aula Maxima (Great Hall), has grown considerably since its inception, offering over 120 degree programs across fields like Humanities, Science, Business, Law, Medicine, and Architecture. The university now boasts a vibrant student body of around 20,000, including 3,000 international students. After returning to its independent status in 1997, UCC has continued to foster academic excellence, both in research and teaching.