🇮🇪University College Cork

Cork, Ireland

QS World 2026 · #273

Ireland's third-largest university, based in the country's second city.

About UCC

UCC is based in Cork, Ireland's second-largest city, and is particularly well regarded for Medicine, Food Science and Law. It was the first university in Ireland or the UK to receive the Green Flag for environmental sustainability.

Why students choose it

  • Strong Medicine and Food Science reputation
  • First university in Ireland or the UK to receive the Green Flag for sustainability
  • Based in Cork, Ireland's second city

🎓 Free application support for UCC

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to UCC — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

📝 Already decided? Apply now — it's free

Typical entry grades

AAB (A Level)  ·  IB 33

High tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

€22,000–€30,000/yr

high tier for Ireland — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

city campus, Cork

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or UCC's financial aid office.

Irish universities commonly offer international entrance scholarships as a fixed award (not a full-ride) for strong entry grades, alongside a small government scholarship scheme.

  • University international excellence scholarships: Offered by most Irish universities (Trinity, UCD, UCC and others) — a fixed award for strong A-Level/IB/IGCSE-pathway results, usually applied for alongside or shortly after your course application.
  • Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships: Government-funded, but a small, highly competitive number of awards each year, open to a limited set of countries.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Medicine

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong); typically a 4-year postgraduate MD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology

Business

⏱️ Typical duration: 3–4 years (Level 8 Honours Bachelor's)

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Mathematics helps but usually isn't required recommended

Law

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years for an undergraduate LLB (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia); typically a 3-year postgraduate JD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

📝 Apply for this course →

Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Food Science

⏱️ Typical duration: 3–4 years (Level 8 Honours Bachelor's)

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths

Durations are typical for Ireland — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September
Typical deadline
1 February (normal deadline)
Note
A change-of-mind window to amend course choices stays open until 1 July.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

See where UCC ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Ireland University Shortlist Builder to see whether UCC is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Ireland university that matches.

Build my Ireland shortlist →

More Ireland universities

UCC FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to UCC as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into UCC?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, UCC expects around AAB at A Level or 33 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for UCC's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on UCC's own admissions page before applying.

How much does UCC cost for international students?

International tuition at UCC typically falls in the €22,000–€30,000/yr range (high tier for Ireland). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not UCC's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for UCC?

UCC follows Ireland's typical intake calendar: September, with applications generally due 1 february (normal deadline). A change-of-mind window to amend course choices stays open until 1 July. Always verify the exact date on UCC's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for UCC?

Ireland universities, including UCC, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0). Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

What is UCC known for?

Ireland's third-largest university, based in the country's second city. UCC is based in Cork, Ireland's second-largest city, and is particularly well regarded for Medicine, Food Science and Law. It was the first university in Ireland or the UK to receive the Green Flag for environmental sustainability.

Can I apply to UCC with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — UCC accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Ireland University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against UCC and every other Ireland university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

Need help applying to UCC? Get free application support.

Book a Tutor