Location
  • Ireland
    • Cork
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer
Subject Areas
Accounting Art History Biology Business Chemistry Education Food Science and Nutrition Geography Political Science Psychology
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
University
University College Cork
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment
Language
English
Jul 20, 2023
Sep 12, 2023
19 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

The Cork program offers students the opportunity to enroll in a range of courses in a variety of disciplines at the University College Cork (UCC), one of the oldest universities in Ireland. Discipline choices include: Archaeology, Biological Sciences, Celtic Civilization, Chemistry, Commerce and Technology, History, Irish Studies, Nursing, Music, Applied Psychology, Applied Social Sciences, Physics, and Law.

Ireland remains a unique country with its own traditions, values, and views of the world. Time in Ireland will challenge you personally, open your eyes to different ways of looking at the current topics in our world, and enable you to experience Irish culture and history.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

LGBTQIA+ Support

There are LGBTQIA+ friends, colleagues, and allies throughout the world. However, cultural understanding of gender identity and sexuality does vary from country to country. USAC has compiled a lot of resources to help you through that learning process.

Accessibility Support

USAC is dedicated to working closely with students with disabilities to ensure the best study abroad experience possible. You may request reasonable accommodations after your initial application is complete. We routinely receive requests for scheduling, material, and environmental accommodations for the classroom setting, which may include assistive technology, scribes and readers, printed material, and interpretation.

Impact

Sustainability

Environmentally-conscious students choose USAC because many of our programs are held in some of the most sustainable countries in the world. There are options to take coursework in sustainability and the environment, as well as field trips and studies where students can leave a lasting impact on their host country.

Program Highlights

  • Live in Cork City—one of the Lonely Planet World’s Top 10 Cities to Visit—whose identity is balanced between its charming historical heritage and modern cosmopolitan energy
  • Study at Ireland’s leading university and benefit from an innovative, research-led curriculum taught by world-class academics
  • Explore the Skellig Region and Ring of Kerry in the included Heritage Weekend field trip
  • Enjoy a state-of-the-art sports complex with facilities including: swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms, gyms, rugby, soccer and hockey pitches, tennis courts, running tracks, and cafés

About University College Cork

University College Cork
Thumbnail
City
Cork
Students:
21,000
Year Founded:
1845

University College Cork is an institution that combines all the best aspects of research, academic excellence, Irish history and culture, student safety and welfare, and a vibrant campus life to create an exceptional study abroad experience. From our castle-like campus quad, to our dedication to green studies and sustainability, from our active student clubs and societies, to our commitment to student distinction, UCC provides students with a safe, exciting, beautiful, intellectually stimulating environment in which to learn, grow, and make memories.

Students who choose UCC as their abroad destination leave campus with more than just pictures and souvenirs; UCC alumni leave with countless memories, friends from all over the world, a wealth of knowledge, and a newly found sense of independence and self-awareness.

Scholarships

USAC logo

USAC Scholarships and Financial Aid

USAC awards over $2 million in scholarships and discounts each year to assist students with their study abroad expenses.

Value
$500 - $1,000

Program Reviews

4.92 Rating
based on 12 reviews
  • 5 rating 91.67%
  • 4 rating 8.33%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.2
  • Support 4.75
  • Fun 4.6
  • Housing 4.25
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 12 reviews
Default avatar
Grace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my life!!

I’ll remember the memories I made and the friends I met forever!! The field trips were amazing but I do wish we had some more time in some of the places. The course I took was “Folklore of Cork” with Shane LeHane and it one of my favorite courses and professors I’ve ever had. Cork is an amazing city and I wish I could have spent more time there! The housing was similar to the typical form were used to in the United States but probably could have been cleaned a little more upon arrival. But the location was great and easy to get places.

5 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Evie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Ireland man…

I had an absolutely incredible time in Ireland! Getting to be immersed in Cork, Ireland’s culture for 6 weeks was one of the best experiences of my life! I go to explore all over Ireland, explore Cork, and take some of the most interesting classes I have ever taken! I don’t regret going but I do regret having to leave after 6 weeks (although that was the program length for me). I wish I could have stayed longer because I had the best time and I miss it everyday… also the people who were in the program with me were the best!!

Pros
  • Beautiful
  • Clean
  • Exciting
5 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Isabella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a Lifetime!

Studying abroad really was a once in a lifetime experience that I would encourage every undergraduate student to do! The new friends I made, cultures, and places I got to experience made me a more well rounded individual. I learned to try everything and be excited to do new things. There are people I met from all around the world during my program that I still keep in contact with today, some even on a day to day basis. If you do decide to study abroad, take advantage of all the opportunities to see new places! So, if you get the chance, study abroad!!

Pros
  • Meeting new people
  • Country full of history
  • English Speaking
Cons
  • Weather Jan-May is a little rainy
  • Not enough time to do everything
  • Cork does not have a huge airport
17 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Madalaine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible Experience!!

After having to plan and re-plan my study abroad trip several times during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding USAC was like seeing the light at the end of a tunnel. The advisors and staff made it so streamlined to join the program swiftly. Working with the USAC advisor provided me with so much relief and security that my study abroad experience was going to take off successfully (and it did!!). My USAC advisor provided me not only with so much information but so much confidence in myself to see things through. Every step in the process ensured I was on track with the country's requirements, my own scholarships, etc. I was fortunate to have such a stellar group along for the adventure too, which made me feel so at home in a new place. The academics offered through USAC too were phenomenal, and working alongside some of University College Cork's own instructors was an unforgettable experience of cultural immersion and sharing so many stories. I'm so grateful to have had such a positive experience with USAC's guidance and assistance along every step of the way!!

Pros
  • Provides some scholarships and accepts many others
  • Accomodations provided (unless you'd rather find your own!)
  • Group flights that can be tailored to fit your location and ensure you arrive on time
Cons
  • More group-oriented
  • You'll have to find most of the host community events and cultural immersion yourself
45 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Camille
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

USAC Cork truly changed my life!

If you're not sure about studying abroad- just do it! I was scared to travel by myself to a strange country without anyone I knew but USAC Cork genuinely changed my life. The professors and classes were amazing, the city (and all of Ireland) is so culturally rich and welcoming, and the experience definitely helped me grow as a person. I met someone I consider one of my best friends, and I am looking at UCC for graduate school because I loved studying there so much. Outstanding program!
Also, if you are concerned about medical issues or a disability hampering your experience; I found the program very accommodating and caring to work with.

Pros
  • Walking or taking public transport everywhere you want to go
  • Historic places everywhere
  • Beautiful in both the city and countryside
Cons
  • High cost of living
  • Housing was bearable but not fantastic
45 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Andy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Summer Ever

I had a great time in Cork studying at the UCC. My program was short term, I studied there in five weeks in the summer. The program was amazing and the classes they offered during the short period were immersive and interesting. Each class had a mandatory field trip you must attend, the two I attended were interesting. The people I met in the program from other schools I still talk to today. Even with the program being short term and semi-intensive I still had opportunities to enjoy Ireland and travel while also receiving good grades. I highly recommend the summer program for anyone who is interested in a short term program in Ireland.You will experience so many things in the country that you never thought about, you will learn so much more about the country and yourself. I had a great time with great people while I was there.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Don't be afraid to travel alone. If you do the summer program as I did you are there for a short time and the people you travel with make or break the experience. If you go alone you will have a blast and don't feel like you have to leave the country, Ireland has a lot to offer.
84 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sarah
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

If you don't mind the weather...

If you don't mind the chill of an Irish spring, then Cork is a wonderful experience. It is a small city, easily navigable on foot and very safe. The university is world renowned and offers a multitude of course options open to the international students almost without restrictions. These courses are some of the most exciting of my college career. Additionally, the Irish people are very kind and easy to get to know. Cork is small enough that you will run into old friends and new throughout your semester there. It's not the most exciting place, but the people make up for it in large part.

The only caveat to my wonderful experience was my housing. The apartment complex was large, unwelcoming, and without consistent heating, hot water, or wifi. Additionally there was not an option to live with Irish students which I would have preferred. If this is your first time abroad though, living with Americans can be lovely!

One of my favourite memories is taking a trip to Kinsale with a friend I made in my Celtic Lore class. She was an Irish Masters student who rescued me from failing a course that required a pretty good command of Irish Language (which we often call Gaelic in the USA). My inability to understand led to us working together, and becoming friends. We travelled to Kinsale on one of my last days in Cork, braving the wind and the rain to see the forts and soak our shoes overlooking the sheep and the sea. It was a lovely trip and epitomizes my experience. The weather was always terrible and cold, but the people provided the warmth.

What would you improve about this program?
Better housing.
85 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Elizabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best semester of my life

Cork is an incredible city in Ireland. I would highly recommend it over Dublin. The university is a beautiful castle. The on-site advisor for USAC was one of the most wonderful people I have ever met, she had me over for tea and scones and I'm still in contact with her a year later. Housing was great, I lived in The Spires which were so close to campus and to downtown. There's a large international community at the university and in the city which is amazing.

90 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers