Home › Colleges › Ireland › University College Cork
45%
Acceptance rate
~$24k
Tuition / yr
6.5
IELTS required
30%
Intl students
1845
Founded
#273
QS World rank
Top Irish university for pharma & tech. This guide covers University College Cork's courses, fees, English & academic requirements, scholarships, the step-by-step admission process, student-visa and post-study-work rules, and tips to get in — everything in one place.
▶ Predict my admission chances (free)📚 Courses & programs at University College Cork
University College Cork is best known for Pharma, CS, Business. Popular programs for international students include:
- MSc Computer Science
- MSc Data Science & Analytics
- MSc AI
- MSc Finance
- MSc Management
Class profile: Moderately selective.
✅ Entry requirements
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 85 |
| PTE Academic | 58 |
| Duolingo English Test | 110 |
| GRE | Optional |
| GMAT (MBA) | 580 |
| Min GPA / grade | 3.0/4.0 (2:1) |
| Work experience | Not required |
💡
Below the English score? Don't pay to find out — take a free full-length IELTS mock (or PTE / TOEFL) and see your gap instantly. Full breakdown: IELTS score for University College Cork.
💰 Fees & cost of studying
| Tuition (international) | €22–26k/yr |
| Application fee | $50–100 |
| Living costs (est.) | €10,000–12,000/yr |
| Scholarships | UCC Excellence Scholarships |
Plan your budget for tuition + living + health insurance + the visa fee. Compare funding with the free scholarship finder.
📝 Step-by-step admission process
- Shortlist programs
- Meet IELTS 6.5; SOP + references
- Apply online (rolling, Sep intake)
- Receive offer → pay deposit
- Get letter for visa
- Apply for Irish study visa
📄 Documents checklist
- Transcripts
- Statement of Purpose
- 2 References
- CV
- IELTS
- Passport
- Proof of funds (€10,000)
- Application fee
🛂 Student visa & post-study work · Ireland
- Student visa: Irish study visa (Stamp 2)
- Work while studying: 20 hrs/week during term
- Post-study work: Stay Back: up to 2 years (master's)
🎯 Tips & tricks to get admission
- Clear the requirements comfortably. Meet IELTS 6.5+ and the GPA cleanly, then differentiate with a focused SOP and 1–2 strong recommendation letters.
- Write a tailored SOP. Name the exact program and 1–2 professors/labs at University College Cork and connect your background to them — generic essays are the #1 reason strong profiles get rejected.
- Hit the English score first. University College Cork needs IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 85 / PTE 58. Take a free full-length mock to find your weakest section before you book the real test.
- Prepare finances early. Budget for tuition (€22–26k/yr) plus living costs (€10,000–12,000/yr); visa officers want clear, stable proof of funds.
- Apply in the right intake. University College Cork's main intakes are Sep — applying 4–6 months ahead keeps scholarships and on-campus housing open.
📅 Intakes & deadlines
| Intakes | Sep |
| Typical deadline | Rolling |
| Acceptance rate | 45% (moderately selective) |
All figures are indicative and change year to year — always confirm on the official site (ucc.ie) before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- What IELTS score do I need for University College Cork?
- University College Cork typically requires IELTS 6.5 (TOEFL 85, PTE 58). GRE: Optional.
- How much does University College Cork cost?
- International tuition is approximately €22–26k/yr, plus living costs of €10,000–12,000/yr. Application fee: $50–100.
- What is the acceptance rate at University College Cork?
- University College Cork has an indicative acceptance rate of about 45% (Moderately selective).
- What are the intakes and deadlines at University College Cork?
- Intakes: Sep. Typical deadline: Rolling.
- Is University College Cork hard to get into?
- University College Cork is moderately selective, with an indicative acceptance rate of about 45%. A complete application that clearly meets the requirements has a strong chance.
- Does University College Cork require GRE or GMAT?
- GRE: Optional. GMAT (for MBA): 580. Always confirm the exact policy for your specific program on the official site.
- Can I work after studying at University College Cork?
- Stay Back: up to 2 years (master's) (Ireland). You can typically also work part-time while studying: 20 hrs/week during term.
- What documents do I need to apply to University College Cork?
- Typically: Transcripts, Statement of Purpose, 2 References, CV, IELTS, Passport, Proof of funds (€10,000), Application fee. Check program-specific requirements before applying.