Program Highlights for Cork, Ireland

• Live and study in Cork City—the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland—known for both its charming historical heritage and modern cosmopolitan energy.
• Study at University College Cork (UCC), one of Ireland’s leading universities, and benefit from an innovative, research-led curriculum taught by world-class academics.
• Experience an award-winning campus, consistently ranked among the top ten most sustainable across the globe and the world’s very first Green Campus.
• Explore some of Ireland's most beautiful and historic counties through included field trips (semester/summer) and an optional Southwest Ireland tour (summer only).
• Enjoy a state-of-the-art sports complex with swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms, gyms, rugby, soccer and hockey pitches, tennis courts, running tracks, and cafés.
• Integrate with Irish students in courses and university activities (semester only).
• The UCC International Office (semester) and the USAC Resident Director (semester/summer) are present on-site to welcome and support you during your term abroad.

Why Study in Cork?

USAC’s programs in Cork are ideal for students interested in living and studying in one of Ireland’s largest cities, while enjoying both its rich cultural heritage and modern amenities. As the cultural and culinary capital of Ireland, there is something for everyone in Cork!

Taste a variety of cuisines at the bustling English Market or splurge on a meal at a Michelin star restaurant. Dive into history at Blarney Castle and Gardens, Cork City Gaol, the Old Cork Waterworks, and countless other historic monuments in the area. Wander among art exhibits at the Crawford Art Gallery or Lewis Gluckman Gallery, as well as studios operated by local artists. Listen to live music of all genres at one of several venues throughout the city. For those looking to explore beyond Cork City, there are plenty of quaint seaside towns nearby, and the dramatic cliffs of the Wild Atlantic Way are within easy reach.

There are several excellent reasons for deciding to study in Ireland. Although English is widely spoken, 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.

Summer Term

Specialty Program

The summer Cork program is ideal for students interested in learning about Irish studies in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. The 5-week summer session offers academic coursework in folklore, conflict management, history, music, and the Gaelic language, all taught by established Irish scholars and hosted on UCC’s award-winning campus. Many of these courses include enticing excursions offering hands-on experience with the subject matter. Participation in additional program field trips and the optional Southwest Ireland tour also forms an integral part of the program. Those with Irish roots can enroll in a 1-credit course to trace their family’s genealogy.

Semester and Yearlong Terms

Partnership Program

The semester and yearlong partnership program offers students the opportunity to enroll in a range of courses in a variety of disciplines at University College Cork (UCC), one of the oldest universities in Ireland. Popular choices include Archaeology, Biological Sciences, Celtic Civilization, Chemistry, Commerce and Technology, History, Irish Studies, Music, Applied Psychology, Applied Social Sciences, Physics, Law, and more. In total, you can choose courses from more than 80 different subject areas offered by the host university – from A to Z: Accounting to Zoology. Students can study at UCC for a single fall or spring semester or a full academic year.

University College Cork has an international reputation for its research work, particularly in the areas of fundamental and technological science. It is consistently ranked within the top 300 universities in the world, and several of its subject areas have been recognized as among the world’s best, including Agriculture and Forestry, Anatomy and Physiology, English Language and Literature, Law, Modern Languages, and Performing Arts.

Fall and yearlong students are encouraged to enroll in an immersive Early Start course (only available during the fall semester), a unique pre-session offering at University College Cork. Spanning three weeks prior to the start of regular semester classes, these immersive courses provide a solid foundation for the study abroad experience and are offered in several disciplines, including Irish Archaeology, Irish History and Modern Ireland, and Literature in Ireland and Creative Writing—all of which provide insight into Ireland’s past and present. Most Early Start courses also include hands-on field trips to take advantage of Ireland’s rich cultural heritage and bring the course material to life. Yearlong students have an additional opportunity to earn a specialized Certificate in Irish Studies, which allows even more in-depth, multidisciplinary study.