{{short description|Constituent university of the National University of Ireland}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=September 2021}} {{Infobox university | name = University College Cork – National University of Ireland, Cork | native_name = {{lang|ga|Coláiste na hOllscoile, Corcaigh}} | former_name = Queen's College, Cork | image = County Cork - University College Cork - 20190125141016.jpg | motto = ''Where Finbarr Taught Let Munster Learn'' | type = Public university | established = {{start date and age|1845}} | founder = | faculty = 965<ref name="UCC Institutional Profile 2022/23">{{cite web |title=University College Cork Institutional Profile 2022/23 |url=https://www.qqi.ie/sites/default/files/2022-12/University%20College%20Cork%20%28UCC%29%20Cinnte%20Institutional%20Profile%202022.pdf |website=www.qqi.ie |access-date=1 March 2024}}</ref> | president = John O'Halloran<ref name="O'HalloranAnnounced">{{cite web|title=John O'Halloran announced as UCC's interim President|url=https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/John-OHalloran-announced-as-UCCs-interim-President-3f739346-a7ab-41cf-81ff-e95e3b486f8d-ds|access-date=15 September 2020|website=Echo Live|date=15 September 2020 }}</ref> | head_label = Registrar | head = | students = 24,195 (2021–22)<ref name="UCC Institutional Profile 2022/23" /> | undergrad = 16,849 (2021–22)<ref name="UCC Institutional Profile 2022/23" /> | postgrad = 7,346 (2021–22)<ref name="UCC Institutional Profile 2022/23" /> | city = Cork | country = Ireland | coor = {{coord|51.893|-8.493|type:edu_region:IE|display=inline,title}} | colours = {{scarf|start}}{{cell|#000000}}{{cell|#FFFFFF}}{{cell|#000000}}{{cell|#FF0000}}{{cell|#000000}}{{cell|#FFFFFF}}{{cell|#000000}}{{scarf|end}} | affiliations = AUA<br /> EUA<br /> NUI IUA UI<br /> Utrecht Network | logo = UCC logo 2026.png | website = {{url|http://www.ucc.ie}} }} thumb|UCC Campus '''University College Cork – National University of Ireland, Cork''' ('''UCC''';<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nui.ie/about/history.asp |title=History of the NUI }}</ref> {{langx|ga|Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh}}) is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland, and located in Cork.
The university was founded in 1845 as one of three Queen's Colleges located in Belfast, Cork, and Galway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucc.ie/en/about/UCCHistory/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311032546/http://www.ucc.ie/en/about/UCCHistory/|archive-date=11 March 2012|title=University College Cork – History |publisher=Ucc.ie |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref> It became University College, Cork, under the Irish Universities Act 1908. The Universities Act 1997 renamed the university as National University of Ireland, Cork, and a Ministerial Order of 1998 renamed the university as University College Cork – National University of Ireland, Cork,<ref>[http://www.nui.ie/about/universities.asp About NUI – Constituent Universities] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003214144/http://www.nui.ie/about/universities.asp |date=3 October 2008 }}</ref> though it continues to be almost universally known as University College Cork.
Amongst other rankings and awards, the university was named Irish University of the Year by ''The Sunday Times'' on five occasions; most recently in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/ucc-wins-university-of-the-year-award-for-a-fifth-time-424784.html | publisher = Irish Examiner | title = UCC wins university of the year award for a fifth time | date = 8 October 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Sunday Times 2016">{{cite web|title=UCC named The Sunday Times University of the Year|url=https://www.ucc.ie/en/about/uccnews/fullstory-606071-en.html|website=UCC}}</ref> In 2015, UCC was also named as top performing university by the European Commission funded U-Multirank system, based on obtaining the highest number of "A" scores (21 out of 28 metrics) among a field of 1200 partaking universities.<ref name="umultirank">{{cite web|url= https://www.ucc.ie/en/about/uccnews/fullstory-541046-en.html|access-date=14 September 2015 |title =UCC News > UCC leads international rankings…|publisher=UCC.ie}}</ref> UCC also became the first university to achieve the ISO 50001 standard in energy management in 2011.
==History== right|thumb|The "Long Hall" and the clock tower of the UCC quadrangle Queen's College, Cork, was founded by the provisions of an act which enabled Queen Victoria to endow new colleges for the "Advancement of Learning in Ireland". Under the powers of this act, the three colleges of Belfast, Cork and Galway were incorporated on 30 December 1845. The college opened in 1849 with 23 professors and 181 students; Medicine, Arts, and Law were the three founding faculties. A year later the college became part of the Queen's University of Ireland.
The original site chosen for the college was considered appropriate as it was believed to have had a connection with the patron saint of Cork, Saint Finbarr. His monastery and school of learning were close by at Gill Abbey Rock and the mill attached to the monastery is thought to have stood on the bank of the south channel of the River Lee, which runs through the college lower grounds. This association is also reflected in the college motto "Where Finbarr Taught, Let Munster Learn" which is also the university motto.
Adjacent to Gillabbey and overlooking the valley of the river Lee, the site was selected in 1846.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ucc.ie/ga/faoicoc/nuacht/cartlannnuachta/preasraitis2005/headline-10015-ga.html | publisher = UCC | title = New Book Celebrates UCC in Words and Pictures | date = 15 December 2005 | quote = "''architect, Sir Thomas Deane, successfully urged the Board of Works in 1846 to choose the Gillabbey site [.. for..] its 'excellent and commanding' situation''" }}</ref> The Tudor Gothic quadrangle and early campus buildings were designed and built by Sir Thomas Deane and Benjamin Woodward. Queen's College Cork officially opened its doors in November 1849, with further buildings added later, including the Medical/Windle Building in the 1860s.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/ucc-to-create-student-hub-in-15m-extension-408693.html | publisher = Irish Examiner | title = UCC to create student hub in €15m extension | quote = "''the Windle Building [..] dates back to the 1860s''" | date = 6 July 2016 }}</ref>
===National University of Ireland=== In the following century, the Irish Universities Act 1908 formed the National University of Ireland, consisting of the three constituent colleges of Dublin, Cork and Galway, and the college was given the status of a university college as ''University College, Cork''. The Universities Act, 1997, made the university college a constituent university of the National University and made the constituent university a full university for all purposes except the awarding of degrees and diplomas which remains the sole remit of the National University.
==Today== [[File:Students centre.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|UCC Student Centre with the O'Rahilly Arts and Commerce Building opposite]] As of 2022, University College Cork (UCC) had 24,195 students.<ref name="UCC Institutional Profile 2022/23" /> These included 16,849 in undergraduate programmes,<ref name="UCC Institutional Profile 2022/23" /> 7,346 in postgraduate study and research,<ref name="UCC Institutional Profile 2022/23" /> and 2,800 in adult continuing education across undergraduate, postgraduate and short courses. The student base is supported by 3,429 academic, research and administrative staff.<ref name="UCC Institutional Profile 2022/23" /> As of 2022, UCC reportedly has c. 200,000 alumni worldwide.<ref name="UCC Institutional Profile 2022/23" />
===Campus=== Student numbers, at over 24,000 in 2022,<ref name="UCC Institutional Profile 2022/23" /> increased from the late 1980s, precipitating the expansion of the campus by the acquisition of adjacent buildings and lands. This expansion continued with the opening of the Alfred O'Rahilly building in the late 1990s, the Cavanagh Pharmacy building, the Brookfield Health Sciences centre, the extended ''Áras na MacLéinn'' (Devere Hall), the Lewis Glucksman Gallery in 2004, ''Experience UCC'' (Visitors' Centre) and an extension to the ''Boole Library'' – named for the first professor of mathematics at UCC, George Boole, who developed the algebra that would later make computer programming possible. The university also completed the Western Gateway Building in 2009 on the site of the former Cork Greyhound track on the Western Road as well as refurbishment to the Tyndall institute buildings at the Lee Maltings Complex. In 2016, UCC acquired the Cork Savings Bank building on Lapps Quay in the centre of Cork City. As of 2017, the university is rolling out a programme to increase the space across its campuses, with part of this development involving the creation of a 'student hub' to support academic strategy, add 600 new student accommodation spaces, and develop an outdoor sports facility. thumb|upright=1.2|Glucksman Gallery in UCC's lower grounds The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences and the School of Applied Psychology are based on the North Mall Campus, the site of the former North Mall Distillery.
Since 1986, 2.5 tonnes of uranium rods had been stored in the basement of the UCC physics department, for use in a sub critical assembly (SCA) for research and training purposes. The uranium was originally given to Ireland by the US as part of the Atoms for Peace programme, however, due to public opposition, the reactor was disassembled during the 1980s. As there is no nuclear waste site in Ireland, the uranium remained on campus,<ref>{{cite web |last=McSweeney |first=Neans |date=14 July 2003 |title=Remains of nuclear reactor stored in UCC |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-10077085.html |access-date=22 September 2022 |website=Irish Examiner }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=UCC keeping 2.5 tonnes of uranium in basement store |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ucc-keeping-2-5-tonnes-of-uranium-in-basement-store-1.366261 |access-date=22 September 2022 |newspaper=The Irish Times }}</ref> with the last update on its status from then-Minister for Education Ruari Quinn being that it was securely stored in a radioactive waste store until it could be permanently relocated off-campus.<ref>{{cite web |last=O’Brien |first=Paul |date=5 October 2011 |title=University 'hopeful' over disposal of uranium |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20169661.html |access-date=4 January 2025 |website=Irish Examiner }}</ref>
In 2006, the university re-opened the Crawford Observatory, a structure built in 1880 on the grounds of the university by Sir Howard Grubb. Grubb, son of the Grubb telescope building family in Dublin, designed the observatory and built the astronomical instruments for the structure. The university paid for an extensive restoration and conservation of the building and the three main telescopes, the Equatorial, the Transit Circle and Sidereostatic telescopes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucc.ie/faculties/science/pages/news67.php|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071224104605/http://www.ucc.ie/faculties/science/pages/news67.php|url-status=dead|title=Crawford Observatory|date=24 December 2007|archive-date=24 December 2007|access-date=19 February 2018}}</ref>
In November 2009, several UCC buildings were damaged by flooding.<ref name="flood">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/1201/1224259804111.html |title=UCC welcomes 18,000 back following closure – 1 December 2009 |publisher=Irish Times |date=12 December 2009 |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref> The floods also affected other parts of Cork City, with many students being evacuated from accommodation. The college authorities postponed academic activities for a week,<ref name="flood"/> and indicated that it would take until 2010 before all flood-damaged property would be repaired. Particularly impacted was the newly opened Western Gateway Building, with the main lecture theatre requiring a total refit just months after opening for classes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucc.ie/en/media/mandc/Revised-Report-on-Major-Flood-Damage.pdf |publisher= UCC.ie | title= Revised Report on Major Flood Damage |date= November 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160415031653/http://www.ucc.ie/en/media/mandc/Revised-Report-on-Major-Flood-Damage.pdf | archive-date = 15 April 2016 }}</ref>
In 2018, UCC's campus became home to the first "plastic free" café in Ireland, with the opening of the Bio Green Café in the Biosciences building.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.independent.ie/life/food-drink/irelands-first-plastic-free-caf-opens-today-37305145.html | publisher = Independent News & Media | website = independent.ie | title = Ireland's first plastic free café opens today | date = 11 September 2018 | access-date = 19 April 2019 }}</ref>
===Research=== The university is one of Ireland's leading research institutes, with among the highest research income in the state.<ref>{{cite report | title=The Higher Education R&D Survey 2006 | url=http://www.forfas.ie/media/forfas070829_herd_2006.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721073323/http://www.forfas.ie/media/forfas070829_herd_2006.pdf | url-status=dead | archive-date=21 July 2011 | publisher=Forfás – Ireland's national policy advisory body for enterprise and science }} Page 3</ref> In 2016, UCC secured research funding of over €96 million, a 21% increase over five years and a high for the university. The university had seven faculties: Arts and Celtic Studies, Commerce, Engineering, Food Science and Technology, Law, Medicine, and Science. Between 2005 and 2006 the university was restructured from these seven faculties into four colleges: Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Science; Business and Law; Medicine and Health; and Science, Engineering and Food Science.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ucc-head-to-resign-post-after-turbulent-reign-1.1009562 | publisher = Irish Times | title = UCC head to resign post after turbulent reign | date = 30 May 2006 | quote = "''Under the Wrixon plan, the seven faculties at UCC were reduced to four colleges''" }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/radical-changes-planned-for-cork-university-1.440762?mode=amp | publisher = Irish Times | title = Radical changes planned for Cork university | date = 12 May 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/education/ucc-appoint-head-of-academic-school-2456.html | publisher = Irish Examiner | date = 4 May 2006 | title = UCC appoint head of academic school }}</ref>
According to the 2009–2012 UCC Strategic Plan,<ref name="strategic">[http://www.ucc.ie/en/media/support/hr/briona/UCCStrategicPlan2009-2012.pdf UCC.ie Strategic Plan 2009–2012 pg20-22]</ref> UCC aimed to enhance research and innovation. In 2009, the university was ranked in the top 3% of universities worldwide for research.<ref>[http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2009/regional-rankings/irish Times Higher Education Supplement university ranking 2009 – rank 207 out of 9,000] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131071751/http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2009/regional-rankings/irish |date=31 January 2010 }}</ref>
UCC's published research strategy proposed to create "Centres of Excellence" for "world-class research" in which the researchers and research teams would be given "freedom and flexibility to pursue their areas of research".<ref name="strategic" /> Research centres in UCC cover a range of areas including: Nanoelectronics with the Tyndall Institute; Food and Health with the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://apc.ucc.ie |title= APC Website |publisher= APC.ucc.ie }}</ref> NutraMara,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marine.ie |title=Home |publisher=Marine.ie |date=19 August 2009 |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref> Food for Health Ireland Research Centre,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.fhi.ie/ |title= FHI Website |publisher= FHI.ie}}</ref> and Cereal Science Cork;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cerealsciencecork.com |title=UCC Cereal & Beverage Science |publisher=Cerealsciencecork.com |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref> the Environment with the Environmental Research Institute<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eri.ucc.ie |title=University College Cork (UCC): Environmental Research Institute |publisher=Eri.ucc.ie |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref> (with research in biodiversity, aquaculture, energy efficiency and ocean energy); and Business Information Systems.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://girtab2.ucc.ie/index.php/bis/research-and-development/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100122232517/http://girtab2.ucc.ie/index.php/bis/research-and-development/ |title= Business Information Systems – Research and Development |archive-date= 22 January 2010 }}</ref>
The ''Sunday Times'' "Good University Guide 2015", put UCC at the top of their rankings for "research income per academic".<ref name="runnerup"/>
In October 2008, the governing body of the university announced that UCC would be the first institution in Ireland to use embryonic stem cells in research<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/1028/breaking67.htm |title=UCC gives go-ahead for embryonic stem-cell research – 10 Oct 2008 |publisher=Irish Times |date=10 October 2008 |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref> under strict guidelines of the University Research Ethics using imported hESCs from approved jurisdictions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://epubs.rcsi.ie/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.ie/&httpsredir=1&article=1091&context=mscttheses|title=RCSI Masters Theses, Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research|date=11 December 2017}}</ref> In 2009, Professor of Mathematics at UCC, Des McHale, challenged the university's decision to allow embryonic stem cell research.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imt.ie/news/ucc-split-over-embryonic-stem-cell-research-25-02-2009/|title=Irish Medical Times|date=11 December 2017}}</ref> According to the results of a poll conducted by irishhealth.com, almost two in three people supported the decision made by University College Cork to allow embryonic stem cell research.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?level=4&id=14594|title=UCC stem cell research poll|date=11 December 2017}}</ref>
In 2016, Professor Noel Caplice, director of the centre for research in Vascular Biology at UCC and a cardiologist at Cork University Hospital, announced a "major breakthrough in the field of blood vessel replacement".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/scientists-discover-stem-cell-that-grows-into-replacement-tissue-1.2527396|title=Stem Cell Replacement Tissue |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=11 December 2017}}</ref>
The development of Cork Science Park, in collaboration with Cork County Council, and Munster Technological University has been a goal of UCC since 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2025 |title=Five-year 'blueprint' for Cork puts focus on docklands, public transport and housing |url=https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41676848.html |access-date=2026-04-17 |website=EchoLive.ie |language=en}}</ref>
===Campus companies=== The university has a number of related companies including: Cytrea, which is involved in pharmaceutical formulations;<ref>[http://www.cytrea.ie cytrea.ie] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040901034123/http://www.cytrea.ie/ |date=1 September 2004 }}</ref> Firecomms, an ICT company concentrating on optical communications;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firecomms.com|title=Firecomms – Fiber Optic Solutions and Optical Transceivers|work=firecomms.com}}</ref> Alimentary Health a biotech healthcare company;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alimentaryhealth.ie|title=Alimentary Health • Home|work=alimentaryhealth.ie}}</ref> Biosensia who develop integrated micro-system analytical chips;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nanocomms.com/index.html |title=Biosensia – cutting edge point of care in vitro diagnostics |publisher=Nanocomms.com |access-date=28 November 2012}}</ref> Sensl, part of ON Semiconductor; Luxcel which is involved in the development of probes and sensors;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luxcel.com/|title=Luxcel Biosciences Homepage|work=Luxcel}}{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> and Optical Metrology Innovations which develops laser metrology systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://omi.eu.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010427005018/http://omi.eu.com/|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 April 2001|title=Welcome to OMI : Optoelectronics Metrology Innovations Ltd|date=27 April 2001|access-date=19 February 2018}}</ref>
===Knowledge transfer=== Innovation and Knowledge transfer is driven by UCC's Office of Technology Transfer,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucc.ie/research/techtransfer/ |title=Office of Technology Transfer |publisher=ucc.ie |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref> an office of the university dedicated to commercialising aspects of UCC's research and connecting researchers with industry. Recent spinouts from the college include pharmaceutical company Glantreo,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glantreo.com/Content/About.html |title=Glantreo Ireland |publisher=Glantreo.com |access-date=27 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107000538/http://www.glantreo.com/Content/About.html |archive-date=7 January 2009 }}</ref> Luxcel Biosciences,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.luxcel.com/company.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100201011339/http://www.luxcel.com/company.htm | archive-date= 1 February 2010 |title= Luxcel Biosciences – Company }}</ref> Alimentary Health, Biosensia, Firecoms, Gourmet Marine, Keelvar, Lee Oncology, and Sensl.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://techtransfer.ucc.ie/campus_companies/index.html |title=Organisation Overview – Office of Technology Transfer |publisher=techtransfer.ucc.ie |access-date=27 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330135144/http://techtransfer.ucc.ie/campus_companies/index.html |archive-date=30 March 2012 }}</ref>
===Commemorative events=== In 2015, the university marked the bicentenary of mathematician, philosopher and logician George Boole – UCC's first professor of mathematics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ucc.ie/en/news/archive/2014-(jan-june)/an-taoiseach-launches-george-boole-celebrations-.html|title=UCC News and Views Archived Press Release- Taoiseach Launches Boole Celebrations |access-date=11 December 2017|website=University College Cork|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211213648/https://www.ucc.ie/en/news/archive/2014-(jan-june)/an-taoiseach-launches-george-boole-celebrations-.html|archive-date=11 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In September 2017, UCC unveiled a €350 million investment plan, with university president, Professor Patrick O'Shea, outlining the development goals for UCC in the areas of philanthropy and student recruitment.<ref name="2017plan">{{cite web|url=https://www.ucc.ie/en/news/ucc-unveils-most-ambitious-strategic-plan-in-its-history.html|title=UCC News and Views Web Page – UCC Unveils Strategic Plan|access-date=11 December 2017|website=University College Cork|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212031415/https://www.ucc.ie/en/news/ucc-unveils-most-ambitious-strategic-plan-in-its-history.html|archive-date=12 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The plan proposes to provide for curriculum development, an increase in national and international student numbers, the extension of the campus and an increase in the income earned from philanthropy.<ref name="2017plan"/>
The Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht and Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, Heather Humphreys TD, also announced that 2018's National Famine Commemoration is planned to take place in UCC.<ref name="2017plan"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/Releases/2018_National_Famine_Commemoration_to_take_place_in_University_College_Cork_%E2%80%93_Minister_Humphreys.html|title=Government Department Press Release – 2018 National Famine Commemoration planned to take place in UCC |access-date=11 December 2017|website=MerrionStreet.ie}}</ref> Cork University Press published The Atlas of the Great Irish Famine in 2012.<ref name="atlas">{{cite web|url=https://www.ucc.ie/en/news/cork-university-press-unveils-atlas-of-the-irish-revolution.html|title=UCC News and Views Web Page – Atlas of Irish Revolution Unviled |access-date=11 December 2017|website=University College Cork|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211213640/https://www.ucc.ie/en/news/cork-university-press-unveils-atlas-of-the-irish-revolution.html|archive-date=11 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Subsequently, in September 2017, The Atlas of the Irish Revolution was published by Cork University Press.<ref name="atlas"/> In November 2017, UCC's MSc Information Systems for Business Performance (ISBP) was named "Postgraduate Course of the Year – IT" at the gradireland Higher Education Awards in Dublin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ucc.ie/en/news/uccs-msc-isbp-honoured-for-sixth-year-in-a-row.html|title=UCC News and Views Press Release – UCC's MSc ISBP honoured for sixth year in a row |access-date=11 December 2017|website=University College Cork|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211213643/https://www.ucc.ie/en/news/uccs-msc-isbp-honoured-for-sixth-year-in-a-row.html|archive-date=11 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Reputation=== {{Infobox UK university rankings | ARWU_W = 301–400 | QS_W = 246 | THE_W = 351–400 |- }}
University College Cork has been ranked by a number of bodies, and was named as the "Irish University of the Year" by the ''Sunday Times'' in 2003, 2005, 2011 and 2016,<ref name="Sunday Times 2016"/> and was a runner up in the 2015 edition.<ref name="runnerup">{{cite web |url= http://www.ucc.ie/en/about/uccnews/archive/2014-(jan-june)/fullstory-498739-en.html |access-date= 14 September 2015 |title= UCC News Archive > Press Releases > UCC thrives in university guide |publisher= UCC.ie |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160107234555/http://www.ucc.ie/en/about/uccnews/archive/2014-(jan-june)/fullstory-498739-en.html |archive-date= 7 January 2016 }}</ref> In 2015, UCC was also named as top performing university by the European Commission funded U-Multirank system, based on a high number of "A" scores (21 out of 28 metrics) among a field of 1200 partaking universities.<ref name="umultirank"/> Also in 2015, the CWTS Leiden Ranking placed UCC 1st in Ireland, 16th in Europe and 52nd globally from a field of 750 universities.<ref name="leiden">{{cite web|url= http://www.ucc.ie/en/about/uccnews/fullstory-550912-en.html |access-date=14 September 2015 |title =UCC News > UCC excels in global ranking |publisher=UCC.ie}}</ref> The 2011 QS World University Rankings assigned a 5-star rating to UCC,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucc.ie/en/about/uccnews/archive/2011pressreleases/fullstory-135023-en.html |title=UCC Press Release – ''Ireland's first five star university'' – September 2011 |publisher=Ucc.ie |date=5 September 2011 |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref> and ranked the university amongst the top 2% of universities worldwide. UCC was ranked 230th in the 2014 edition of the QS World University Rankings.<ref name="QS Ranking">{{cite web|title=University College Cork QS Ranking and Stats|url=http://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-college-cork|website=Top Universities|access-date=14 September 2015}}</ref> 13 of its subject areas featured in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2015 (up from 10 subject areas in 2014), including the Pharmacy & Pharmacology disciplines, which were listed with the top 50 worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|title=QS top 50 for Pharmacy & Pharmacology|url=https://www.ucc.ie/en/about/uccnews/fullstory-543453-en.html|website=University College Cork|publisher=UCC}}</ref> The Universitas Indonesia (UI) Greenmetric World University Ranking awarded UCC a second in the world ranking for the second year in a row in 2015 for its efforts in the area of sustainability, with 360 universities from 62 countries ranked overall.<ref name="ui greenmetric">{{cite web|url= https://www.ucc.ie/en/about/uccnews/fullstory-521685-en.html|access-date=14 September 2015 |title =UCC News > Green thumbs up for UCC |publisher=UCC.ie}}</ref>
UCC has been recognised for its digital and social media presence, winning the 'Best Social Media Engagement' category at the 2014 Social Media Awards,<ref name="Social Media Awards">{{cite news|title=UCC among leading social media influencers|url=http://www.ucc.ie/en/about/uccnews/fullstory-545211-en.html|access-date=21 October 2015|agency=UCC|publisher=UCC|ref=Social Media Awards}}</ref> and as a finalist in two categories at the 2015 Social Media Awards.<ref name="Social Media Awards" /> A previous finalist at the 2013 and 2014 Web Awards, UCC also made the 2015 finals in two categories,<ref name="Web Awards">{{cite news|title=UCC makes finals of Web Awards 2015|url=http://www.ucc.ie/en/about/uccnews/fullstory-604958-en.html|access-date=21 October 2015|agency=UCC|publisher=UCC|ref=Web Awards}}</ref> 'Most Influential Irish Website Ever' and 'Best Education and Third Level Website'. University College Cork had the first website in Ireland in 1991<ref name="Web Awards" /> (only the ninth website in the world at the time), serving transcriptions of Irish historical and literary documents for the CELT project converted from SGML to HTML.
It was reported in December 2020 that UCC had spent €76,265.38 investigating sexual harassment claims over the previous five years. This represented the largest amount spent by a third-level institution in Ireland during that period. UCC spent €24,460.50 on legal fees in the years 2017 and 2018, and paid out €510 in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/colleges-spend-230000-on-fees-after-sexual-harassment-claims-39902793.html|title=Colleges spend €230,000 on fees after sexual harassment claims|work=Sunday Independent|first=Wayne|last=O'Connor|date=27 December 2020}}</ref>
==Academic units== ===College of Medicine and Health=== Medicine, Arts, and Law were the three founding faculties when Queen's College Cork opened its doors to students in 1849. The medical buildings were built in stages between 1860 and 1880, and the faculty quickly gained a reputation for the quality of its graduates. The first two women to graduate in medicine in Ireland did so in 1898 (this was notable as it was more than 20 years before women were permitted to sit for medicine at the University of Oxford).<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.ucc.ie/en/CollegesandDepartments/MedicineandHealth/aboutus/history/ |title=UCC School of Medicine History |publisher=Ucc.ie |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref> UCC School of Medicine is part of the College of Medicine and Health, and is based at the Brookfield Health Sciences Centre on the main UCC campus and is affiliated with the 1000-bed University College Cork Teaching Hospital, which is the largest medical centre in Ireland. The UCC School Of Pharmacy is based in the Cavanagh Pharmacy Building.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>
===Centre for Architectural Education=== The Cork Centre for Architectural Education (CCAE) is the Department of Architecture at UCC, and is a school jointly run with Munster Technological University. It is accredited by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riai.ie/education/careers/becoming_an_architect/|title=Becoming an Architect » RIAI.ie|access-date=19 February 2018|archive-date=20 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220212246/http://www.riai.ie/education/careers/becoming_an_architect//|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ccae.ie/ |title=Welcome to CCAE: Cork School of Architecture |access-date=16 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617020316/http://ccae.ie/ |archive-date=17 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Humanities=== The College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences (CACSSS) incorporates a number of schools.<ref>{{cite web|title=University College Cork|url=https://www.ucc.ie/|access-date=30 December 2020|website=UCC}} {{nonspecific|date=December 2020}}</ref>
UCC is home to the Irish Institute of Chinese Studies, which allows students to study Chinese culture as well as the language through Arts and Commerce. The department won the European Award for Languages in 2008.<ref>[http://www.ucc.ie/en/DepartmentsCentresandUnits/ChineseStudies/NewsandEvents/EuropeanAwardforLanguages/ UCC.ie – IICS Wins European Award for Languages] {{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
As of 2017, Digital Humanities had grown as a discipline, with 26 PhD research students working on various Digital Humanities projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dri.ie/sites/default/files/files/digital-humanities-irelands-opportunity.pdf|title=Dig Hum Ireland's Opportunity|date=11 December 2017}}</ref> UCC's programme for students in Digital Humanities includes BA (Hons) Digital Humanities & Information Technology, MA Digital Arts & Humanities and PhD Digital Arts & Humanities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://careersnews.ie/ba-digital-humanities-information-technology-new/|title=Careers News, UCC website|date=11 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923045739/http://careersnews.ie/ba-digital-humanities-information-technology-new/|archive-date=23 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Student life== ===Clubs, societies and representation=== University College Cork has over 100 active societies<ref>{{cite web|url = https://societies.ucc.ie/about/ | website = societies.ucc.ie | title = UCC Societies – About }}</ref> and 50 different sports clubs.<ref name="sports">[http://www.ucc.ie/en/mandc/factsandfigures/fullstory,37254,en.html UCC.ie – Facts and Figures about UCC – Sport 2010] {{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucc.ie/en/sport/listing/|title=Where UCC Sported and Played|work=ucc.ie}}</ref> There are academic, charitable, creative, gaming/role-playing, political, religious, and social societies and clubs incorporating field sports, martial arts, watersports as well outdoor and indoor team and individual sports. UCC clubs are sponsored by Bank of Ireland, with the UCC Skull and Crossbones as the mascot for all UCC sports teams. 100 students received scholarships in 26 different sports in 2010.<ref name="sports"/>
The activities of UCC's societies include charity work; with over €100,000 raised annually by the Surgeon Noonan society, €10,000 raised by the War Gaming and Role Playing Society (WARPS) through its international gaming convention Warpcon, €10,000 raised by the UCC Law Society for the Cambodia orphanage and the UCC Pharmacy Society supports the Cork Hospitals Children's Club every year with a number of events.<ref name="societiesfigs">[http://www.ucc.ie/en/mandc/factsandfigures/fullstory,37253,en.html UCC.ie – facts and figures Societies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090308092950/http://www.ucc.ie/en/mandc/factsandfigures/fullstory%2C37253%2Cen.html |date=8 March 2009 }}</ref> UCC societies also sometimes attract high-profile speakers such as Robert Fisk who addressed the Law Society, Nick Leeson,<ref name="societiesfigs"/> and Senator David Norris, who was the 2009/2010 honorary president of the UCC Philosophical Society.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uccphilosoph.com/thehouse/ |title=UCC Philosoph |publisher=UCC Philosoph |access-date=27 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811174826/http://uccphilosoph.com/thehouse/ |archive-date=11 August 2011 }}</ref>
''An Chuallacht'' ({{IPA|ga|ənˠ ˈxuəl̪ˠaxt̪ˠ}}, meaning "the fellowship") is UCC's Irish language and culture society. Founded in 1912, this society promotes the Irish language, and was awarded the Glór na nGael "Irish Society of the Year Award" in 2009.<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://www.ucc.ie/en/about/uccnews/archive/2009pressreleases/fullstory-76053-en.html | publisher = UCC.ie | title= Award for An Chuallacht | date= 27 May 2009 |access-date= 18 September 2016 }}</ref>
The UCC Students' Union (UCCSU) acts as the representative body of the 17,000 students attending UCC. Each student is automatically a member by virtue of a student levy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your Union - UCC Students' Union |url=https://www.uccsu.ie/your-union |website=UCC Students' Union |access-date=7 August 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The student-run radio station, "UCC 98.3FM", broadcasts on the campus.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-40246214.html | work = Irish Examiner | title = Staying on air: How UCC's radio station has continued to broadcast through lockdown | date = 18 March 2021 | accessdate = 17 September 2024 }}</ref>
===Student accommodation=== Accommodation for students is offered by UCC through a subsidiary company known as Campus Accommodation UCC DAC.<ref>{{cite web |title=Campus Accommodation UCC (DAC)|url=https://www.ucc.ie/en/ocla/univcomp/campusacc/}}</ref> UCC operate 5 accommodation complexes, including the Castlewhite Apartments (63 apartments/298 beds),<ref>{{cite web |title=UCC Castlewhite Apartments |url=https://www.ucc.ie/en/campusaccom/student-accom/castlewhiteapartments/ |website=University College Cork}}</ref> Mardyke Hall (14 apartments/48 beds),<ref>{{cite web |title=UCC Mardyke Hall |url=https://www.ucc.ie/en/campusaccom/student-accom/mardykehall/ |website=University College Cork}}</ref>
In February 2020, UCC announced their decision to raise rent in the 2020/21 academic term by three-percent over the 2019/20 academic term rate.<ref>{{cite news |title=University College Cork announces rise in campus accommodation rents |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/university-college-cork-announces-rise-in-campus-accommodation-rents-38968543.html |access-date=24 March 2020 |publisher=Independent.ie}}</ref> The announcement came after similar rent increases in university-owned accommodation throughout the country,<ref>{{cite news |title=Student Unions hit out at Irish Universities as campus accommodation rent rises |url=https://extra.ie/2020/02/19/news/irish-news/student-unions-hit-out-at-irish-universities-as-campus-accommodation-rent-rises |access-date=24 March 2020 |work=Extra.ie |date=19 February 2020}}</ref> and after increases in previous years to the rent of UCC-owned accommodation.<ref>{{cite news |title='This isn't some cowboy landlord, this is UCC': Students camp out in opposition to rent hikes |url=https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/This-isnt-some-cowboy-landlord-this-is-UCC-Students-camp-out-in-opposition-to-rent-hikes-0cb3f1d6-4d7e-4364-92c5-5127064b40bc-ds |work=Echo Live | date = 25 February 2020 }}</ref> This decision was met with backlash from student representatives, UCC staff, and local politicians. On 25 February 2020, the UCC Students' Union launched a campaign which demanded that UCC reverse the increase.<ref>{{cite news |title=Raise The Roof, Not The Rents |url=https://uccexpress.ie/raise-the-roof-not-the-rents/ |access-date=24 March 2020 |work=University Express |date=3 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=UCC students protest over college accommodation rent hikes |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2020/0225/1117567-ucc-rents-protest/ |agency=RTÉ | date = 25 February 2020 }}</ref> A group of over 300 UCC staff members signed a petition in solidarity with the Students' Union.<ref>{{cite news |title=Over 300 UCC Staff Sign Petition Urging University To Scrap Plans To Introduce 3% Rent Hike |url=http://www.redfm.ie/news/cork/over-300-ucc-staff-sign-petition-urging-university-to-scrap-plans-to-introduce-3-rent-hike/ |work=Cork's RedFM |date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=1 October 2020 |access-date=24 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001123903/https://www.redfm.ie/news/cork/over-300-ucc-staff-sign-petition-urging-university-to-scrap-plans-to-introduce-3-rent-hike/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Several members of Cork County Council also expressed opposition to the decision.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.southernstar.ie/news/ucc-students-being-used-as-cash-cows-4202123 |website=The Southern Star|title=UCC students being used as 'cash cows' | date = 17 March 2020 }}</ref> In early March 2020, a spokesperson for the university said the increase was necessary due to refurbishment works, and a rise in security and maintenance costs.<ref>{{cite web |title=UCC President: We need help on rising student rents in Cork |url=https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/UCC-President-We-need-help-on-rising-student-rents-in-Cork-11197c9d-37f1-4109-b7d7-d26122cef36d-ds |website=Echo Live | date = 2 March 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Public Statement from UCC Students' Union President Ben Dunlea from Day 17 of the #OccupyTheQuad protest |url =https://twitter.com/UCCSU/status/1238071356304109569 |publisher=UCC Students' Union |access-date=24 March 2020}}</ref>
===International students=== The largest number of the 2,400 international students at UCC in 2010 came from the United States, followed by China, France and Malaysia.<ref name="intl">[http://www.ucc.ie/en/mandc/factsandfigures/fullstory,34959,en.html UCC.ie – Facts and Figures about UCC – Student figures 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305090528/http://www.ucc.ie/en/mandc/factsandfigures/fullstory%2C34959%2Cen.html |date=5 March 2009 }}</ref> UCC participates in the Erasmus program with 439 students visiting UCC in 2009–2010.<ref name="intl"/> 201 UCC students studied in institutions in the United States, China and Europe in the same period.<ref name="intl"/>
UCC was rated highly in the 2008 International Student Barometer report.<ref name="barom">[http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/international/news/newsbody,88767,en.html UCC.ie – UCC Top of the Class for International Students] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214022029/http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/international/news/newsbody%2C88767%2Cen.html |date=14 December 2009 }}</ref> This survey polled 67,000 international students studying at 84 institutions, and was carried out by the International Insight Group.<ref name="barom"/> The report held that 98% of UCC's international students (who participated in the survey) reported having "Expert Lecturers". And over 90% of these students said that they had "Good Teachers".<ref name="barom"/> In 3 categories of the survey, "sports facilities", "social facilities" and "university clubs and societies", UCC was in the top three of the 84 Institutions that took part in the survey. UCC's International Education Office was given a 93% satisfaction rating and UCC's IT Support was given a 92% satisfaction rating.<ref name="barom"/>
In 2023, whilst studying there, Diana Vicezar launched a podcast covering the experiences of Hispanic and Latin-American students in Ireland.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 April 2023 |title=Podcast sheds light on Hispanic and Latino students in Ireland |url=https://www.corkindependent.com/2023/04/14/podcast-sheds-light-on-hispanic-and-latino-students-in-ireland/ |access-date=11 January 2025 |website=Cork Independent }}</ref>
==Notable alumni== {{Main cat|Alumni of University College Cork}} {{multiple image|perrow=2 | width = 120 | header = Notable alumni | image1 = Charles Donovan.jpg | caption1 = Charles Donovan, physician and scientist | image2 = Jack Lynch 1967 (cropped).jpg | caption2 = Jack Lynch, Taoiseach | image3 = Fiona Shaw BAM 2011-01-16.jpg | caption3 = Fiona Shaw, actress | image4 = Declan-Kidney-09-05-23.jpg | caption4 = Declan Kidney, rugby coach }}
Notable alumni of the university include graduates from different disciplines.
In arts and literature,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumnidonorsfriends/WhosBeenHere/TheArts/ | website = ucc.ie | title = Alumni – Who's Been Here? – Arts | archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20080917120710/http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumnidonorsfriends/WhosBeenHere/TheArts/ |archivedate=17 September 2008 }}</ref> alumni include novelist Seán Ó Faoláin, short-story writer Daniel Corkery, film director John Crowley, composers Aloys Fleischmann, Seán Ó Riada, musicologist Ita Beausang, musician Julie Feeney, author, academic and critic Robert Anthony Welch, actors Fiona Shaw and Siobhán McSweeney, novelist and poet William Wall, poets Paul Durcan, John Mee,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://research.ucc.ie/profiles/B012/jmee | website = research.ucc.ie | title = Law – People – John Mee | accessdate = 26 October 2021 }}</ref> Liam Ó Muirthile,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://portraidi.ie/en/liam-o-muirthile/ | title = Liam Ó Muirthile | website = portraidi.ie | accessdate = 6 October 2021 }}</ref> Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Trevor Joyce, Thomas McCarthy, Theo Dorgan,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://uccexpress.ie/theo-dorgan-poets-of-cork/ | website = uccexpress.ie| title = Theo Dorgan – Poets of Cork | accessdate = 26 October 2021 }}</ref> and Greg Delanty, novelist and archivist Orla Egan,<ref>{{cite web |title=Award Winner Bios |url=https://www.ucc.ie/en/athenaswan/equalityaward/awardwinnerbios/ |website=University College Cork |access-date=7 August 2025 |language=en}}</ref> singer SEARLS, comedian Des Bishop,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.ucc.ie/en/news/archive/2014andbeyond/2009pressreleases/distinguished-ucc-graduates-honoured.html | publisher = UCC | website = ucc.ie | title = Press Release – Distinguished UCC Graduates Honoured | date = 1 December 2009 | accessdate = 3 October 2021 }}</ref> and journalists Brendan O'Connor,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2011/0927/432584-oconnorb/ | publisher = RTÉ | website = rte.ie | title = The Heart of Saturday Night | date = 27 September 2011 | accessdate = 3 October 2021 }}</ref> Ian Bailey,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/law-degree-for-ian-bailey-at-ucc-1.685687 | publisher = Irish Times | website = irishtimes.com | title =Law degree for Ian Bailey at UCC | date = 7 October 2010 | accessdate = 6 October 2021 }}</ref> Samantha Barry,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://alumni.ucc.ie/s/1901/bp19/interior.aspx?sid=1901&gid=2&pgid=773 | publisher = UCC | website = alumni.ucc.ie | title = Alumni Achievement Awards – Samantha Barry | date = 2019 | accessdate = 3 October 2021 }}</ref> Stefanie Preissner<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.ucc.ie/en/magazine/independentthinking2018/can-do-will-do.html | publisher = UCC | work = Independent Thinking | title = Can Do, Will Do | date = 2018 | accessdate = 3 October 2021 }}</ref> and Eoghan Harris.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/eoghan-harris/exorcising-the-dark-bloody--secrets-of-ira--in-west-cork-1903733.html |title=Exorcising the dark, bloody secrets of IRA in West Cork – Eoghan Harris |publisher=Independent.ie |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref> Actor Cillian Murphy and BBC presenter Graham Norton both attended UCC but did not graduate.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Joe |url=http://www.cilliansite.com/press/feature-stories/2004-02-08-sundayindie |title=Sunday Independent Life Magazine – "From Cork to Gotham" – Jackson, Joe. 8 February 2004 |publisher=Cilliansite.com |date=8 February 2004 |access-date=27 June 2012 |archive-date=1 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301112954/http://www.cilliansite.com/press/feature-stories/2004-02-08-sundayindie |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00936ld |title=BBC Radio 4 – Factual – Desert Island Discs -Graham Norton |publisher=bbc.co.uk |date=2 May 2004 |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref>
From the business community, alumni include the former head of CRH, Myles Lee.<ref name="alumbus">{{cite web |title=Alumni – Who's Been Here? – Business |url=http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumnidonorsfriends/WhosBeenHere/Business/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917120645/http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumnidonorsfriends/WhosBeenHere/Business/ |archivedate=17 September 2008 |website=ucc.ie}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessandfinance.ie/index.jsp?p=612&n=617&a=2941|title=Myles Lee: CRH|publisher=Business & Finance |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303050508/http://www.businessandfinance.ie/index.jsp?p=612&n=617&a=2941|archivedate=3 March 2013}}</ref>
In medicine, alumni include Sir Edwin John Butler, Susan Bullman, Charles Donovan, Patrick Parfrey, Sir Bertram Windle, Paul Whelton, and Pixie McKenna, doctor and TV presenter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumni/who/Medicine/ |title=Alumni – Who's Been Here? – Medicine |publisher=Ucc.ie |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref> In physics, alumni include Professor Margaret Murnane of the University of Colorado, Professor Patrick G. O'Shea of the University of Maryland, and Professor Séamus Davis of Cornell University.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumnidonorsfriends/WhosBeenHere/MedicineandScience/ | publisher= UCC.ie | title= Alumni – Who's Been Here? – Science| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100327184028/http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumni/WhosBeenHere/MedicineandScience/ |archive-date=27 March 2010 }}</ref> In mathematics, alumni include Irish mathematicians Seán Dineen and Des MacHale.<ref name=mathsweek>{{cite web|url= http://www.mathsireland.ie/blog/2016_11_cm | title= Des MacHale – The Best Friend George Boole Ever Had | date= November 2016 | publisher= mathsireland}}</ref>
Politicians and public servants that attended UCC include Taoisigh Micheál Martin and Jack Lynch,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumnidonorsfriends/WhosBeenHere/PublicService/ | website = ucc.ie | title = Alumni – Who's Been Here? – Public Service | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917120700/http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumnidonorsfriends/WhosBeenHere/PublicService/ |archivedate=17 September 2008 }}</ref> Supreme Court justice Liam McKechnie, senator Annie Hoey,<ref>{{cite web |last=Moriarty |first=Niamh |date=17 February 2016 |title=Deputy-president of USI Annie Hoey announces USI presidential bid |url=http://trinitynews.ie/2016/02/deputy-president-of-usi-annie-hoey-announces-usi-presidential-bid/ |access-date=23 February 2024 |website=Trinity News }}</ref> TD Eoin Hayes,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Vivienne |date=16 September 2025|title=Cairns says Hayes to remain a member of Social Democrats after 'blackface' controversy |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/09/16/cairns-say-hayes-to-remain-a-member-of-social-democrats-after-blackface-controversy/ |access-date=16 September 2025 |website=IrishTimes.com |language=en}}</ref> and High Court judge Bryan MacMahon.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumnidonorsfriends/WhosBeenHere/Law/ | website = ucc.ie | title = Alumni – Who's Been Here? – Law | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080917120650/http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumnidonorsfriends/WhosBeenHere/Law/ |archivedate=17 September 2008 }}</ref> André Ventura, founder of the Portuguese political party Chega, attended UCC as a graduate student.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tese de doutoramento de André Ventura critica "populismo penal" e "estigmatização de minorias"|trans-title=André Ventura's doctoral thesis criticises "penal populism" and "stigmatisation of minorities"|url=https://www.publico.pt/2019/11/02/politica/noticia/tese-doutoramento-andre-ventura-critica-aproveitamento-politico-vontade-punicao-1892226|access-date=14 January 2021|website=Público|date=2 November 2019 |language=pt}}</ref>
In religious communities, alumni have included the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Paul Colton, the first UCC graduate to be a Church of Ireland bishop.<ref>{{cite press release|url = http://www.ucc.ie/en/nostalgia/conferrings/2000conferringspeeches/rightrevpaulcolton-lawdegrees-september26th2000/ | publisher = University College Cork | title = Conferring Speeches – Law Degrees – Right Rev Paul Colton – September 2000 | date= 26 September 2000}}</ref> Some members of the Saint Patrick's Society for the Foreign Missions (Kiltegan Fathers) took their civil degrees in UCC, including Derek John Christopher Byrne, Catholic Bishop in Brazil, Maurice Anthony Crowley SPS in Kenya, John Alphonsus Ryan Bishop in Malawi, and John Magee who served as Bishop of Cloyne.<ref>{{cite news |title=Profile: Bishop John Magee |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/profile-bishop-john-magee/26751336.html |access-date=7 August 2025 |work=Irish Independent |date=13 July 2011 |language=en}}</ref> Bishop of Kerry, Raymond Browne, holds a science degree from UCC.<ref name="BishopKerry">{{Cite web |date=2 May 2013 |title=His Holiness Pope Francis appoints Father Raymond A Browne as Bishop of Kerry |url=https://www.catholicbishops.ie/2013/05/02/holiness-pope-francis-appoints-father-raymond-browne-bishop-kerry/ |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference}}</ref>
In sport, rugby coach Declan Kidney,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumni/fullstory,65795,en.html | website = ucc.ie | title = 2008 Alumni Achievements Awards | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090313053539/http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumni/fullstory%2C65795%2Cen.html |archivedate=13 March 2009 }}</ref> Gaelic footballers Séamus Moynihan, Maurice Fitzgerald and Billy Morgan, hurlers Pat Heffernan, Joe Deane, James "Cha" Fitzpatrick and Ray Cummins, rugby players Edwin Edogbo,<ref>{{cite web |last=Kinsella |first=Murray |title='Very impressive' – Munster's young guns show their potential in pre-season |url=https://www.the42.ie/munster-young-players-prendergast-5853029-Aug2022/ |access-date=11 November 2022 |website=The42 |date=30 August 2022 }}</ref> Moss Keane, Ronan O'Gara and Donnacha Ryan, and Olympian Lizzie Lee have all attended UCC.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumnidonorsfriends/WhosBeenHere/Sports/ | website = ucc.ie | title = Alumni – Who's Been Here? – Sports | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080917120705/http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumnidonorsfriends/WhosBeenHere/Sports/ |archivedate=17 September 2008 }}</ref>
==Notable academics== [[File:George Boole color.jpg|thumb|right|George Boole, mathematician and philosopher]] *George Boole was the first professor of mathematics at UCC. He developed the Boolean algebra, which would later undergird computer programming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://booleweb.ucc.ie/index.php?pageID=264 |title=George Boole |publisher=Booleweb.ucc.ie |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref> * Aloys Fleischmann, composer and musicologist, was professor of music 1934–1980 * Michael Grimes, first UCC Professor of Microbiology * Máire Herbert MRIA, historian of early medieval Ireland * Kathleen O'Flaherty, professor of French literature and awarded chevalier in the Ordre national du mérite by the French government * Mary Ryan, the first woman in Ireland or Great Britain to be a university professor, was a professor of romance languages at UCC *Eoin O'Reilly,* researcher of optoelectronics and strained-layer laser structures<ref>{{cite web|date=|title=Prizes – 2014|url=http://www.rankprize.org/index.php/prizes/prizes-2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228105951/http://www.rankprize.org/index.php/prizes/prizes-2014|archive-date=28 December 2019|access-date=23 August 2021|website=www.rankprize.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=|title=Tyndall scientist awarded prestigious Rank prize {{!}} Tyndall|url=http://www.tyndall.ie/news/tyndall-scientist-awarded-prestigious-rank-prize|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034200/http://www.tyndall.ie/news/tyndall-scientist-awarded-prestigious-rank-prize|archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=23 August 2021|website=www.tyndall.ie}}</ref> *J.C. Séamus Davis, Professor of Quantum Physics. Awarded the Buckley Prize (2023) for innovative visualization of complex quantum states of matter<ref>{{cite web |title=APS announces Recipients of Prizes for 2023 |url=https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/202211/spring-prizes23.cfm#:~:text=J.%20C.%20Seamus%20Davis%20and%20Ali,contributions%20to%20condensed%20matter%20physics}}</ref>
===List of presidents=== {{expand list|date=October 2017}}
* 1845 to 1873: Sir Robert Kane; first president * 1873 to 1890: William Kirby Sullivan<ref name="WKSullivan">{{cite web|title=Kirby Sullivan, William|url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/life-society/science-technology/irish-scientists/kirby-sullivan-william/|website=www.askaboutireland.ie|access-date=23 November 2017}}</ref> * 1890 to 1896: James W. Slattery * 1897 to 1904: Sir Rowland Blennerhassett * 1904 to 1919: Bertram Windle<ref>{{cite web|title=UCC People|url=https://www.ucc.ie/en/about/history/people/|website=University College Cork|access-date=29 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029065807/https://www.ucc.ie/en/about/history/people/|archive-date=29 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> * 1919 to 1943: Patrick J. Merriman * 1943 to 1954: Alfred O'Rahilly<ref>{{cite web|title=Alfred O'Rahilly Papers|url=https://www.ucd.ie/t4cms/p0178-orahilly-alfred-descriptive-catalogue.pdf|website=UCD Archives|publisher=University College Dublin|access-date=29 October 2017|date=2001}}</ref> * 1954 to 1963: Henry St John Atkins * 1964 to 1967: John J. McHenry * 1967 to 1978: Donal McCarthy * 1978 to 1988: Tadhg Ó Ciardha * 1989 to 1999: Michael Mortell<ref>{{cite web|title=Dr Michael Mortell|url=https://www.ul.ie/ceremonies/dr-michael-mortell|website=University of Limerick|access-date=28 October 2017|archive-date=29 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029122441/https://www.ul.ie/ceremonies/dr-michael-mortell|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=UCC president steps down|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ucc-president-steps-down-1.1257840|access-date=28 October 2017|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=26 January 1999}}</ref> * 1999 to 2007: Gerard Wrixon<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pollack|first1=Andy|title=Leading scientist is named as incoming president of UCC|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/leading-scientist-is-named-as-incoming-president-of-ucc-1.215816|access-date=28 October 2017|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=18 November 1998}}</ref> * 2007 to 2017: Michael Murphy * 2017 to 2020: Patrick G. O'Shea * 2021 to Present: John O'Halloran
==Arms== {{Infobox COA wide |escutcheon = Per pale Gules and Azure on the dexter side a lion statant guardant imperially crowned Or on the sinister side three eastern crowns Proper on a chief of the third an ancient ship between two castles in fess of the first in centre chief point of achievement an open book Argent garnished of the third. |crest = 1st an estoile Vert (Prior) 2nd a mullet per pale Or and Gules. |motto = Where Finbarr Taught Let Munster Learn<ref>{{cite web|url=https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000529303 |publisher=National Library of Ireland |accessdate=16 August 2022 |title=Grants and Confirmations of Arms, Vol. H |date=1880 |page=190}}</ref> |notes = Granted on 27 March 1889 by Sir John Bernard Burke, Ulster King of Arms.}}
==See also== * Education in the Republic of Ireland * Intel Outstanding Researcher Award * List of Irish organizations with royal patronage * List of modern universities in Europe (1801–1945) * UCC GAA
== References == {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== * Parkes, H. M. 1953. Some notes on the herbarium of University College, Cork. ''Ir. Nat. J.'' '''ll''': 102 – 106. *Murphy, John A. 1995. The College: A History of Queen’s / University College Cork. Cork: Cork University Press. ISBN 1 85918 056 6
==External links== {{commons category}} *{{official website|http://www.ucc.ie/ }} *[http://www.collegeroad.ie Students' Union] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420143326/http://www.collegeroad.ie/ |date=20 April 2021 }} *[http://www.corkuniversitypress.com/ Cork University Press] *Annual Reports of President of Queen's College, Cork: [http://www.dippam.ac.uk/eppi/eppi_lc_subjects/2438 1849–51]; [http://www.dippam.ac.uk/eppi/eppi_lc_subjects/2469 1851–1900]; [http://www.dippam.ac.uk/eppi/eppi_lc_subjects/3057 1901–1909]
{{NUI}} {{Utrecht network}} {{Universities in Ireland}} {{Cork City}} {{Port-City University League}} {{authority control}} Category:University College Cork Category:Buildings and structures in Cork (city) Category:Universities and colleges established in 1845 Category:Education in Cork (city) Cork Category:Tourist attractions in Cork (city) Category:1845 establishments in Ireland Category:Organisations based in Cork (city)