About the university
University College Cork was founded in 1845 as Queen's College Cork and opened in 1849. The mathematician George Boole, whose logic underpins modern computing, was its first professor of mathematics. Its main campus, with a Gothic Revival quadrangle, sits beside the River Lee in Ireland's second city.
UCC is strong in food science, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sciences, business and law. Cork is home to a large cluster of pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, which gives graduates in these fields good local employers.
For Indian students, the most relevant courses are one-year business and finance MSc courses at €21,914 for 2027/28, Business Analytics at €23,314, and engineering and science master's courses such as Biotechnology (€28,614 plus a bench fee) and pharmaceutical engineering (€29,614).
Cork is smaller and usually cheaper than Dublin, with a friendly student culture. Master's graduates can usually stay in Ireland on Stamp 1G for up to 24 months to look for work.
- Founded
- 1845 as Queen's College Cork
- Type
- Public research university
- Total students
- About 17,900 (17,872 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 28% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 18.5 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Main intake
- September
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
220 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
301–325 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €23,314
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- See course page
- Postgraduate
MSc Finance (Corporate Finance)
- Fee / year
- €21,914
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- See course page
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €23,314
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- See course page
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €28,614
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- See course page
- Postgraduate
MEngSc Engineering in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Systems
- Fee / year
- €29,614
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- See course page
- Postgraduate
MSc Information Systems for Business Performance
- Fee / year
- €21,914
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- See course page
- Postgraduate
MSc Accounting and Performance Analytics
- Fee / year
- €21,914
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- See course page
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €17,814
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- See course page
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Business Analytics | 1 year (full time) | €23,314 | ≈ ₹24.7 lakh |
| MSc Finance (Corporate Finance) | 1 year (full time) | €21,914 | ≈ ₹23.2 lakh |
| MSc Management & Marketing | 1 year (full time) | €23,314 | ≈ ₹24.7 lakh |
| MSc Biotechnology | 1 year (full time) | €28,614 | ≈ ₹30.3 lakh |
| MEngSc Engineering in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Systems | 1 year (full time) | €29,614 | ≈ ₹31.4 lakh |
| MSc Information Systems for Business Performance | 1 year (full time) | €21,914 | ≈ ₹23.2 lakh |
| MSc Accounting and Performance Analytics | 1 year (full time) | €21,914 | ≈ ₹23.2 lakh |
| MPH Public Health | 1 year (full time) | €17,814 | ≈ ₹18.9 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University College Cork with similar universities in Ireland.
Scholarships
- Master's, postgraduate diploma or PhD
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)
Value: €10,000 stipend plus a full tuition fee waiver for one year
Eligibility: Non-EU students with an offer from an Irish institution. The next call is expected early in 2027.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate and postgraduate
UCC international scholarships
Value: Varies by award
Eligibility: UCC offers merit scholarships to non-EU students; check the current list and deadlines with UCC's international office.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Non-EU applicants apply directly to UCC. Each course lists the Indian Class 12 standard needed.
Postgraduate
- Master's courses ask for a relevant bachelor's degree, often with around 60–70% or more; many accept three-year Indian degrees. Check the course page.
- Several business and science MSc courses have separate versions open only to non-EU applicants, such as Business Analytics and Biotechnology.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Degree transcripts and certificate
- Statement of purpose
- English test score
- References
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Typically around 6.5 overall for master's study in Ireland; UCC sets the exact score on each course page. |
| Other tests | UCC lists accepted tests and equivalent scores on its English language requirements page. |
Accommodation and living costs
UCC has student residences close to campus, and Cork rents are usually lower than Dublin's, though still rising. The figure below is the living budget Irish immigration expects you to show for the visa.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Money you must show for living costs (visa)Minimum set by Irish immigration, on top of tuition | €10,000per year | ≈ ₹10.6 lakh |
Campus and location
UCC's main campus is beside the River Lee, a short walk west of Cork city centre.
- The historic Quadrangle and the Glucksman art gallery are on the main campus.
- Cork Airport and trains to Dublin (about 2.5 hours) connect the city.
- Cork's pharmaceutical, medical device and tech employers offer internships and graduate roles.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Master's graduates can usually apply for Stamp 1G under the Third Level Graduate Programme: 12 months, renewable once for a further 12 months.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stay-back after a master's (Stamp 1G) | Up to 24 months | Irish Immigration Service Delivery |
| International students as a share of all students | 28% | THE World University Rankings 2027 |
Studying in Ireland
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Ireland. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Ireland
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Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicUniversity of Galway (official website, opens in a new tab)
Galway, IrelandOften chosen for Life Sciences, Medicine & Health Sciences, Engineering
Photo: SSCOhA, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicOften chosen for Computer Science & IT, Business & Management, Arts, Design & Media
Photo: William Murphy from Dublin, Ireland, CC BY-SA 2.0 PublicUniversity of Limerick (official website, opens in a new tab)
Limerick, IrelandOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Nursing & Allied Health
Photo: William Murphy - https://www.flickr.com/photos/infomatique/, CC BY-SA 2.0 PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Hospitality & Tourism
FAQs
How much is a master's at UCC?
For 2027/28 most one-year business and finance MSc courses cost €21,914 for international students. Business Analytics and Management & Marketing cost €23,314, and science and engineering courses up to €29,614.
Are there extra fees?
Some courses add a bench fee, for example €1,000 for MSc Biotechnology and €230 for MSc Human Resource Management.
Is Cork cheaper than Dublin?
Usually yes for rent, though Irish immigration still expects you to show at least €10,000 a year for living costs.
Can I work after my master's?
Usually yes. Master's graduates can apply for Stamp 1G for up to 24 months.
What is UCC known for?
Food science, pharmaceutical sciences, business and law, with Cork's pharma and medtech industry close by.
Sources
- UCC: Postgraduate EU and international fees 2027/28 (opens in a new tab)
- UCC: fee schedules (opens in a new tab)
- UCC: postgraduate study (opens in a new tab)
- Higher Education Authority: Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: University College Cork (opens in a new tab)
- Irish Immigration Service Delivery: Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.ucc.ie/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details