Cork CityStudent Guide

The Universities and Colleges

University College Cork

Cork Institute of Technology

Griffith College Cork

Cork College of Commerce

St John's Central College

National Maritime College

CSN College

Cork English College

Local Funding and Scholarships

For many students, studying at a university or college would not be possible without financial support. Here are a few options which may be available to you as a student in Ireland.

Scholarships & Bursaries

• Government of Ireland Scholarships
• The Gilman Scholarship Programme
• Irish Fulbright Commission
• The George J. Mitchell Scholarships
• The Paras Education foundation (TPEF)
• European Union Scholarships
• The Wellcome Trust
• The Health Research Board
• Open Society Foundations
• Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme

Arriving in Cork City

Cork City is well connected by a local airport, city centre railway station, city centre bus station, a ferry terminal and a motorway. Here's the local experts' guide to arriving in the "True Capital of Ireland"...

• By Plane

  Cork Airport

  Cork is served by an international airport with connections to 49 European destinations. The airport is just 8km from the city centre and is well served by local taxis and buses. Flights from non-European cities are only possible via Dublin or with a European stop-over. Taxis from the airport are available directly outside the terminal. Details for the airport-to-city bus service (journey time: 10-20 mins, bus numbers 226, 226A and 252) can be found here.

  Dublin Airport

  Travel from Dublin Airport to Cork City (journey time: 3.5 hours) is very straightforward via the GoBe Expressway service (direct) or using the 704 Aircoach service (direct). We recommend you buy your ticket on-line as it is usually much cheaper and you will be boarded first. This means you are far more likely to get a seat. Don't worry if your flight is delayed, your ticket is usually accepted on a later services.

  Shannon Airport

  The easiest way to get from Shannon Airport to Cork City (journey time: 2 hours) is via bus. You will find details of the Shannon-to-Cork bus services here.

• By Train

  Kent Station is Cork city's only railway station. It is within easy walking distance of the city centre (journey time: 10 minutes walking). You will find information about trains to and from Cork here. Top Tip: Tickets are much cheaper online so it is worth booking ahead.

• By Car

  Arriving in Cork by car is quite straightforward. The city is well serviced by motorways and there is a clear ring road around the city. The best city centre location to aim for is Parnell Place bus station. This is close enough to the edge of the city to not be stuck in traffic and also close enough to the centre to make it an easy walk. There are a number of multi-story car parks in the centre (see here). Alternatively, if you do not want to go into the city centre, there is a park-and-ride system which is available here.

• By Bus

  There are two primary places that buses and coaches stop in Cork. The first is Parnell Place bus station. This is the main bus terminal for all of the state-run buses in and out of Cork. The other location (Patricks Quay) is just across the river via a footbridge from the main station. This is where all the private bus companies pick up an drop off passengers. Both of these are right in the city centre. Both are also an easy walk to Patrick Street – the main street of Cork and also the ideal place to catch buses for local journeys.

  Top tip: Make getting around Cork a breeze by claiming a Student LeapCard through your Students Union.

• By Ferry

  There are direct ferry services to Cork harbour (20 minutes from the city) from France and Spain. There are also ferry services to Ireland from the UK and the Isle of Man. These arrive in places like Rosslare (3 hours from Cork) and Dublin (3.5 hours from Cork). You will find on Ferry routes to ireland here.

  There are direct ferry services to Cork harbour (20 minutes from the city) from France and Spain. There are also ferry services to Ireland from the UK and the Isle of Man. These arrive in places like Rosslare (3 hours from Cork) and Dublin (3.5 hours from Cork). You will find more information on Ferry routes to ireland here.

Getting around Cork

Cork Bus Services

Cork is well served by a reliable bus service and you're well advised to look into bus routes before making any final decisions about student accommodation.

The most common bus routes for UCC and CIT students are the 205, 208 and 219.

Coke Zero Bikes

The city benefits from an affordable bike hire scheme which can be a very cost-effective (and eco-friendly) way of getting to and from your places of study. Cork has a total of 32 pick-up and drop-off stations, two of which are in the vicinity of UCC.

An annual pass costs just €10. Thereafter, the first 30 minutes of each journey is free and trips lasting up to one hour cost just €0.50. Find out more...

Taxi Cabs

A good taxi cab service is in operation throughout Cork and you can find the main taxi rank situated conveniently in the centre of Patrick Street. Some taxis are licensed to pick up passengers on demand (known as hackney carriages), others are for advanced bookings only.

A taxi from Patrick Street to UCC might cost in the region of €5-8 depending on traffic. The same journey to CIT's Bishopstown campus would be more like €8-12.

Access and support for Disabled Students

As a student in Cork, there is lots of provision and support available to you. To get the most of this support when you arrive, you are well advised to register in advance with the Disability Support Service for your university or college. If you have any concerns about access to buildings and amenities, you can ask their team for a tour of campus buildings.

Things to Do (Cork & Kerry)

Cork is a vibrant tourism hub attracting 1,600,000 visitors per year. And with so many fascinating destinations and attractions, it's little wonder that the city is among Ireland's best-loved tourist traps. Here we've offered some of our favourites. For a more complete list, visit our Cork and Kerry travel guide.

Beara Peninsula

Beara offers the perfect getaway for anyone seeking total calm and relaxation.

More info

Killarney

The definitive Irish tourist town, Killarney has something for everyone.

More info

Ring of Kerry

On Ireland's longest circular route, truly stunning scenery awaits.

More info

Cork Museum

Learn the history of your new home on a visit to Cork Museum.

More info

Blarney Castle

This 600-year-old Irish castle is famed for its legendary kissing stone.

More info

Jameson Distillery

This home to the original Irish whiskey is fascinating for non-drinkers too.

More info

Elizabeth Fort

Discover the stories of defenders and invaders alike at Elizabeth Fort.

More info

English Market

This famous food market connects Princes Steet and The Grand Parade.

More info

Cork City Gaol

A fascinating attraction, Cork's historic gaol (or jail) has many secrets to tell.

More info

Shandon Bells

Shandon Tower is one of the most famous members of Cork City's skyline.

More info

What's on in Cork 2023-2024 Academic Year

There is always lots going on in and around Cork. Here is just a sample of what's coming up during the coming academic year. To see a full list of all Cork events, visit www.purecork.ie or whazon.com.

Pubs and Nights out

Please note that pubs and alcohol in Ireland are strictly for those aged 18 years and above. Proof of age is required by law.

Ireland is famous the world over for its bustling pubs, full of atmosphere and good craic. Here we've picked out some of the very best - classic Cork pubs which are perfect for visitors to Ireland and anyone who wants to let their hair down. Sláinte!

Not from Ireland? You can also click here to find out more about the Irish pub experience.

1. Franciscan Well Brewery & Pub

2. Sin É

3. The Mutton Lane Inn

4. Crane Lane Theatre

5. BDSM

6. Rising Sons Brewery

7. The Roundy

8. Arthur Maynes

9. Coughlans

10. Tom Barry's

11. The Bierhaus

12. An Brog Pub

Your first few weeks studying in Cork

Get a SIM for my mobile

If you are an international student arriving in Dublin, there are two different phone stores in the Airport building itself. In Cork, you will find Vodafone, O2, Meteor and Three all on or around Patrick Street. LycaMobile is also available in Ireland.

Register with Authorities

Non EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who are staying in Ireland for more than 90 days are required to register with the Irish immigration services. In Cork, you can do this with the local GNIB. Find out more...

Find part-time work

UCC offers its own student jobs service available here. Their part-time work guide is also well worth a look. For non-UCC students, studentjob.ie is a popular service with vacancies for diverse roles.

Improve English language

For international students, UCC offers its own part-time English language courses. For non-UCC students, there are a range of language schools throughout Cork offering courses as well as one-to-one tuition.

Organise Insurance

Non-EEA students are required to have health insurance and you may be required to offer proof when you register with the immigration authorities. To find out more, click here.

Find a place of worship

For many students, finding and connecting with a faith community in Cork is a key part of settling in and avoiding culture shock. To find places to worship in Cork, click here...

Buy a bicycle

For second-hand bicycles, many students favour donedeal.ie or adverts.ie. There are also two main bike shops near UCC's main campus: Victoria Cross Cycles and The Bike Shed, the latter offering used cycles as well as new. Capwell Cycles is just a little bit further away.

Join a Gym

There are countless gyms around Cork and many of them in the city centre. Perhaps the most obvious option for many students will be UCC's own Mardyke Arena. Always ask for student discount!

Get my laptop repaired

There are many tech repair shops in Cork. Within easy reach of UCC and the city centre are iElectron (Cook St) and PC Services (Woods St). Always ask about student discounts!

Student Budget and cost of living in Cork

Planning your finances well is essential if you are to enjoy the full duration of your studies in Cork. Your university or college will offer detailed and even one-to-one advice on how to budget your money effectively. But, for students visiting Cork for the first time, here are some indicative prices so that you can gauge the cost of living in the city.

For more info on student costs of living prices, check out Selectra.ie.

12 Easy Ways to meet people in Cork

Moving to a new city (or even a new country), it can sometimes be difficult to meet people and make friends. Sure, when you're studying, you're often surrounded by like-minded people who are very happy to meet up. But it can also be nice to connect with non-students and see what life is like for Cork's local residents who are here all year round. Especially if you're planning to remain in Cork during the holidays.

General services like meetup.com can help. But here are a few specific, local pathways to meeting people and making friends in Cork.

Where to stay

It is strongly recommended that you speak with your college's accommodation office (or international office) before organising your student accommodation in Cork. If you're travelling to Ireland to study, you might also want to consult this accommodation guide by the Irish Council for International Students. Contact your university or college below:

Private Student Accommodation

In addition to campus-based accommodation, Cork has a wealth of private lettings which are available exclusively to students. Click on a location on the below map to find out more about the student accommodation and who provides it.

Hostels and Temporary Accommodation

For those attending a short course, or for anyone still seeking a more permanent option, hostels can provide a great stop-gap. Here are some of Cork's hostels for you to consider.

Places of Worship

Ireland is a tolerant and diverse society which is welcoming to peoples and cultures from across the globe. This section will help you to find the cultural centres and amenities which matter most to you. To find out more about religious observance in Ireland, click here...