Cork attractions: University College Cork (UCC)

University College Cork, also know as UCC, is located in cork city, a few minutes walk from the city centre. The main parts of the campus are situated along Western Road and College Road. Founded in 1845, it was originally known as Queens College, just like Queen's University in Belfast.

UCC is set in stunning surroundings, spanning 44 acres that set off its splendid Gothic style buildings. The main building was designed by Cork architect Sir Thomas Deane in the mid 19th Century and the River Lee runs through the lower grounds of the campus. Today, due to expansion, additional facilities are located nearby.

For the first thirty years of UCC's life it was dominated by males, then in 1885 it opened its doors to the first female students. In 1910 the first female professor was appointed to UCC.

Today UCC caters for 17, 000 full time students that comprise of 14, 000 under graduate students, and 3, 000 post graduate students. There's a large and diverse number of international students travelling from over 80 different countries worldwide, and at the moment there are about 2, 000 international students attending the college. The college, through all its various facilities, employs about 2, 800 people.

University College Cork offers over 120 professional and degree programs made up of four colleges / faculties:

Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences / Faculties of the Arts and Celtic Studies. Business and Law / Faculty of Commerce and Law. Medicine and Health / Faculty of Medicine. Science, Engineering and Food Science / Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Food Science.

There's also a visitor centre at the university. Here you can arrange for a guided tour of the college and campus. The tour duration is around 50 minutes and it's advisable to book it in advance. The tour costs 4.00 Euro per person and 15.00 Euro for a family. You can also avail of a public tour between the months of May to October. These run every Monday, Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays at 3pm.

University College Cork is the leading research institution in the country and has, throughout the years, obtained many awards, most recently acquiring The Sunday Times Irish University of the Year Award in 2003 and again in 2004.

The student experience at UCC is well worth checking out. With an ever growing student population, students are encouraged to get involved in extra curricular activities. As a result there are many campus run and based activities available. UCC has its very own state of the art sports complex called the UCC Mardyke Arena, offering the very best and latest indoor and outdoor sports facilities to all students.

UCC, like all colleges today, has a very active Student Union that's always kept busy organising various student events and activities. They're also on hand should you need assistance with any educational, welfare and social issues.

In honour of the Patron Saint of Cork, Saint Finbarr, and the location of UCC, the college motto is "Where Finbarr Taught, Let Munster Learn". Over the years UCC has gained an excellent reputation for various fields and facilities available worldwide, so if you are considering college life, choose University College Cork.

About the author: Mairead Foley writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website http://www.GoIreland.com

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