University College Cork

Postgraduate Profile

University College Cork (UCC), in the south of Ireland, is a research-intensive university which delivers world-class research in nationally- and internationally-recognised academic departments and research centres, such as the Tyndall National Institute and the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre. The university receives major funding from many national and international research funding agencies, including Science Foundation Ireland and EU Framework Programmes.

The university has over 3,000 postgraduate students, across all the major academic disciplines, including 930 students undertaking PhD degrees. Many of the taught programmes are offered on a part-time basis and the university is committed to increasing flexibility in its programmes, e.g., by introducing modular and distance learning programmes, such as the MEngSc (Information Technology in Architecture, Engineering and Construction). Other new programmes on offer include the MSc in Corporate Finance, which offers students to the opportunity to work with senior executives and industry leaders from both the corporate and corporate finance sectors during their studies. A suite of new postgraduate programmes in the area of Asian Studies has also been developed, offering students the opportunity to develop an understanding of the geopolitical and economic realities of East Asia, in combination with the development of core business skills such as economics.

UCC is committed to the introduction of structured PhD programmes, which combine a high-level research training experience with structured training in generic, transferable and disciplinary skills. As an example of this development, this year also saw the introduction of the new PhD Scholars Programme in Cancer Biology, the first PhD training programme in this area to be offered in Ireland. One cohort of scholars is already in training and a second cohort of scholars coming from several leading universities and six different countries will start in October. A number of inter-institutional graduate programmes have also been launched, including programmes in the Food area, Social Sciences, Education and Micro/Nano-Engineering.

UCC also offers a suite of generic modules designed for research postgraduate students, in areas such as scientific research skills, commercialisation, and teaching and learning, and runs regular workshops on writing and presentation skills and other core research competencies. By utilising these skills, UCCâ??s PhD students have succeeded in winning Science Speak, for the last two years running; this unique intervarsity communication event involves all seven of the Republicâ??s universities and challenges graduate students to explain their research to a non-specialist audience using ordinary language without the technical jargon. UCC PhD students are also increasingly involved in international and inter-institutional training during their degrees.

UCC PhD students are also invited to get involved by writing articles for The Write-Up, our bi-monthly newsletter for research students, a new initiative for 2008/09, and the university is running an expanding programme of pastoral support measures to ensure the best PhD student experience.