Gap Year :: Ireland :: Cork :: University College Cork :: Course Information [ ASPIRE by API ]

Students at the University College Cork - National University of Ireland (UCC) choose from a range of undergraduate courses (called modules) offered in the Faculties of Arts, Celtic Studies, Commerce, Engineering, Food Science and Technology, Law (full-year students only) and Science. Courses are arranged in the seminar and lecture style, and grades are based predominantly on work submitted during the semester and by final exam. In order to integrate into the Irish system as fully as possible, spring semester and academic year students complete standard end-of-the-year exams. Other exam arrangements are made for fall semester students for most courses. Math and engineering courses are only available to students studying for the spring semester or the full academic year, as exams for these courses are only held at the end of May. Law courses are also only open to students studying for the full academic year. Extra fees apply for students who enroll in all science or engineering courses.

Click here to download the UNIVERSITY OF COLLEGE CORK MODULE CATALOG*

*Aspire gap year or gap semester students are allowed to enroll in first and second year courses only.

SPECIALTY PROGRAMS

In addition to the normal class offerings at UCC, Aspire students may participate in one of several specialty programs, such as the Early Start Programs, Internship Programs and Certificate/Diploma Programs. As space in these programs is limited, it is recommended that students apply early if they are interested in one of the specialty programs.

EARLY START PROGRAMS (FALL AND YEAR STUDENTS)

Unique to UCC, these programs offer an ideal way to gain an introduction to Irish Studies through a carefully guided introduction to Ireland’s history, culture, civilization and environment. These programs allow students to acclimate to the Irish university system, better preparing them to be able to integrate with the local Irish students when regular fall classes begin. It is recommended that students apply early if they are interested in one of the Early Start programs.

Eight separate programs are offered:

Irish Archaeology
Irish Folklore and Ethnology
History and Modern Ireland
Law (full year only)*
Literatures in Ireland
Musics in Ireland
Management and Marketing in the European Union
Irish Ecosystems

Students who participate in the Early Start Programs follow an intensive pre-session course in September, consisting of hands-on learning and field trips. In early October, students begin with the regular semester. Students earn the equivalent of 5 credit hours for completion of the Early Start Program (with prior approval from their home institution).

*Only students studying for the full academic year may participate in the Early Start Law program. Upon completion of the Early Start component, students may take only law courses for the remainder of their academic term (i.e., no electives other than law courses). Students may choose to pursue the Diploma in Common Law (European).

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Certificate in Irish Studies (Year) This program draws on a number of academic disciplines. It provides a comprehensive overview of the whole range of the rich indigenous Irish cultural tradition over two millennia. The contributing departments are Early and Medieval Irish, Modern Irish, Archaeology, History and Folklore. Students are required to take a number of core classes and the remainder from those offered by the contributing departments. A total of 50 UCC credits are awarded for completion of the certificate (or approximately 25 U.S. semester credits).

REQUIRED MODULES

GA1120 Introduction to Modern Irish (2.5)

CC3005 Introduction to Early Irish (2.5)

HI1115 Introduction to Irish History for Visiting Students (2.5)

AR1111 Introduction to the Archaeology of Ireland (5)

CERTIFICATE IN POLITICAL ISSUES IN IRELAND TODAY (SPRING)

Spring semester students may choose to enroll in the Certificate in Political Issues in Ireland Today. This program provides a comprehensive introduction to the issues dominating political debates on the island of Ireland. It examines the unique political systems of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Particular attention is paid to:

Structures of government in the Republic of Ireland
Theories and practice of policy-making in the Republic of Ireland
The conflict in Northern Ireland
The role of the United States as a peacemaker in Northern Ireland
The impact of the EU on Irish politics
Critical evaluation of the Good Friday Agreement
Post-Agreement Northern Ireland

ORIENTATION WEEK

The orientation week introduces students to the Department of Government and to the Certificate program. Field trips include visits to Dublin, Belfast and various political offices in Cork. Each Certificate student is assigned a mentor, an Irish student, who assists him/her with university life in Cork. Students are awarded 12-15 credits for completing the certificate, with prior approval of their home institution. The numbers in parenthesis after each module below represent the suggested amount of U.S. credits earned for each course.

CORE MODULES

GV3701 Introduction to Politics in the Republic of Ireland (5)

GV3702 Introduction to Northern Ireland Politics (5)

ELECTIVE MODULES

GV1201 Local and Regional Government in Ireland (2.5)

GV4302 Issues in Irish Politics (2.5)

GV2205 Political Ethics (2.5)

GV4303 European Framework (2.5)

GV2303 Government and Politics in Ethnically Divided Societies (2.5)

AND/OR

Students may select a 5 credit (2.5 U.S. credit) module from a range of subjects offered in the Faculty of Arts (e.g. archaeology, English, history, etc).

DIPLOMA PROGRAMS

DIPLOMA IN IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC

This one-year program is designed for students who seek to increase their proficiency and knowledge of Irish traditional music by taking a range of specialized courses in this area taught by the Department of Music. Applicants are expected to have either some experience with Irish traditional music or extensive musical abilities in other genres of music, and must demonstrate to the Head of the Department of Music that they have the skills required to undertake the program. Applicants may be required to submit an audition tape. For more information on enrollment in this program, please contact API.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS - FOR CREDIT

Interested students may elect to participate in an internship program. Most internships are on-campus. Available on-campus internships may include placement in the following departments:

the Boole Library

Faculty of Law

Centre for Sustainable Livelihoods

Department of Government

Multimedia Centre for Urban and Regional Ethnology

Freshwater Ecology Laboratory

Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science

Faculty of Science

Off-campus internships in subjects such as business, communications, and teaching may also be available.

In addition to practical experience, students can earn 2.5 U.S. semester credits (in addition to their regular course load) for participating in an internship program. Students do not receive a grade for the internship. Students wishing to apply must provide an outline of their academic background, along with a two-page statement on the reasons for applying for the internship along with their application. Applicants also need

to provide the name of a faculty sponsor who can provide a recommendation. Contact Aspire for further information.