Almost every new student will be worried about settling in, building new relationships and making new friends.

Here in UCC, we have a number of programmes and supports in place which will help you to settle in and find your feet… or “find your tribe”!

UCC delivers a world-class student experience to its students from the very second they arrive on campus. In fact, in 2020 we were voted Best Student Experience Institution in Ireland! Our aim is to empower and support our students in achieving their goals and in pursuing their passions and talents. We believe every student deserves a university experience that fits them as a person and we know that not all lessons can be learnt in our lecture halls. Our approach is a holistic one, with the personal and professional development of our students throughout the student journey at its core. Although many departments feed into this experience, the following are the key student-led stakeholders at play in this area: UCC Peer Support, Societies and Clubs and UCC Students’ Union.

UCC Peer Support is a peer-to-peer student system that links all new undergraduate students to a more senior student for ongoing support, guidance and advice during the initial transitionary period of their first year in university. The programme is the biggest of its kind in Ireland with 313 student volunteers linked to 4,913 students (3,976 1st years & 937 internationals). It offers a social outlet to both the Peer Support Leaders and students through events, clinics, weekly stands and campaigns. Find out more about the Peer Support Service here.

UCC Clubs and Student Societies all provide outlets for students’ talents, creative and social activity; working to the belief that every student deserves a university experience that fits them as an individual. Their committees are run by a democratic student-led organisation encompassing a range of student interests—from sport & wellbeing, to political and debating, creative, religious and charitable, academic and social. The 157 Societies and clubs in UCC cater for over 16,000 members with nearly 1,800 committee positions elected amongst them to help in the running of each entity. Societies and Clubs are very much part of the social fabric of the campus community; our Clubs regularly host events and competitions in our world class sporting facilities while over 12,000 students attended our societies-organised balls in the past year and 266 students travelled abroad during the academic year 18/19 on societies developmental trips. Our Emergency Care Society are the only student-led Community First Responders in the country. After you arrive in UCC, you should attend the Clubs and Socs Day to find out more about what could spark your interest!! Check out Campus Life for links to the Clubs and Societies that add vibrant life to UCC. You can also directly sign up for clubs and societies here.

UCC Students’ Union is a non-for-profit organisation tasked with the promotion of the academic, welfare and social interests of the student population. The involvement of the Students Union on University level committees such as Governing Body, Academic Council and sub committees, Academic Board, periodic quality reviews and other College and School committees is central to all student experiences. UCC Students’ Union is the chief representative body for students in UCC. UCCSU is a democratic organisation run by 6 full time officers elected by the student body. The SU’s main functions are to provide academic assistance to students, to provide support to students in need, to lobby the University and the government on issues affecting students, and to provide entertainment on campus. Engaging with the SU through class representative elections and getting to know your SU is a great way to engage in university life. Find out more and get involved here.