This semester or academic year program offers students the opportunity to enroll in a wide range of courses in a variety of disciplines at the University College Cork (UCC), one of the oldest universities in Ireland. Students are fully integrated academically and socially with their Irish peers, living in student housing and attending regular classes at UCC.

Academic Program

Courses

University College Cork has four colleges: Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences; Business and Law; Medicine and Health; and Science, Engineering and Food Science. Through these four colleges, Cork offers a huge variety of courses that can be applied to nearly any University of Iowa major, minor, certificate, general education, or general elective requirement.

You can find the full list of course options available to you, including a course catalog and a variety of Early Start, certificate, and diploma by going to Cork’s website and clicking on the What Can I Study? link.

Early Start Courses

Students who study at Cork during the fall semester can choose to participate in one of their Early Start courses. Through the Early Start courses, students arrive in Cork about three weeks before the regular semester begins, and enroll in one of several courses exploring an aspect of Ireland’s unique culture or history. These courses are taught by local faculty, exclusively for study abroad students. You can learn more about the Early Start course options on Cork’s website and clicking on the Early Start Semester link.

The Early Start courses incur an additional fee, and participants must also pay for an additional three weeks of housing and food costs. You can find more information about the additional costs associated with the Early Start courses under the the Costs heading of our website.

Credits at Cork

The number of credits each course provides is different that the number of UI semester hours you will receive when your transcript from Cork arrives at the University of Iowa.

• 5 credits at Cork is equivalent to 3 semester hours at the University of Iowa
• 10 credits at Cork is equivalent to 5 semester hours at the University of Iowa

Students typically take between 20 and 30 credits each semester.

Flexibility Regarding Course Offerings

Foreign universities are typically unable to provide a final course catalog for the upcoming semester until shortly before the semester begins. Students usually do not know which specific classes they can take before arriving abroad, and they usually do not register for classes until they arrive in their host country- this means that there is no way to guarantee that you will be able to enroll in your preferred courses. Your final course schedule may not be finalized until you are already abroad and attending classes.

Because of these differences, all students must meet with their academic advisor before going abroad to discuss how the differences in course availability will affect their degree progress and graduation plans. It is important to develop a back-up plan in case your preferred courses are not available when you arrive at their host university.

The Irish Grading System

As a study abroad student, you are required to undertake the same form of assessment as the local students in order to earn transfer credit at the University of Iowa.

The grading system in Ireland is significantly different from the US system. Grades are given as "marks," and a score of 60% is typically considered a high mark. UI does not convert Irish marks into US letter grades. While you WILL receive credit for the courses you take in Ireland, you will NOT receive a typical A-F grade.

This does not mean that you are taking courses on a Pass/Fail basis . In order to receive credit for the course, you must receive a passing grade in the host university's system and, in the future, when official transcripts of your college work are requested, you will need to provide both an Iowa transcript and the academic record from the host institution – the grades you earn for the courses you took abroad will be clear and will influence future scholarship application and graduate school admissions decisions.

Transcripts

Cork will send Fall semester transcripts to the University of Iowa by the end of February and Spring semester/Academic Year transcripts to the University of Iowa by the end of July. Students can expect their grades to be applied to their UI grade reports within 2-3 months of their return to the University of Iowa.

Applying credit toward a UI degree

Unless UI Study Abroad has an approval on file for the courses you take abroad to be applied toward a specific major, minor, certificate, or general education requirement, you will receive general elective credit for your course.

If you plan to apply the credit you receive for your program course to a major, minor, certificate, or general education requirement, contact your UI study abroad advisor for details on the process. 

Cultural Activities

The UCC International Office arranges some field trips during orientation. The Student Union has a travel agency that arranges low-cost trips for students, and also provides many student-run clubs and societies, which are a great way to meet Irish students.

You can learn more about the services available to students on Cork’s Student Support Information page.

Program Dates

Program dates vary from year to year, but typically follow the University of Iowa’s academic calendar.

You can find detailed semester dates for the upcoming sessions by going to Cork’s website and clicking on the Orientation and Semester Dates link.

Students should consider these dates tentative until they receive final dates for their session abroad from the host university prior to the start of the program.

Early Start program dates

The Early Start courses begin a few weeks prior to the start of the regular semester. If you are interested in enrolling in an Early Start course, please contact your study abroad advisor for specific program dates.

For More Information

Steps to Studying Abroad

1. Before initiating an application for this program, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa.
2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.

Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email: study-abroad@uiowa.edu

Where You Will Study

There are over 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University College Cork (UCC). To cater to the ever-growing student numbers, a large-scale building program is ongoing. In addition, many older buildings have been refurbished and other buildings have been repurposed for academics. A modern campus has emerged from these developments, pleasantly combining early and modern architecture along a riverside garden setting near the city center. The campus radiates a warm and intimate atmosphere which greatly enhances the learning environment.

Ireland

Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean. The country of Ireland (properly referred to as the Republic of Ireland) shares the island with Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is an independent country that is a member of the European Union. Northern Ireland is the name of the other country on Ireland, and is a member of the United Kingdom along with Scotland, Wales, and England.

Ireland is a nation of about 4.5 million people. Ireland’s friendly population, gorgeous natural environment, unique culture, and rich history make it a fantastic place to study. Ireland’s contribution to literature written in English and indeed other languages is immense, and so the country is an ideal destination for students who want to make the exploration of literature and language the focus of their time abroad.

Cork

Cork, the second largest city in Ireland, is located on the south coast, 160 miles southwest of the capital, Dublin. The greater Cork area has a population in excess of 200,000. The city is a busy seaport and is the home of a large number of industries. Cork is about 30 minutes from the ocean and is surrounded by green fields and gently rolling hills. It is the "gateway" city to the southwest of Ireland, which is noted for its rugged scenery, quaint villages, and pleasant people. The peninsulas of Dingle and Iveragh are very popular with tourists and study abroad students. Irish is still spoken in many places in County Cork and neighboring County Kerry.

Cultural Resources

• Here's a short video that will help introduce you to your new home in Cork!
  
• UCC’s International Office on Facebook
  
• University College Cork’s YouTube Channel
  
• University College Cork on Instagram
  
• Ireland’s official tourism page on Instagram

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements/Accommodations

Students may choose from a variety of housing options, including apartment/dormitory style living or off-campus accommodation. Depending on the arrangements, UI students may live with local students, with other international students, or alone.

You can learn more about the housing options at Cork on their international student housing page.

Housing Costs and Deposits

Housing costs will be paid directly to your host institution. You will receive details about how to pay for your housing abroad from your host institution prior to departure. You should plan to pay a housing deposit early in the semester prior to your departure.

Estimated housing costs are provided under the Application tab above.

Early Start Program students

Accommodation move-in dates vary by location and may not match the dates for the Early Start program. If you are participating in the Early Start program, please contact your UI study abroad advisor for advice on booking accommodation during the Early Start program.

Passport

All students need a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for the visa you will need to enter your host country.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.

Travel Arrangements (Flights)

UI Study Abroad will not arrange a group flight to your study abroad destination. Students will purchase their own plane tickets to their host country, though UI Study Abroad can assist by providing advice regarding airline booking options.

You are advised not to purchase plane tickets until:

1. You have received an official offer of acceptance from your host university, and have submitted confirmation materials to UI Study Abroad.
2. You have finalized your housing arrangements abroad.
3. You are aware of both the semester start date and the move-in date for your accommodations abroad.
4. You have received your visa (if required- contact your study abroad advisor for more information).

If you have questions about purchasing plane tickets, please contact your UI study abroad advisor.

Local Transportation

Cork has an excellent public transportation and a pedestrianized city center. Students can navigate the main areas of the city on foot or by bike. Taxis are available throughout the city. Cork is well connected to the rest of Ireland by bus and train, and to the rest of Europe by a major airport just outside the city.

Eligibility

This program is open to University of Iowa students who fulfill the following requirements:

• Clear interest and commitment- Students must demonstrate a clear academic or personal interest in the program’s subject matter, and a commitment to engage responsibly in coursework abroad.
  
• Demonstrated preparedness and maturity- Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel. Students must demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.
  
• Minimum 3.0 UI and Transfer GPA- Students must have a minimum 3.0 UI and Transfer GPA to participate in this program (transfer GPAs lower than 3.0 may be considered on a case-by-case basis).
  
• Good academic and disciplinary standing- Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Students placed on either academic or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad on a University of Iowa program. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who are not in good standing at any point overlapping with the program dates will have their acceptance revoked, and will be responsible for the associated late withdrawal fees.
  
• Sophomore, junior, or senior standing required: Students must have sophomore, junior, or senior standing at the time the program begins. First year students cannot participate in this program.
  
• Approval by UI study abroad advisor: A student’s application must be reviewed and approved by their University of Iowa study abroad advisor.
  
• Acceptance by host institution: Students must be accepted by their host institution as a temporary visiting student. Acceptance by the host institution is typically automatic for students that have been nominated by their study abroad advisor, but the final acceptance decision is made by the international student office and the sponsoring departments at the host institution based on their own internal requirements.
• Attendance at mandatory orientation programming: Students must attend all in-person and online pre-departure orientation programming presented by UI Study Abroad.

Costs

Students will be responsible for paying many of their program costs through their University of Iowa U-Bill, while other costs will be out-of-pocket costs paid by the student directly to vendors before and after going abroad. Refer to the cost sheets below for details on the costs associated with this program.

The cost sheets outline the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid purposes. They include fees charged on students’ U-Bill as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic.

Costs for future sessions are usually similar to the current session, however students can expect a modest increase in overall costs each session. Final cost sheets for future sessions are typically available early in the semester before the session begins.

Cost Sheets

Cost Sheet- Iowa Regents Semester in Ireland- Spring 2024

Cost Sheet- Iowa Regents Semester in Ireland- Fall 2024 (For Students Participating in the Early Start Course)

Cost Sheet- Iowa Regents Semester in Ireland- Fall 2024 (For Students who are NOT participating in the Early Start Course

Calculating Fees

The cost sheets are based on the fees described below:

• University of Iowa Study Abroad Administrative Fees
• University of Iowa’s CISI health insurance
• Program course fees, housing, flight, and other costs of attendance

Cost sheets do not include the following optional costs:

Personal Travel Costs

Costs for personal travel are not included in the cost estimates provided on the cost sheet. If you plan to travel outside of your host city or country during or after your study abroad program, you will need to budget for additional funds to cover the cost of your personal travel.

The cost of personal travel depends entirely on each student’s individual travel plans and spending habits. Estimates for personal travel costs provided by past students on this program vary significantly from $1,500 to as much as $9,000 or more per session.

Costs charged to the U-Bill

• Application fee (charged at the time of application, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Course Fees- Includes host university tuition (charged shortly before departure)
• Study Abroad Fees (charged shortly before departure)
• CISI Health Insurance (charged shortly before departure)

Out-of-pocket costs (not charged to U-Bill)

• Round trip airfare from Cedar Rapids (paid by student directly to travel agent or airline- approx. 6-8 weeks prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed)
• Food (paid by student at their discretion while abroad)
• Housing (charged upon arrival to Ireland or shortly before arrival to Ireland, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed- this depends on your housing arrangements)
• Housing Deposit (paid by student before departure to Ireland, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed)
• Immigration/visa fees (paid by student on arrival to Ireland or shortly before arrival, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed. See the Immigration/Visa section under the Predeparture tab for more information.)
• Local transportation (paid at student’s discretion while abroad)
• Cell phone (paid at student’s discretion while abroad)
• Passport (paid by student prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed)
• Textbooks (paid as needed while abroad)
• Medical exam/immunizations (paid by student as needed prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Personal expenses and travel (paid by student at their discretion while abroad)

Scholarships & Financial Aid

You can find information about options for funding your study abroad experience, including financial aid, scholarships, grants, etc., on UI Study Abroad’s Finances page.

How to Apply

This is a two-part process. You apply first with the University of Iowa. If approved, you will submit a separate application to the host university abroad.

• Meet with the appropriate study abroad advisor to discuss your study abroad plans well ahead of the application deadline. Your application will not be approved until you've completed this step. You can set up an appointment by calling UI Study Abroad at 319-335-0353 or through the Advising Appointment section of your MyUI account.
• Meet with your academic advisor(s) to discuss how this program might fit your graduation plans, and make a back-up plan in case your preferred courses are not available when you arrive on your host university’s campus (see the Flexibility Regarding Course Offerings section for more information.)
• If you and your academic advisor agree that the program is a good match for you, complete the UI Study Abroad application. Please note that the non-refundable $50 application fee will be charged to your U-Bill as part of this online application.
• If you meet the requirements for the program and there are sufficient spaces available, you will be nominated to study at the host university by UI Study Abroad.
• Once nominated, you will receive details about how to complete the visiting student application for the host university abroad. Your application will be reviewed by the host university, and they will contact you with your final acceptance decision.
• Academic Year and Fall semester students can expect to receive their final acceptance decision from the host university by early summer, and Spring semester students can expect to receive their final acceptance decision from the host university by late November.

Post-Acceptance

Confirmation

If you are accepted to your program, you will be asked to commit to participating in your program by submitting the University of Iowa Confirmation of Participation form, and by completing requirements for your host university.

After you have formally confirmed your plans to participate, you will work both with UI Study Abroad and your host university. Follow instructions from both. Later in the semester, your UI study abroad advisor will contact you regarding orientation sessions, registration, and other required UI procedures and documentation.

Application Deadline

Applications for the Fall and Academic Year sessions are due on February 24.

Applications for the Spring session are due on September 17.

Health & Safety Planning

Students should carefully review the following materials starting at least two months prior to departure:

Prepare for Departure

Health and Safety

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Immigration/Visa

All program participants are required to complete immigration requirements to enter and study in your host country. UI Study Abroad and your program provider/host institution abroad will provide you with immigration instructions prior to departure.

Note that permission to enter and study in your host country is provided exclusively by the host country’s government based on that country's immigration requirements. Your host country’s immigration requirements may include considerations related to specific national origin, national heritage, criminal background status, and similar issues that can make it impossible to receive permission to enter the country in some cases. Contact your UI study abroad advisor for more information.

It is essential that you thoroughly review all of your immigration materials before you leave for your host country to ensure that they are absolutely complete and accurate. It is entirely your responsibility to ensure that all of your immigration materials are in order and fully accurate before you leave for your host country. If any of your immigration materials contain inaccurate information of any kind, contact your UI study abroad advisor immediately to discuss your options.

Do not take steps to complete your host country’s immigration requirements until you receive more information from UI Study Abroad.

Review the UI Study Abroad Travel Documentation website for further guidance on the immigration/visa process.

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by your on-site provider. See below for more information.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course "Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation" prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

Program-Specific Orientation

This orientation will be facilitated by your UI study abroad advisor and will cover content specific to your program and host country. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on your type of planned activity abroad. Your study abroad advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.

1111 University Capitol Centre
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1802
USA

Phone: (319) 335-0353
Fax: (319) 335-0343
E-mail: study-abroad@uiowa.edu