Frequently Asked Questions.
GENERAL
Q. How many students are there in class?
A. There is a maximum of 15 students in a class but usually there are fewer than this.
Q. Where am I supposed to go on the first day of the course?
A. You arrive by 9.00 at the Language Centre in the ground floor of the O’Rahilly Building, and sit in the seating area.
The seating area outside the Language Centre
The O’Rahilly Building
A member of our staff will meet you at 8.45 and take you for a placement test (grammar/vocabulary/writing + speaking).
You will receive a short talk on the Language Centre, receive a welcome pack and be given a short tour of UCC.You join class after the 11:00 am break on the first day.
Q. What is the average age of your students? A. Average age is about 22but we (can) have students of all ages from 18 to 80!
Q. Do you have many Spanish/Italian…? (Is there a mix of nationalities?)
A. At different times of the year there may be more of a certain nationality but wherever possible we aim to mix the nationalities as much as we can allow for a wide variety of cultures & people.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Q. How does the application process work?
A. Once your application form is received, it is checked to see you have included everything then a letter of acceptance is sent to you and your accommodation is requested. Please attach a copy of your national ID/passport and a passport-sized photograph in JPEG format to the application form. Please note that applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the beginning of their course.
Q. Do I need to send the application by email and by post?
A. You can email your application to you can post it to:
Q. When am I supposed to pay the balance of fees?
A. The balance of course/accommodation fees are due 4 weeks before the date you are due to begin your course.
Q. How can I pay my fees?
A. Fees can be paid by Bank Transfer (our bank details are on the application form) or by credit card over the phone or if you are already in Ireland you can call directly to our Main Office, Room G36 of the O’Rahilly Buildingin our office hours (9.00 -13.00 & 14.00-16.00) . Our telephone number is 353 21 4902898/490264[MA1]
Q. If I need visa, what should I do?
A. The best thing to do is to email the office in the first instance at and we will do our best to help you arrange one. Students who need to apply for visa need to pay all tuition fees in advance.
Q. Can I scan my passport-sized photograph?
A. Yes,we prefer scanned passport-sized photographs. If you prefer, you can also post your photographs. If you send your photographs by post, please write your name and surname in capitals at the back of the photographs.
Q. Is a screen shot ok as proof of payment?
A. A screen shot of the bank transaction is fine as proof of payment.
ACCOMMODATION + GETTING TO CORK
Q. How far is the student accommodation from the campus/city centre?
A. It depends where you are staying but as a general rule the city centre is 20 minutes’ walk or 10 minutes by bus from the various student accommodation complexes we use.
Q. Is it close to supermarkets/shops?
A. Yes, there is a supermarket located next door to the accommodation at University Hall, another supermarket opposite Victoria Lodge and a shop next to Brookfield.
Q. How can I get to the student accommodation from the airport/city centre?
A. From the airport you can take a bus to the city centre and a connecting bus to your accommodation, most buses in the city run at 30 minute intervals, alternatively you could take a taxi directly to your accommodation but at a higher cost!
- Airport ˃ City Centre: (Bus #226)
- City Centre ˃ University Hall/Victoria Lodge/Victoria Mills Accommodation: (Bus #208)
Here is a link for a map: Cork Airport/ Accommodation Complexes (Victoria Cross)
- City Centre ˃ Brookfield Accommodation: (Bus #205)
Here is a link for a map Cork Airport -Brookfield
Q. How far is the University from Cork airport?
A. The university is 15 minutes by taxi from the airport, depending on traffic or 30-35 minutes by bus. If you come by bus, you will have to take a bus to the city centre and then another to the university (205/208).
Q. If I fly into Dublin, how do I get to Cork? Do you recommend a bus or a train? How much does that cost?
A. There are regular bus services from Dublin to Cork with prices ranging from €17-€20 one way.You can also take the train but this is more expensive with prices ranging from €45-€65 depending on the time.
Q. How much is a taxi from Cork airport to city centre?
A. €12 approximately.
Q. How can I get to Cork from Dublin airport?
A. From Dublin Airport there are a number of private & public bus services which run at regular intervals:
Q. I am arriving at night. How can I get the keys of my apartment?
A. At the complex reception there will be a sign with the phone number of the on-site accommodation warden who will give you the keys.
*It is very important to tell us via email if you will be arriving late at night to your accommodation.
Q. Will I have an en-suite room in the self-catering apartment complex / host family residence?
A. When booking rooms in the self-catering apartments we always request en-suite rooms for our students but unfortunately this may not always be possible, and is subject to availability at time of booking. For host-family accommodation it depends on the residence whether or not there is an en-suite room available.
Q. Will I share with students my own age?
A. We notify the accommodation complexes of nationality, gender and age of students to accommodate the best mix possible in their self-catering apartments.
Q. How far is the accommodation from the Language Centre?
A. Self-catering apartment accommodation is approximately a 10-minute walk from the Language Centre, host family accommodation is either within a reasonable walking distance or on a bus route to the city.
Here are two links for maps
Accommodation Complexes (Victoria Cross) - Main Campus
Brookfield Accommodation - Main Campus
Q. If my partner/friend wants to come to visit (without taking classes) can this be arranged with the accommodation? What would be the cost (if any) for this?
A. If you have a partner/friend who wishes to visit you, you will have to speak to the reception if you are staying in self-catering apartments or speak directly to your family if you are staying with a host family.
Q. How many students are there in the apartment?
A. The number of students per apartment range from 3 to 5.
Q. Will I have a room just for myself?
A. Yes, all bedrooms within the accommodation are one person per room. If a room is “a double room” this means there is a double bed in the room (not 2 people). However you will share the kitchen/living areas with other in the apartment.
Q. Are bed linen, duvet, pillow provided by the accommodation complex?
A. Yes,all bed clothes are provided by the accommodation complex.
Q. Is kitchenware provided?
A. Yes, cups, plates, knives, forks, spoons etc (crockery and cutlery) are provided.
You will have to buy cleaning products and washing up liquid, though.
Q. Will the family pick me up at the airport/bus station?
A. Yes, you be given contact details for your host family before you arrive in Ireland, and they will make arrangements to collect you from the airport/bus/ train station.
Q. I need to stay some extra nights, is it possible to arrange that?
A. Yes, it is possible to arrange to stay extra nights in the accommodation for a fee of €23 per night for self-catering or €35 per night for host family accommodation.
Q. Can I buy and cook my own food in the Host Family House?
A. This depends on the family but this should not be a problem. Remember though that evening meals are included in the rate. If you know that you would like to do this occasionally while staying with a family, you should indicate this on your “Host Family Application Form”.
Q. What’s the weather like in Ireland? What should I put in my suitcase?
A. The weather in Ireland can be very changeable! We say “If you don’t like Irish weather – wait 10 minutes!” Seriously though- make sure you pack warm clothes (a few jumpers) and maybe a raincoat as you are sure to see some rain even during the summertime. Feel free to bring T-shirts, sunglasses and sunscreen too, though.
COURSES
Q. Can I do just Business English or English for Academic Purposes?
A. Yes, you can study Business English or along with General English, simply call to the main office (Room G36) to arrange this.
Q. Do I need to buy a book for the course?
A. In Summer School you borrow a book but for year-round courses you are required to buy a book. There is a resource room with textbooks if a student wishes to do any additional study within our self-instructional facility.
Q. Do I have to take 6 hours of one-to-one tuition or can I take more/less?
A. It should be possible to take more or fewer hours, but please make sure to request this on your application form so that necessary arrangements and an adjustment to the quote can be made.
Q. Can I opt to take Business English or one-to-one classes for part of my stay only? For example, register for a 6-week programme but take Business English for the middle 2 weeks.
A. Yes, this is possible but please make sure to clearly state your preferred options on your application form.
Q. Will I get a discount if I register to take another course?
A. Yes, usually we offer discounts on course fees for continuing students, but only if a student is continuing on to another full-time programme and has already taken a minimum of 10 weeks with us previously.
Q. Who will be teaching me?
A. All of our full time teaching staff are DELTA-qualified ( or Masters-qualified in English Language Teaching or Linguistics so you are guaranteed the highest level of teaching available in Cork.
Q. When is the next IELTS exam?
A. -
-
-
On these websites you will find dates for IELTS exams in Ireland and elsewhere.
For information and dates of Cambridge exams, have a look at the following website:
UCC SERVICES
Q. Can I use the sports centre of the campus?
A. Yes,you can use the university sports centre, The Mardyke Arena:
Q. Can I use the Wi-Fi on campus?
A. Yes, Wi-Fi is available all over the campus, you will be shown where and how to register your device on your first morning, and/or how to use one of the many computer laboratories on campus. Wi-Fi is available and free.
Q. What is the Social Programme?
A. In summer school, the social programme is included in the price and students are entitled to participate without extra cost. There is one evening activity and one afternoon activity weekly – leaving you free to plan your own weekends.This cultural social programnormally takes place on Wednesday afternoons and Thursday nights. In 2014, students visited a range of local attractionswhich includedBlarney Castle, Cork City Gaol, Fota Wildlife Park, Mitchelstown Caves as well asattending events including Quizand Bingo nights.
Q. How much spending money would I need for food per day?
A. Host families provide evening meal. A sandwich costs anything from €3 to€4.95. An allowance of €10 per day for self-catering should be fine.
Q. Are there restaurants on the University campus?
A. Yes, there is a restaurant in the middle of campus called the ‘the Main Restaurant’, you can get a wide variety of hot meals and salads. Prices for hot food here range from €4.25 to €6.50. There are also many restaurants within a short walking distance of the campus.
Q. For the Social Programme, will we visit towns outside of the city?
A. Yes, depending on your dates of study, you may get to visit the towns of Cobh, Kinsale,& Blarney, as well as a number of attractions around the city and county.
Q. What is the weather like in July / August?
A. The weather in July/August is usually mild and warm but in Ireland it can rain on any day of the year!
Lordan, Vivienne
Hi Nadine, In relation to SS, a selection of FAQs (ignoring your 2 or 3 request!): Will I get an ID Card? When will I get an ID Card? Can I send a jpeg (with my application)? Can that be used to produce my ID Card? Can I use the Mardyke Sports Arena? What do
Mon 5:16 PM
Q. Will I get an ID Card?
A. Yes you will be issued with a UCC student ID card on your first morning provided you have supplied your photograph in advance with your application. If not, you will receive it within the first 2/3 days of your program. This card will be valid for the duration of your stay.
Q. Can I send a JPEG (photo with my application)? Can that be used to produce my ID Card?
A. Yes, a JPEG file, providing it is high quality, is ok to send with your application, it can be used for your ID card.
Q. What do I do if I wish to extend my stay (course and/or accommodation)?
A. If you wish to extend your stay in UCC, you should call to the main office (Room G36) and speak with one of our administration staff. They will be happy to help you.
Q. I am travelling with children, is there something on campus that they can do while I am in class?
There are a number of Summer Camps near or close by to the campus:
-Mardyke Arena
-Whizz Kids (focus on IT):
-Glucksman (focus on Art):
-UCC Creche Cois Laoi:
Q. Do we have social co-ordinators?
- Yes, they are responsible for organising the social programme activities and orientation on your first day. The co-ordinators accompany the students on all excursions and evening events.
Q. What do I do if I have a complaint about something?
A. You can call to the main office (Room G36) to arrange to speak with the Summer School Director.
Q. Do you have an emergency telephone number?
A. Yes, 086 165 2277.
Q. Can I use the language laboratory during my stay?
A. Yes, we have a computer lab available in the Language Centre. (Ask at the resource room)
Q. How do I access books in the library (Boole)? Can I borrow books?
A. You can access the Boole library but will have read-only access. Year-round students can borrow books from the library with this card.
Q. How do I register to use the computer laboratories during my stay?
A. You can register to use the computer laboratories in the UCC Computer Centre, this will be shown to you during orientation on your first day.
Q. What will I receive at the end of my course?
A. You receive a certificate of attendance providing that you attend at least 80% of the course.
Q. Will my exit level be shown on the certificate?
A. Yes
[MA1]I think there is a figure missing here