Please note: We only accept applications from students who have completed secondary school leaving exams i.e. the Leaving Certificate must be complete prior to application. Entry to the programme is highly competitive and satisfying the entry requirements does not guarantee an offer of a place.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age by October 15th in the year of proposed entry to the programme, and must hold a Leaving Certificate or equivalent at the time of application or be applying on the basis of mature years.
Leaving Certificate requirements
Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. Subjects must include Irish (unless exempt), English, another language, Mathematics and Biology.
Mature Students
Mature applicants should be 23 years old on or before 1st January of the year of application and provide evidence of Leaving Certificate Biology (or equivalent).
Fitness to Practise
This programme is subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy – see our Fitness to Practise page for more information.
Student Garda Vetting
All students on this programme will come into contact with the public and assume positions of trust through educational and training opportunities. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, UCC is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake this programme.
Student Garda vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC once a student has accepted their place on the programme. It involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether any criminal proceedings are pending. The Garda Siochána provide this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).
All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there.
English Language Requirements (for Non-Irish EU applicants)
Teaching in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is normally through the medium of English; therefore all applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of competence in the English Language.
Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of equivalent competence in English Language through their school leaving examination or matriculation examination or by achieving the minimum standard (there may be higher levels for matriculation and/or particular programmes in individual institutions) in a recognised English language test, as specified below (note applicants are assessed on the results of a single sitting only):
UCC Language Centre Pre-sessional Programmes
These programmes are available to assist students who:
- Have not achieved their required level of English for acceptance onto their undergraduate or postgraduate programme
- Feel they do not have the academic or general English language skills necessary to succeed at the University
Find out more about the Language Centre's Pre-Sessional Programmes.
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