University College Cork (UCC) has achieved the unique status of becoming Ireland’s first five star university and has once again improved its position in world rankings announced today (September 5th 2011) in the QS World University Rankings. University President, Dr Michael Murphy, expressing his pride at the announcement, said it reflects the hard work of the entire UCC community, the excellence of teaching and learning and the international recognition achieved by UCC researchers. ..The University is now placed at 181 in the rankings compared to 386 in 2006 demonstrating its consistent improvement over the last six years. In improving its position amongst the top two per cent of universities globally, UCC is now ranked in 100th position worldwide by employers. UCC continues to maintain its position as a leader in the international diversity of its staff and has attained 60th  position in this category.

The student body at University College Cork now totals almost 20,000 and some 2,800 overseas students are on campus