UCC provides update on what the forthcoming academic year will look like

Professor John O'Halloran, Deputy President and Registrar at UCC, acknowledged that "it will be a different academic year" with certain changes already decided on.

"The last few months have been challenging for us all - for our families, for each of us whether in university or in your home and I want to acknowledge that. 

"Despite that, we as a community have responded incredibly well to the Covid crisis and I want to ensure all our incoming students, whether they are coming back to us or coming to UCC for the first time, you’re going to have an amazing learning experience at University College Cork in the coming academic year," Professor O'Halloran began.

"Not everything is certain at this point and we will continue to communicate with you over the coming weeks and months," he continued.

For the vast majority of students, the term will start on Monday, September 28.

Professor O'Halloran stated that the forthcoming academic year will be a "hybrid learning experience", incorporating both online and face-to-face elements.

"As much face-to-face teaching and learning as is feasible will be provided, subject to prevailing public health requirements (which may continue to evolve over the course of the academic year)," UCC has stated on their website.

As well as a later starting date, the examinations for the first semester will take place later than normal, in January 2021.

"Ordinarily, your examinations would conclude before Christmas but given the contraction of the academic year and the later start we wanted to ensure a good learning experience," Professor O'Halloran said. 

It is possible that these examinations will take place online.

Course co-ordinators will keep in touch with students regarding the type and time of assessment. 

In order to comply with social distancing guidelines, UCC has stated that it will be restricting the movements in and out of buildings and across campus.

Professor O'Halloran said the decisions that have been made so far are "predicated on where we are today".

"September might look very different," he said.

For further information about the next academic year 2020/21 visit UCC's website: https://www.ucc.ie/en/emt/covid19/