Angelica DeYott was an undergraduate student in the US when she heard of 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork (UCC). 鈥淚 had a professor who received his PhD at UCC,鈥� she shares. 鈥淗is successful career gave me the confidence that the degree I earned at UCC would also put me on a successful path.鈥�
She was right. As Ireland鈥檚 first five-star university and in the top 2% of universities worldwide, UCC is well-used to providing an education that paves the way for innovation, change, and impact. Much of this has to do with its host of world-class educators 鈥� many of whom have not only contributed to groundbreaking research but led or been a part of real-world social change.
Take UCC鈥檚 School of History. As one of the largest departments in the Arts and Humanities faculty, it offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that span medieval, early modern, modern Irish, European and international history. Outside of this, it is a leading international centre for postgraduate research in international relations and European studies, as well.
The Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland) Miche谩l Martin is a graduate of UCC鈥檚 School of History which regularly hosts national and international conferences. Source: 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork
Lecturers double as changemakers who contribute to the understanding of Ireland鈥檚 fight for independence 100 years ago 鈥� including input into the award-winning Atlas of the Irish Revolution. Many of these same staff members regularly partake in national and international conferences hosted by the school, as well as influence public debates about Ireland, Europe, the US and the world.
Angelica, a lover of European history, found this an enthralling prospect. After some research and guidance from her professor, she decided to pursue the MA in History at UCC, which she found 鈥減erfect for [her]鈥�.
This 12-month programme 鈥� or 24 months for part-time students 鈥� is composed of four separate historical themes: medieval, media, Irish and international. Here, students are grounded in a range of topics important to the development of our world as we know it. These include revolution and regime change, cultural heritage, Ireland鈥檚 relationships and encounters with the wider world, identity and nationalism, radicalism and social unrest, war and pace, and more.
So far, Angelica is enjoying her time at UCC 鈥� which is in large part due to the opportunity to learn from such prominent historians. However, these same staff members make the same efforts to maximise every student鈥檚 learning experience. They do so by adopting a student-centric approach to teaching through small class sizes and maintaining an approachable atmosphere about the school.
鈥淯CC鈥檚 School of History staff are wonderful and always willing to answer any queries,鈥� she shares. 鈥淚 have really appreciated how involved they are in promoting history in the community.鈥�
Sheila Hanley a student at UCC, adds that it is this student-first approach that allows her to explore topics that stem from individual interests. 鈥淥n a personal level, I wanted to be part of a collaborative environment where students are encouraged to pursue their academic interests,鈥� she says.
Sheila is pursuing the MA in International Relations. This is a one-year programme that explores the contemporary world through the lens of the past. It explores issues surrounding war and peace, the international order, international crises, counter-insurgency, terrorism and foreign policy.
鈥淔or those hoping to explore international relations theory in conjunction with broad, thematic consideration of contemporary affairs, the MA in International Relations offers a compelling course of study,鈥� says Peter Prindiville, a former student now working at Georgetown鈥檚 Office of Government Relations as Manager of Strategic Initiatives.
鈥淭he combination of taught modules and dissertation also allows for practical application of course content to areas of particular interest. This range of intellectual activity over the course of only one year 鈥� theory, contemporary affairs, and research 鈥� makes for quite the fulfilling experience.鈥�
Career readiness is central to an education at the School of History. The MA in History offers students the option of work placement within media, heritage, or publishing roles in the private or public sectors. The MA in International Relations does so through a dissertation component, where students conduct research on a topic of their choice.
They are surrounded by a multicultural environment with bright-minded students from all over the world. 鈥淚 appreciate being surrounded by peers who are working toward careers in the International Relations field,鈥� says Sheila. 鈥淢y classmates come from a variety of academic and cultural backgrounds which adds to the invaluable learning experience.鈥�
Living in the heart of Cork city, listed in the 鈥淟onely Planet鈥� guide as one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit, enriches this experience further. At this 鈥渓iberal, youthful and cosmopolitan place,鈥� 鈥渉appily traditional鈥� dimensions add loads of charm, from the Irish and the buildings likewise, to this bustling university city with no shortage of contemporary facilities.
The whole of Western Europe are just a short flight away from Cork鈥檚 International Airport. The unspoilt landscape of the Wild Atlantic Way just minutes away from campus too.
The result of such great features? Happy, fulfilled graduates who go on to work in government and civil service, trade, industry, non-governmental organisations, investment, international organisations, diplomacy, the media, and academia.
鈥淎t UCC, I have the opportunity to greatly expand my International Relations knowledge,鈥� says Sheila. 鈥淲ith this increased understanding of the field, I will pursue professional positions in research organisations or private sector companies that are in need of my unique skill set combining Intelligence 鈥� which I studied at the undergraduate level 鈥� and International Relations.鈥�