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Looking for reasons to study in Cork, Ireland? Sara Perrotta, a current master’s student, shares her lived experience of Cork University Business School (CUBS) at UCC. From a historic campus to hands-on learning to a tight-knit international community, learn why this study experience goes far beyond the classroom and stays with you long after graduation.
Are you considering pursuing a master’s degree abroad? Cork, Ireland, is one of the most underrated study destinations for master’s students. It is the second-largest city in Ireland, after Dublin, and the largest county.
Cork has a rich maritime history and a vibrant arts and culture scene. It is also home to the European headquarters of tech giants like Apple and is a major industrial hub hosting over 140 multinational companies, particularly in technology, pharmaceuticals, and MedTech. Key major employers include Stryker, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Amazon, and NetApp, alongside large local firms like the Musgrave Group.
At the center of it all is Cork University Business School at University College Cork (CUBS). It is one of the two largest business schools in Ireland. For students considering graduate studies in Ireland, CUBS offers a compelling mix of academic rigor, hands-on learning, and dynamic city life.
We spoke with Sara Perrotta, an Italian master’s student currently completing her MSc in Management and Marketing at CUBS. She shares what it is really like to study in Cork, from relocating abroad to building a career in Ireland.
One of the top reasons to study in Cork, Ireland, is the city itself. It has the perfect blend of big city energy and a cozy student life. It is easy to get to and from the campus by public transport, bike, or walking.
Sara shares, “Cork is not too big, it’s the perfect size. It’s very lively, [including] the music scene and the food scene. It has so many things for a place that is not that big. It’s perfect, I think.” (01:49)
It ranks #137 in the world in the Happy City Index 2026. And according to Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index by City 2026, Cork ranks #74, among the top 100 cities in the world, for quality of life.
Cork has a vibrant cultural scene with numerous festivals and events taking place each year. Master’s students enjoy all the perks of city life at a lower price than in larger cities like Dublin.
For international master’s students, this makes for a fun yet affordable student experience. Cork is big enough to offer culture, career opportunities, and a social scene. Yet it is small enough to feel at home in no time.
University College Cork is over 150 years old and has a rich history. Originally established in 1845 as Queen’s College Cork, it now boasts a diverse and rapidly growing student body. For master’s students, the CUBS campus offers everything within easy reach.
Sara notes, “The campus is beautiful. It has all the facilities you might need. It has a very big library, which is wonderful.” (01:36)
Beyond academics, students benefit from a full suite of campus facilities, sports centers, student societies, and support services. This completes the student experience, fostering holistic growth on a personal and academic level.
Naturally, one of the biggest concerns for international students moving abroad is finding a sense of home and community. In Sara’s case, living abroad alone for the first time brought up some concerns. However, she didn’t have to worry. She was pleasantly surprised by how “easy it was to connect with people” and the many ways in which the university supported this.
She highlights, “The university was very committed to get us to make friends. Before the classes even began, they set up a meeting event… we got to know each other before class even started, so that was very good.” (01:11)
Students can join societies and sports clubs to meet new people, network, and develop their interests.
Beyond that, the International Office at CUBS helps students settle in with practical initiatives at the start of the term. They offer advice and student support with queries and concerns.
Sara adds, “The international office is very, very kind. They respond to your emails, they can help you with all the queries you might have… they’re very, very open and kind.” (02:27)
CUBS offers a welcoming and supportive environment, ensuring that all incoming master’s students start their student journey on the right foot.
Student life at CUBS is multifaceted and holistic. CUBS has 4,000 students from 104 countries, ensuring a truly international student experience.
In Sara’s MSc cohort alone, students come from Italy, India, China, Poland, the Czech Republic, Pakistan, and Ireland. Many bring prior work experience from internships or BA work placements, creating a rich peer learning environment.
Sara describes the atmosphere as inclusive, open, lively, and welcoming. She shares, “You can find people from every background possible, and there’s no discrimination… you can be free to talk about everything.” (02:47)
CUBS also takes student life and well-being seriously. CUBS organizes stress-relief initiatives during exam season. For example, they bring support dogs to the library that students can cuddle with to de-stress. This is just one of many student health and wellbeing services and initiatives available at CUBS.
Oftentimes, there is a significant gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience when graduates enter the workforce. CUBS is actively working to bridge this gap. For instance, during their master’s program, students work through real-world case studies, live industry projects, and work placements.
The coursework fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. For example, in one project, Sara had to work on a marketing campaign for a real startup company in New York City.
She reiterates, “These [projects] are not only teaching us the theory but putting into practice what we are learning… I do know the theory, but I also remember how to put that into practice.” (06:24)
Therefore, students graduate with both the conceptual knowledge and experience of real-world application under their belts. This ensures that graduates enter the workforce ready and confident.
Outside of the coursework itself, Sara gained hands-on leadership skills by being a Class Academic Representative. Working together with the other representatives, she organized events like class dinners. She also mediated between the cohort and professors and offered a listening ear to her peers to ensure the best student experience for everyone.
Ultimately, hands-on learning at CUBS takes place both in and outside of the classroom.
Cork is a great place to launch a career. Major employers in the area open potential career paths for graduates. In Sara’s case, she secured a job in Cork before even finishing her degree. She will be working in sales in her new job after graduation.
Her experience at CUBS sparked a longer-term ambition in business ethics. She plans to work in Cork for a few years, working up from sales to business ethics and sustainability roles. She plans to leverage the knowledge she gained from the curriculum she studied at CUBS.
When thinking about her future, she reflects, “I will probably stay in Ireland because I really like Ireland, Cork, especially, is a very nice city. I envision myself here for at least a little bit of my life.” (09:39)
When asked what the highlight of her studies was, she laughs, “It might be a little bit cheesy, but my friends. They were the best part of this whole experience.” (09:54) On a professional level, she learned a lot about herself and gained confidence.
Her time at CUBS fostered teamworking, time management, problem-solving, empathy, active listening, and resilience in her. She will carry these skills and capabilities forward into her career.
The reasons to study in Cork are many. A scenic campus, a lively city, a diverse and inclusive community, and a hands-on curriculum are all major draws.
For Sara, the decision changed her life in ways she did not expect. Her advice to prospective students is simple. She concludes, “Take the risk. Because in life if you don’t take a risk, you’re not really living. And just do it.” (13:24)
If a master’s degree in Cork, Ireland, is on your radar, CUBS is well worth your consideration.
Discover more about Cork University Business School at University College Cork (CUBS) by exploring their profile page.
