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Quick Read<\/p>\n
Getting into University College Cork is the hard part \u2014 and you’ve done it. What comes next is simpler, but it has a checklist, and doing it in the right order makes your first fortnight in Ireland calm instead of chaotic. This is your practical, first-hand guide to landing in Cork and settling into UCC as an Indian student, built from UCC’s own guidance and the questions our students ask us every September.<\/p>\n
If you still have visa or pre-departure steps open, start with our Ireland student visa checklist<\/a> and our University College Cork guide<\/a>. Once you’ve landed, work through the steps below.<\/p>\n First, an honest clarification: almost everything in this guide is done after<\/em> you land in Ireland<\/strong>. Your IRP registration, PPS number, Leap card, student ID and Irish SIM can only be done in Cork \u2014 not from India. From home, you focus on getting ready:<\/p>\n Arrive early.<\/strong> Plan to reach Cork roughly a week before orientation. That week is when you open your bank account, get your Leap card, register your permission and simply learn your way around \u2014 all far less stressful before lectures start.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Cork is Ireland’s second city \u2014 compact, friendly and very walkable. In your first few days, get your bearings on foot, find your nearest Lidl\/Aldi\/Tesco and the campus, and visit the city centre and the famous English Market. Then start working through the essentials below.<\/p>\n This is the legal must-do. As a non-EU student you must register your permission to stay and receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP)<\/strong> card. Register with Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) after you arrive \u2014 book your appointment\/registration online, bring your passport, visa, proof of address, proof of funds and medical insurance, and pay the IRP fee (currently \u20ac300<\/strong>). Do this promptly; your permission must be registered within the period stated on your entry stamp.<\/p>\n Don’t leave this late.<\/strong> You can’t stay legally without registering your permission, and appointment slots fill up at the start of term. UCC’s Global Welcome Week includes an immigration overview \u2014 use it, and register as early as you can.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A PPS (Personal Public Service) number<\/strong> is your key to working part-time, paying tax correctly and accessing public services. Apply through MyWelfare.ie<\/strong> once you have an Irish address; you’ll typically need your passport, proof of address and a reason for applying (starting a job or study). Without it, no employer can legally pay you \u2014 so sort it early if you plan to work. The rules on how many hours you can work are in our Working While Studying in Ireland: Stamp 2 Rules 2026<\/a> guide.<\/p>\n Bank of Ireland<\/strong> is UCC’s campus partner, with a branch in the Student Centre \u2014 the easiest option for most students (AIB, Permanent TSB and Lough Credit Union are alternatives). You’ll need proof of identity, proof of Irish address, and proof of source of funds<\/strong>. Handily, once you’ve registered at UCC you can download a Letter of Attendance<\/strong> that works as proof of address.<\/p>\nBefore you fly from India: what you can sort now<\/h2>\n
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Your first days in Cork<\/h2>\n
Register your immigration permission (IRP)<\/h2>\n
Get your PPS number<\/h2>\n
Open an Irish bank account<\/h2>\n