UCC named Ireland's best University for second year in a row
University College Cork is the Sunday Times University of the year for the second year running.
The newspaper's rankings placed DIT in top spot in the Institutes of Technology category.
It is the fifth time UCC has been selected as top university and the first time the same university has been selected for two consecutive years in the 15-year history of the award.
Dublin's Trinity College came in second in this year's rankings.
UCC named best university in Ireland by @thesundaytimes Good University Guide. More https://t.co/R4P7YOHYRJ #UCCunioftheyear @UCCInt pic.twitter.com/rAEuXqWZTM
— UCC Ireland (@UCC) October 7, 2016
According to the Sunday Times, UCC’s success is underpinned by making teaching as much of a priority as research. The University has seen a 15% growth in research funding over the past five years, generating the second highest amount of research income in Ireland per head of academic staff (around €128,000).
UCC also has the highest number of academic staff (70%) with a qualification in teaching and learning, and is the first in Ireland to develop an online programme in teaching and learning for staff in higher education.
Dr Michael Murphy, President of University College Cork said: "We are delighted to be acknowledged as Sunday Times University of the Year 2017 and particularly by becoming the first institution to retain the distinction.
"It is recognition, in my view, that UCC is confident in its understanding of the role of a university, and is clearly committed to discharging that role to very high standards."
Alastair McCall, Editor of The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: "UCC has enjoyed unparalleled success in our annual University of the Year award: a winner on five occasions and now the first to win the award in two successive years.
"It is not hard to see why. The institution prioritises teaching excellence alongside an undoubted research pedigree. At UCC, teaching and research excellence are not either/or options. Students benefit from this on a daily basis, enjoying high-class teaching, graduating with high-class degrees and going on to get excellent jobs, the name of their University standing them in excellent stead with prospective employers."
The Sunday Times Good University Guide will be published this Sunday.
