UCC's impressive track record continues to draw hordes of students, espite internal disputes, writes Sean Flynn, Education Editor.
By any objective standards, UCC appears to be performing well. It is the third-largest university in the State, but its success in drawing down research funding often eclipses that of UCD and Trinity.
The college may have had a fusty image in the 1960s, but today it has placed itself at the cutting edge of developments in pharmaceuticals, food and electronics, in particular.
To add to the mix academic standards are high (about half of all graduates secure a 2:1 or better) and the drop-out rate is probably the lowest among the seven universities.
While other colleges would like to shout from the rooftops about these achievements, UCC often finds itself the subject of unwelcome publicity, usually about it internal civil wars.
Its president, 63 year-old Professor Gerry Wrixon, dominates the college like a colossus. Wrixon is a controversial figure who draws admiration and criticism in equal measure. His hard-nosed, pro-business approach has been a major factor in the success of UCC since his appointment in 1999, but his support for a corporate-type structure in the university is opposed by many academics.
The Wrixon years may have been successful for UCC but they have also left bruised egos and have resulted in several legal actions.
The university's wish to give Professor Wrixon an additional term of office when his current five-year term expires next year has raised the stakes in the battle on campus.
Wrixon appears unfazed by the controversy swirling around him. Earlier this year he said he was proud of the world-class service the college provides across a range of disciplines. But he also castigated those who "don't achieve and are not interested in achieving".
It appears likely that Wrixon will secure an extra term in office, although some legal issues have still to be clarified with the Higher Education Authority and the Government.
The Wrixon controversy appears to matter very little to prospective students, however. UCC was the third-level college of first choice for over 5,700 students in the CAO process last year.
It seems certain the college will retain its popularity this year, despite the fall-off in school leavers. The institution's 160-old tradition, its image as a cutting-edge university and its strong social scene make it a magnet for students.
Its main feeder school is the private fee-paying "grind school" Bruce College. The publication of today's list means that these grind schools are the main feeder schools in four of the seven universities in the State. Bruce is top in Cork, while the Institute of Education in Dublin is the main feeder school for UCD, Trinity and DCU.
Otherwise, the feeder school list for UCC is dominated by local schools.
Only two of the top 25 feeder schools are from outside Cork city or county. They are Scoil Idirmheanach, Killorglin, Co Kerry, and Newtown School in Waterford.
