• School diploma required
  VWO (Dutch pre-university diploma) i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  Netherlands … What qualifications are accepted? … Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO (Gymnasium A/B and Atheneum A/B) diploma)

  ucc.ie

  EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.

  ucc.ie · euapply

  To convert the Irish Leaving Certificate grades into your exam system's grades, please use the Entry requirements criteria for EU/EFTA/UK Applicants document.

  ✓

  For you, Met: Your VWO diploma counts.
• Required school subjects
  Engels as a VWO exam subject i

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Sources

  ucc.ie

  English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish

  ucc.ie · euapply

  For entry to all degrees, 6 subjects including English, Irish (unless exempt) , and four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent GCE/GCSE or other acceptable qualification ) are required.

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Enter your subjects to check. Add your subjects
• Minimum subject grades
  Wiskunde B or wiskunde D: at least 9; 6 different subjects at 6 or higher, at least 2 of them at 8 or higher, including English and Maths i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  ucc.ie

  Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements: English Irish Maths O6/H7 O6/H7 H3

  At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H3 in one subject, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects.

  www2.cao.ie

  Table 1: Subject Grade Comparisons … H3 9

  * For a higher maths requirement these scores must be in Maths B or D

  3 more from this page

  2 H5 required 6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 2 subjects grade 8 and 4 subjects grade 6 in the VWO

  What grade counts as a pass for purposes of admission to HEIs? 6 (on a scale of 5-10 where 10 is best)

  If two versions of the same subject are presented, the average score will be included in the calculation.

  ucc.ie · irishleavingcertificate

  Applicants presenting the Irish Leaving Certificate must have six recognised subjects, selected according to course requirements, and must obtain a minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and minimum Grade O6/H7 in the remaining four subjects.

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: No grade entered for wiskunde B or wiskunde D. Enter your subjects and grades to check. Add your grades
• Minimum overall grade
  None i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  2 H5 required 6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 2 subjects grade 8 and 4 subjects grade 6 in the VWO

  Level 8 … 2 H5 required 6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 2 subjects grade 8 and 4 subjects grade 6 in the VWO

  ucc.ie

  At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H3 in one subject, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects.

• Language level required
  English: VWO engels 8 or higher or an accepted language test i

  English: at least 8 for engels on your VWO list or IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT (current 1-6 scale) 4.5 or TOEFL iBT (2025 test results, 0-120 scale) 90 or Duolingo English Test 120 or Cambridge English (C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency, Cambridge English scale) 176 or Cambridge Linguaskill 176 or PTE Academic 63 or LanguageCert Academic 70 or Oxford Test of English 140 or IELCA Academic 35 or Trinity ISE III (at least merit in each skill)

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  The minimum acceptable level of English is 8 in the VWO or equivalent English Language competence (see page 9). Note applicants whose school-leaving examinations are more than two years old must present additional proof of English.

  ucc.ie · euapply

  Matriculation Examinations from European Countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved can be used to prove level of English.

  An average score of 6.5 overall and a minimum of 6.00 in each band in the IELTS Academic Test.

  10 more from this page

  Internet-based test: 4.5 overall and at least 4.5 in every other section in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

  2025 test result : Internet-based test: 90 (no less than 21 in writing and at least 19 in every other section) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

  A minimum score of 120 is required with at least 110 in each subscore.

  176+ on Cambridge English scale with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English

  Cambridge Linguaskill An average score of 176 overall and a minimum of 169 in each skill.

  A minimum of 63 (with at least 59 for each item in the Communicative Skills section)

  An average score of 70 overall and a minimum of 65 in each skill of the LanguageCert Academic Test.

  A minimum score of 140 overall with a minimum score of 125 in each skill.

  IELCA Academic Minimum score 35 with a minimum of 33 in each band

  Trinity ISE III with at least merit in each skill category

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: English: enter your grade for engels. Add a language test
• Minimum age
  Born before 16 January 2011 i

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.

  Sources

  ucc.ie

  CAO applicants for full-time degrees must normally have reached 17 years of age by the 15 January of the year following entry to UCC.

  forms.ucc.ie

  CAO applicants for full-time degrees must normally have reached 17 years of age by 15th January of the year following entry to UCC.

  ucc.ie · overarchingadmissionspolicy

  Age Requirements: All applicants must normally have reached 17 years of age by the 15th January of the year following entry to

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Enter your birth year to check. Add your birth year
• Extra steps
  None i

  Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  ucc.ie · euapply

  If you are applying on the basis of your school-leaving examination results, you are not required to provide a personal statement, letters of recommendation, or any additional material to the documents listed above. You will be assessed on your grades alone.

  www2.cao.ie

  8 CK407 Degree options in: Mathematical Sciences | Financial Mathematics and Actuarial Science | Mathematical Sciences and Physics

  DO NOT submit predicted grades or a personal statement.

  2 more from this page

  Restricted courses normally require additional assessment procedures, for example, the submission of a portfolio, an oral assessment or interview, or a written assessment.

  8 CK407 Mathematical Sciences Degree options in: Mathematical Sciences | Financial Mathematics and Actuarial Science | Mathematical Sciences and Physics

• Other requirements
  Irish is required for all UCC programmes unless the applicant is exempt. Candidates born and fully educated outside the Republic of Ireland (26 counties) who present qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate are automatically exempt and do not need to apply to NUI; others must apply to NUI for an exemption. i

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Sources

  ucc.ie

  English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish .

  English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish

  ucc.ie · euapply

  Candidates born and fully educated outside the Republic of Ireland (26 counties) who are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate for matriculation are automatically exempt from Irish and do not need to make an application to NUI.

  ucc.ie · nuimatriculationrequirements

  Applicants who wish to gain exemptions from Irish and/or the Third Language requirement should consult the above NUI website for further details.

  www2.cao.ie

  Candidates born and fully educated outside the Republic of Ireland who are presenting qualifications other than the Irish Leaving Certificate for matriculation are automatically exempt from Irish and do not need to make an application for an exemption.

  ✓

  For you, Met: Not required for you: you were born and permanently live outside Ireland.
• Score needed to get in
  589 CAO points or more: the 2026 cut-off, which changes every year i

  Applicants are ranked by CAO points; the highest get the places. The cut-off is the lowest score that got a place, so it moves with each year's applicants.

  Earlier cut-offs: 577 in 2025 (CAO Round 1), 566 in 2024 (CAO Round 1), 555 in 2024 (CAO Round 2), 556 in 2023 (CAO Round 1), 554 in 2023 (CAO Round 2), 578 in 2022 (CAO Round 1).

  How the score is worked out: Average of the best 6 distinct recognised subjects taken in a single sitting: 10 → 600, 9 → 595, 8 → 541, 7 → 374, 6 → 250, 5 → 200.

  +25 for wiskunde B or wiskunde D at 6 or higher, if it is one of the subjects counted.

  Two versions of one subject, such as wiskunde B and D, count once, at their average.

  Grades are rounded to whole numbers first, as on the diploma.

  The university gives only these rows and does not say how averages between them convert, so a score between two rows is a range.

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  Points Required for Entry to 2026 Level 8 Courses

  2026 RND 1 RND 2 … CK407 Mathematical Sciences 589

  ucc.ie

  CAO Points 2026: 589

  www2.cao.ie

  The indicative equivalence will be calculated, based on the average of the best 6 distinct recognised subjects taken in a single sitting as follows:

  Table 2: Points Conversion … Average Mark IPS 10 600 9 595 8 541 7 374 6 250 5 200

  4 more from this page

  NB Sample grades only. The steps between points shown are not necessarily even as they are based on statistical comparisons.

  Bonus points of 25 will be awarded for grade 6 or better in Advanced level Mathematics (i.e., B or D) where mathematics is one of the subjects counted for points.

  If two versions of the same subject are presented, the average score will be included in the calculation.

  Average Mark IPS 10 600 9 595 8 541 7 374 6 250 5 200

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Needs grades for at least 6 different subjects; you have entered 0. Add your grades

How places are given

• Cap on places (numerus fixus)
  60 a year

  The 2026 figure; the 2027 one is not out yet.

  i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Source

  ucc.ie · entryreqs

  Minimum Cut-Off Points / Approximate Places

  Round 1 Points 2026 … Approximate Overall Places^ … Available Mature Places … CK407 … 589 … 60 … 6 … N/A

  1 more from this page

  ^Whilst every effort is made to ensure these figures are accurate, these figures are only published for the guidance of students and staff.

• How applicants are picked
  Ranked by school grades; the highest get the places i

  Eligible applicants are ranked by CAO points (for VWO: converted from the average of the best six subjects) and offers go from the highest score down; ties at the last place are broken by random number. UCC assesses school leavers on school-leaving exam results only.

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  After the points have been calculated, applicants are placed on a list in order of merit for each course for which they are eligible.

  If there are five applicants with an identical points score competing for one remaining place, random number selection applies and the place will be offered to the applicant with the highest random number.

  1 more from this page

  random number selection applies and the place will be offered to the applicant with the highest random number.

  ucc.ie

  Where it is found necessary to limit entry to a particular programme, places will be allocated on merit to qualified applicants.

  such merit will be assessed on academic performance in school-leaving examinations only.

  ucc.ie · euapply

  You will be assessed on your grades alone.

  www2.cao.ie

  Eligible applicants are ranked in descending points order and places allocated from the highest score downwards until the programme is full.

• Past admission numbers
  In 2026 the lowest score that got in was 589 (CAO Round 1).

  There are 60 places for the 2026 intake.

  In 2025 the lowest score that got in was 577 (CAO Round 1).

  In 2024 the lowest score that got in was 566 (CAO Round 1).

  In 2024 the lowest score that got in was 555 (CAO Round 2).

  There were 60 places in 2024.

  In 2023 the lowest score that got in was 556 (CAO Round 1).

  In 2023 the lowest score that got in was 554 (CAO Round 2).

  In 2022 the lowest score that got in was 578 (CAO Round 1).

  i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  Points Required for Entry to 2026 Level 8 Courses

  2026 RND 1 RND 2 … CK407 Mathematical Sciences 589

  ucc.ie

  CAO Points 2026: 589

  ucc.ie · entryreqs

  Round 1 Points 2026 … Approximate Overall Places^ … Available Mature Places … CK407 … 589 … 60 … 6 … N/A

Once you have started

• First-year minimum to continue
  60 of 60 credits in the first year i

  Every course is worth a number of credits, which you earn by passing it; a full year is 60.

  In the university’s words: To pass a year and progress, a student needs an overall mark of 40%, at least 50 credits passed at 40% or more, and any remaining modules (up to 10 credits) at 30% or more (pass by compensation). Otherwise failed modules are repeated at the Autumn supplemental exams or in a repeat year; a student who does not pass within three academic years of first registering for the year cannot continue without special permission.

  Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. This is the 2025 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  ucc.ie

  To pass a year and progress to a subsequent year, candidates must achieve: 1. an overall mark of 40% across all modules 2. at least 50 credits with a mark of not less than 40% in each module 3. a pass by compensation to a maximum of 10 credits with a mark not less than 30% in these modules.

  A maximum of 60 credits, equating to Total Marks of 1,200 may be awarded per year of a programme

  1 more from this page

  Candidates must pass/progress within three academic years of the date of first registration for a year, otherwise they cannot continue in the programme without special permission.

  ucc-ie-public.courseleaf.com

  To pass first year and progress to second year, students must achieve: 1. An aggregate mark of 40% across all modules, 2. A pass mark in modules to the value of at least 50 credits, and 3. A module mark of at least 30% in any remaining modules.

  Students must pass/progress within three academic years of the date of first registration for a year, otherwise they cannot continue in the programme.

  2 more from this page

  Students who fail to achieve the progression standard for the year at the Summer Examination Board must complete Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment for those specific module(s), where there is provision to do so.

  *** Only for Incoming First Years, Repeat First Years, Second Years and Repeat Second Years 2025/2026 ***

After you graduate

• Where graduates go
  Recent graduates work at AIB, Allianz Insurance, Cork County Council, FBD Insurance, Flutter Entertainment, IPB Insurance and UCC. Named careers include actuary, banking, accountancy, management consultancy, options trading, software, scientific research, and pharmaceutical or engineering industries. Many take a master's; quite a few win Irish Research Council PhD funding.

  What University College Cork says its graduates go on to do; not measured.

  i

  Fairly sure — Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Source

  ucc.ie

  Recent graduates have gone on to work for AIB, Allianz Insurance, Cork County Council, FBD Insurance, Flutter Entertainment, IPB Insurance, and UCC.

  A mathematical science degree can lead to a wide range of careers in areas such as: Management consultancy Actuary Banking Accountant Options trading Scientific research Software and Computing Pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries Engineering-based industries such as electronics and communication technologies

  1 more from this page

  Quite a few graduates are successful in obtaining PhD funding from the Irish Research Council

• Where graduates went (measured)
  University College Cork honours-degree graduates of 2024 in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics, nine months after graduating: 44.3% working full-time, 5.1% part-time, 1.5% about to start a job; 42.5% in full-time and 1.8% in part-time further study; 3.0% unemployed; 1.8% other activities.

  Measured from all natural Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics graduates of University College Cork, not just this programme (2024). Past graduates, not a promise.

  i

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Sources

  public.tableau.com · HEI Comparison

  Undergraduate Honours Degree Programmes … Field of Study: Natural Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics … University College Cork … Working full-time 44.3% … Working part-time 5.1% … Due to start a job in the next 3 months 1.5% … Engaged in full-time further study, training or research 42.5% … Engaged in part-time further study, training or research 1.8% … Other Activity 1.8% … Unemployed and looking for work 3.0%

  hea.ie

  HEI level data (GO Class of 2024) … 3. HEI-Level Information (UG Honours Degree): This looks at employment outcomes for undergraduate honours degrees for each HEI