How to make the most of student life at Munster Technological University
Going to university can be one of the most exciting times in your life. It’s an opportunity to make new friends, gain independence and have experiences you’ll never forget.
A big part of university life is turning your new college town or city into your home. So whether you choose to visit your university before you start or plan to just get to know the area once you’ve moved in, getting settled will make all the difference to your new student life.
Munster Technological University may be a newly formed campus, created by merging Cork Institute of Technology and IT Tralee, but it’s located in a well-established university city. Cork is home to over 36,000 students, 10% of which have chosen to study here from overseas, so you’ll be in good company when you start!
Balancing your time between studying, socialising and exploring your new home can be a lot to take in at first, so we’ve put together a mini-guide on getting the most from your time at MTU.
Studying at Munster Technological University
Cork is Ireland’s second-largest city, and Munster Technological University is based conveniently in Bishopstown, one of the most exciting nearby suburbs.
As MTU is a multi-campus college, Bishopstown is a great base to easily make your way to your lectures no matter what subject you’re studying. The Bishopstown campus is also where you’ll find the main college buildings, administration offices and support centres, but there's also other teaching hubs in the area.
Made up of six campuses across Cork and Kerry, MTU attracts students from all over the world wishing to study in Ireland. The Bishopstown campus is the location for courses in business, science and humanities, amongst others, so you’ll find the college to be a real melting pot of different characters coming together.
Bishopstown isn’t all study though, there are plenty of bars and restaurants to help you unwind after a long day of lectures. Don’t forget to take a trip to the Bishopstown Bar, a regular haunt for students, locals and tourists alike. Food is served until late, and you can regularly catch gigs and events on any night of the week.
If you need to stock up on supplies, there’s several supermarkets to choose from, and Wilton Shopping Centre is just a short walk from your accommodation and the MTU campus.
Ireland’s foodie capital
Studying can be hungry work! So make the most of your time by exploring the wider area, and what better way to get to know a place than sampling some local delicacies?
Cork is considered by locals and visitors alike to be the centre of modern Irish food. The best spot to try some traditional Irish produce, alongside some of the best foods from around the world, is The English Market, in Cork City Centre.
Serving locals since the 1700s, The English Market is a great place to stock up on fresh vegetables and fruits or you can enjoy a meal at the Farmgate Cafe, situated at the top of the market. The cafe serves fresh meat and fish from the stalls below!
And there’s so many more options if you’re a big foodie. Don’t forget to visit student-friendly spots like the Franciscan Well Breweryor White Rabbit, an American style diner.
Exploring your local area
During your studies at Munster Technological University, you’ll have plenty of time to explore both Cork city and County Cork.
Ireland is known for its beautiful scenery, and the County of Cork is no exception. Why not spend a weekend or day off visiting Blarney Castle and Gardens, known for its famous Blarney Stone.
MTU isn’t far from the sea, so on a sunny day you can visit some of County Cork’s best spots and enjoy the ocean breeze. Garryvoe beach is the closest to your campus, but The Warren is also worth the bus or car ride if you want to venture further afield.
As you can tell, Munster Technological University is a great place to learn, live and grow. If you’re still looking for Cork student accommodation, our brand new residence, Melbourn Point, is opening in 2021 and offers state of the art student living facilities! Find out more about your new home at Melbourn Point here.