With cheap accommodation plentiful, a new student centre, excellent sporting facilities and even a Simpsons appreciation society, CIT is a college with few negatives according to SU President Brian O'Sullivan. But don't take our word for it.

What’s the best thing about your college/university?
The best thing about CIT is the close relationship everyone has within the Institute. Great emphasis is placed on sports and societies to enhance the college experience and to gain maximum student interaction throughout the year.

What’s the worst?
A college with few negative sides however parking facilities can be overrun at peak times.

Are the facilities up to scratch?
Facilities within the college are for the most part of a very high standard. With the opening of a new student centre this coming year, housing most of student services, facilities such as banking, health and commercial outlets are of a high standard. However one facility which requires upgrading is the computing facilities, and this improvement is on going every year.

CIT boasts sports facilities like no other. With a track and field ground, 5 GAA and rugby pitches, and all weather astro turf pitch, a tennis court, a gym and weights and fitness room as well as the use of a state of the art pool facilities.

What's the grub like on campus? Any good value places to eat nearby?
Food on campus is again, for the most part, very good. You can get a hot dinner for around EUR5 or rolls for under EUR4. There is also a coffee dock and a bistro, all which supply a variety of great food at a low cost. Queues can be a problem at peak times but these move quickly so you never wait more than five minutes.

What’s the social scene like around the campus? Decent college bars? Good atmosphere?
At present we are still in the design stage with our college bar, however a large selection of great bars are in close proximity to the campus. These offer a wide range of music and other activities to keep you happy on those cold winter nights! A short taxi journey brings you into the city centre where a large selection of vibrant pubs and clubs are on offer to party the night away.

What kind of clubs and socs can you join? And sports clubs?
There are 56 societies and 39 sports clubs within the college. These vary from course based societies to Simpson’s appreciation, and from GAA to rock climbing. There really is something for everyone in CIT. Other clubs and societies include hockey, equestrian, sailing as well as DJ, entrepreneurial and poker societies.

What's the story with accommodation?
For the last two years students attending Cork Institute of Technology have enjoyed supply outstripping demand with regard to accommodation. This is due to a number of high quality new student accommodation buildings, which have come on stream in recent years. As a result, standards and choice have improved greatly and most are just a fifteen-minute walk to the campus.

Prices vary from EUR75 to EUR95 a week for a single room depending on the level of luxury you wish to live in. This increases slightly for digs.

What’s the town/city like? Good atmosphere/nightlife? Any insider tips? Is there a lot to do there? Is it safe? Is it easy to get around?
Cork is generally well regarded as a safe place. With a lot of bright open spaces, once you have any common sense, safety will never be an issue during your student days. With a good atmosphere about the city at all times there is plenty to do such as pool, snooker, gaming, bowling etc, as well as a shop for all tastes. Bus services around the city are generally very good, with the Institute being well serviced to multiple destinations around the city.

At night there is no shortage of life around the city. With an abundance of taxi’s available, getting too and fro is not a problem. So all that’s left to do is enjoy the night and in that department CIT Students’ Union will have a selection to offer!

What’s the cost of living? Is part-time work easy to come by?
Anywhere in particular that is known for hiring students?
The cost of living in Cork is not too bad. An average week with food, rent and a night out could cost anything from EUR130 to EUR180. However, part time work is relatively easy to come by, but only for the month of September as available positions are quickly swooped up. Areas in which a student may obtain a job would be local shops and pubs, who enjoy a huge increase in business during the college year and thus extra staff are required.

What's the worst thing a new student can do?
The worst thing a new student can do is to get caught up in prioritising his/her social life over college life. Local publicans invest heavily in the students drinking culture at the beginning of the academic year, and the glossy nature of the deals you are being offered are just an enticement to spend your hard earned cash. Remember, it’s a long year!

What's the best?
The best thing a new student can do is to get involved in as many clubs and societies as possible, as this maximises your college experience and gives you every opportunity to meet lots of new friends. Sports and Societies day is held in the second week of college, and this is when you can learn all about the different areas and how to get involved.

What advice would you offer new students?
Enjoy college and make the most of all the opportunities that lie in front of you. It is but a few short years in your lifetime but possibly the most significant. These years will mould you into the person you always wanted to be, but due to stigma or stereotype were unable to become. Remember life is what you make of it, so make the right choice.