FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

A PPS number is a unique reference number that helps you access social welfare benefits, as well as public service and information in Ireland. Please be advised that all degree seeking students must have a PPS Number while attending Griffith College. 
 A PPS number is also required for students wishing to work in Ireland. A PPS Number is always 7 numbers followed by either one or two letters. For further information please visit: www.citizensinformation.ie

You can apply for your PPS number at any local Social Welfare office. 

The Social Welfare office in the Cork area is:

Hanover Quay, Cork- (021) 480 6800

The opening hours are as follow:
9:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Thursday   
10:00am - 4:30pm on Fridays.

You will require the following:

1. Passport
2. Letter from the College (in order to apply for a letter from the College, please visit here and select ‘PPS Letter’)

Study Abroad and Gap Programme students do not need to apply for PPS number for college purposes.

Your PPS Number is used to access a wide variety of public services.

If you are a degree seeking student, you require your PPS Number for identification purposes for examination and registration.  Moreover, you require your PPS Number in order for Griffith College to correctly register you as a student with our validating body (QQI), and to ensure that your award can be presented upon completion of your programme.

You also require a PPS Number to work legally in Ireland. This number identifies you as a taxpayer and entitles you to the same rights as every other worker in Ireland.

Here's a step-by-step guide to opening an account on AIB Mobile Banking App:

Step 1: Download AIB app

Download the AIB mobile.  Banking App from the App Store or Play Store. Select the option Become and AIB customer

Step 2: Verify email address

Enter your email address and AIB will send a unique code which is required to continue

Step 3: Provide some personal details

AIB will ask for personal details and set up a suitable account

Step 4: Complete a Vvdeo call

AIB will connect you on a video call with an agent. You need your photo ID

Step 5: Provide some more details

Follow the steps by picking your local branch and registering

Step 6: Almost there

Your account will then be opened but before you begin using your account, you will need to prove your address

Step7: Wait for the letter

AIB will send a letter with a unique identifier code which needs to be eneered into your app. Your account won't be active until this is done.

Step 8: Enter the code from the Letter

Once you have entered the code, you can lodge money or make online transactions. Your debit card will arrive in the post and your pin will come separately.

Not finding what you are looking for?

Contact wendy.daly@griffith.ie  for further information.

There are 3 major phone companies in Ireland - Eir, Vodafone and Three. You can find these stores in the city centre and in locations throughout Cork. 

Almost all pharmacies offer passport photograph services can be taken in the pharmacy but the prices vary from store to store. The closest pharmacy to the College is at St Luke’s Pharmacy (2min walk).

In order to change your contact details, please go to our www.mythemis.ie .

The College does not accept packages on behalf of students. Students should be advised to have packages sent to their residential address only.

We recommend a variety of accommodation options to our incoming students:

 

-          Short-Term Student Village Accommodation – Dean’s Hall, Arcadia Hall.

-          Shared houses/ apartments – Eazy Cork

-          Websites to find accommodation: www.daft.ie , www.rent.ie , www.myhome.ie

            -          Host Families

You must fill out an assignment extension sheet that can be downloaded from Moodle and then submitted to your faculty. Please note if you wish to apply for an extension on your assignment, you need to have a valid reason supported by relevant documentation (for example, a certificate from a doctor).

Students choose their modules on arrival: once the academic year starts, during first 2 weeks students can attend as many classes as they want, to find out which modules they want to follow. After two weeks, students need to bring their ‘Academic Study Form’ to the Administration Office, listing the modules they would like to follow and the International Team will register the modules of their choice.
Once registered for modules, students cannot change the modules they have chosen.
Normally Study Abroad students choose 4-5 modules per semester, totalling an equivalent of 30 ECTS.

To obtain your student card, you must first be registered online. Once you have done this, you must send a passport style photo along with your name, date of birth and course name to studentcards.gcc@griffith.ie. You will receive an email when your student card is ready, this could take up to two weeks. You can collect your student card from the main reception.

You may be asked by your employer, landlord etc., to provide a letter of verification to prove that you are studying in Griffith College. This letter can be ordered from mygcd.ie.

If you would like to travel outside of Ireland to a country that is not your home country, you may require a Tourist Visa. If a visa is required, you will need to apply for the visa in the local Embassy/ Consulate of the country you wish to visit and an accompanying letter (an Embassy letter) from the College will be required.

 

For more information please visit the FAQs section of our Global Engagement Page.

 

Students are advised that dates of travel that fall within term/class time will not be issued.

In order to extend your visa, you need to order your visa extension letter from the International Office 2-3 weeks before your visa is due to expire. You can order your letter online using the International Office Online Letter Ordering System through mygcd.ie.

For us to assist you in extending your study visa, you must adhere to the following requirements:
1. you must have satisfied the Griffith College English language requirements
2. You must be fully registered with the Griffith College
3. You must have paid your tuition fees in full
Please be advised that you must arrange for your visa to be extended before the expiry date. The International Office is not permitted to issue visa extension letters for students; instead, we must send these letters directly to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).

If you hold a stamp 2 visa, you can work up to 20 hours a week during the term and up to 40 hours a week during holidays.

Please be advised that your minimum attendance must be over 85%.

You will receive your timetable from your relevant faculty during the induction week.

The International Office is located at the top of the ramp, past reception. You can reach the international team by emailing wendy.daly@griffith.ie.

Our opening hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00am – 1:00pm and 2-5:30pm.

By bus: At Parnell Place Bus Station, in the city centre, there are buses that can get you around Cork but also to cities in Ireland like Galway or Dublin. Bus services in Cork City and county are provided by Bus Eireann (www.buseireann.ie). One thing to remember is that the frequency of buses is restricted on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Student Travel Card: This card enables students to get substantial discounts on Bus Éireann and Irish Rail. To get it, you need to be registered at GCC and to have a GCC student card. Then, you have to apply for it at the USIT office located in Oliver Plunkett Street. 
Cork City centre is a within walking-distance from Griffith College, you can easily get around it on foot.

Kate Rellis, Programme Director, Business Faculty, kate.rellis@griffith.ie

Brian O'Grady, Programme Director, Business Faculty, Accounting and Finance, brian.ogrady@griffith.ie

Nicholas McMurry, Programme Director, Law Faculty, nicholas.mcmurry@griffith.ie

Helen Murphy, Programme Director, Graduate Business School, helen.murphy@griffith.ie

Fergal Lane, Programme Director, Computing Faculty, fergal.lane@griffith.ie

Noel Daly, Deputy Head of Campus, noel.daly@griffith.ie

Joanne McCarthy, Senior Academic Administrator, joanne.mccarthy@griffith.ie

Christine White, Academic Administrator, christine.white@griffith.ie

Helen Long, Programme Administrator Professional Accountancy, helen.long@griffith.ie