Students about to start the new academic year at UCC will be offered alcohol-free accommodation, as part of a pilot programme.

The no-alcohol accommodation will be available at the Victoria Lodge section of the campus accommodation.

According to UCC, students will be asked to provide a written personal statement as to why the no-alcohol option interests them alongside their usual housing application, which will then be screened.

The contract to adhere to the no-alcohol regulations in the student residence will be included in the current contract that students sign and the consequences of violations will be in line with the current disciplinary process, UCC said.

A study carried out among UCC students in 2010 revealed a high level of alcohol consumption among the students.

This study showed that 45.5% of males and 44.5% of females reported binge-drinking more than once a week and all students who reported drinking alcohol said they had had at least one adverse consequence as a result of this.

The no-alcohol programme is being run by the UCC Health Matters initiative and UCC Campus Accommodation.