University of Ulster

Summary

University Environment

Ulster has four distinct campuses across Northern Ireland – Belfast, Coleraine, Jordanstown and Magee. Courses are also delivered at branch campuses in London and Birmingham. While each campus differs in size and has its own distinctive atmosphere, wherever you choose to study, you will receive the same first class teaching and supportive learning environment, and experience the unique Ulster character.

Ulster University, Belfast 

Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter is the artistic and cultural centre of the city and home to the Belfast campus. The campus spans an increasing and exciting range of subjects including architecture, hospitality, photography and digital animation. Facilities include purpose-built design spaces, sound recording, mixing and animation, teaching and exhibition areas as well as a library. 

As a student, you can take advantage of Belfast’s wealth of culture and entertainment, while the campus plays host to frequent fashion and art exhibitions.

The Belfast campus is continuing to expand and develop as part of one of Northern Ireland’s largest urban developments. In a few years the campus will host 15,000 students and staff based in the city centre. Many students starting their degree at Jordanstown in 2017 will complete their course in the new Belfast campus.

Ulster University, Coleraine

Coleraine campus sits on the banks of the River Bann, less than a mile from the town centre, and offers students a warm and welcoming experience. A wide range of subjects are available at Coleraine including biomedical sciences, environmental science and geography, psychology, English, history, media and journalism, travel and tourism, and teacher training. Campus developments include the addition of a new teaching block and sports centre.  

Coleraine town is the largest and busiest on the Causeway coast. Together with the nearby seaside towns of Portrush and Portstewart and the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site, this area is a major international tourist destination and has an excellent selection of bars, clubs and awardwinning restaurants. For those interested in outdoor activities the local beaches, coastline and hills provide great opportunities to get outside and explore.

Ulster University, Jordanstown

The Jordanstown campus is the largest of Ulster’s campuses and is located just seven miles north of the city on Belfast Lough. The campus has a strong profile in business, engineering, social sciences, communication and academic disciplines relating to the science and coaching of sport. 

Sport plays a significant part in the life of the campus. It is home to the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland (SINI), a partnership between the University and Sport Northern Ireland, and most of Northern Ireland’s leading athletes train here. 

Buildings are structured around a central ‘mall’ allowing students to walk from one end of the campus to the other without going outside. The mall area is home to a bank, restaurants, coffee shops, sandwich bars, a supermarket, the chaplains’ office and the Students’ Union. Many students starting their degree at Jordanstown in 2017 will complete their course in the new Belfast campus or Coleraine.

Ulster University, Magee

The friendly village atmosphere of our Magee campus offers an intimate learning environment in the heart of Northern Ireland’s second city, Derry~Londonderry. Magee is home to Ulster’s School of Creative Arts and Technologies and creativity runs through every programme. Teaching strengths include business, creative arts, creative technologies, computing, engineering, nursing and law. 

The beautiful, leafy campus comprises a mixture of historical and new buildings and is dominated by the main building – known by some students as ‘Hogwarts’ due to its impressive gothic architecture. 

The famous walled city centre and the River Foyle are a short walk from the campus. Located in the North West of Northern Ireland and a short distance from County Donegal, Derry~Londonderry is ideally situated for exploring some of Ireland’s most dramatic landscapes. 

History

The New University of Ulster was established in 1968 in Coleraine with the merger of Magee College (founded in 1845) and the School of Art and Design in Belfast (founded in 1849). In 1982 it merged with the Ulster Polytechnic to form the University of Ulster, and fully incorporated its four campuses. The university became known as Ulster University from October 2014 and this included a revised visual identity.

Academics

Faculties, Departments & Schools

Faculty of Art, Design & the Built Environment

• Belfast School of Architecture
• The Built Environment
• Belfast School of Art

Faculty of Arts

• School of Creative Arts & Technologies
• School of English & History
• School of Irish Language & Literature
• School of Media, Film & Journalism

Faculty of Computing & Engineering

• School of Computing & Information Engineering
• School of Computing & Intelligent Systems
• School of Computing & Mathematics
• School of Engineering

Faculty of Life & Health Sciences

• School of Biomedical Sciences
• School of Geography & Environmental Sciences
• School of Health Sciences
• School of Nursing
• School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
• School of Psychology
• School of Sport

Faculty of Social Sciences

• School of Communication
• School of Criminology, Politics & Social Policy
• School of Education
• School of Law
• School of Sociology & Applied Social Studies

Ulster University Business School

• Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management
• Department of International Business
• Department of Management & Leadership
• Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Strategy
• Department of Accounting, Finance & Economics

Research

Each year Ulster spends over £40 million on research, challenging and testing new knowledge and skills to positively impact the economic, social and cultural life of Northern Ireland and beyond. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment, Ulster was named as one of the top universities in the UK for world-leading research and number one in Northern Ireland for research into biomedical sciences, law, business and management, architecture and built environment, art and design, social policy, sport, media studies and nursing. 

International & Industrial Opportunities

As an Ulster student, you’ll have the opportunity to study at a university overseas as part of your course. You may choose to study at one of Ulster’s many partner institutions in Europe through the Erasmus+ programme, or further afield in North America, Latin America, Asia or Australia. There are a number of shorter study abroad opportunities available such as Study USA or the three-week Study China and Study India programmes. 

Your degree at Ulster can connect you to their international employer partners and provide you with opportunities to work in Australia, America and Europe for up to one year, either as part of your placement during your degree, during your holidays or as a graduate. 

There is also a wide range of short-term work and study options available, including paid internships abroad for computing, science and construction students, and the Washington-Ireland Programme which allows students to undertake an eight-week internship in Washington, DC. 

Academics

Combined degrees at Ulster allow you to study two subjects at the same time. This means you can build the degree that you want, one that meets your strengths and interests and best serves your individual career aspirations. You can choose from a wide list of subjects across a range of disciplines. You can either structure your degree as two main subjects student in equal proportions, or a major/minor split where more time is devoted to one subject. 

Fees & Finance

Scholarships

The University has lots of scholarships available to new and continuing students. For more information, please see https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/fees-and-finance/scholarships.

The University Access Bursary offers students £395 if they have a household income of less than £19,203. 

The Talented Athlete Entry Scheme is designed to support and nurture aspiring athletes by reducing the entry grades required for full-time undergraduate courses.

Facilities

Learning Facilities

The Belfast Campus is currently undergoing an ambitious £250 million project to transform higher education and become a world-class centre for teaching, research and innovation. New facilities will include: fully-equipped student hubs and open-plan spaces which cater for informal, collaborative and individual study; and specialised, state-of-the-art workshop and studio facilities, equipped with emerging technologies. The Belfast campus will house up to 15,000 students and staff by 2018. 

There are four modern, well-equipped libraries for students to use with an  extensive range of resources and services including: individual study spaces; computer facilities; rooms for group work; quiet study areas; 500,000 printed books; and electronic resources (including journals, e-books, databases and exam papers).

At Magee Campus ongoing investment has provided state-of-the-art teaching, research and support facilities. This has included a new library and the Foyle Arts Building, housing the School of Creative Arts & Technologies.

Sporting Facilities

The University has a number of sport facilities spread across its campuses. At Coleraine campus this includes two sports halls, squash courts, a steam room, strength and conditioning suite and fitness studio with the latest cardiovascular equipment from the Technogym Wellness System. There are five types of aerobic training equipment, the latest fixedweight training machines and a range of free-weight equipment. Outdoor facilities include grass tennis courts, football, rugby and Gaelic sports pitches, a 3G multisport pitch, a pavilion and a multisports area. 

At the Jordanstown campus world-class facilities include a jacuzzi, sauna, plunge pool, steam room, indoor and outdoor sprint tracks, jumps area, physiotherapy and sports science rooms. Other facilities include a Technogym Wellness System suite with kinesis wall, indoor sports halls, acclimatisation chamber, strength and conditioning suite, gymnasium, squash courts, floodlit sand-based synthetic-grass hockey pitch, outdoor tennis courts and grass pitches to facilitate soccer, rugby and Gaelic games.

The Magee campus was the first university sports centre in the UK and Ireland to achieve QUEST registration, the UK Quality Award for sport and recreation services. Students have a fantastic choice of classes and sports courses through indoor and outdoor facilities such as a sports hall, studio, pavilion, grass pitch and a 3G multisport pitch.

Students' Union

Students’ Union

The Union looks after the interests of Ulster students and is represented on each of our four campuses. The Union is the focus of entertainment on each campus and organises social events, trips and activities to ensure you have an unforgettable experience at Ulster. 

Open to all Ulster students, clubs and societies are an integral part of the Students’ Union. There is a wide range of activities on offer where you can meet new people, have fun and try something new, all at the same time. Clubs and societies are also a great way to get valuable experience and skills to enhance your CV. 

The UUSU Volunteering Centre supports students who want to lend a helping hand in their local community or Students’ Union, whether they are passionate about social change, seeking to gain valuable experience, or just want to meet new friends and have fun. You can also gain accreditation for your volunteering through the Ulster EDGE Award and Millennium Volunteers.

Across all four campuses, there are a range of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops to suit all your needs and whims. 

At the Magee campus,  U-Eat restaurant offers cooked breakfast, morning coffee, hot lunches, salads and snacks through out the day. Moka serves fresh food combined with spectacular views over the River Foyle.  The Students' Union provides fresh food, snacks and refreshments at the Bunker Café, and there is a Jitters gourmet coffee and sandwich shop and a cash machine.

At the Jordanstown campus buildings are structured around a central mall allowing students to walk from one end of the campus to the other without going outside. The mall area is home to a bank, restaurants, coffee shops, sandwich bars, a supermarket, the chaplains' office and the Students' Union. 

As a self-contained campus, all facilities at Coleraine are provided for: halls of residence; Students' Union shop, bar and cafeteria; sports centre; hairdressers; cash machines; coffee shops; supermarket and Post Office; The Streat café; canteen; and the Riverside Theatre, the third-largest professional theatre in Northern Ireland.

Student Support

Health & Wellbeing

AccessAbility can help with additional study needs, provide guidance on funding for disability support and recommend any other reasonable adjustments required if you’ve a disability or medical condition. 

The University’s health and wellbeing advisers provide guidance and support on academic issues, coping with stress or family or relationship problems. Their prominent health campaigns ensure that all students have the know-how to keep themselves safe and healthy while studying. Appointments with a trained counsellor can be arranged quickly and conveniently, on campus or closer to your home.

Career Facilities

The Career Development Centre staff offer friendly and impartial advice to help you plan your career, and provide a range of opportunities designed to develop your employability skills. You will have access to vacancies for permanent employment, placement opportunities and vacation or part-time work. The Centre also organise regular fairs and forums to give you the opportunity to meet employers and professional bodies. 

At Ulster, every full-time undergraduate degree includes a period of work-based learning. In addition you will have the opportunity to build your international profile through work experience overseas. You can also gain extra University recognition for your professional development gained in part-time work, summer internship and year-long placement. If you successfully complete a placement year in employment, you could be awarded a Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP) or a Diploma in Professional Practice (International) if your employment is overseas. Alternatively, you could be awarded the Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS) if you complete a placement year studying abroad. 

The Ulster EDGE Award provides official recognition and evidence of activities outside of your studies. It is awarded in addition to your degree and gives you the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities that will boost your career prospects and show commitment to your personal development. 

The University provides a Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) to all students upon graduation. It is a detailed record of your academic and extra-curricular achievements to supplement your degree. The HEAR allows you to showcase your achievements to employers and postgraduate tutors. 

Accommodation

The University offers 2,200 spaces across their four campuses. All are reasonably priced, clean, comfortable and modern. There is also an exciting range of social events organised throughout the year to encourage students to get to know one another and develop a strong sense of community. If you make Ulster your first choice university, they guarantee you a place in one of their halls in first year. In fact, some of our students like the accommodation so much they live there for their entire programme of study. 

In the Jordanstown campus accommodation is made up of an on-campus student village with most comprising of five-bedroom, en-suite apartments with broadband connection and shared kitchen/dining facilities. If you require a bigger space you can rent self-contained apartments on-campus. They also provide adapted accessible accommodation for students with disabilities. There are also 170 student apartments close to the Jordanstown campus for those seeking more independent living. If you are studying at the Belfast campus you can apply to live in University accommodation at the Jordanstown campus. There are excellent rail, bus and taxi links between these campuses. 

At the Magee campus there is accommodation available for over 600 students in the student village and halls of residence, Coppin House, both less than five minutes’ walk from the campus. All accommodation has access to broadband with WiFi throughout. There are self-contained units available for students who require additional space, privacy and independence. Adapted accessible accommodation is available for students with a disability. 

The student village at Coleraine campus offers great on-campus accommodation. Most rooms have en-suite facilities, and all have a broadband connection and access to the internet with WiFi throughout. There are some suites available for students with special or mobility needs. Students seeking more independence may choose to live in leased accommodation in the nearby seaside town of Portstewart. The University allocates and manages this accommodation. 

International

English Language Requirements

Most courses require a minimum English level of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. Please see your course page for more information. 

International Support

Students from all around the world chose to study at Ulster and the experience not only offers you academic excellence, but you will also be part of a friendly and welcoming university, committed to providing you with a quality student experience. The International Department team can provide you with advice on courses, assistance with your application and information about life at Ulster. They will also continue to support you during your time at the University. 

The International Student Experience team works to support you while you study at Ulster. You will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of events organised for international students on all campuses. You will also be encouraged to get to know other Ulster students through engagement with the Students’ Union. 

Dedicated teaching staff provide English language support programmes throughout the year. 

Media