Page content

Why I chose to #GoNorth for Medicine

Hello students!

My name is Katie Foran, and I am originally from Whitehall, Dublin.

This year, I graduated from Trinity College with a BA Science (Immunology), however seven weeks ago, I decided to #GoNorth and start a degree in Medicine at Ulster University’s Magee campus in Derry.

Medicine at UU

Before 2021, there was no postgraduate route to medicine available in Northern Ireland,
so I hadn’t considered it, but as soon as I heard that the course was beginning I applied immediately through UCAS, which is the system used in the north and the UK for college applications.

Medicine (Graduate Entry) at UU is actually postgraduate course, which means you need to already have an undergraduate degree before you can apply for this medicine course. Your first degree can be in an unrelated area.

Fees

I chose to study up north because of the reasonable fees for Medicine, which are £4,530 per year. In the Republic, the fees for Medicine are €16,000 per year!

For other CAO courses unlike Medicine, students are required to pay a Student Contribution fee of €3,000 per year. Some students are eligible for a SUSI grant which may cover some or all of the contribution fee, and therefore do not worry about the cost of university. However, as this is means-tested, not all students can avail of SUSI funding.

In Northern Ireland, students can avail of a Tuition Fee Loan, which is non-means tested, and covers 100% of the tuition fees. This is repaid after you graduate and are earning over €23,000 approximately. The Northern Ireland system makes sure that you are not under pressure financially to pay fees before you study.

Better still, some courses at Ulster University are fully funded by the government in Northern Ireland (no tuition fees!). These include:

Life as a Derry Girl

So, what’s life in Derry like? As I mentioned, I’m located on the Magee campus in Derry City, which is roughly a 3 hour drive from Dublin. The bus station is a mere 10-minute walk from campus, where you can get the bus to Dub in 3 hours and 30 min. This might sound far but the journey is worth it, and I still manage to get home every weekend!

I live on campus, in a student accommodation area called Duncreggan Student Village, which is a 5-minute walk to the teaching blocks. I chose to stay in student accommodation as it offers a chance to meet people and settle in.

Life in Derry is amazing. There are lots of fabulous restaurants, bars, a cinema, gyms, and even wandering around the city is enjoyable in itself and I promise you it is much cheaper than Dublin for almost everything! I’m still taking it all in but so far, I absolutely love it. I’m an adopted Derry Girl!

My Advice for Leaving Cert Students

Many 6th year students are concerned and anxious about Leaving Cert points due to the points inflation this year. But this can actually make the application more stressful. Entry requirements for courses at Ulster University are actually more achievable than most CAO options, which make them a great option to allow you to study your first choice.

If I could give one piece of advice to my 6th year self it would be to keep every single option available and open. By applying to both CAO and UCAS, you increase the wealth of opportunities you can explore.

UCAS applications may seem tedious at times but pick a slot one afternoon and apply to UCAS for a college place in Ulster University, you have nothing to lose and so much to gain!

#WeAreUU | #TaímidUU

Katie Foran
Medicine Student (Graduate Entry)