“The first-hand experience gained working within an engineering environment alongside professional engineers encouraged and motivated me to strive in my final year of study.”
Why you should choose Ulster
We do this by providing first-class resources and facilities within a supportive learning environment.
We are career-focused, connected to industry and transformational in our research, ensuring your child is set up for success.
Top Stats
Careers
Setting them up for the future
Choosing Ulster means choosing a student experience focused on career success.
Our graduates leave Ulster University with the skills, confidence and knowledge to be successful in a competitive job market.
We work with the private sector, government agencies and public bodies to design careerfocused courses with many providing:
- Work-based learning from placements to real-life case studies.
- Professional qualifications or accreditation from industry bodies.
- Employability skills development embedded in the course.
Industry placements
Industry placements Many of our courses offer local, national and international placement opportunities, getting students ready for industry.
- Most students can undertake industry placements between their second and third year of study.
- They will work with one of our industry connections, either locally or abroad, for between six and twelve months.
- Upon completion, they receive a separate qualification to their degree; a Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP).
- Placements are a great way for them to meet and impress future potential employers, as well as gain real-life experience.
- There are also opportunities for shorter internships or work experiences and some courses include rotating placements as part of the course e.g. clinical placements.
Career Planning
Our Employability and Careers team will:
- Offer face-to-face and online help and advice.
- Introduce students to top employers via recruitment fairs on campus.
- Help them create a winning CV and excel in interviews.
- Provide a range of work experience opportunities.
- Help students achieve The EDGE Award - formal recognition for extra-curricular activities recognised by employers.
Encouraged and motivated
Academic year
The academic year is normally divided into two semesters. Some courses e.g. Nursing, have a longer academic year.
Semester One
- September - mid January
Semester Two
- End January - May
Each semester has 12 weeks of teaching followed by an exam period (January and May).
Full-time students will typically study three modules in each semester (18 modules of study make up a standard three-year degree).
Engaging and forward-thinking teaching
We are renowned for our supportive learning environment.
Our teaching staff are passionate and approachable, ensuring students get to grips with the latest developments and are taught in ways that are relevant to the working world.
Teaching is delivered through:
Lectures
Lectures are formal teaching sessions, often with a larger group of students
Seminars
Seminars are smaller groups used to promote group discussion about a specific topic
Tutorials
Tutorials are small group opportunities to meet with a tutor to discuss work and to raise points of particular interest or difficulty
Practical’s and fieldwork
Practical’s and fieldwork is undertaken where applicable to courses
Live industry projects
A real sense of community
“Ulster University has a real sense of community and an inclusive atmosphere on site.
All the staff are really enthusiastic and informed about each of their subjects and this is reflected in their lectures and seminars.
I’ve certainly felt a warm welcome since I arrived.”
State-of-the-art facilities
We are constantly updating our campuses with the latest facilities and technologies to aid the student learning experience and provide a platform for success.
In addition to our many purpose-built spaces to encourage collaboration, we have interactive lecture theatres and modern, newly refurbished libraries. Just some of our facilities across our campuses include:
- Onsite clinics, wards and ambulances to create real-world environments.
- Sports Institute Northern Ireland, delivering expert advice to NI’s top athletes.
- Research equipment to investigate diverse environments.
- Industry-standard television, music and radio studios, digital editing suites and Apple computer labs.
- Mock courtroom to simulate real life scenarios, award-winning Law Clinic and Transitional Justice
- Performance spaces, artist studios, fashion, textile and print workshops.
- Exciting new art and design shop showcasing talent within Belfast School of Art
- Onsite engineering labs with the latest technology and software.
- Pioneering cognitive robotics lab.
- NIBEC - one of Europe’s leading research centres for medical engineering.
- Centre for Sustainable Technologies - an industry leader in sustainable energy research.
- Modern, well-equipped architecture design studios.
- Financial Innovation Laboratory to experience a real-life trading environment.
- Academy restaurant - an award-winning licensed training restaurant.
- Food and Consumer Testing Suite with product development kitchens and consumer research facilities.
Go Global
Whilst Ulster University is based in Northern Ireland, students will have the opportunity to get a global experience by taking a semester or year to work, study or volunteer abroad from year one.
International placement and internship programmes
- Students can choose between short term opportunities to year long placements.
- We can connect them with our international partners offering opportunities to work in Asia, America, Europe, New Zealand, Australia and UAE.
- Those who complete a placement year abroad will gain a Diploma in Professional Practice - International. Study Abroad
- Students can spend either a semester or a full academic year studying abroad at a partner university.
- They can choose to study in Europe, or further afield in North America, Latin America, Asia or Australia.
- Those who study abroad for a year will receive a Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS).
- A wide variety of academic summer schools at international universities are also available including the USA, China and India.
Volunteering
With lots of volunteering opportunities in between semesters, students could find themselves running activities with children and young people, helping with social work projects, developing business and enterprise initiatives, running climate change campaigns, supporting health promotion and more, anywhere in the world.
Helpful and Welcoming
“There’s always somebody to confide in which is very reassuring.
Everyone in student services is very helpful and welcoming and all the tutors have been great and very approachable.”
Student support
Life as a student is exciting, but it can also be demanding.
Our Student Wellbeing team offer professional services that are free, confidential and inclusive for all Ulster students, to ensure your family member feels safe and supported at Ulster University.
They will help with:
- free and confidential advice
- academic concerns
- stress and personal challenges
- budgeting and money management
- financial support including bursaries and fees
Our AccessAbility team can advise students on support available if they have a disability or long-term medical condition.
All Ulster students have access to:
- face-to-face counselling support
- 24/7 confidential counselling helpline
Everybody is so supportive
“As an autistic person I thought I’d never be able to make it in university and while it is certainly challenging, everybody is so supportive that I am able to rise to the challenge and not only cope but thrive.”
Student experience
One university, three unique campuses: Derry~Londonderry Coleraine Belfast
With three distinct campuses in four locations across Northern Ireland, it is the student experience we offer which sets us apart. Life at Ulster is exciting, entertaining and eye-opening, with countless opportunities to jump in and get involved.
Life Changing Experience
“Going to Ulster University was absolutely life changing for me. Before university I was a very shy individual but over the past year I have come out of my shell, resulting in myself running for course rep, being a mind your mood ambassador and being on the committee for the Photography Society.”
Sport for all
Whether they want to play social or competitive sport, they can make memories, find friends, break records and be part of something special during their time at Ulster.
- Excellent sport facilities across all campuses
- World-class indoor and outdoor facilities at our Jordanstown Sports Village.
- Clubs and classes for all abilities
- 70+ sports clubs to choose from
- Memberships at affordable student rates
- Entry Scheme opportunities for supporting talented athletes
Students’ Union
Looking after their interests and organising social events, trips and activities for an unforgettable experience, all students automatically become members of the Ulster University Students’ Union (UUSU).
- A great way for them to have fun and meet new people through our 90+ clubs and societies
- Ensuring their voice is heard on matters such as teaching and facilities
- Helping them to influence change by becoming an Academic Rep
- Giving confidential and impartial advice via our UUSU Advice Bureau
- Providing support with their business ideas via UUSU Enterpriseuusu.org uusu.org
Accommodation
Our accommodation is based on or near our campuses, is well-priced, comfortable, modern and a great way to help your child settle in and make the most of university life.
All Ulster University accommodation has:
- Self-catering facilities
- High speed Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
- Access to gym facilities
- Student hub for socialising
- 24/7 resident support
- ‘ResLife’ calendar of social events
- Housekeeping service and utilities included
- Block insurance for contents and belongs
- 24/7 security and CCTV
Highlight text: Accommodation guarantee We guarantee all first year students who have made Ulster their first choice a place in one of our halls.* *Accommodation must be booked by 7 July?
I have settled in really well
“At first, I was quite nervous... but after moving into the halls on campus and meeting new people I have settled in really well.”
Accommodation Cost and when to apply
We offer several accommodation options across our campuses to cater for every budget and taste. These range from ensuite to standard rooms, with costs varying depending on location and size of the accommodation.
Browse the range of accommodation available, take a virtual tour and review price lists .