Programme/PhD Applications to Ulster University
The Salam Scholarships team would not be able to answer any queries about your preferred programme/PhD. On the Salam Scholarships website, within each study level (Undergraduate, Master’s etc), you will find a link to available programmes at Ulster University in 2026-27. For example, the Undergraduate link is entitled ‘View Our Undergraduate Programmes’.
It is up to you to search for your preferred course on the relevant web page, to fully check the details and to ensure you would meet the eligibility details.
For specific Undergraduate/Master’s queries, you should email global@ulster.ac.uk
PhD candidates should contact the Doctoral College with any queries at researchstudent@ulster.ac.uk
No. The International Admissions team will simply assess your application to ensure that your documents and education history meet the entry criteria for your chosen programme. It is therefore important that you carefully research your preferred programme(s) before you apply. Information on entry conditions, module detail and campus location are in the online prospectus. You may also contact global@ulster.ac.uk for additional support and guidance.
In some cases, the Doctoral College may be able to help direct your PhD query to the relevant department/school contact.
The Salam Scholarships team would not be able to answer any specific queries about the progress of your programme/PhD application. For Undergraduate/Master’s application queries, you should contact the International Admissions team at internationaladmissions@ulster.ac.uk
For PhD application queries, individuals should email researchstudent@ulster.ac.uk
No, being offered a conditional Salam Scholarship does not mean you are approved for your progrmame/PhD at Ulster University. There are separate application forms and assessment processes for the Salam Scholarships programme and your programme/PhD at Ulster University.
All successful Salam Scholarships for 26-27 (conditional award) will be subject to an unconditional offer being awarded for your full-time Undergraduate/Master's/PhD at UU and a UK study visa being granted for the start and duration of your studies in Northern Ireland.
Each Undergraduate programme will have slightly different requirements, both in terms of overall points and subjects needed, so please carefully check your eligibility for the relevant subject in the Undergraduate on-line prospectus. Normally, students with a Community College Diploma or equivalent qualification would be eligible to apply for an Undergraduate programme.
No, on its own, the Tawjihi isn’t enough to be eligible for an Undergraduate programme at UU. However, you might consider the International Foundation Year which offers approximately 30 integrated degrees across all faculties at Ulster University. On successful completion of the International Foundation Year, you will progress to year 1 of your chosen bachelor degree.
Such transfer requests (e.g., into a 2nd/3rd year of an Undergraduate degree) would be considered by the International Admissions team on a case-by-case basis. Our advice would be to carefully check the requirements for your preferred programme at Ulster University and to then apply, submitting all the academic evidence you have available.
Please note that any transcripts from your previous/current university studies in Palestine should include the level of study (degree, diploma etc), subjects studied, dates and marks obtained.
Each application will be fully considered by the International Admissions team. Our advice would be to carefully check the requirements for your preferred programme at Ulster University and to then apply, submitting all the academic evidence you have available.
Please note that any transcripts from your previous/current university studies in Palestine should include the level of study (degree, diploma etc), subjects studied, dates and marks obtained.
Yes. For the MBBS - Graduate Entry Medicine Degree at Ulster University, you must already have completed an Undergraduate degree in any subject.
For the 2026-27 academic year, The Salam Scholarships will offer up to two scholarships for the MBBS at Ulster University.
As a general rule, applicants who have previously studied, or are currently studying at another UK, Ireland or International Medical School, will not be considered for entry. However, if you experienced an extenuating circumstance, which caused you to withdraw from a medical degree, it is possible for your application to be considered, as long as you have made this clear in your UCAS personal statement. Please note, however, all MBBS applicants must still have previously completed a full undergraduate degree in any subject.
Please note transfers into a later year of the MBBS (equivalent to your current stage of study) would not be allowed. Rather, transfers would only be considered to join year 1 of the 2026/27 MBBS programme.
If shortlisted, we would also require a letter from your current / previous Medical School proving academic and professional standing at point of withdrawal and supporting your claim for extenuating circumstances.
Yes, you can still apply for a Salam Scholarship. However, any offer of a scholarship is dependent on you being awarded an unconditional offer for your programme/research at Ulster University.
The International Admissions team (Undergraduate/Master's) - internationaladmissions@ulster.ac.uk and Doctoral College (PhDs) - researchstudent@ulster.ac.uk will be able to advise on what documentation is acceptable and by when it needs to be submitted for the 2026-27 academic year.
Most programmes at Ulster University require a minimum English level of IELTS 6.0 (Academic) or equivalent, with no band score under 5.5. We also accept IELTS Academic Online. You should check your specific course English Language requirements very carefully.
To give some idea, below are examples of the minimum qualifications needed for programme applications to Ulster University including their international equivalent grades. As allows, however, please check the entry requirements for your specific programme.
Full details of entry requirements for international students is available at: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/entry-requirements
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE
Community College Diploma with 60% mark or above
International Baccalaureate (26+ mark)
Important - Tawjihi alone will not allow you to undertake an Undergraduate degree. An Integrated Foundation Year programme should be considered instead
MASTER’S DEGREE
An Undergraduate Bachelor Degree with the following minimum grade:
2:1- GPA 3.3 out of 4; grade B; 60-69% mark
2:2- GPA 2.7 out of 4; grade C+; 50-59% mark
PHD
A first (70%+) or 2:1 Hons degree or equivalent (e.g. 2:2 Hons degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction) or equivalent international qualification/s
No, there is no lower or upper age limit for applications, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria for your preferred programme/research at Ulster University.
No. The only medicine degree programme offered at Ulster University is the Graduate Entry Medicine degree, the MBBS.
To be eligible for the MBBS, all applicants must have already fully completed an undergraduate degree in any subject.
The main language at Ulster University is English.
2026-2027 Salam Scholarships Application Process
No, the Salam Scholarships are available across all subjects and areas of study/research offered at Ulster University in Northern Ireland.
The number and type of Salam Scholarships offered each year may be subject to change and the final selection is made by an independent panel of adjudicators. The final selection annually is based on the overall quality of Salam Scholarships, as well as the level of funding available.
No.
Salam Scholarships are offered for full-time study only.
For the 2026-27 academic year, we aim to launch the Salam Scholarships call in November 2025 and announce successful Salam scholars in March 2026.
If you are dependent on a Salam Scholarship to study at Ulster University, we would advise you, if possible, to wait for the outcome of your Salam Scholarship application in March 2026 before applying to Ulster University for your preferred programme/PhD.
You may wish to undertake some initial research and preparation for a possible UU application, in particular your eligibility for a specific programme/PhD. Before making a PhD application (deadline 31 March 2026), please also check that supervision is available in the subject area that you are interested in by checking the list of available self-funded and sponsor-funded PhD opportunities
There are a few exceptions where the course deadline is before you will hear the outcome of your Salam Scholarships application in March 2026. For example, the MBBS Graduate Entry Medicine programme where you must apply via UCAS by 14 December 2025, 6pm UK time. As part of your MBBS application, you must also undertake the GAMSAT exam in March 2026. The application deadline for GAMSAT is 26 January 2026, 10am (UK time). The Salam Scholarships will cover the GAMSAT fee for a limited number of individuals (on a first come, first served basis). To be considered, please contact salamscholarships@ulster.ac.uk for more information.
No, the Salam Scholarships are only for applicants who want to study at Ulster University in Northern Ireland.
No, the Salam Scholarships are open to all eligible female Palestinian women, no matter which institution you have studied at within Palestine, Israel or Lebanon.
If you have previously studied outside these locations, you are not eligible for The Salam Scholarships.
To be eligible for the Salam Scholarships, applicants must currently reside in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The only exception is for individuals from Gaza who have fled the territory because of the current war.
For the 2026-27 Salam Scholarships call, if you have already studied at a university outside the West Bank, Gaza, Israel or Lebanon, you would not be eligible to apply.
No. To be eligible for a Salam Scholarship, you must not already hold a qualification at the level of programme, or higher, to which you are applying at Ulster University. For example, if you wish to apply for an Undergraduate degree, you must not already have completed a degree at an Undergraduate level.
Accommodations regarding additional information may be allowed for applicants from Gaza, if agreed in advance with the Salam Scholarships Officer. Applications from individuals elsewhere in Palestine, who do not submit additional requested information by the deadline, will be rejected.
Please note, the only evidence needed to initially apply for a Salam Scholarships is an application form and a copy of an accepted ID document/passport. Any other documentation would only be requested if you were shortlisted for a scholarship.
A conditional Salam scholarship means your Salam Scholarships application has been successful. However, your award is dependent on you receiving an unconditional offer for your specific programme/PhD at Ulster University by the specified deadline for the 2026-27 academic year.
No. If your programme/PhD application to Ulster University is not approved by the deadline set for the 2026-27 academic year, your Salam Scholarships conditional award will be withdrawn. You would need to apply for both the Salam Scholarships and your UU programme/PhD again in 2027-28.
The only exceptions may be for individuals in Gaza. Any such deferral would need to be agreed in advance with the International Admissions team/Doctoral College and the Salam Scholarships Officer.
If you have been selected as a reserve Salam Scholarships candidate for 2026-27, it means that you may be able to take up an award if another applicant with a conditional Salam Scholarships award is not approved for their UU programme/PhD, withdraws or if further funding becomes available.
Due to Ulster University application deadlines for the academic year 2026-27, we would advise you to go ahead and apply for your preferred programme/PhD if you are a reserve Salam Scholarships candidate. However, please do not use funds to apply for a new passport, book an English Language exam etc., unless you receive a conditional Salam Scholarships award and/or speak to the Salam Scholarships Officer beforehand.
For information, receiving an unconditional offer from UU for your programme/PhD would not mean your Salam Scholarships status would change from reserve. Your Salam status would only change, and a conditional Salam Scholarships award be offered, if sufficient additional Salam Scholarships programme places and/or funding become available.
For the August/September 2026 intake at Ulster University, the PhD application deadline is 31 March 2026 and the Undergraduate and Postgraduate application deadline is June 2026 (exact date to be confirmed).
More information can be found on our Global Application page.
The only exception is the MBBS Graduate Entry Medicine programme where you must apply via UCAS by 14 December 2025, 6pm UK time. As part of your MBBS application, you must also undertake the GAMSAT exam in March 2026. The application deadline for GAMSAT is January 2026 (exact date to be confirmed).
The Salam Scholarships will cover the GAMSAT fee for a limited number of individuals (on a first come, first served basis). To be considered, please contact salamscholarships@ulster.ac.uk form as soon as possible.
More details on the MBBS are available on the School of Medicine site.
No.
We receive a large number of Salam Scholarships applications annually. The assessment panel and Scholarships Officer would therefore not be in a position to provide individual feedback.
A Salam Scholarship would cover the following costs: Full tuition fees at Ulster University; full accommodation; a monthly stipend; UK visa application and International Health Surcharge costs; annual travel grant; one-off bursary for incidentals; annual research grant (PhD only)
Please note that medical expenses not covered by the UK's International Health Surcharge (e.g., dental treatment), would not be funded through the Salam Scholarships programme, unless in emergency circumstances and subject to approval in advance by the Salam Scholarships Officer.
Categories and levels of funding may be subject to change.
No, Salam Scholarships funding will be for successful scholarship recipients only and not for any accompanying dependents (where relevant).
No. The Salam Scholarships programme is for Palestinian women only who have not previously studied outside Palestine, Israel or Lebanon. Priority will be given to women who can demonstrate financial need.
Most Salam scholars stay in on-campus accommodation in their first year at least. However, it is up to each individual scholar where they stay and funding would be available for both on and off campus accommodation options.
The Salam Scholarships will fund the GAMSAT exam for a small number of eligible individuals in 2026. This will be on a first come first served basis.
Anyone interested in applying to Ulster University for the MBBS, and having their GAMSAT exam paid, should contact salamscholaships@ulster.ac.uk
2026-27 Salam Scholarships Application Details
Using artificial intelligence software to generate answers for your Salam Scholarships application questions is prohibited. Applicants must submit their own original work.
You must not use someone else’s work or present content generated by AI tools like ChatGPT as your own. Doing so violates Ulster University’s guidelines on plagiarism and fraud.
If your application is found to be fraudulent or copied, it will be disqualified. You will be asked to confirm that you have not used artificial intelligence to generate your answers as part of the application form.
Accepted Palestinian nationality documents include: Palestinian state passport; Palestinian green ID card; Jordanian temporary passport for residents of Jerusalem or elsewhere in Palestine; Israeli travel document; Palestinian refugee travel document. Palestinians who carry an Israeli passport would not be eligible.
Identity documents submitted with your Salam Scholarships application should ideally be valid and have not expired. Any exceptions must be agreed with the Salam Scholarships Officer.
No proof of address is required for 2026-27 Salam Scholarships applications. This is a change from previous application years.
The 2026-27 Salam Scholarships application form will allow you to save your document and return to it later.
In the event you submit your application form and wish to make changes, provided the Salam Scholarships application deadline has not passed, minor content changes will can be emailed to salamscholarships@ulster.ac.uk.
If you wish to make significant changes, you would need to submit a new Salam Scholarships application form. For assessment purposes, we will use the most recent application form submitted.
Please note, no amendments will be allowed for any applicant following the Salam Scholarships 2026-27 application deadline.
Evidence of a specific English Language Level will only be requested if you are shortlisted for a Salam Scholarship (unless otherwise agreed with the Salam Scholarships Officer). You will not need to send this information when you submit a Salam Scholarships application form.
All final approved Salam Scholarships will also be subject to an unconditional offer being awarded for your programme/PhD at UU (including evidence of the required English Language Level) and a UK study visa being granted for the start and duration of your studies in Northern Ireland in August/September 2026.
The Salam Scholarships will offer funding for individuals to undertake an accepted English Language exam only if you have a) been shortlisted for a Salam Scholarship; and b) contacted the Salam Scholarships Officer before the end of February 2026 to explain your extenuating circumstances, ask for funding to undertake an accepted English Language exam if shortlisted and obtain approval. This would be relevant for Salam Scholarships applicants from Gaza in particular.
In such cases, Ulster University's 'Password' exam would be one of the suggested options if an English Language exam such as IELTS is not possible. For information, the Duolingo English Test is now also accepted by Ulster University.
Your English Language evidence would need to be valid within 2 years of your start date at Ulster University – therefore, within August/September 2024 for programmes beginning in August/September 2026. An updated English Language exam would therefore be required in the above case.
References (in English) will only be requested in the event you are offered a conditional or reserve Salam Scholarship. Final application outcomes for the 2026-27 academic year will be announced in mid-March 2026.
However, contact details for two referees must be provided within your Salam Scholarships application form. All referees should be independent and should not be family or friends. At least one referee must be able to confirm your financial status and the other should be in a position to comment on your education and/or employment.
The Salam Scholarships will fund the GAMSAT exam for a small number of eligible individuals in 2026. This will be on a first come first served basis.
Anyone interested in applying to Ulster University for the MBBS, and having their GAMSAT exam paid, should contact salamscholaships@ulster.ac.uk
Interviews will only be required for shortlisted Salam Scholarships applicants. For the 2026-27 academic year, candidates will be informed if they have been shortlisted in early March 2026.
Details of what interviews will involve will be sent to candidates beforehand. Accommodations will be allowed for individuals from Gaza if agreed in advance with the Salam Scholarships Officer.
The main advice would be to research your preferred course/PhD theme and to read the information on the Salam Scholarships website very carefully. This will help to ensure the practical information you enter onto the Salam Scholarship application is complete and accurate.
For the detailed questions within the Salam Scholarship application form (150-400 words), take your time to prepare your answers to these questions. Perhaps copy the questions to a word document and prepare the answers offline or save your application and return to it until you are happy with the answers given. Try to answer all aspects of the detailed questions directly and as fully as possible also.
My English isn't very strong, will that affect my acceptance into the scholarship program?
The Salam Scholarship programme is for individuals to study a university level programme in English. Therefore, a very good level of English would be required and evidence of your English Language ability would need to be submitted for any course/PhD application to Ulster University. An unconditional course/PhD offer would not be given otherwise.
Similarly, the Salam Scholarship application form must be completed in English and the strongest candidates would be those who are able to best express themselves in the English Language.
In the event a candidate was offered a Salam Scholarship and needed further support with a particular aspect of their English skills, especially applicants from Gaza, our English Centre at the University may be able to offer one-to-one English learning sessions, specific writing/language lessons etc.
