Professionally Relevant Global Training and Education
We work hard to ensure employability is at the heart of the learning experience we deliver and that our courses are professionally relevant, in line with industry needs.
Each of our four Faculties work in close collaboration with employers and awarding bodies to develop our curriculum and have achieved extensive accreditation from a range of processional bodies, across our suite of Programmes.
We offer a range of postgraduate short courses to support your continuing professional development XCPD).
Our accredited short courses cover a series of subject areas and the majority are linked to a Masters degree, allowing you to experience study at postgraduate level before applying to the full qualification.
Each short course is worth a number of credit points and can be taken individually or combined towards the Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Development (awarded once a total of 60 credit points have been completed).
Short courses may be delivered on campus each week, by block learning or fully online and they have start dates throughout the year.
All short courses require an undergraduate degree and some may have additional entry requirements.
Fees start from as little as £170 for a five-credit point course and funding may be available.
If we haven't provided you with all the information you need below, do not hesitate to contact us at FlexEd@ulster.ac.uk
Start Dates
Our academic year is split into 3 semesters with the majority of our courses starting on the first day of Semester 1 in September. Traditionally this is the 3rd Monday of the month. Our short courses have start dates throughout the year
When to start
We recommend that you start a course no later than 2 weeks after the start date so that you can receive the optimal learning experience.
Course Content
You can find our entire range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses via our online prospectus where you can search for course by campus or delivery.
Here you will find a top-line summary of the course. Click the view course button for more details of the course. This will include what you will learn, fee information, entry requirements for the course and testimonials.
Each course is led by a Course Director. If you want to get more detailed information about the course or discuss your personal circumstances, you can contact the Course Director or course team via the contact information on each course page.
Entry Requirements
Don’t worry. Our team are here to help you find the best learning solution for you.
The entry requirements for each course are dependent upon its subject matter and if you need prior qualifications to study at postgraduate level.
You can find entry requirements on the individual course pages of the online prospectus or can discuss further with our Flexible Education team who can review your experience and how that fits with the entry requirements. Contact us at FlexEd@ulster.ac.uk
Changing Direction
Changing direction can be very exciting and daunting. Don’t worry we are here to help.
The answer depends on the subject area or course you are interested in. There are many courses that require prior undergraduate study in that field due to the nature of the content. This will be outlined in the entry requirements for each course. These tend to be courses in more specialized or technical fields. If you are interested in a course in this field, it may be best that you look at undergraduate study in the first instance.
Similarly, there are several postgraduate courses that are open to graduates without undergraduate qualifications in the specific field. Again, you can see if an undergraduate degree in the field is required on the individual course pages.
If you are unsure about whether you meet the entry requirements or want to understand the best route for your change in direction do not hesitate to contact us at FlexEd@ulster.ac.uk.
Fit your studies around your lifestyle
Don’t worry. Ulster University is the leading provider of postgraduate study in NI and has adapted its teaching to meet the needs of its students, especially those with other professional or family commitments.
Our short courses and CPD are available on a part-time basis you will be able to study on a timeline that best suits you. You can use these qualifications to build towards a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or a final Masters award on your timeline.
You can choose to complete one short course and then return to take a further course at a later stage (any credits will be retained for you). To maintain currency, it is recommended that combinations of short courses leading to the award of the Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Development are completed within a five year timeframe.
If you would like more information about which programme is best for your individual circumstances, do not hesitate to contact us at FlexEd@ulster.ac.uk.
Returning to Education
Don’t worry. We have many students who are returning to education after many years away.
We recommend that you have a chat with our Flexible Education team if you are concerned about the currency of your previous studies. They can discuss with you your previous experience and the entry requirements.
Do not hesitate to contact us at FlexEd@ulster.ac.uk.
Exams and Assessment
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes.
The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module.
If you want more information about assessment for a specific course, please visit the course pages. If you want more information about exams and assessment, you can find the contact details of the Course Director or the course team in the Contact section of the course pages.
A Career in Research?
Interested in following a career in research? Ulster University is renowned and respected for its world-leading research and its Doctoral College. You will be taught by world-class researchers and academics whose advances and discoveries are transforming societies and economies at home and abroad.
Our Masters programmes are designed so that you can specialize whilst building your research skills. If you would like more information about your chosen field and how it can help you build towards a career in research do not hesitate to contact your Course Director. You can find the contact details of the Course Director or the course team in the Contact section of the course pages.
If a Doctorate is your ultimate goal learn more about our Doctoral College