Ulster University
Ollscoil Uladh
Northern Ireland's multi-campus university, from Belfast's Cathedral Quarter to the north coast and Derry~Londonderry.
- Students
- 24,440
- International
- 29%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 23.3:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £18,030
- 2027-28
- Founded
- 1865
About Ulster
Ulster University dates its heritage to 1865, when Magee College opened in Derry~Londonderry; the New University of Ulster was founded in 1968, and today's Ulster University brings together three campuses in Northern Ireland: Belfast, in the city's Cathedral Quarter; Coleraine, near the north coast; and Derry~Londonderry. Jordanstown hosts the Ulster University Sports Village, and courses are also delivered at branch campuses in London and Birmingham.
The university is organised into four faculties: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment; Life and Health Sciences, with almost 6,500 students; and Ulster University Business School. It was named UK and Ireland University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2024 and has an overall 5-star QS Stars rating across teaching, research, employability and more.
Offers vary by course and campus, from BBC for Psychology and Nursing to AAB for Law in Belfast and Pharmacy, and Ulster also runs a four-year graduate-entry Medicine degree in Derry~Londonderry. It suits students who want a choice of city or coastal campus, professional courses in health, law and the creative industries, and some of the lowest home fees in the UK for Northern Irish students.
Why students choose Ulster
Ulster was UK and Ireland University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2024.
Home fees for Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland students were £4,985 in 2026/27, about half the fee in England.
International applicants are automatically assessed for the Global Excellence Scholarship: £5,000 in Year 1 and £3,000 a year after that for BBB-equivalent grades.
Students can choose between a city-centre campus in Belfast, a riverside campus in Coleraine near Atlantic surf, and Derry~Londonderry.
Admissions
2027 entry
Selectivity
Ulster does not publish an overall offer rate. Offers are course- and campus-specific for 2027 entry, e.g. BBC (Psychology, Nursing, Computer Science), BBB (Law at Derry~Londonderry) and AAB (Law at Belfast, Pharmacy). Graduate-entry Medicine requires a 2:1 degree, a GAMSAT threshold and Multiple Mini Interviews.
Typical entry requirements
| A-levels | 2027 entry: BBC (Psychology at Coleraine, Adult Nursing, Computer Science BSc, with a two-grade reduction to CCC for maths, physics, chemistry or computing), BBB (Law at Derry~Londonderry), AAB (Law at Belfast; Pharmacy MPharm with Chemistry plus Biology, Mathematics, Physics or a related subject) |
|---|---|
| BTEC / Applied General | DMM (Psychology, Nursing) to DDD (Law at Belfast) |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | Course-specific UCAS tariff points, e.g. 120 points from five subjects (four at higher level) for Law at Derry~Londonderry |
| Medicine (graduate entry) | 2:1 honours degree in any discipline (or a master's at 60%), GAMSAT with at least 50 in each section, then Multiple Mini Interviews |
| English language | IELTS 6 IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5 for most courses (e.g. Psychology, Law, Computer Science); 6.5 including 6.5 in speaking and no band below 6.0 for Pharmacy; 7.5 with no band below 7.0 for Medicine. Ulster accepts other tests and IELTS equivalents. |
Deadlines
- UCAS (graduate-entry Medicine) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
MBBS Medicine, August 2027 start; GAMSAT required. Ulster may accept later applications from candidates registered for the March 2027 GAMSAT.
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
All other courses.
- UCAS last date before Clearing Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027, 18:00 UK time
Applications received after this are entered into Clearing, which opens on 2 July 2027; places depend on availability.
UCAS dates for 2027 entry; the Medicine deadline is confirmed on Ulster's MBBS course page.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS with a personal statement. Graduate-entry Medicine applicants apply through UCAS by 15 October 2026 with GAMSAT results (sittings up to September 2026) for an August 2027 start. International students apply for campuses in Northern Ireland and are automatically considered for scholarships.
What admissions looks for
- A-level grades (or Irish Leaving Certificate points) that meet the offer for your course and campus, which can differ by campus.
- Subject requirements where listed, such as Chemistry plus another science for Pharmacy.
- For health courses, the professional and health requirements set out in the course's entry conditions.
- For Medicine, a 2:1 degree, a competitive GAMSAT score and the personal qualities of a doctor shown at Multiple Mini Interviews.
Tips for applying to Ulster
- 1 Check which campus your course is taught at: Law, for example, asks for AAB in Belfast and BBB in Derry~Londonderry.
- 2 For Computer Science BSc, offering maths, physics, chemistry or computing at A-level can lower your offer by two grades.
- 3 International applicants with BBB-equivalent grades are automatically considered for the Global Excellence Scholarship (£5,000 in Year 1, £3,000 a year after).
- 4 Northern Ireland students with household income up to £19,203 automatically receive a University Access Bursary (£498 in 2026/27).
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in GBP
International undergraduates are automatically assessed for the Global Excellence Scholarship (£5,000 in Year 1 and £3,000 a year after, for BBB-equivalent grades) or a Country Scholarship of up to £4,000; GREAT Scholarships and an International Accommodation Bursary for Belfast are also offered. Northern Ireland students with low household incomes receive a University Access Bursary worth 10% of the fee (£498 in 2026/27), and self-funding students get 5% off for paying upfront.
- £5,000 in Year 1, then £3,000 a year
- Global Excellence Scholarship (international UG)
- £498 a year for household income up to £19,203
- University Access Bursary (NI, 2026/27)
- 5% for fully self-funding students
- Upfront payment discount
Academics
Medicine (MBBS, graduate entry)
A four-year graduate-entry course in Derry~Londonderry open to graduates of any discipline; 95% overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2025.
Pharmacy (MPharm)
AAB including Chemistry, taught at Coleraine.
Psychology (BSc)
BPS-accredited, with an optional placement year, at Coleraine.
Law (LLB)
Offered in Belfast (AAB) and Derry~Londonderry (BBB), with practical client-interviewing modules.
Computer Science (BSc)
BBC entry, reduced to CCC for applicants with maths, physics, chemistry or computing.
Nursing (Adult) (BSc)
BBC or DMM entry, in the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences.
Research
- Ulster University researchers are investigating why people stop taking weight-loss injections (university news, September 2026).
- The Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, with about 250 academic staff, describes itself as a leading provider of health-related education.
- Ulster's 5-star QS Stars rating includes 5 stars for research.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
- Faculty of Life and Health Sciences
- Ulster University Business School
Ulster holds 5 stars for employability within its overall 5-star QS Stars rating.
Student life
Each campus has its own feel. Belfast sits in the Cathedral Quarter, the city's artistic and cultural centre; Coleraine has a close-knit community, with students kayaking on the River Bann and surfing the Atlantic coast; and Derry~Londonderry offers a small-city experience with a relaxed vibe. The Students' Union runs clubs and societies on every campus, and sport is centred on the Ulster University Sports Village at Jordanstown. Ulster's accommodation won Best Student Community (UK and Ireland) at the Global Student Living Awards 2025.
- Campuses in Belfast, Coleraine and Derry~Londonderry, plus Jordanstown Sports Village.
- Best Student Community, Global Student Living Awards 2025.
- Students' Union clubs and societies on each campus.
- Belfast and Derry~Londonderry both hold Purple Flag status for a safe, lively evening economy.
Housing. Accommodation is available on or near each campus; students apply through the university portal once they accept an offer, and early applicants get the best choice.
Location
Ulster's main campus is in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, the artistic and cultural heart of Northern Ireland's capital. Coleraine lies on the River Bann near the Atlantic north coast, and Derry~Londonderry is a small city with plenty going on culturally. Belfast and Derry~Londonderry both hold Purple Flag status for their evening economy.
Nearest airport: Belfast City Airport (BHD) and Belfast International (BFS); City of Derry Airport (LDY) for the north-west
Notable alumni
- JN James NesbittActor from Northern Ireland; began a French degree at Ulster Polytechnic, Jordanstown
- OD Omid DjaliliComedian and actor; studied English and theatre studies at Coleraine
- OJ Oliver JeffersArtist, illustrator and children's author; graduated in 2001
- JS Jacob StockdaleIreland and Ulster rugby wing; studied criminology at Jordanstown
- MG Michelle GildernewFormer Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone; studied at Coleraine
- AL Anna LoAlliance Party MLA and the first trained social worker of ethnic minority background in Northern Ireland
Frequently asked questions
What grades do you need for Ulster University?
It depends on the course and campus: for 2027 entry Psychology, Nursing and Computer Science ask for BBC, Law BBB at Derry~Londonderry or AAB at Belfast, and Pharmacy AAB including Chemistry.
How much are Ulster University's fees?
In 2026/27, Northern Ireland and ROI students paid £4,985 and students from Great Britain £9,790; 2027/28 home fees are not yet announced. International undergraduates pay £18,030 a year in 2027/28.
Does Ulster have a medical school?
Yes. Ulster offers a four-year graduate-entry MBBS in Derry~Londonderry. You need a 2:1 degree and a GAMSAT score, and must apply through UCAS by 15 October 2026.
Which Ulster campus should I choose?
Belfast is a city-centre campus in the Cathedral Quarter, Coleraine is a close-knit campus near the north coast, and Derry~Londonderry offers a smaller city. Courses are taught at specific campuses, so check the course page.
Are there scholarships for international students at Ulster?
Yes. International applicants are automatically assessed for the Global Excellence Scholarship (£5,000 in Year 1, then £3,000 a year) or a Country Scholarship of up to £4,000.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to Ulster in the QS World University Rankings 2027.