Ulster University

Ulster University is an internationally renowned institution that offers students the opportunity to complete their postgraduate study in an environment defined by its quality of teaching and research intensity. Ulster was recently rated 44th in the UK according to the 2022 Whatuni Student Choice Awards, while it took 49th place in the Complete University Guide 2024 league table.  

The university is comprised of three separate campus sites that are spread across Northern Ireland. These are: 

• Belfast 
• Coleraine 
• Magee 

As a result, students choosing to study at Ulster will be able to experience everything this unique country has to offer. With close links to local communities, businesses and cultural institutions, Ulster postgraduates are able to conduct impactful research and contribute to lasting positive change across the country and beyond. 

Postgraduate students at Ulster will be able to live in or around Belfast, Derry or Coleraine, giving them the choice between a vibrant and energetic city lifestyle as well as relaxed living in welcoming town communities surrounded by stunning Northern Irish landscapes.  

The country is famed for its dramatic coastal landscapes, including the world-renowned Giant’s Causeway and wild west coast. Whether students are looking for local live music, arts and culture, historical sites or outdoor activities, Northern Ireland is the perfect base. 

Postgraduate students will join a global network of alumni after they finish their studies, joining the likes of Stephen Rea, Enya and William Scott as Ulster graduates. 

Ulster University recognises the value of postgraduate courses as an opportunity for students to specialise in a subject area, become a valuable professional asset to potential employers, or undertake a career change. The university offers dozens of postgraduate programmes at multiple levels of study, across a broad range of topics. 

Postgraduate students Ulster can choose from several types of master’s qualification types, ranging from MBA to MSc, MA or LLM. Students can choose whether they want to study part-time or full-time, allowing them to get their chosen qualification without changing their lifestyle or comprising on existing obligations.  

Ulster University has a robust range of online and eLearning qualifications, with more than 4,000 students graduating from an online Ulster course already. No attendance is required at the university physically, meaning students can study from anywhere and at whatever pace they prefer. 

Postgraduate research opportunities such as PhDs are also on offer at the university. Students will be able to collaborate with world-leading experts, access specialist and cutting-edge facilities, and benefit from close links to industry or business stakeholders in their discipline. 

Students applying for a postgraduate programme at Ulster University will receive an offer of study after satisfying the entry requirements of their chosen course. 

Students applying for the MA in Journalism will need to show evidence of a 2:2 graded undergraduate degree or higher to get a place on this course. Applicants with relevant professional experience in place of formal qualifications will also be considered. 

Students applying to the MSc in International Business will need an undergraduate honours degree with a second-class grade or higher. Equivalent international qualifications are also accepted. Alternative qualifications that are accepted with the required minimum grade include graduate and postgraduate diplomas or certificates. 

Applicants for the PGCE in Art and Design will need to have GCSEs with minimum grade C across English and mathematics, in addition to an undergraduate degree in areas such as English with drama, art and design, history, geography, education or music. Evidence of professional or voluntary work with children in an education setting is desirable. 

Entry requirements can change so students should check the university website for up-to-date details. 

Postgraduate students at Ulster University benefit from strong graduate prospects and enhanced employability due to the university’s focus on professional skills, ongoing support and purpose-driven curricula. 

Postgraduate courses at Ulster contain a range of professional skills modules and opportunities for practical project work, as well as chances to work with industrial or business partners. Course content is current and informed by new research, much of which is occurring within the university itself. 

Students will have access to a dedicated Employability and Careers service while studying at Ulster, and as alumni. Whether it’s expert advice, links to relevant graduate opportunities or easily accessible online resources, postgraduate learners at Ulster find themselves well equipped for student success. 

The university recently unveiled its new Handshake service, which allows students to find placements, internships and graduate positions, as well as boost their professional networks. Ulster also has a Global Opportunities team to support students looking to study, work or volunteer across the world. It has links with over 200 institutions and its students have visited over 30 countries. 

Postgraduates at Ulster can also make appointments with the university’s professional employability advisors at any time, where they can chat about employability, job hunting or career choices. Students can book a face-to-face appointment or drop the service an email at any time.  

Accommodation

Postgraduate students at Ulster University not only have a wide range of locations to choose from when it comes to living arrangements, but a variety of residence and room types as well. As a result, postgraduate learners are able to find their perfect living space that supports their academic objectives while encouraging a fun and satisfying student lifestyle. 

Students choosing to live at Belfast can select from: 

• 123 York Street, offering modern rooms two minutes from the campus and close to the city centre. 
• LIV Student accommodation, found on the outskirts of the city’s buzzing Cathedral Quarter and providing great access to the cultural, entertainment and nightlife gems that Belfast offers. 
• Dalriada village, with shared apartments available in a contemporary student village environment. 

Students choosing to live at Coleraine can select from: 

• Cranagh Village, with stunning views and a relaxing pace of life. 
• Errigal or Knocklayde, a number of terraced houses located right on the campus. 

Students choosing to live at Magee can select from: 

• Coppin House, located right next to the campus. 
• Duncreggan Village, offering students a relaxed student village feel in the middle of Derry-Londonderry. 

Shared bathroom, en-suite, private apartments are available. 

Privately rented accommodation is also available for students who prefer this option, allowing them to live anywhere they please in Belfast, Coleraine or surrounding areas. 

Postgraduate students choosing to study at Ulster University will find additional support through the wide range of scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities available through the university or associated organisations. These awards help students cover the cost of studies, reducing the barriers to outstanding academic achievement. 

Available funding includes: 

• The Ulster University Alumni Discount, offering students a 10% discount to their tuition fees if they’ve already graduated from a degree course at the university. 
• Scholarships offered in association with external partners, such as the GREAT Scholarship 2022. This award is available through help from the British Council, providing two scholarships to postgraduate students worth £10,000. 
• Course specific scholarships, such as the Barnett Pharmaceutical Sciences Scholarship which offers an annual award to a student on the MSci in Pharmaceutical Biosciences. Students can browse the full range of postgraduate subject-specific awards on the university’s website. 

The availability of different awards and their eligibility criteria can vary, so students are encouraged to check the university website to explore the full range of current awards available.