Study in Northern Ireland
Breathtaking, mystical and adventurous are just three of the words international students have used to describe studying in Northern Ireland. Read on to find out why.
About Northern Ireland
The Giant's Causeway, Country Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland occupies a unique place in the UK and Ireland. Geographically, it is on the island of Ireland, but politically and economically, it is part of the United Kingdom, giving international students a unique cultural experience.
Northern Ireland has spectacular scenery, with wild, rugged coastlines and unspoilt green countryside.
'I loved the gorgeous scenery, the complex history, the colourful lingo, the stunning rainbows and the rousing, heart-tugging music. Northern Ireland is a wonderful place to live.'
Charissa, USA, Ulster University
While you are in Northern Ireland, you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim; the idyllic Fermanagh Lakelands in Enniskillen; or the bewitching Mourne Mountains - the same mountains that inspired the Belfast-born writer CS Lewis to create his world-famous ‘Narnia’ stories.
If you are a fan of the TV series Game of Thrones, you can visit the real-world locations used in the series, plan a road trip yourself, or join an organised coach tour.
You can be sure of a warm welcome in Northern Ireland. The people are friendly and fun, and they like to ‘have the craic,’ which is local slang for having a good time.
Receive a world-class education
Northern Ireland is home to remarkable global universities offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Studying in Northern Ireland is a fantastic option for international students, as it has a well-established reputation for academic excellence, an affordable way of life, and a welcoming, friendly atmosphere.
Queen's University Belfast.
Queen’s University Belfast
A member of the UK’s Russell Group of top-ranking research-intensive institutions, Queen's University Belfast is recognised as one of the leading universities in the world. Founded in 1895, it has a reputation for high-quality teaching and ground-breaking research, especially in fields such as medicine, engineering and social sciences. It is ranked 202 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024) and 19 subjects at Queen's are listed in the top 200 in the world (QS World Rankings by Subject 2024).
Queen’s University Belfast has a diverse student population, and if you choose to study there, you’ll be right at home with students from over 90 countries. Queen’s rich heritage, history and cutting-edge facilities mean that it has a global reputation for teaching and research excellence. It also has a thriving Students’ Union with over 215 clubs and societies, state-of-the-art sporting facilities and library services.
Queen's is dedicated to student employability and is ranked ninth in the UK for career prospects (Guardian 2024) and their strong links with industry mean that you can benefit from a global network that spans 120 countries.
Check out Stranmillis University College and St Mary’s University College Belfast, both university colleges of Queen's University Belfast. Each of them has specific offerings for international students, including international study exchange programmes.
Check out the section on the Queen's University Belfast website dedicated to international students.
Ulster University, Belfast Campus.
Ulster University
Ulster University is a young, dynamic and innovative university with three distinct campuses across Northern Ireland in Belfast, Coleraine and Derry-Londonderry. From affordable tuition fees and accommodation to high graduate employability, Ulster University puts the students at the heart of everything they do and is proud to welcome students from over 70 countries.
It is ranked in the UK's top 30 universities by the 2024 Guardian University Guide and was voted number one in the UK for job prospects by Student Crowd 2023 and is home to a team of employability and careers experts. Ulster University offers international students an outstanding UK study experience that prepares them to become leaders in their future careers. And, 93 per cent of graduates are in work or further study within six months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2020-21).
Students also have the opportunity to study, work or volunteer abroad as part of their studies, with over 200 institutions available worldwide for student exchange.
Check out the section on the Ulster University website dedicated to international students.
Experience a world-famous cultural scene
In 2018, Lonely Planet ranked Northern Ireland the number one place in the world to visit, and it is easy to see why.
Northern Ireland has an award-winning food and drink scene. You can dine at Michelin Star restaurants in Belfast, sample delicious seafood in Holywood, or try some old favourites such as Ulster Fry, Tobacco Onions or Grandad Joe’s famous Cream Horn (fans of the Northern Ireland-based comedy television series, Derry Girls, will be familiar with this retro cake).
The capital city of Belfast is bursting with creativity and is only the third UK city to have been awarded the title of UNESCO City of Music. It’s also the birthplace of the most famous ship in the world – the Royal Mail Ship (RMS) Titanic. In Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, one of Europe's largest urban waterfront regeneration projects, you can stand in the exact spot where the Titanic was launched in 1911, explore Her Majesty’s Ship (HMS) Caroline and take afternoon tea at the Titanic Hotel Belfast.
Northern Ireland is also great for shopping. You can shop for luxury brands, independent designers and environmentally friendly fashion in Belfast or hunt out something unique in Derry-Londonderry’s Dickensian Craft Village.
An affordable cost of living
Northern Ireland has the lowest student cost of living in the UK, with an average monthly living cost (without rent) in Belfast of £682 per person.
For accommodation, you can expect to pay around £400 per month for a room in a shared house (excluding bills), and even less should you live outside the city centre. A three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant will cost about £20 per person, with takeaway meals and other options costing a fraction of that price.
Travel is easy and affordable. You can easily visit Ireland, the UK, and Europe. Regular flights, trains, and sea ferry crossings are available, making it easy to explore exciting destinations such as London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, and beyond.
Funding your studies
A range of scholarships are offered at Northern Irish universities, including Study UK’s GREAT Scholarships, which are delivered in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University.
Hear from students studying in Northern Ireland
See also
8 top reasons to study in Northern Ireland
From world-class universities and untouched nature to cultural cities and fascinating history, find out what Northern Ireland has to offer.
6 reasons why Belfast is a fantastic place to study
Why is the capital of Northern Ireland so popular among students?
Home from home: The lifelong connection you will feel with your study abroad destination
Charissa Roberson shares why she thinks you should choose Northern Ireland as your study destination.
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