The higher education sector in Northern Ireland is dedicated to equipping students with the highest quality knowledge, skills and qualifications needed to compete in today’s knowledge economy. Whereas further education courses tend to be more vocational and introductory – higher education qualifications are designed to give students a thorough academic understanding of their subject and prepare the student for a successful career at the very highest level.

The majority of the higher education courses available in Northern Ireland are offered by the two universities – Queens University Belfast and the University of Ulster. Both institutions offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as research and further education opportunities. The ANIC (Association of Northern Irish Colleges) institutions also offer many higher education opportunities which are also very popular with Northern Irish students.

Queens and University of Ulster are among the most innovative and well regarded higher level institutions in the UK and Ireland. Both universities offer flexible programme provision (including distance and e-learning), the latest classroom and laboratory facilities, plus well-stocked modern libraries. At degree and postgraduate level in particular, students are encouraged to play an active role in their own learning, and to question and analyse ideas and theories in interactive seminars and tutorials. Out of study time activities – such as sporting, social and cultural – are also well looked after with a huge variety of clubs and societies on Northern Ireland’s university campuses.

All higher education qualifications offered at Northern Irish universities fit onto the NQF (National Qualifications Framework) so it is easily possible to progress from one level up to the next, whether you choose to start at degree, Foundation Degree or HND (Higher National Diploma) level. Degrees generally take four years to complete, foundation degrees three and HNDS two, although it can vary depending on the course and circumstances of the student.

Queen’s University Belfast
Queen’s University Belfast was founded over 150 years ago as a non-denominational alternative to Trinity College in Dublin. It was originally linked to other Queens Colleges in Galway and Cork (which are now NUIG and UCC). Queens developed throughout the 20th century to become one of the most respected universities in the British Isles and continues to have an internationally recognised teaching and research reputation.
Queens is located close to the centre of Belfast, and its historic campus features over 200 buildings housing historic lecture theatres and meeting rooms as well as state of the art laboratory and teaching facilities. With more than 25,000 postgraduate and undergraduate students, (adding up full-time and part-time) Queen’s is one of the largest universities in the United Kingdom, and its surroundings form one of the main cultural and social hubs in Northern Ireland.

The University of Ulster
The University of Ulster is an amalgamation of five institutions – the New University at Coleraine, the Ulster Polytechnic at Jordanstown, Magee College in Derry, the Art College in Belfast and the Northern Ireland Hotel and Catering College, which all came together under the University of Ulster umbrella over the last twenty five years.  Each historic college now comprises a campus of the University of Ulster, which all together comprises Ireland’s biggest university. Each campus has its own personality due to its location and the particular subject areas offered there.
The University of Ulster has an excellent reputation in science and technology subjects. The university has close links with local businesses and industry and is a major contributor to the Research & Development capacity of Northern Ireland – with initiatives including the establishment of high technology campus incubators and science research parks.

Other universities
The other universities in Northern Ireland are Stranmillis University College and St. Mary’s University College, and the Open University. Both Stranmillis and St. Mary’s are teaching training colleges which are associated with Queens and located in Belfast. The Open University also offers a huge range of courses through its innovative distance learning programmes.

Applications
All students applying for third level undergraduate courses in Northern Ireland have to use the UCAS system – which stands for the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. The UCAS system takes into account students’ exam results, personal statement and school teachers’ references. Offers are made dependent on exam results – so a student might know they need 2 Cs and a B in their A levels prior to sitting their exams. There is also a ‘Clearing’ process where students who don’t get their initial course choices can take up places which might be vacant after the first round of offers. For more info see www.ucas.ac.uk

Higher Education at Further Education
The Northern Irish higher education system concentrates on supplying useful higher level qualifications at all levels. Each of the six Further Education Institutions in Northern Ireland offer higher education courses in a range of more practical and vocational subjects – ranging from engineering to IT to hospitality and tourism.

Useful Links
www.ulster.ac.uk

www.qub.ac.uk

www.open.ac.uk

www.stmarys-belfast.ac.uk

www.stran.ac.uk

www.femeansbusiness.com