Studying in Northern Ireland
Considering study in Northern Ireland? Our guide has info on what the country’s like, its universities, transport, and what there is to do.
CONTENTS
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About Northern Ireland
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Places in Northern Ireland
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Universities in Northern Ireland
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Getting around Northern Ireland
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Things to do in Northern Ireland
About Northern Ireland
Don’t let the size of Northern Ireland fool you, for it’s a country that punches well above its weight. You’ll be quickly swept up by its globally-recognised natural landscapes, charmed by the pleasant folk that call the country home, and intrigued by its deep history.
Northern Ireland sits in the north west of the UK and borders the Republic of Ireland. Its capital, Belfast, is where you’ll likely spend most of your time as a student. It’s a colourful city that attracts students from across the UK and abroad and has a student population of around 60,000.
Places in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is split into several different county districts. They include:
- Antrim and Newtownabbey
- Ards and North Down
- Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
- Belfast
- Causeway Coast and Glens
- Derry City and Strabane
- Fermanagh and Omagh
- Lisburn and Castlereagh
- Mid and East Antrim
- Mid Ulster
- Newry, Mourne and Downe
*Places marked in bold are home to Northern Ireland’s universities and further education colleges.
- READ MORE
- Studying in Belfast
Universities in Northern Ireland
There are two main universities in Northern Ireland:
Northern Ireland also has several further education colleges, including:
- Belfast Metropolitan College
- College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise
- North West Regional College
- Northern Regional College
- South Eastern Regional College
- South West College
- Southern Regional College
- St Mary’s University College, Belfast
- Stranmillis University College
Getting around Northern Ireland
Getting to know the town or city you call home’s important, but don’t forget that there’s plenty to explore nationwide. Fortunately, you’ll have access to different transport options.
Air
If you’re coming from anywhere outside Northern Ireland, you’ll fly into either Belfast International Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport, or City of Derry Airport. There are no internal flights on the island of Ireland, so you should choose one of the options below for exploring the Emerald Isle.
Ferry
There are daily ferries that operate in and out of both Belfast and Larne. You can go to places like Liverpool in England, or Cairnryan in Scotland. You won’t be able to use them to travel around the island of Ireland. Prices and journey times will differ depending on where you go.
Train
The Translink NI Railways network will take you to most parts of the country from Belfast, such as Derry or Newry. You can use the Enterprise Service to travel to the Republic of Ireland from Belfast. The mLink mobile app is handy for purchasing tickets, but these can also be bought at the station.
Bus
Ulsterbus provides bus services taking you across the country. Places like Belfast and Derry also have efficient local bus services to take you to and from campuses. Check with your university or college to see if you can access any student discounts.
Cycle
Many students choose to cycle as a means of saving money and keeping fit. If you’re in a city like Belfast, cycling is a convenient way to get around. Make the most of the National Cycle Network too so you can explore the country’s captivating landscapes.
Other
Your city or town should have local taxi services. On those warmer days, if where you’re heading isn’t too far, walking will help you to familiarisie yourself with your surroundings.
Things to do in Northern Ireland
Adventures are aplenty in a country like Northern Ireland. Whether you want to explore the outdoors, get to know the history and culture, or indulge in a food festival, there are enough things to see and do while studying.
Arts & culture
Northern Ireland’s never been short of creative minds, meaning it’s a place that thrives on its arts scene. You can celebrate famous poets like Seamus Heaney at his HomePlace in Bellaghy, enjoy some live theatre at the Grand Opera House or Millennium Forum, or head to the Metropolitan Arts Centre in Belfast. Titanic Belfast, Ulster Museum, and the town of Derry are all must-sees, along with Belfast's murals and peace lines.
Events
Make a note of the festivals Northern Ireland holds each year. There’s Foyle Film Festival, L’Derry Jazz Festival, and the Stendhal Festival to name a few. Derry Halloween and the Armagh Fusion Festival are also worth bookmarking. For sport, you’ve got Ulster in the United Rugby Championship, the Belfast City Marathon, and Foyle Maritime Festival.
Outdoors
There’s a reason Game of Thrones chose the natural landscapes of the Northern Irish coastlines to film on. Head to Causeway Coast, north west of Belfast, for the famous Giant’s Causeway walk. Along these coasts, the Portstewart, Whiterocks, and Castlerock beaches are a summertime treat. There are vast forestry parks, like Prehen Wood and Carnfunnock Country Park, and the Cushden Caves are a 400-million-year-old treasure.
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