...

Higher education in Northern Ireland for international students

Current page last update date: 2025-07-15
Schools
7institutions
Show on map
Sort:
by ranking
by name by ranking by price (increasing) by price (decreasing)
student age
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
Show by:
10 18 36 72
Similar educational institutions
Show by:
10 18 36 72

Northern Ireland, a prominent region within the United Kingdom, boasts a thriving higher education sector. It is home to world-renowned universities such as Queen's University Belfast, a member of the prestigious Russell Group, and Ulster University, recognized as one of the best universities of 2022 by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.

World-Class Universities in Northern Ireland

Each year, these prestigious universities accept foreign students for studying. They have gained popularity due to their modern and innovative approaches, these institutions are aimed at shaping student attitudes, developing essential skills, and preparing them for leadership roles in their future careers. Universities in Northern Ireland excel in research and education while maintaining a focus on student well-being.

Affordability of Higher Education in Northern Ireland

One of the core advantages of pursuing higher education in Northern Ireland concerns its  affordability. This cost-effectiveness, coupled with the high quality teaching, allowing Northern Ireland to become an attractive destination for foreign students.

Employment Prospects for Graduates

Graduates from Northern Irish universities are highly sought after, with over 95% finding employment in their chosen fields within six months of graduating. This high employment rate underscores the practical and relevant nature of the education provided.

Cultural and Social Benefits for International Students

Obtaining higher education in Northern Ireland stipulates not only academic growth. It is an opportunity to live in a hospitable society known for its warmth and friendliness. Foreign students benefit from interacting with a diverse cohort, including local students and peers from over 100 countries. This multicultural environment helps students expand their global outlook and become well-rounded global citizens.

Deciding on pursuing education in Northern Ireland, students are provided with a combination of quality education, affordability, and cultural richness. With its esteemed universities and welcoming community, Northern Ireland is a prime destination for students seeking an enriching educational experience abroad.

Kevin McDonnell
Specialist in International Students of the University of Sussex

When choosing a university in the UK, what criteria do applicants typically consider? How reliable are top university rankings, and what should be prioritized: course content, student satisfaction, or graduate employment rates?

While rankings can be a helpful starting point, it's important to delve into the criteria behind them. For instance, Times Higher Education focuses on research quality and output, often favoring institutions like Oxbridge and the Russell Group, which heavily invest in these areas. This might be significant, but not necessarily a deal-breaker for every student. The Guardian, on the other hand, places more emphasis on student satisfaction and teaching quality, resulting in a more varied mix of universities on its list.

When looking at rankings, consider not just the overall position of the university but also how specific courses or subjects are rated. Additional factors to weigh include:

  • Student satisfaction and the range of support services offered

  • Graduate employment rates and industry connections

  • Course content and subject offerings

  • Teaching style and approach

  • Student-to-teacher ratio.

Learning programs-summary information

Name Meaning Equivalent Min. age Duration,
years
Next stage Cost
GCSE General certificate of secondary education secondary education (non-accomplished) 14 1–2 A-Levels 15,000 USD+
A-Levels Advanced level secondary education (accomplished) 16 2 University 15,000 USD+
BTEC Business and Technology Education Board secondary special education 14 2–3 University/ work 15,000 USD+
Oxbridge Preparation Preparing for Oxford and Cambridge secondary education (accomplished) 17 1 University 15,000 USD+
International Baccalaureate International baccalaureate secondary education (accomplished) 16 2 University 18,000 USD+
Foundation/ Pathway Year Preparatory year admission to the 1st year of university 17 1 University 14,000 USD+
NCUK The Northern consortium 2 year university 17,5 1 2 year University of NCUK 13,000 USD+
Special Preparation (Medics/Math/Business) Specialized training - 14 optional optional 4,000 USD+
Academic English Academic English Language school 8 + 6–12 months School or University 8,000 USD+

Top 14 best universities in Switzerland 2025

1 Glion Institute of Higher Education Switzerland
2 Les Roches International School Montana
3 César Ritz Colleges Switzerland
4 IHTTI School of Hotel Management
5 Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne
6 Geneva Business School
7 HIM Hotel Institute Montreux
8 Swiss Hotel Management School
9 Webster University Geneva
10 Business and Hotel Management School
11 Luzern IMI
12 Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS) Caux
13 International University in Geneva
14 Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland
Reviews/Comments/Questions
There are no comments here yet
Your comment / review
If you have a question, write it, we will try to answer
* - Field is mandatory
Kevin McDonnell
Specialist in International Students of the University of Sussex

Kevin is a Specialist in International Students at University of Sussex. Earlier, he worked at University of Suffolk. He is a Bangor University graduate and has been working in higher education for more than 14 years. Kevin realizes the usual challenges of adapting to a new country, culture, and teaching style, so he recognizes the importance of supporting international students by organizing an orientation week and numerous events and societies to help them settle in and make friends.

Chat with us, we are online!