Belfast, Ireland

Ulster University Partnership

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Ulster University Partnership

Program Overview

INNOVATE ON A STATE-OF-THE-ART CAMPUS IN BELFAST

Formerly focused on art, Ulster’s newly expanded, cutting-edge campus in Belfast offers exciting range of subjects, including computing, engineering, business, politics, policy, law, communication, sports, architecture, hospitality, event management, photography, and digital animation. The university focuses on active learning and employable skills, and students enjoy strong ties to industry, from film, animation, and gaming to energy and robotics.

In lively Belfast, you’ll have ample opportunities to enjoy the advantages of a modern city as you experience Irish traditions. The campus sits in the Cathedral quarter, an artsy area full of historic architecture, galleries, cafes, and street art.

Ulster also has campuses in Derry-Londonderry (offers cinematic arts, business, computing, drama, engineering, law, music, and nursing) and coastal Coleraine (include biomedical sciences, environmental sciences, journalism, media, and more).

Ireland offers so much more to explore beyond the city. That’s why we complete your program with IFSA excursions to places like the stunning West Coast and Kilkenny, the ideal place to sample artisan foods and try your hand at hurling, a unique Gaelic sport (included, no extra fees).

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

Fall: April 15

Academic Year: April 15

Spring: Oct. 15

Minimum GPA

3.00

Credit load

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Single Room Option

Instruction language

English

Language prerequisites

None

Visa required?

Not in most cases. Learn more.

Apply Now

Study abroad in Northern Ireland with IFSA

Academics

Ulster University has three campuses in Northern Ireland and each campus is home to different subjects. Search classes at each campus on the Ulster University Global online modules catalogue.

Each course description will have a module code, the semester when the module is offered and the number of Ulster University credits the course is worth. Classes offered in the fall are listed as semester 1 courses, classes offered in the spring are listed as semester 2 courses and classes that are year-long are listed as semesters 1/2. We recommend that you choose modules in Level 4 or Level 5 to ensure the best experience at Ulster. Some students may qualify for advanced Level 6 modules, and Level 7 modules are strictly unavailable to visiting undergraduate students.

If you’re looking for particular subject areas, see below which campuses typically offer relevant classes:

Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences: Belfast Campus, Coleraine Campus, Derry-Londonderry Campus
Computing, Engineering, and the Built Environment: Belfast Campus, Derry-Londonderry Campus
Life and Health Sciences: Coleraine Campus, Derry-Londonderry Campus
Ulster University Business School: Belfast Campus, Coleraine Campus, Derry-Londonderry Campus

Past IFSA students have found Ulster a great match for nutrition and health sciences majors as well as engineering and built environment-related majors.

Credit Conversions
A full class load at Ulster University is 60 CATS credits, which is equivalent to 15 U.S. semester credit hours.

CHART Your Course
Find the classes you need fast with CHART. Our easy-to-use tool shows you classes recently taken by IFSA students

Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.

New country, new way of learning!

Here’s what to expect at Ulster University:

More emphasis on independent learning. The university recommends completing ten hours of independent study for each academic credit you seek.
Less personal access to professors. Instead, it’s common to connect with more junior faculty members. Course designers, who line up lectures, are another potential resource.
Grades are determined by the UK scale, which is slightly different than the scale we use in the United States United States. (We’ll review this and give you a chart to refer to during IFSA orientation.)
Grades are often based only on a single final paper or on a midterm exam and final paper.
Full access to the university’s robust academic support system and resources, including assignment to an advisor. IFSA local staff are also available for individual help.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
You must have completed at least two (2) full-time years of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term. However, students with just one (1) full-time year of study will be considered.
Eligibility requirements can vary among host institutions. Please ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for specific information.

Recommendation Letter
Your application to this program will require one (1) academic letter of recommendation.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.

Excursions

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are a selection of activities and excursions from previous terms; options may vary for your program. Due to the seasonal nature of many of program activities, we cannot guarantee a specific activity or excursion will be available in a given term or program.

George’s Market: Explore Belfast’s last surviving Victorian covered market, an active site for trade since 1604. Sellers offer fish, coffee, sweet treats, crafts, art, collectables, and more, while buskers play live music. Check out displays that trace the history of the market and the city.
Stand-up Comedy at The Empire or The Black Box: Visiting a local club is a not only sure to make you laugh out loud, it’s also a great way to catch local perspective and the humor that’s such a huge part of Northern Irish culture. Popular in Belfast, shows range from amateur night to professionals who showcase their unique local take on world events and Northern Irish culture.
The Titanic Museum, Titanic Quarter: Learn the story of the famous ship, from conception and construction through its fated 1912 maiden voyage, all in the place Titanic was built and launched.
Rugby Match at Kingspan Stadium: Soak up the atmosphere as you walk with local Ulster Rugby supporters to the stadium, just outside the city center. Then catch the excitement as you cheer on the home team.
North Coast Day Trip: You won’t want to miss this chance to explore this jaw-dropping region, world famous for beautiful beaches, folklore, charming villages, and geological stunners like Giant’s Causeway, a series of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. You’ll also see Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge and the ruins of Dunluce Castle, a treat for Game of Thrones fans.
Kilkenny Weekend: Don’t miss this two-night trip to Kilkenny, a charming medieval city dating back to 1195. Stay in a hostel with IFSA students who are studying all over Ireland and explore this small central Ireland standout, known for its history, artisan food, sporting culture—and Ireland’s most notorious witch. Visit a local farm, try hurling with a local coach, test yourself with a pub quiz, explore Kilkenny Castle, and more.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Single Room Option

Meals

Self-Catering

Details

Ulster’s housing is a little different on each campus. Most students live on or very close to campus in furnished apartments owned by the university, with single bedrooms and shared bathrooms, kitchens, and living space for five.

Some housing options feature extra amenities—like private bathrooms—that warrant higher rent. Keep in mind that if you choose or are placed in more expensive housing, you’ll need to pay an additional fee to cover these costs.

Belfast campus sample housing

Location: On campus in the lively Cathedral Quarter.
Living space: Most apartments accommodate five students in single bedrooms with shared bathroom, living space, and fully equipped kitchen. Students provide bedding and towels.
Meals: No meal plan. Students prepare and eat their own meals, and often say cooking and sharing meals is a fun, social part of their day.
Additional details: 24/7 security. On-site support from residential advisors and facilities managers. Bike storage. Laundry on-site. Outdoor courtyards and amphitheater. Free travel card and sports center membership.
Nearby: Belfast city center. Titanic Belfast. St. George’s Market. The MAC. Crumlin Road Goal.

Coleraine campus sample housing

Location: On campus.
Living space: Most apartments accommodate five students in single bedrooms with shared bathroom, living space, and fully equipped kitchen. Students provide bedding and towels.
Meals: No meal plan. Students prepare and eat their own meals, and often say cooking and sharing meals is a fun, social part of their day.
Additional details: 24/7 security. On-site support from residential advisors and facilities managers. Bike storage. Laundry on-site.
Nearby: River Bann. Coastal towns, Portrush and Portstewart. Giant’s Causeway. Mussenden Temple. Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Derry-Londonderry campus sample housing

Location: A 7-minute walk to campus.
Living space: Most apartments accommodate two or five students in single bedrooms with shared bathroom, living space, and fully equipped kitchen. Students provide bedding and towels.
Meals: No meal plan. Students prepare and eat their own meals, and often say cooking and sharing meals is a fun, social part of their day.
Additional details: 24/7 security. On-site support from residential advisors and facilities managers. On-site laundry. Floodlight football field and sports pavilion. BBQ area.
Nearby: River Foyle. Derry City Walls, Tower Museum. The Siege Museum. Guildhall. Peace Bridge. Bogside Murals.