2 Best Universities In Northern Ireland For International Students 2025

Northern Ireland is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United Kingdom. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences.

In this article, we’ve compiled the best universities in Northern Ireland. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Northern Ireland.

Rank University Country Type
1 Queen’s University Belfast United Kingdom Public
2 Ulster University United Kingdom Public

How do I get admission to the best universities in Northern Ireland?

Applying to the universities in Northern Ireland involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Northern Ireland to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Northern Ireland?

Tuition fees at Northern Ireland’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 9,250 GBP to 22,000 GBP , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 6,720 GBP to 22,100 GBP. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Northern Ireland!

As we cover the best universities in Northern Ireland for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Northern Ireland for International Students

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#30 in United Kingdom
#92 in Europe
#208 in World
Percentage of International Students
14%
Total Number of students - 24,955
International Number of students - 3,500

With more than 175 years in the field, Queen’s University Belfast is one of the United Kingdom’s outstanding research institutions. They have a consistent position in global rankings, proving their excellence in the field. Specific courses such as dentistry, food science, and accounting are ranked among UK’s best courses.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#66 in United Kingdom
#293 in Europe
#642 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 27,000

Ulster University is an institute of tertiary education in Northern Ireland. It is a multi-campus institution, with four of the main ones being situated in Coleraine, Jordanstown, and Magee. Aside from these, the center of learning also has locations in London, Birmingham, as well as Qatar. Moreover, it is well-known for producing groundbreaking research and it is included in the top 25% of the UK’s Universities for Research Power.

We know that choosing your dream school in Northern Ireland not an easy task. After all, you need to consider other factors like the cost of your education, school background, and population, as it can be overwhelming on your part.

So, to help you out further in weighing your school options for studying in Northern Ireland, make sure to visit our list of the best public universities in Northern Ireland! These articles will surely help you in deciding your next study destination!