Going into research is an option for you further down the line. 

Research translates pure knowledge into ideas that benefit society and it develops understanding of subjects which, in turn, leads to better teaching.

The national Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) assesses the quality of research in universities and colleges in the UK and enables the higher education funding bodies to distribute public funds for research selectively on the basis of quality. Our performance in the most recent RAE in 2001, in which our international reputation as a groundbreaking research centre was greatly enhanced, demonstrates our commitment to high quality research.

Since the last RAE in 1996, we have invested over £50 million in research geared to building Northern Ireland's knowledge economy in the new century.  In addition, £24 million has been invested in developing Science Research Parks at our Magee, Coleraine and Jordanstown campuses. We have now established 18 spinout companies.

5* success

The University entered almost 500 staff in the 2001 RAE. Fifty-eight per cent were in Units of Assessment rated 4 and higher. Notably we secured two 5* ratings, the highest possible rating, in Biomedical Sciences and Celtic Studies, bringing over 50 staff into this category. Ratings of 5 were secured in the Built Environment, Art and Design and Law.

A team of experienced Medical Officers and State Registered Nurses provides a comprehensive range of confidential healthcare. 

As a student you are required to register with a doctor of your choice. The GP practice must be within five miles of your term time address, or campus if in halls, in order to use NHS services. Once you have registered you should notify the University of the name and address of your doctor. Under the provisions and regulations of the Health Service, the full range of health services is available to all students who register with a GP. If you are living away from home you should bring your NHS card with you when you come to Registration, when the University will provide opportunities for you to register with a doctor. You may also need to show your registration card if you attend a dentist or optician.

Weblink: you can see a full list of our results at www.ulster.ac.uk/research/uuresearch/rae.phtml

Building businesses

Our major contribution to the research and development capacity within Northern Ireland supports the development of local industry, the community and voluntary sector, the creative industries and social and cultural development.  This is strengthened through collaborative links with other universities, research bodies and other agencies, nationally and internationally, and with venture capital funders.

Technology transfer

Our campuses have a sector-related focus for industry, with world class research in biotechnology, biomedical sciences, ICT, engineering, and e-business, we are an internationally recognized centre of research excellence and technical expertise. Our applied research centres provide a direct interface between research and industry facilitating the rapid adoption of new technologies through collaborative research and development and technology licensing opportunities.

Innovation Centres

Growing new start-up companies from our intellectual property, we provide a full incubation process for spin-out and spin-in companies.  Innovation Centres based on each of our campuses provide sector specific business support: Technology and Software Incubator Centre, Magee; Science Innovation Centre, Coleraine; Technology and Engineering Innovation Centre, Jordanstown and Synergy e-Business Incubator, Belfast.

Science Research Parks

Science Research parks are facilities built on or near the campuses to accommodate new businesses.  They help established companies form close and strategic links with the University, using our expertise and resources to enhance their research and development activity.

At Coleraine: life and health technologies and environmental science.

At Magee: software development and internet technologies, intelligent systems and international business.

Both parks provide high specification accommodation in close proximity to the world class research strengths and graduates of the University.