Accessibility
The annual fees chargeable are available here
Note: International students are defined as students from outside the UK or EU. All fees are liable to increase each academic year.
The following is a brief summary of the main sources of publicly funded awards for full-time postgraduate research study in Northern Ireland. In some cases Heads of Research Graduate School or the Research Office may be able to advise applicants of other awards available in specific subject or project areas. Advice on means of application may be obtained from the Research Office. An application for a research award can be a lengthy and detailed process. As closing dates for the receipt of applications for awards are strictly adhered to, applicants are advised to begin the process early by seeking appropriate advice from the Research Office or Research Graduate School.
The majority of awards for full-time research studies at the two Northern Ireland universities are made by the Department for Employment and Learning .
DEL-funded studentships are usually advertised during the period January to March every year. Applicants to the University for admission to full-time research studies are asked to indicate on their application which of the available sources of funding they wish to apply for. Application materials will also be available on the University of Ulster website.
Applicants may also apply online
DEL’s support for research students is through:
a) Postgraduate Studentships for research in the humanities, science and technology, social sciences and the natural environment. These awards are open to applicants who have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom (or elsewhere in the EU) throughout the three-year period immediately preceding the date of application for the award, and who hold or expect to obtain at least an upper second class Honours degree;
b) Co-operative Awards in Science and Technology (CAST) specifically for students working on research projects jointly devised and supervised by an academic department and a collaborator such as a private firm or a public body; eligibility is as for Postgraduate Studentships; students who hold a CAST award receive DEL maintenance at the standard rate plus an additional payment from the collaborator.
While EU residents from outside the UK may apply for the above awards, only the approved tuition fees will be covered; no maintenance element is funded by DEL. Applications for Postgraduate and CAST Studentships should be returned to the University by the published closing date.
It is anticipated that the Research & Development Office of the Health & Personal Social Services (HPSS) in Northern Ireland will make available full and part-time studentships and fellowships for those working in, or interested in a career with, the health and personal social services. All opportunities will be advertised in the local media.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland funds research studentships annually. These are open to applicants ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland, on a competitive basis. The proposed research study must be in agriculture (including horticulture), food science, agricultural economics, agricultural economics, agricultural engineering or the more applied aspects of agricultural science. All opportunities will be advertised in the local media.
All applications from candidates wishing to study at the University of Ulster should be seen by the proposed supervisor and forwarded to the Research Office, two weeks before the closing date.
For further information on this please see here.
The University may make available a number of studentships for full-time research studies, which cover payment of tuition fees at the home rate, and a fixed annual amount for maintenance. These are renewable on an annual basis subject to satisfactory progress. Unless advised otherwise, separate application for these studentships is not necessary, as all eligible applicants for admission to full-time research studies, who are not self-financing or who have not secured other means of funding, will be considered.
International applicants wishing to undertake a research degree at the University of Ulster may apply for the following awards:
The British Council has a network of offices worldwide and applicants should contact their local office to see what awards are available.
Details of British Council offices around the world can be found here and are available from:
The British Council,
11 Portland Place,
London W1N 4EJ,
Tel. +44 (0)20 7930 8466
This scheme is aimed at key professions in fields which the Council considers particularly important in the country concerned. Council Fellowships programmes provide 900 awards annually. Fellowships are offered in most of the 100 countries in which the Council operates.
The eligible subjects are determined by the British Council Director in the applicant's home country. The awards can be for periods up to three years to cater for Doctoral research students. The level and conditions of award are set by the British Council in each country. Awards can include fares to and from Britain, tuition, living expenses, and allowances for books, clothing and approved travel within the United Kingdom. Applications should be made to the British Council Director in the country concerned.
The scheme was set up by an Act of Parliament as a practical expression of the British peoples' appreciation of the aid given by the United States under the Marshall Plan.
The awards are open to United States citizens under 26 years old who are graduates of US universities, to undertake study in any subject leading to a degree at a UK university. Awards are made on a competitive basis and are for two years in the first instance, renewable for a third year in certain circumstances. The awards cover transatlantic air fares, tuition fees, maintenance, book, thesis and travel allowances. Up to 40 new awards are made each year. They are administered by the Marshall Aid Commemorative Commission. Applications are made in one of six regions in the USA. Further information from the Commission's secretariat at the Association of Commonwealth Universities or regional centre in the USA.
Some international organisations such as UNESCO and WHO operate schemes, usually for developing countries. Details should be available from the Ministry of Education in the applicant's own country.