Rated 5 Stars: Excellent overall
QS Stars
Ulster University has been awarded 5 Stars in the QS Stars rating
Ulster University has achieved an overall 5 Star rating in the QS Stars assessment, independent recognition of our standing as an ambitious, globally-connected university delivering excellence with purpose.
5 Star ratings across eight individual categories demonstrate the breadth of Ulster’s strength: from teaching, research and employability to global engagement, facilities, governance, environmental impact, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
For students, partners, industry and communities, this recognition offers clear evidence of a university with the quality, credibility and capacity to create opportunity and deliver meaningful impact; locally, nationally and globally.
What is QS Stars?
QS Stars is an internationally recognised university rating system from QS. Unlike a league table, which ranks universities against one another, QS Stars assesses each participating institution against established international benchmarks.
Its evidence-based framework evaluates performance across the defining dimensions of a modern university, including education, employability, research, sustainability and global engagement. Institutions receive an overall rating together with individual category ratings, providing a clear and rounded view of their strengths.
Where Ulster Excels
Each 5 Star category tells part of Ulster’s story. Together, they provide independent evidence of a university equipped to inspire people, build powerful partnerships and contribute to progress.
5 stars for Teaching recognises Ulster’s commitment to high-quality education, student engagement and academic success. It reflects a learning culture that combines expertise, support and ambition – equipping students to think boldly, develop their potential and contribute with confidence.
5 stars for Facilities recognises the quality of the environments in which our community learns, discovers, collaborates and connects. From technology-enabled teaching and specialist laboratories to libraries, sport and student-life spaces, Ulster provides the foundations on which ideas and achievement can flourish.
5 stars for Employability reflects an institution with a clear focus on enabling talent and preparing graduates to make an impact. Through education, careers expertise and connection with employers, Ulster helps translate knowledge and ambition into skills, opportunity and progress.
5 stars for Good Governance signals strong, responsible and transparent institutional leadership. It gives students, partners and stakeholders confidence in a university guided by clear strategy, accountability and a commitment to making decisions in the long-term interests of its people and wider society.
5 stars for Environmental Impact recognises Ulster’s commitment to sustainability across its operations, education and research. It reflects our determination to act responsibly today while developing the knowledge, ideas and partnerships needed for a more sustainable future.
5 stars for Diversity, Equality & Inclusion reflects Ulster's belief that excellence thrives where different perspectives are welcomed, barriers are challenged and people are supported to fulfil their potential.
5 stars for Research recognises the scale, quality and influence of Ulster’s research. As a research-active university, we create knowledge with reach and relevance – bringing expertise together across disciplines and with partners to address complex challenges and shape a better future.
5 stars for Global Engagement reflects a university rooted in Northern Ireland and connected to the world. With students from 106 nationalities and collaborations spanning 129 countries and territories, Ulster brings people, knowledge and opportunity together across borders.
QS 5 Star Ratings
Rated 5 Stars: Excellent overall
QS Stars
Rated 5 Stars: Excellent for Employability
QS Stars
Rated 5 Stars: Excellent for Teaching
QS Stars
Alumni Testimonial
QS 5 Star Ratings
Rated 5 Stars: Excellent for Facilities
QS Stars
Rated 5 Stars: Excellent for Research
QS Stars
Rated 5 Stars: Excellent for Global Engagement
QS Stars
Hear from the Vice-Chancellor
QS 5 Star Ratings
Rated 5 Stars: Excellent for Good Governance
QS Stars
Rated 5 Stars: Excellent for Diversity Equality and Inclusion
QS Stars
Rated 5 Stars: Excellent for Environmental Impact
QS Stars
Realising ambitions
Ulster’s QS Stars rating reinforces what we stand for: academic excellence, global ambition, responsible leadership and partnership with purpose. Our success is shared with the students whose potential we nurture, the partners with whom we create, the industries we help advance and the communities we serve.
This is excellence that reaches beyond recognition. This is excellence that creates possibility.
