Transformative Research, Education and Student Experience
Since 1849, Ulster University’s purpose has been to unlock the potential of its people.
As an educator, our academic community combines to deliver applied, research-led education which enables our students and graduate to realise their career ambitions.
As a research community, we are guided by a single shared purpose to transform societies locally and globally through immediate, high impact research.
Our Research with Impact was most recently recognised in REF 2021 where Ulster University was ranked in the Top 10% of UK Universities for outstanding or very considerable research impact.
Ulster University is a founding member of ResearchPlus, a national collaboration of ten research‑focused universities established to strengthen the UK’s research and innovation ecosystem. Announced on 26 June 2025, ResearchPlus brings together institutions that play an essential role in driving research excellence, economic growth, and societal wellbeing across the UK.
ResearchPlus – Uniting to Increase our Transformational Impact
At its core, Ulster University and its research community are defined by our values of partnership and collaboration. At Ulster University, we are impactful. Through collaborations and partnerships, the scale of our increase is increased. United with like-minded institutions our potential impact is infinite. We want to accelerate the impact of our research. We want to increase the scale of our impact.
We want research and innovation to drive economic growth, prosperity and wellbeing locally and globally as quickly and as powerfully as possible. We don’t want individuals, societies or industries to suffer delays due the needless fragmentation of research resources and capabilities.
Together, through ResearchPlus, we are uniting leading research-focussed universities to optimise the impact of the UK’s research and innovation capability and capacity.
ResearchPlus Founding Universities
As a founding member, Ulster University, has joined forces with 10 impact-driven universities to increase our transformational impact.
- Ulster University
- Brunel University London
- City, University of London
- St George’s, University of London
- Keele University
- Royal Holloway, University of London
- SOAS University of London
- University of Essex
- University of Hull
- The Open University
- University of Sussex
Partner with Ulster University
Whether you're a university, institution, business, policymaker, charity or international collaborator, Ulster University offers:
- A connected network of applied research expertise
- Agile, solutions‑focused teams
- Access to talent, innovation and advanced skills
- Long‑term partnerships built around public good
- Proven capability demonstrated through REF and ResearchPlus
Transforming Education Through Research
Research at Ulster University directly benefits our students.
- Teaching powered by the latest research insights
- Learning alongside academics working at the forefront of their fields
- Opportunities to contribute to real research projects with real impact
- Stronger industry connections and improved employability
Our students graduate with more than a qualification, they graduate with perspective, skills and experience shaped by research‑informed learning.
