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International Applicants

If you are successful in obtaining admission as an international PhD Researcher, you will need to ensure that you have a visa that allows you to study in the UK.

The University welcomes applications from international applicants and thrives on the diversity that our international community bring to the University.

The application process is the same for all applicants, except that you need to ensure that you obtain the right visa to come to Northern Ireland to study.

We can help you with this process and the following links below should provide more information.

You may also wish to apply for a PhD under the Framework for Distance Research Study, which allows you to remain in your home country - this option does not require you to obtain a visa for study.

What you need to apply

Our entry requirements for research degree programmes state that you should hold or expect to hold the equivalent of a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant subject area.

The Doctoral College will assess how your international qualifications  compare to UK qualifications using UK NARIC. It is therefore important that you submit your degree certificates and transcripts in both the original language and in translation.

In terms of English language proficiency, international students who require a Student visa will need to take a UK Home Office approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). The two approved providers are Trinity College London and IELTS (Academic).

If you have studied at a UK institution or are from a majority English speaking country, as per the Home Office’s list, you are exempt from having to provide this evidence.

Next steps

If you are successful in your application for admission, the University will issue you with a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) which will allow you to apply for a Student visa.

Visa Information

Financial Information for Self-funded International PhD Researchers

International applicants who are successful in being offered self-funded admission onto research studies at Ulster University will be required to do the following before any visa documentation can be issued:

  1. Pay a non-refundable deposit of £2000. This amount will be deducted from your tuition fees on registration.
  2. Provide us with evidence that you have sufficient funds in your account to cover the first year's tuition fees (minus the deposit amount), plus the necessary amount for living expenses.

Further details on acceptable forms of evidence and the amount of money you are required to hold in your account can be found on the UKCISA website.