We welcome international students with families. However, please note that we do not offer family accommodation or support with childcare costs.
Offers to study at Ulster University are based on academic achievements and qualifications. We do not consider any other information when making an offer. An offer from Ulster University should not be interpreted as awareness of your personal circumstances and a commitment from the University to provide additional services related to securing family accommodation and childcare.
Please read the information below carefully before you decide to bring your family to the UK while studying.
Immigration
You can bring your husband, wife, unmarried partner, and children (under 18) to the UK with you as a Student Visa dependant if one of the following applies to you:
- you are studying a postgraduate course of 9 months or more
- you are a government-sponsored student and studying a course at any level of 6 months or more
- your dependants can apply to enter the UK at the same time as you or they can apply separately later. If they do not apply at the same time as you, they should ensure that you have received your visa before they make an application themselves.
For more information, please visit the GOV.UK website.
Accommodation
Ulster University does not provide accommodation for families and, beyond the advice published on this page, we are unable to provide additional support for international students looking for family accommodation.
It can take at least 4 weeks to secure a house for your dependants. Ideally, you should arrange accommodation for your family prior to arrival in Northern Ireland. If this is not possible, we strongly advise that you travel to Northern Ireland on your own initially, secure family accommodation and then bring your spouse and children to Northern Ireland.
Securing accommodation prior to arrival
You can contact any local letting agent and view properties on their websites. However, we do not advise you to sign any contracts before you have actually viewed the property. Aim to have a list of 3-5 suitable properties ready to view when you arrive or ask a trusted friend or a family member to view them on your behalf.
Travelling on your own, then bringing dependants
If you have been unable to secure family accommodation prior to arrival, you should travel to Northern Ireland on your own 2 - 4 weeks before the start of teaching to search for accommodation. You will need to arrange temporary accommodation for the period of house-hunting.
You should only bring your dependants to Northern Ireland after you have found suitable accommodation.