Tuition Fees
Tuition Fees are the cost of attending university for undergraduate programmes in the UK.
They are an annual fee and the vary depending on where in the UK you study.
Students can either pay these fees themselves or have Student Finance cover them while they study.
| Region | Tuition Fee (£) UK / Irish Citizens | Approx conversion in Euro (€)** |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | £4,855* | €5,592 |
| England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain) | £9,535 | €10,983 |
*Fee for 2025/26. The cost of fees in Northern Ireland is subject to an annual increment, at around the rate of inflation. For reference, the fee for previous year was £4,750.
**Correct at time of publication (October 2025). Calculated using Google's currency converter (£1 = €1.15).
Only Irish and UK citizens are eligible for the lower "home fee" status.
Please visit our Citizenship Matters page for information on determining whether you are eligible for the home fee or international fee.
Cost of Living
Northern Ireland is the most affordable region in the UK and Ireland to live, work and study1.
For example, Cost of Living in Dublin is 16.3% higher than in Belfast (excluding rent)2. You would need around €1,417 in Dublin to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with €1,000.0 (£868) in Belfast (assuming you rent in both cities).
| Costs | Derry | Belfast | Dublin | Cork | Galway |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent p/m (Student Accommodation) | €452 | €660 | €974 | €688 | €582 |
| Groceries p/m (Food / Shopping) | €207 | €207 | €243 | €263 | €216 |
| Entertainment (Cinema / Restaurant / Nightlife) | €320 | €368 | €401 | €356 | €352 |
| TOTAL | €979 | €1,235 | €1,618 | €1307 | €1,150 |
The above calculator was compiled using Numbeo's Cost of Living Comparison tool along with Switcher.ie's "Ireland's Cheapest Student Towns".
Accommodation
You can secure on-campus accommodation at Ulster University for as little as £103 (€113) per week!
Our accommodation is perfect for first year students who wish to experience the full excitement of college life in a safe, affordable and meaningful way.
Campus | Contract | Cost per week | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|
Belfast | 44 Weeks | £144 | £6,336 |
Derry | 41 Weeks | £103 | £4,223 |
Coleraine | 41 Weeks | £107 | £4,387 |
We guarantee on-campus accommodation for their first year to applicants who:
- Apply to Ulster University and receive an offer for one of our programmes.
- Make Ulster University their Firm Choice in their reply to their offer.
- Apply for UU accommodation by 7 July.
Student Finance
Republic of Ireland students can avail of a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the cost of tuition fees for the duration of their study.
That means students pay nothing while they are studying, allowing them to focus on their studies and enjoy student life without the worry of how they'll fund their education.
Maintenance Support
Students from the Republic are not eligible for maintenance funding through the UK's student finance system, however, they can bring any SUSI maintenance funding they are eligible for to Northern Ireland for their studies.
The application for the Tuition Fee Loan opens around March every year.
You apply using the EU26N form.
The Student Loans Company (SLC) agree to cover the cost of your tuition until you:
- exit or graduate from the course.
- are earning above the salary threshold (currently £26,065)
You repay 9% of your income above the salary threshold every year, which is normally made in monthly instalments.
You will stop making repayments whenever:
- You repay the full amount of the tuition fees plus interest, or;
- 25 years has passed since you first made repayments. After this date, any outstanding balance and/or interest is cancelled.
