Citizenship Right to Study in the UK

Your Citizenship and Residency status will determine your eligibility to study in the UK and your tuition fees.

Right to Study in the UK

Citizenship and Residency Status

Citizenship and residency status determine whether an applicant qualifies for Home Fees or International Fees when studying at universities in Northern Ireland, including Ulster University.

Only Irish and UK citizens have automatic right to study in the UK.

Home Fees Information
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International Fees Information
Go To International Fees Information

Are you a Home or International Student?

To qualify for home fee status, a student must typically meet two key conditions:

  1. Citizenship – British (UK) or Irish; and
  2. Ordinary residence – usually living in the UK, Ireland, or EU/EEA for at least 3 years before the course starts.

Failing to meet either condition may mean a student is liable for international fees, which are higher, and usually require a student visa to study in the UK. UK and Irish Citizens do not require a student visa to study in the UK.

International Students Information
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Are you a Home or International Student?

Irish Citizens

The Common Travel Area (CTA) allows Irish and UK Citizens living in the Republic of Ireland to avail of Home Fees in Northern Ireland.

After you apply, Ulster University will conduct checks to determine your right to study in the UK by checking your nationality and residency status. We will request proof of your citizenship and residency as part of this process.

Please note, Stamp 4 Residency status alone does not permit right to study in the UK.

Proof of Citizenship

When you apply, our Admissions team will ask you to provide proof of your citizenship either from one of the following:

  • Passport: If you hold a valid  Irish passport, this confirms your Irish citizenship.
     
  • Your Parent(s) Passport: If your parent is a Irish citizen, then you are also automatically an Irish citizen.
     
    Foreign Births Certificate:  If you were born outside Ireland but are entitled to citizenship through an Irish parent or grandparent, and you registered with the Irish Foreign Births Register, your Foreign Birth Registration certificate is proof of Irish citizenship.
  • Certificate of Naturalisation: If you became an Irish citizen through the naturalisation process, you’ll have received an official Certificate of Naturalisation from the Irish Department of Justice.
Are You an Irish Citizen?
Go To Are You an Irish Citizen?
Are you a UK Citizen?
Go To Are you a UK Citizen?
Irish Citizens

EU and International Citizens

EU and International Citizens living in the Republic of Ireland are not eligible for Home Fees in Northern Ireland. Instead, they are liable for International Fees. They also require a student visa to study in the UK.

Applying for a UK STUDY visa
Go To Applying for a UK STUDY visa
EU and International Citizens

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Only refugees who have claimed asylum in Northern Ireland are eligible for Home Fees.

Refugees who have claimed asylum in the Republic of Ireland are liable for International Fees. 

Refugees and Asylum Seekers