Halls of Residence
Accommodation is provided on three of the university's four campuses, at Coleraine, Jordanstown and Magee. Although the campuses are scattered, each one is like its own student village: you can find everything you need wherever you study. Accommodation on campus ranges from traditional halls of residence to five and six bedroom apartments, and rates vary depending on the type of accommodation and its location.
At least for their first year, most students opt to stay in one of the university's halls of residence. These offer individual rooms for students, often with shared facilities such as bathrooms, a laundrette and a student bar. Some halls of residence offer en-suite rooms which are a little more expensive. Halls of residence are a great way to meet people, whilst still retaining the privacy of your own bedroom. If you chose to live in University accommodation you will normally be asked to sign a thirty-seven week legally-binding contract.
Students who have made Ulster their first choice through UCAS have the advantage of applying for student accommodation, which is normally oversubscribed, in advance. A room is guaranteed to theses students as long as they are accepted onto their course, and providing they have applied for accommodation by the beginning of July (exact dates may vary).
International students are also guaranteed University accommodation as long as they apply before the end of July (again, exact dates may vary). Students will usually have to pay a non-refundable booking fee of around £100.
The cost of University accommodation will depend on the type of accommodation you chose. Rates start from approximately £50 a week. Visit the Residential Services website to view a full list of the prices and types of accommodation offered by the university.
Belfast
The Belfast campus is situated in the heart of the lively Cathedral Quarter, close to the city centre. The city of Belfast has a great social scene with plenty to cater for all tastes: excellent shopping, pubs, restaurants, theatres, clubs, museums, coffee shops and Internet cafés.
The campus is currently undergoing a £30 million refurbishment which aims to offer students a great deal of facilities. The Students' Union is a popular venue on the Belfast music circuit, hosting both local and touring bands. University accommodation is mainly found south of the city in the student quarter or on the Jordanstown campus; Belfast campus students have access to all the leisure facilities at Jordanstown, which is only 10 miles away. Water sports are also available on the River Lagan.
Jordanstown
Jordanstown campus is located a couple of miles north of Belfast, overlooking Belfast Lough (lake). With the capital city nearby, this campus is very popular with students.
Jordanstown is like a small village, designed around a central and busy shopping complex where you will find all amenities. A wide range of study facilities are also provided. Here students have the choice of living in the on-campus accommodation, or in a private flat or house nearby.
The Sports Centre facilities include squash and tennis courts, outdoor and indoor pitches, training circuits, and a fitness suite. The Sports Institute for Northern Ireland is even situated on-campus. The on campus Union is again a popular meeting place, and has a cafeteria with satellite television, video games, pool and snooker, as well as a travel office and a shop. Arthur's Club Bar and the Lounge Bar are also a popular entertainment choices for students.
Magee
Magee campus is located close to Derry city centre which has a strong tradition of culture, and an active social scene. The new thousand seat Millennium Theatre and the Foyle Arts Centre regularly host events, and there are a variety of cafés, pubs, restaurants and shops.
Study facilities include studios, laboratories and a new learning resource centre. The Academy for Irish Cultural Heritages is also based at Magee. Sports facilities are second to none, with students able to take advantage of a range of outdoor activities on the nearby beaches and rivers.
Coleraine
Coleraine campus is situated in the northwest of Northern Ireland, with Coleraine town, Portrush and Portstewart nearby. Coleraine town has lots to offer in terms of entertainment and shopping whilst Portrush and Portstewart offer a great social scene for students, and miles of clean sandy beaches. The River Bann, located near the campus grounds, is an excellent venue for water sports.
Students can choose to live on campus or in local flats or houses. A wide range of on-campus leisure facilities are provided whilst the Students' Union is the hub of social activity: the Triangle Disco Bar is the main venue for on-campus entertainment and shops, cafeterias, a sandwich bar, bookshop, travel shop, coffee bars, and a hairdressing salon can also be found on campus. Additionally, the on-campus Riverside Theatre hosts local and touring productions throughout the season.
Modern halls of residence and flats are provided in Coleraine and in nearby Portrush and Portstewart. These are lively seaside towns with an abundance of nightlife. Out of town amenities include large supermarkets and shops.
Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart are known collectively as 'the triangle' and the region hosts the North West 200 Motorcycle Road Race, as well as a host of other events such as the annual Raft Race at Portrush. Coleraine is also close to the Giants Causeway, a unique rock formation of rugged rock columns, and Bushmills legendary whiskey distillery. If you like surfing or long walks there are miles of clean, sandy beaches in the area.
For more details of accommodation options at the University of Ulster, see:
