Northern Ireland is the part of the United Kingdom that most international students overlook — and that is exactly why it is worth a serious look. It has two universities, both in or near Belfast: Queen's University Belfast, a member of the Russell Group of 24 research-intensive UK universities, and Ulster University, one of the UK's largest universities with campuses in Belfast, Coleraine and Derry-Londonderry. Tuition is lower than in London or much of England, Belfast is one of the UK's most affordable student cities, and graduates get the same Graduate Route work rights as anywhere else in the UK. This guide covers fees in pounds, applications, visas and living costs for 2027 entry.
The two universities
Queen's University Belfast (QUB) is Northern Ireland's oldest university, founded in 1845, ranked 179th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It is strongest in medicine and health sciences, engineering, law, business and computer science, and its campus sits in the leafy Queen's Quarter of south Belfast. Ulster University is a modern, career-focused university with strengths in business, computing, engineering, nursing and the creative arts; its Belfast campus is one of the largest new university campuses in Europe. Ulster's acceptance rate is far higher than Queen's (around 81% reported, against about 35% for Queen's), which makes it a realistic option for students with mid-range grades.
Tuition fees 2026-27 (GBP, verified)
Fees are set per course, so always confirm the figure on the course page before you apply. The official 2026-27 rates at Queen's are:
| Course type | International fee (2026-27) |
|---|---|
| Queen's undergraduate, classroom-based | £22,400 per year |
| Queen's undergraduate, laboratory-based | £26,600 per year |
| Queen's medicine (pre-clinical) | £39,200 per year |
| Queen's medicine (clinical) | £47,000 per year |
| Queen's postgraduate taught, classroom-based | £23,000 per year |
| Queen's postgraduate taught, laboratory-based | £27,600 per year |
| Queen's MBA | about £25,000 per year (reported) |
| Ulster University, most undergraduate courses | about £17,000–£20,000 per year (reported) |
Queen's charges a deposit for one-year postgraduate taught courses, and international students should budget for it when they accept an offer. Fees rise each year with inflation — 2027-28 rates are not yet published, so treat the figures above as the current published baseline and confirm the new rate when your offer arrives.
How to apply: UCAS and deadlines
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS, the UK's central admissions service. The equal-consideration deadline for most courses is 13 January 2027 at 18:00, and the application fee is £34.50 (the 2027 cycle rate). Medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses, and applications to Oxford and Cambridge, closed earlier on 15 October 2026. Postgraduate applications go directly to the university. You will need your academic transcripts, a personal statement answering UCAS's three questions (up to 4,000 characters in total, minimum 350 characters per answer), a reference, and proof of English — typically IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall, depending on the course.
Student visa, costs and work rights
Most international students need a Student visa, which costs £558 (from 8 April 2026). You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £776 per year of your course. For maintenance, you must show £1,203 per month for living costs outside London (from 30 November 2026) for up to nine months, plus your first year's tuition. After graduation, the Graduate Route lets bachelor's and master's graduates work in the UK for 18 months from 1 January 2027 (three years for PhD graduates); the Graduate visa costs £937 plus IHS of £1,035 per year. During your studies you may work up to 20 hours a week in term time and full-time in holidays.
Living in Belfast
Belfast is markedly cheaper than London and most English university cities. University accommodation starts at about £119 a week, and a realistic monthly budget is roughly £800–£1,100 including rent, food, transport and personal spending. The city is compact and walkable, with a strong student culture, live music, and easy access to the Causeway Coast and the rest of Ireland — and because Northern Ireland shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland, many students also explore Dublin, about two hours away by train or bus.
Scholarships
Queen's offers international scholarships worth up to £7,500 off first-year tuition for strong applicants, including country-specific awards such as the India Academic Excellence Award (15 awards of £7,500 for first-year undergraduate study). Ulster offers its own international scholarships and early-payment discounts. Both universities also have Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarship places for eligible Pakistani applicants — see our Chevening and Commonwealth guides for those cycles. Apply for scholarships at the same time as your university application, not after you are admitted.
Applying from Pakistan
Students from Pakistan apply through UCAS in the same way as other international applicants, and Queen's and Ulster both have dedicated international admissions teams. Your FSc or A-level results are assessed against the course requirements, and you will need an English test (usually IELTS 6.0–6.5) unless your previous education was taught in English. Start early: UCAS opens in September, references take time to arrange, and the Student visa application needs your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies), which the university issues only after you accept an unconditional offer and pay any required deposit. Budget for the visa fee (£558), the IHS (£776 per year) and the maintenance funds (£1,203 a month) well before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is Northern Ireland cheaper than England? Yes — tuition at Queen's and Ulster is typically £3,000–£10,000 a year lower than comparable courses in London and the south of England, and Belfast living costs are lower too.
Can I work after graduation? Yes — the Graduate Route gives 18 months of work rights for bachelor's and master's graduates (three years for PhDs), anywhere in the UK.
Do I need a separate visa for Northern Ireland? No — Northern Ireland is part of the UK, so the standard UK Student visa applies.
Is IELTS required? Usually yes — most courses ask for IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall, though some accept TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo. Check the course page.
Related guides on Pakunii
UCAS Application Guide 2027 · Fully Funded Scholarships 2027 · IELTS Academic Guide · FAFSA 2027-28 Guide
Sources and verification: Queen's University Belfast official 2026-27 tuition fee schedule (UG classroom £22,400; laboratory £26,600; medicine £39,200/£47,000; PG taught £23,000/£27,600); UCAS equal-consideration deadline 13 January 2027 and fee £34.50; UK Home Office Student visa £558, IHS £776/year, maintenance £1,203/month outside London from 30 November 2026; Graduate Route 18 months from 1 January 2027. 2027-28 fees to be confirmed on the university's own pages.