Routes to University
There’s more than one route to a university degree in Northern Ireland.
Pathway Options
If you don’t get the grades to get straight into university, you don’t have to move away from Northern Ireland. There are plenty of options right here.
The six colleges in Northern Ireland offer a wide range of Higher Education (HE) courses that are closely aligned with industry demand and run in conjunction with other top UK education providers.
- Course types include Degrees, Foundation Degrees, HNDs, HNCs and Higher Level Apprenticeships.
- Areas of study include Business, Accounting, Travel and Tourism, Construction, Health and Social Care, Sport and many more.
Study a foundation degree or other higher education qualification at one of Northern Ireland’s six further education colleges then progress to complete your degree at St Mary’s University College or other local institutions, or enter full time employment.
For example, Belfast Metropolitan College offers a two year Foundation Degree in Health, Physical Activity and Sport. By completing the Foundation Degree with an average of 60% or higher, progression is available into Year 2 of the BA (Hons) Liberal Arts with Physical Education.
| Course | Entry Requirements | Location | Duration | Course Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Degree – Health, Physical Activity & Sport | CC | Belfast Met | 2 Years | Click here |
Students have also been successful in admission to our undergraduate courses by completing a Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma and obtaining high grades in these awards. Further details of the each programme are available by clicking on the relevant link.
What are the benefits?
Get a world class education, close to home, while enjoying a low cost of living and a vibrant social life.
Save
Northern Ireland Colleges and Universities have extremely competitive higher education fees in comparison to the rest of the UK.
Spend
Studying close to home will help you to save on living expenses; allowing you to fully enjoy your time in higher education.
Connections
By staying within NI you’ll remain close to your support network of family and friends.
Qualification
The academic qualifications awarded by NI Colleges and Universities are recognised worldwide.
Skills
NI Colleges and Universities develop course content in partnership with local employers, providing you with the skills local employers want.
Employment
High numbers of local graduates obtain employment or go onto further study.
Contribute
By staying local you will contribute to the NI economy, helping us grow and build for our future.
Stranmillis University College
Stranmillis University College offers a range of education related programmes for progression from FE Colleges.
The Open University
The Open University offers named degree pathways, and the cross-curricular Open Degree, as routes of progression from Further Education colleges.
Ulster University
The Further Education colleges offer a number of qualifications which allow progression to Ulster University undergraduate courses.
Queens University
Queen’s works in partnership with the Further Education colleges and offer a number of qualifications across a broad range subject areas which allow progression to Queens University undergraduate programmes.
The College of Agriculture
The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) is a specialist college for land-based courses in the agri-food and rural sectors in Northern Ireland.
