OpenFieldDepartment for the Economy (DfE) Vice-Chancellor's PhD Studentship
Prestigious Northern Ireland government scholarship funding three years of full-time doctoral research, living costs, and research materials.
Ulster University: Degree Programs, Scholarships & Research Guide
With its landmark £368 million city-centre campus in Belfast alongside campuses in Coleraine and Derry~Londonderry, Ulster University is Northern Ireland's leading civic research institution. Ranked top 5 in the UK for world-leading research in biomedical sciences, law, and creative technologies, Ulster offers comprehensive doctoral funding and strong NHS partnerships.
Verified degree programs and opportunities
Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:
Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Cutting-edge master's degree exploring deep neural networks, natural language processing, computer vision, and cognitive robotics at the new Belfast campus.
Biomedical Sciences Research Institute (BMSRI) Diabetes & Oncology Doctoral Fellowship
Three-year doctoral fellowship in the UK top-ranked Biomedical Sciences Research Institute discovering peptide-based therapeutics for type 2 diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
Belfast XR and Virtual Production Studio Creative Technologies Project
Creative research placement in the Studio Ulster virtual production complex pioneering real-time in-camera visual effects and immersive digital performance.
Connected Health & Medical Device Engineering Practicum
Six-month clinical engineering internship working alongside Belfast medical device manufacturers developing wearable biosensors and remote cardiovascular monitoring systems.
Transitional Justice Institute (TJI) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the internationally acclaimed Transitional Justice Institute researching peace accords, constitutional repair, and human rights accountability.
Lecturer in Criminology and Restorative Justice
Permanent academic lectureship in the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences teaching undergraduate criminology and researching community policing models.
Admissions, language requirements & application process
- Master's admission eligibility
- UK 2:2 or 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent with minimum 55–60% depending on tier of undergraduate university).
- Doctoral admission eligibility
- UK Master's degree with Merit or Distinction (or First Class Honours Bachelor degree) with strong research proposal and supervisory alignment.
- Language proficiency
- IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 (or IELTS 6.5 for clinical/health disciplines).
- Research statement / Proposal
- Detailed research proposal (approx 1,000–1,500 words) defining problem, methodology, and relevance to Ulster research institutes.
- Application fee
- £0 (Free direct online postgraduate application portal).
- Required documentation
- Official academic transcripts, degree awards, English language qualification, personal statement, and two academic references.
Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems
International postgraduate taught tuition typically ranges from £16,320 to £20,500 per academic year. Fully funded doctoral research studentships (supported by the Department for the Economy - DfE, EPSRC, and Vice-Chancellor's Research Scholarships) provide 100% international tuition coverage plus an indexed tax-free annual stipend of £19,237.
Verified faculty profiles and research leaders
Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at Ulster University:
Prof. Peter Flatt
Professor of Biomedical Sciences & Head of Diabetes Research Group · Diabetes therapeutics, Incretin hormones, Islet cell biology, Peptide chemistry
Prof. Louise Mallinder
Professor of Law & Transitional Justice Leader · Amnesty laws, Transitional justice, Human rights, Peace processes
Prof. Chris Nugent
Head of the School of Computing & Professor of Biomedical Engineering · Pervasive computing, Ambient assisted living, Digital health sensors, Smart environments
Important verification note
Facts reflect official Ulster University documentation reviewed 2026-10-15. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.
Reviewed 2026-10-15 · Editorial standards · Report an issue