University of Ulster

The University of Ulster (previously shortened to UU; Irish: Ollscoil Uladh, Ulster Scots: Universitie o Ulstèr or Varsitie o Ulster) is a multi-campus, co-educational university located in Northern Ireland. It is the largest single university in Ireland, discounting the federal National University of Ireland. The University of Ulster was established in 1968 as the New University of Ulster and can trace its roots back to 1845 when Magee College was established in Londonderry and 1849, when the School of Art and Design was inaugurated in Belfast. The university incorporated its four campuses in 1984 under the University of Ulster banner; these are located in Belfast, Coleraine (site of the administrative headquarters), Magee College in Londonderry, and Jordanstown. A fifth distance learning campus, Campus One, delivers online programmes; mainly at graduate level.

Ulster is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the European University Association, Universities Ireland and Universities UK. High demand for places and a thriving development programme contributed to a record number of applications in 2004-05 to keep the University of Ulster in the top 10 of the UK's most popular universities. The University of Ulster was shortlisted for the Sunday Times University of the Year award in 2001.

The university has one of the highest further study and/or employment rates in the UK, with 95% of graduates being in work or undertaking further study six months after they have completed their degree. In the field of biomedical sciences, the University of Ulster obtained a 5* rating, as well as being ranked joint first in the UK, following the Research Assessment Exercises in 1996 and 2001. In the 2008 RAE 86% of research activity at the university was rated as being of international quality, with 20% being classified as world-leading. Of particular note are the submissions within Biomedical Sciences, the University of Ulster Institute of Nursing Research and Celtic Studies which were all ranked within the top three UK universities