Established in 1849, this Russell Group university is famed for pharmacy, engineering and research into renewable energy. The campus is in the Botanic area of Belfast and encapsulates the "classic" image of a leafy university.
Queen's is also the parent affiliate of the teaching institution Stranmillis University College and Queen's University Belfast Institute of Theology as well as the Catholic ethos oriented St. Mary's University College.
As of June 2010, Queen's has become acknowledged as one of the United Kingdom's leading business schools and is currently constructing a state of the art business building.
United Kingdom Ranking: 32
Queen's University
University Road
Belfast, County Antrim BT7 1NN
Northern Ireland
011-44-28-9024-5133
qub.ac.uk
With campuses in Belfast, Jordanstown, Coleraine and Londonderry, the University of Ulster is understandably popular with Northern Irish students. Noted for biomedical sciences, nursing and midwifery and Celtic studies, the University of Ulster has been steadily rising in reputation in the past decade and the signs are only of continued improvement.
United Kingdom Ranking: 54
University of Ulster Jordanstown (Main Campus)
Shore Road
Newtownabbey, County Antrim BT37 0QB
Northern Ireland
011-44-870-040-0700
ulster.ac.uk
Belfast Metropolitan College is Northern Ireland's largest higher education institution (i.e., it offers the equivalent of senior high qualifications as well as college degrees). Offering a range of both vocational and academic courses, Belfast Metropolitan occupies a number of buildings around the city. The institution also boasts a number of celebrated academics as well as a recognized student support network.
Belfast Metropolitan College
Brunswick Street (Main Campus)
Belfast, County Antrim BT2 7GX
Northern Ireland
011-44-28-9026-5000
belfastmet.ac.uk
The second largest college in Northern Ireland, Southern Regional Colleges has campuses at Armagh, Banbridge, Kilkeel, Lurgan, Newry and Portadown. The College offers courses from BTEC Level 1 Diplomas, through NVQ's, National Diplomas and A levels.
Southern Regional College
Patrick Street (Main Campus)
Newry, County Down BT35 8DN
Northern Ireland
011-44-28-3026-1071
src.ac.uk
North West Regional College attracts a significant number of students from the Republic of Ireland as well as the North. Situated in Londonderry, Limavady and Strabane, the institution offers a mixture of full-time as well as part-time courses.
North West Regional College
Strand Road (Main Campus)
Londonderry, County Londonderry BT48 7AL
011-44-28-7127-6000
nwrc.ac.uk
Spread throughout the northeast of the country in Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Felden, Larne, Magherafelt and Newtownabbey, Northern Regional College is another popular location for Northern Irish students. The institution offers a mixture of full-time as well as part-time courses.
Northern Regional College
Shore Road (Main Campus)
Newtownabbey, County Antrim BT37 9RS
Northern Ireland
011-44-28-9085-5000
nrc.ac.uk
Numbering 30,000 students across seven campuses, South Eastern Regional College offers a mixture of full-time and part-time courses as well as a 'Fresh Start' project for anybody wishing to gain education.
South Eastern Regional College
Castle Street (Main Campus)
Lisburn, County Down BT27 4SU
Northern Ireland
011-44-845-600-7555
serc.ac.uk
An award winning learning institution, South West College has connections with a number of European education schemes and offers a range of part-time and full-time courses. Having been the result of a recent merge of several different institutions, South West College is in the process of expanding its syllabus.
South West College
Fairview (Main Campus)
1 Dublin Road,
Enniskillen County Fermanagh BT74 6AE
011-44-845-603-1881
swc.ac.uk
Do not allow the name to put you off. The Letterkenny Institute of Technology offers a wide range of courses from basic qualifications (Higher Certificates) to master's degrees. It is thus one of Ireland's most acknowledged academic institutions with the reputation to accompany it and it is currently forming an alliance with the University of Ulster to help its students progress further.
Letterkenny Institute of Technology
Port Road (Main Campus)
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Republic of Ireland
011-353-7491-86000
lyit.ie
Cavan Institute is renowned for business and administration with many of its students progressing to university-level education as a result. Accepting students of all abilities, Cavan Institute also boasts a wide range of vocational and academic courses. The institution also offers student accommodation.
Cavan Institute
Cathedral Road
Cavan, County Cavan 21390
Republic of Ireland
011-353-494-332-633
cavaninstitute.ie