The Economy Minister and the Vice-Chancellor announced the purchase of Timber Quay as part of the expansion of Ulster University’s Derry~Londonderry Campus.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald today said that land necessary to drive forward to the expansion of Ulster University’s Derry~Londonderry Campus to achieve 10,000 students has now been acquired by the Department and Ulster University.
During a visit to the campus the Minister and the Vice-Chancellor announced the purchase of the Timber Quay office block, which follows the recent acquisition of sites along Queens Quay.
Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, Prof Paul Bartholomew said:
“Due to recent rapid growth in student numbers at Ulster University Derry~Londonderry, our campus is currently at maximum capacity, and we have a pressing need for more space. The space that we stand in today at Timber Quay will be quickly transformed into teaching and learning environments in time to welcome new and returning students in September 2025. The additional land that we have acquired in partnership with DfE around Queen’s Quay will help us to add additional spaces in the future.
“We will continue to work with our partners to realise growth on this campus and are grateful to our co-investors in the Department for the Economy for their financial support to ensure that together, we are delivering for Derry~Londonderry.”
Speaking after a tour of the sites, the Minister, said:
“Since the Magee Expansion Taskforce was setup last year my Department, in partnership with Ulster University, have contributed almost £21.5m of capital expenditure to support the planned growth. The acquisition of the Timber Quay building will itself allow Ulster University to accommodate 375 new students in the next academic year.
“This purchase, along with the additional lands secured along Queen’s Quay, means we can drive forward to reach 10,000 students at Magee by 2032.”
Chair of the Magee Taskforce, Stephen Kelly said:
“Today’s announcement ensures that momentum is maintained to deliver on the 10,000 minimum target agreed in the Programme for Government. The University have purchased these properties from local owners who are as determined as all of us in seeing Ulster University’s expansion plans meeting the city’s economic, cultural, and social ambitions.”
Teaching more than 5,300 students in the last academic year, the Ulster University Derry~Londonderry campus is home to over 120 programmes, with more being added annually. The thriving campus is a hub for health sciences, creative industries, computing and engineering, business, and the arts.
This year, the University was ranked top 10 in the UK for five of the courses taught in Derry~Londonderry (Speech and Language Therapy, Information Systems and Management, Radiography, Physiotherapy and Health Studies), and the institution is the UK and Ireland University of the Year, Times Higher Education.
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.Visitors from the Canada UK Chamber of Commerce Office and the Government of Alberta enjoyed a roundtable discussion to learn about what Ulster University has to offer and explore future collaboration.
Representatives from Ulster University welcomed Nicholas Greenwood from the Government of Alberta, and Jaspreet Grewal, Director and Co-Chair of the Canada UK Chamber of Commerce and BioAlberta, and CEO of biotech research organisation AxialBridge, for a two-day visit to its Derry~Londonderry and Belfast campuses.
A Canadian delegation previously came to Belfast in April 2024, and this visit allowed for more in-depth exploration of life and health sciences opportunities, discussion around potential trade and partnership opportunities and the practicalities of the Windsor Framework. During the delegation’s time in Derry~Londonderry, representatives from Derry and Strabane District Council were also able to find out about specific opportunities for the North West arising from City and Growth Deals.
Professor Victor Gault, Associate Dean Research and Innovation-Life and Health Sciences at Ulster University, said:
“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Nick Greenwood, Trade, Investment, and Office Coordinator for the Government of Alberta, to our Derry~Londonderry and Belfast campuses. Our longstanding and meaningful partnership with AxialBridge continues to thrive, and we are delighted to reengage with Jaspreet Grewal in her capacity as Board Director and Co-Chair of the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce and BioAlberta.
“We are proud to showcase our current capabilities and share our vision for the future, highlighting our transformative growth projects. These include the School of Medicine, the Centre for Food and Drug Discovery, and the Centre for Digital Healthcare Technologies, which will be delivered from investments through City and Growth Deals and the Inclusive Futures Fund.
“Ulster University is enthusiastic about collaborating with Canadian BioTech, MedTech, and Pharmaceutical companies to further contribute to the economic development of the region. Events like this enable us to increase the capacity for clinical trials and attract companies into Northern Ireland. We note thanks to The Executive Office, Department of Business and Trade, and HIRANI for coordinating this event.”
Jaspreet Grewal, Director and Co-Chair, Canada UK Chamber of Commerce and BioAlberta, and CEO of AxialBridge, commented:
“The purpose of this visit by the Government of Alberta is to support AxialBridge’s increased activities in Northern Ireland, in particular with Ulster University, and to learn more about the country’s life science, tech, and innovation ecosystems. We would also be delighted to identify future areas of collaboration and partnership.
“In September 2023, AxialBridge and BioAlberta solidified a significant partnership with the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) to launch their Virtual Office programme – their first international office in Canada. Through this partnership, we aim to achieve impactful and bilateral collaborative initiatives in the life sciences between Canada and the United Kingdom. As such, we are delighted to explore partnership opportunities within the health and life sciences in Northern Ireland and beyond.”
Nicholas Greenwood, Trade, Investment and Office Coordinator, Government of Alberta, added:
“It’s a great pleasure to be invited to Northern Ireland for the first time and to meet so many different experts from across the region. The main focus of the trip is Life Sciences but I’m also keen to explore the opportunities across the thriving tech and energy sector as well as understanding the investment funding and local structural framework. It’s clear that there are plenty of opportunities for collaboration between Alberta and Northern Ireland.”
The delegation continued their visit at Ulster University’s Belfast campus on 25 March, and later met with representatives from InvestNI, Belfast City Council and Queen’s University, Belfast.
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Funded by the UK’s AI Security Institute, the research will develop ethical guidelines and policy recommendations about the adoption of AI across the courts system.
Researchers at Ulster University’s newly established Centre for Legal Technology (CLT) are set to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in judicial decision making.
Supported by £200,000 in funding from the UK’s AI Security Institute, the project will examine how AI could be responsibly integrated into judicial decision-making while ensuring fairness, transparency, and judicial independence.
Through collaboration with members of the judiciary, policymakers, legal professionals, industry and AI experts, the 12-month scheme will develop ethical guidelines and policy recommendations to ensure that AI adoption in judicial systems aligns with the rule of law and human rights standards.
The initial phase will focus on the Courts of England and Wales, exploring how AI systems could support judicial processes without undermining core legal principles.
Led by John Keers BL, an Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) expert and Director of the CLT, the project represents a significant breakthrough for Northern Ireland’s legal technology sector, marking its emergence as a key player in AI ethics and judicial innovation.
The groundbreaking AI research project is one of only 20 successful bids out of 451 applications to the AI Security Institute’s Systemic AI Safety Grants Programme. First announced at the Seoul AI Summit, the programme aims to increase societal resilience to AI-related risks so its benefits can be fully realised.
Each awarded seed grants of up to £200,000, the 20 projects will involve independent research focused on safeguarding the societal systems and critical infrastructure into which AI is being deployed.
John Keers BL, Director of Ulster University’s Centre for Legal Technology, said:
“While AI is not currently used in judicial decision-making, it is vital to develop ethical and regulatory safeguards now to ensure any future adoption aligns with the values of justice. This project’s selection by the UK’s AI Secuity Institute underscores the growing role Northern Ireland is playing in advancing legal technology and shaping the future of the justice system.”
This initiative highlights the ambition and innovation driving Northern Ireland’s legal technology community and its potential to make a meaningful contribution to the future of justice in the UK and beyond.
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In a move to invest in the future of the North-West and support local talent, Gray’s Communications has announced a new scholarship to fully fund an MBBS medical degree at Ulster University’s Derry~Londonderry campus.
Covering the full cost of tuition and living expenses for the recipient throughout their studies, the scholarship aims to encourage aspiring doctors from the North-West to study and build their careers locally. This initiative supports the region’s projected growth, driven by progress in both the local City Deal and the expansion of the Derry~Londonderry Campus. The investment not only highlights the growing importance of the campus for the North-West region but also aims to help address the challenges of medical recruitment and retention locally.
Chris Gray, Chief Executive of Gray’s Communications, said:
“Derry has always had a wealth of talent and potential, but too often, our young people feel they need to leave to find opportunities elsewhere. By funding this scholarship, we’re making a clear statement that there is a future here, and we are committed to retaining the region’s brightest minds. This initiative also closely aligns with the NI Executive’s call for universities and private businesses to collaborate in building a stronger society. We’re proud to play our part in delivering that vision.”
Malachy O’Neill, Ulster University Director of Regional Engagement, said:
“Gray’s Communications shares our vision for a pipeline of medical talent for the North-West and we would like to offer our sincere thanks for their generous support for one of our graduate entry medical students on our Derry~Londonderry campus. This scholarship will help a future medic to overcome the financial barrier that some face in realising their vocation in medicine. This announcement is particularly apt as we prepare to graduate our first cohort of doctors in Summer this year, many of who are going on to further training posts in the region.
“If you are an offer holder, or if you know an offer holder who might meet the criteria then please encourage them to apply for this scholarship. You can find out more about the programme and this scholarship opportunity at an applicant webinar on 17 June.”
Gray’s Communications, a marketing, communications, and design agency based in Derry city centre, has a longstanding track record of supporting regional growth. Over the past eight years, the company has contributed more than £5million to the local economy through salaries and contractor fees.
Ulster University’s Graduate-Entry Medical Programme is based at the Derry~Londonderry campus and is open to graduates from a wide range of science and non-science backgrounds.
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Funding for the North West Digital Employment Pathway Training Hub (NW DEPTH) initiative was included in a total of €46,064,915 of PEACEPLUS funding announced recently to improve equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
This project – supported by the PEACEPLUS Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) – will be led by Atlantic Technological University, in partnership with Ulster University, North West Regional College, and Donegal Education and Training Board via their well-established strategic collaboration, the North West Tertiary Education Cluster (NWTEC).
The Area Based Regional Skills Development Programme, through the PEACEPLUS Delivering Socio-Economic Regeneration and Transformation theme, will develop and upskill 10,000 people to engage on key growth sectors, which will boost economic growth and create a more balanced regional economy. The NW DEPTH proposal aims to deliver a digital skills framework targeting the North West City Region (County Donegal and the Derry City and Strabane District Council Area). The NW DEPTH project will develop and deliver a portfolio of upskilling and reskilling programmes to ensure 2,000+ people advance up the qualifications’ framework via digital and cybersecurity skills courses.
The NW DEPTH project will run for a four-year period and will see close to a €10 million investment in digital skills in the North West. A target of 2,000+ participants will have access to high-quality employment-focused digital and cybersecurity tertiary education programmes free of charge. To ensure a lasting legacy, the funding also includes provision for the development of a NW Digital Strategy aimed at supporting the growth of the many innovative digital enterprises operating in this cross-border region and improving the attractiveness of the region for the establishment of new smart enterprises.
PEACEPLUS is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
NWTEC partners recognise the strong support that this represents from the funders and the responsibility it confers on NWTEC to deliver on the transformative potential that this funding has in conjunction with other recent funding announcements, such as the Derry and Strabane Growth Deal.
Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU, stated that “securing PEACEPLUS funding for the NW DEPTH project will empower a significant number of individuals to thrive in an increasingly digital world of employment. It will not only enrich individual lives, but this funding will also strengthen regional industries by better facilitating innovation as well as providing support for economic growth. I want to congratulate those who worked on this bid and look forward to seeing successful outcomes being achieved in the years ahead.”
Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor at Ulster University said “Ulster University is delighted to be a key project partner on the North West Digital Employment Pathways Training Hub (NW DEPTH) initiative. This is a strategically important investment in the skills profile of the NW region and complements other major investment plans enabled by the Derry and Strabane City Deal and Shared Island funding. This project builds on existing collaboration and co-operation established through the North West Tertiary Education Cluster and this PEACEPLUS investment in digital skills is a further endorsement of the value placed on, and importance of, developing education and capacity to support economic and social development across the region. The overall objective of DEPTH is to develop a Digital Skills framework for individuals to support re-entering, remaining or progressing their role in the NW region workforce, which is particularly important as we work with partners across the region to expand Ulster University’s campus in Derry~Londonderry. We look forward to continuing to work with partners on the digital skills development, upskilling and reskilling provision in the region targeting 2000 participants across the four years of the project.”
SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “This PEACEPLUS funding supports five area-based approaches, designed to address evidenced skills gaps, which will result in increased productivity and employment and higher levels of cross-border labour mobility. The programme and the joined-up approach will enable cross-community and cross-border collaboration between education and training-based collaborations that maximise the capacity of the programme area to address existing and emerging skills gaps, and opportunities for reskilling. Economic development in post-conflict regions is vital in underpinning peace. Investment in the economy, providing support for SMEs, research, and innovation in specific areas of need are among the key focus areas for the PEACEPLUS Delivering Socio-Economic Regeneration and Transformation theme.”
Leo Murphy, Principal and Chief Executive of North West Regional College (NWRC) said: “We at NWRC are delighted to be involved as a partner on the NW DEPTH project. This is a validation of the excellent work of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster by building digital and cybersecurity skills sets within our NW region. The partnership with Mastercard allows the region to develop an enhanced presence on FinTech and cyber expertise at a tertiary skills level. This will allow us to build competitive advantage and lead to the potential for more inward investment and indigenous growth in this sector.”
Anne McHugh, Chief Executive of Donegal Education and Training Board expressed delight that the NWTEC will be providing this much needed digital skills training in the region. “Our cross-border region is unique and full of opportunities and promise. This funding will significantly raise the chances that its promise will be fulfilled as we continue to seek to provide opportunities which will allow the region to compete on an all-island basis. Donegal ETB plays an enormously important part in the skills development area within Co Donegal and the cross-border region and the PEACEPLUS funding will contribute to this ongoing work in a really positive way.”
Paul Hannigan, Head of College ATU Donegal and VP for Cross-border Engagement at ATU, noted: “NWTEC is a strong partnership, and through our industry engagement via the NWTEC Smart Industry Board together with our links to community groups, this consortium is committed and well placed to deliver on the full potential of this critically important PEACEPLUS support for the North West City Region.”
We at NWRC are delighted to be involved as a partner on the NW DEPTH project. This is a validation of the excellent work of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster by building digital and cybersecurity skills sets within our NW region. The partnership with Mastercard allows the region to develop an enhanced presence on FinTech and cyber expertise at a tertiary skills level. This will allow us to build competitive advantage and lead to the potential for more inward investment and indigenous growth in this sector.
Leo Murphy
Principal and Chief Executive of North West Regional College
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Ulster University has been awarded ‘University of the Year 2024’, the most prestigious title of all by Times Higher Education. For the first time in the University’s history, Ulster University is recognised as the top higher education institution in the UK and Ireland.
Known as the Oscars of the UK university sector, the Times Higher Education annual awards celebrate the best of higher education in the UK and Ireland. The University of the Year accolade honours exceptional university performance, with this year’s award reflecting achievements during the 2022-23 academic year.
In September, Ulster University was shortlisted alongside five other top-ranking institutions: London Metropolitan University, University of Stirling, University of Leicester, University of Sunderland, and University of Surrey. The awards attract hundreds of entries each year from universities across all corners of the UK and Ireland, that exemplify the talent, innovation, and commitment of individuals and teams across all aspects of university life.
What the judges said
Ulster University was hailed as a “force for good in fostering peace, prosperity and cohesion” and took the top spot in recognition of its role as an anchor institution in a region that has undergone rapid change in the quarter-century since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
The award honoured the completion of Ulster’s £364 million Belfast campus, creating a vital connection to a historically underserved community, backed up with a schools programme designed to boost higher education participation among the city’s young males.
The judges were also impressed by the securing of a €44.5 million (£37 million) investment from the Irish government for the development of Ulster’s Derry/Londonderry campus, making it a groundbreaking cross-jurisdictional project.
The judges said these achievements “demonstrated the university’s growing influence and status in the island of Ireland, and as a force for good in fostering peace, prosperity and cohesion”.
2023: A momentous year for Ulster University
The top accolade recognises Ulster University for its ‘People, Place and Partnership’ strategy, which recommitted to maintaining a dual focus on research and teaching while driving social mobility and economic growth. The university’s commitment to putting the student experience at the heart, led to achieving its highest rank in the history of UK domestic tables.
In what was a momentous year, the university secured a multi-million-pound Shared Island investment in a new teaching and student services building in Derry~Londonderry, which is set to expand an already thriving hub for health sciences, interdisciplinary training and practice in the North West. The campus is preparing to graduate the first cohort of doctors from the Graduate Entry School of Medicine next year and offers the first Paramedic Science course in Northern Ireland meaning that Ulster University’s Derry~Londonderry campus provides the most comprehensive higher education healthcare offering in the UK and Ireland.
Additionally, the University marked the completion of its new state-of-the-art Belfast city centre campus, one of the largest higher education capital projects in Europe, recently named Building of the Year by the Royal Society of Ulster Architects. A beacon of aspiration and an engine of innovation, the campus is transforming learning and teaching experiences while making a significant economic impact in the immediate area, across the city, and the wider region.
With a unique multi-campus model, Ulster University is also delivering on its ambition for an innovative drug discovery centre in Coleraine to complement the existing Biomedical Science and Pharmacology offering. An expansive, semi-rural facility based on the north coast, the Coleraine campus is home to new programmes such as Adventure Sports and Golf Management alongside Arts, Humanities and Education.
Marking the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement
In the year of the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement the institution launched a one-of-its kind leadership programme, 25@25 which helped 25 graduates develop their full leadership potential. Ulster University’s vital role in Northern Ireland’s journey from peace to prosperity over the last 25 years was acknowledged by the President of the United States of America when he selected the University as his only visit to the UK in April 2023 to mark the milestone.
Alongside the achievements of 2022/23, the institution continued to operate with the student experience at its heart, achieving its highest rank in the history of UK domestic tables.
Ulster University Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Bartholomew said:
“We are incredibly proud and delighted to be announced as University of the Year by Times Higher Education. These prestigious awards attract hundreds of entries from top institutions across the UK and Ireland, and this recognition reflects the hard work of our staff and the support of our student community across our campuses.
“I truly believe that Ulster University is an extraordinary organisation in every sense of the word, and in recent years we really began to realise our full potential. Ulster University is a research-led, people centric, community-focused and values driven institution that believes in equality, celebrates diversity and fosters inclusion.
“Today, we are a University of and for the world, attracting the attention of presidents, politicians and changemakers.
“As a multi-campus University uniquely positioned in Northern Ireland, we play a pivotal role in driving forward economic prosperity and growth that creates opportunities and improves the quality of lives across the whole of our shared region.
“Our People, Place and Partnership strategy capitalises on that and emphasises our dual focus on research and teaching while driving social mobility. We demonstrate the belief that though we inherit our past, we chose our future, and it is our mission to ensure that all of our students have all the skills they need to make a difference in the world.”
Ulster University was previously shortlisted for University of the Year in 2021 by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. In June 2024, the University was recognised as the highest-ranking UK university for outreach activities, and fifth in the world overall, in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024.
This year marked the 20th anniversary of THE Awards celebrated at a glittering gala ball held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on Thursday, 28 November. Ulster University’s recognition as University of the Year was one of 19 categories celebrated on the night
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Ulster University has brought together students, faculty, industry experts, and members of the local community to mark the milestone of 40 years of computing at its Derry~Londonderry campus.
In an anniversary celebration on 20 November, the School of Computing brought together stakeholders to explore current innovations and imagine what the future may hold for computing and wider society.
The day featured a Pitch and Judge competition for secondary school students across the North West who were challenged to ‘Envisage 2064’ and imagine what computing may look like, and how it will change society, 40 years from now.
With participation from over 60 students, the young people explored future transformative changes in technology, society, and sustainability through computing, before presenting for a panel of judges.
After four decades innovating from the heart of Derry~Londonderry, the School of Computing also opened the doors to the Intelligent Systems Research Centre for public tours that provided a glimpse into Ulster University’s ongoing projects and future aspirations, underscoring the University’s commitment to advancing technological innovation and contributing to breakthroughs that impact industries, healthcare, and daily life.
The event concluded with a public lecture by Professor Michaela Black, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at Ulster University, on ‘Demystifying the Hype of AI’.
Professor Black shared insights on AI’s trajectory, its societal impact and what the future holds in this exciting field, unpacking the often-misunderstood aspects of artificial intelligence, examining its societal impact, ethical implications, and the potential challenges and breakthroughs we may see in the years to come.
“I was delighted to meet up and share some insights of AI with colleagues and visitors celebrating this fantastic event. The excellent attendance highlights the great public interest in AI and the eagerness of everyone to share and discuss how citizens can benefit from responsible AI, delivering a collective good for all of society and the environment.
Professor Michaela Black,
Professor of Artificial Intelligence at Ulster University,
Ulster University is working to foster greater AI adoption in business through the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC), a project based across Belfast and Derry~Londonderry and delivered in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast.
Launched as part of a £16.3 million investment by Invest Northern Ireland and the Department for the Economy in March 2024, the AICC is dedicated to advancing AI awareness and adoption among businesses in Northern Ireland, with a focus on ethical and responsible innovation.
This 40th anniversary celebration of Computing in Derry~Londonderry reflects Ulster University’s dedication to community engagement, academic excellence, and vision for the future. With events designed for schoolchildren, students, colleagues, industry professionals, and the broader public, the celebration highlights our inclusive commitment to computing and innovation. We look forward to an exciting future ahead for Computing at the University.
Professor Colin Turner
Pro Vice Chancellor & Executive Dean of the Faculty of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment,
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The Nursing Competence Test Centre at Ulster University is one of just five Nursing Midwifery Council approved CTCs in the UK.
Ulster University has officially opened the doors to its newly expanded and reimagined Nursing Competence Test Centre today, located at Foyle House in Derry~Londonderry. This significant development aims to address the growing global demand for nursing and midwifery healthcare professionals in the UK.
The Ulster University School of Nursing and Paramedic Science hosts and operates this vital Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) Competence Test Centre (CTC) which has, over the years, expanded to meet growing demand.
Earlier this year the university purchased a new site that shares a border with the University’s Duncreggan Student Village, a very short walk from campus buildings, and began expansion plans.
The development will enable over 8,000 internationally educated nursing and midwifery candidates per year from around the world, to take their NMC Test of Competence Part 2 Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) assessment in order to join the NMC Register of nurses, midwives and nursing associates.
The CTC on the Derry~Londonderry campus is one of just five NMC approved CTCs in the UK – and the only one in Northern Ireland, reflecting the University’s expertise and leadership in nursing. First established in 2017, the test centre has not only helped to alleviate pressures on the health sector but has also become an economic driver for the North West with businesses across the city reaping the many benefits of increased visitor numbers.
Marking the significant expansion, Ulster University hosted a celebratory launch event at Foyle House. People from across the UK were welcomed to explore the new facilities, highlighting an important opportunity to support nursing capacity and alleviate pressures on the health service in the UK.
Esteemed guests included representatives from the NMC, Healthcare Trusts, the Independent Sector, the Royal College of Nursing, the Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Darren Guy, and Northern Ireland’s Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt.
Mr Nesbitt said:
“The test centre here at Ulster University has gained a reputation as the preferred choice for many candidates. This speaks volumes for the efforts made by Ulster University, not only to support the development of the workforce to meet the healthcare needs of our population, but also their unwavering dedication to academic excellence and professional integrity.
“To the candidates embarking on this journey, I encourage you to view this Centre not simply as an examination stage but as a stepping stone towards a fulfilling career in healthcare. You are joining a community that values compassion, excellence, working together and openness and honesty. The skills you acquire here will not only be instrumental in your personal journey, but will enable you to make a significant contribution to Northern Ireland.”
Shahneela Grygiel, Assistant Director of Registration and Revalidation at the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said:
“We are delighted to be in Derry-Londonderry to explore the new Foyle House site at Ulster University. This expansion is good news for people who use health and care services, helping even more skilled and knowledgeable professionals from all over the world to join our register safely and quickly.
“We’re seeing more nursing and midwifery professionals on the NMC register than ever before – 826,418. The expansion at Ulster University will play a vital role in this continued growth, enabling internationally educated professionals and those returning to practice, to provide the high-quality care everyone across the UK has the right to receive.”
About the CTC Nurses and midwives are required to undergo comprehensive assessment in order to confirm their competency before they can practice in the UK. The designated test centre on the Derry~Londonderry campus delivers the OSCE, which tests candidates’ skills, knowledge and behaviours in a simulated practice environment. This is the final test that candidates must pass in order to gain registration as a nurse, midwife or nursing associate in the UK.
With a responsive approach to meeting the needs of individuals and organisations, the School of Nursing and Paramedic Science at Ulster University facilitates much needed registered nurses and midwives, who have been recruited from overseas, in their journey to registration. This enables them to move forward in establishing their career in the UK whilst making a valued and essential contribution to the health of the public through their knowledge, expertise, and experience.
Since opening in 2017, over 32,000 nurses from countries including Canada, Japan, Philippines, India, Africa, and Barbados have undertaken the OSCE at the Ulster University Competence Test Centre (CTC) and are now working in healthcare settings across Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland.
Professor Carol Curran, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences at Ulster University commented:
“This significant development signifies our continued commitment to the Derry~Londonderry campus and our ambitions for momentum in development here. This allows us to expand our campus footprint into a neighbouring site and importantly, benefits the local economy in the North West by boosting international travel to Derry~Londonderry with associated bed nights in local hotels.”
“Additionally, some 90 staff – most of whom are local nurses – are employed in the CTC as assessors and patient role players so this CTC allows us to support the local economy though employment too. We have plans for further recruitment now that our CTC has expanded on the Foyle House site.”
Professor Neal Cook, Professor of Nursing and Head of School of Nursing and Paramedic Science said
“We are delighted to see our CTC provision expand from 12 to 20 testing bays at our new site, maximising the responsive provision to facilitating internationally educated nurses, midwives and nursing associates from all over the globe to enter the NMC live register. This enhanced provision will expand on our ability to support these nurses and their sponsors as well as provide our team with bespoke facilities to maximise the quality of our provision, complementing our continued commitment to a person-centred approach. The community support and hospitality the candidates receive on their visit to the city also enhances their positive experience. This is a team and service to be proud of, particularly given the impact on health services nationally”.
Ulster University has an international reputation for nursing excellence and is rated top 10 in the UK for nursing (QS World Subject Rankings 2023 and Complete University Guide 2024).
https://investderrystrabane.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/InvestDerry_Strabane_logo_small-003.jpg00Adam Goodallhttps://investderrystrabane.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/InvestDerry_Strabane_logo_small-003.jpgAdam Goodall2024-09-23 13:54:192024-09-23 13:54:23Ulster University Derry~Londonderry Officially Launches Expanded International Nursing Competence Test Centre Addressing Workforce Shortages
On 22nd August, Ulster University marked a historic moment for Northern Ireland, as the first cohort of BSc Hons Paramedic Science students celebrated ahead of graduation in December 2024 from the region’s first ever BSc Paramedic Sciences programme.
Forty students attended an official celebration ceremony, recognising their successful completion of all elements necessary to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This milestone marks their readiness to contribute significantly to the future of healthcare delivery across Northern Ireland.
With funding support from the Department of Health, the three-year course launched in September 2021 with 40 students and three dedicated lecturers. Due to its growing popularity, the programme now accommodates 130 students across all year groups and boasts a teaching team of 10 academics. This expansion emphasises the courses’ vital role in supporting Northern Ireland’s healthcare workforce and easing pressures on the health service.
Throughout the course, students completed a comprehensive range of academic modules focused on the fundamentals of emergency and urgent care. They completed 60 weeks of practice-based learning in various community health and social care settings, hospital services, and ambulance services.
In addition to classroom-based learning, students benefited from hands-on experience within Ulster University’s cutting-edge facility Skills Suite featuring hospital wards, clinical rooms, and a unique simulated ambulance custom-built for the School of Nursing & Paramedic Science at the Derry~Londonderry campus – the only one of its kind in the region.
Graduates have developed the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary to become a competent and confident paramedic who provides safe person-centred care.
This groundbreaking course, based within multi- award-winning School of Nursing & Paramedic Science is a significant step forward in the development of the paramedic profession in Northern Ireland and beyond. Until 2021, aspiring paramedics from Northern Ireland were required to travel to the south of Ireland or across the Irish Sea to complete a BSc Hons programme in Paramedic Science.
Ben Malone a student on the course always wanted to be a paramedic since the age of 8 years old after his Nanny experienced a stroke, he remembered feeling relief and reassurance as the Paramedics arrived, he said:
“I’ve always wanted to be a paramedic. We have been at the forefront of this programme, pioneering its development over the past three years. The friends I have made, skills and knowledge I have learned from expert lecturers and the experience I have gained through practice learning, will stand to me in years to come.
“Whilst it has been challenging and demanding at times, both academically and throughout practice learning, I am glad to say that I have successfully completed the course, passed all modules and received a conditional offer of employment from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service HSCT (pending my registration in the coming weeks). “I look forward to what the future holds, embarking on a career as a paramedic and witnessing the success of future cohorts from the BSc programme at Ulster University.”
Professor Neal Cook, Head of School of Nursing and Paramedic Science at Ulster University said:
“We are immensely proud of our paramedic science students reaching this important and historic milestone as the first cohort to graduate with their BSc Hons Paramedic Science. Their success is testament to their dedication to the profession and their studies and also testament to the support and expert education they have received from their course team and practice partners, without whom we could not deliver this quality provision. The success of their programme is the culmination of valued partnerships and collaborative endeavours across a spectrum of stakeholders, including all six health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland as well as the Department of Health and the independent and voluntary sectors. We have every faith that these graduands will have long and impactful careers as paramedics, we are so proud of their achievements”.
Mr. Andrew Chambers, Course Director BSc Paramedic Science at Ulster University said:
“Despite often being the first, and sometimes the crucial medical contact for people within the community, paramedics have lacked the credibility that they deserve. However, the introduction of this degree programme and the recent elevation of paramedics to Allied Health Profession (AHP) status helps to further cement the position of paramedics as healthcare professionals in their own right, capable of operating across a wide variety of healthcare environments. The students from our course represent the future of the paramedic profession and the wider Health Service here in Northern Ireland and I have no doubt that with the diverse learning opportunities they have received as part of this programme that they will go on to have a profound impact on the delivery of prehospital care within the province for years to come.”
Neil Sinclair, Chief Paramedic Officer, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said:
“We are delighted to join Ulster University, and all of the other partner organisations, in congratulating the first cohort of UU Student Paramedics as they complete their BSc (Hons) programme. They have been on a journey through academic and practice-based learning over the past 3 years, and they will soon embark on the next phase of their careers as they transition into employment. We are looking forward to welcoming many of them to NIAS in the very near future; where they will be able to utilise the knowledge and personal attributes they have developed over the last 3 years, alongside their new colleagues in NIAS, to provide the best possible pre-hospital care to people across all of Northern Ireland. The arrival of this large number of highly-skilled new recruits will bring benefits and welcome support, not only to NIAS, but across the entire health and social care system, and most importantly to the local community.”
https://investderrystrabane.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/InvestDerry_Strabane_logo_small-003.jpg00Adam Goodallhttps://investderrystrabane.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/InvestDerry_Strabane_logo_small-003.jpgAdam Goodall2024-09-23 13:44:472024-09-23 13:44:51Ulster University Hosts Celebration for Northern Ireland’s First Ever Paramedic Science Students
The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue, welcomed a delegation of PhD students from a special London College community to the Guildhall on Friday for a special reception.
It’s the first time that students from Goodenough College have visited the city as part of a wider cultural enrichment programme. Goodenough College is an educational charity providing award winning postgraduate student accommodation in the heart of London’s university district.
The College aims to provide a supportive community for over 700 international postgraduate and their families from over 80 different nations. It benefits students through a programme of intellectual, cultural and social activities that gives students access to an international network and nurtures a global outlook.
12 students arrived in the city as part of a trip aimed promoting their understanding of N. Ireland, and in particular Derry, including its history and culture. While they are here the group are staying at St Columb’s Park House and visiting a number of local sites.
Welcoming the group to the City, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue, said: “I am always delighted to welcome young people to Derry and to share some of our wonderful heritage and culture. We have a strong connection with the City of London in terms of promoting skills and education, and this was another opportunity to discuss our shared interests and the many benefits of living, learning and working here.
“The students really enjoyed their visit to the Guildhall, where they had the chance to ask questions about local politics, peace-building and how Derry has been positively transformed over the years. They were also impressed to learn more about the city’s development as a leading hub for research and innovation excellence particularly in the areas of AI, data, health, and industry 4.0 technologies.”
Travelling with the students are the Dean of the Goodenough College, Alan McCormack originally from N. Ireland, who is also chaplain to the Lord Mayor City of London and Catherine McGuinness (fellow of Goodenough College and former Policy Chair, City of London).
Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patricia Logue, pictured with a delegation from Goodenough College, London, held in the Mayor’s Parlour. Seated on her left is Alan McCormack (Dean, Goodenough College) and on right Catherine McGuinness CBE (Chair of the policy & resources committee, City of London Corporation). Standing on the right is Adam Goodall, Investment Project Officer, DCSDC. (Photo – Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)
https://investderrystrabane.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/InvestDerry_Strabane_logo_small-003.jpg00Adam Goodallhttps://investderrystrabane.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/InvestDerry_Strabane_logo_small-003.jpgAdam Goodall2024-04-15 09:19:152024-04-15 09:19:24Mayor welcomes students from Goodenough College community
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