Higher Education finance and student support available
Information on the funding of HE providers in NI and the various types of financial support (including student loans and grants) available for students.
Higher education finance and governance
The primary aim of the Department’s policy for higher education is to promote and sustain the development of an internationally competitive Higher Education sector, accessible to all who are able to benefit and which meets the needs of the Northern Ireland economy and wider society.
Funding higher education providers
In support of the provision of higher education in Northern Ireland, the Department provides significant funding each year to Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, the Open University, St Mary’s University College and Stranmillis University College. Higher education is also funded and delivered through the six regional Further Education colleges.
While the universities are autonomous bodies, with responsibility for how they make use of their funding, their allocations in recent years were made in the context of the following aims:
to enhance universities’ research capabilities and research quality;
to support the universities in achieving long-term sustainability;
to exploit fully the contribution which the universities can make to the economy and, in particular, to increase their responsiveness to the needs of business and the community;
to increase participation and widen access, particularly from groups who are under-represented in higher education;
to improve quality and standards of teaching and learning alongside promoting greater flexibility in delivery;
to ensure effective governance of all the universities’ affairs.
Legislation
Grant funding
The Department makes grant payments to higher education institutions under:
Article 30 of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1993; and
Article 66 of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986
The universities
The universities operate under the provisions of their establishing Charters.
Queen’s University Belfast – Charter and Statutes
Ulster University - Charter and Statutes
Open University - Charter and Statutes
The university colleges
St Mary’s University College has its origins in a training college established in 1900 by the Dominican Sisters on the present Falls Road site for the education of women students and their preparation for teaching in primary schools. The college has developed and evolved to also include training for male students (for some years on a separate site) and preparation for teaching in secondary schools.
Stranmillis University College was founded as a non-denominational institution in 1922 to provide state-funded teacher training alongside that already available at the then existing St Mary’s College.
Both institutions have since become academically recognised as university colleges of the Queen’s University of Belfast. The University has overarching responsibility for academic quality and standards and validates the courses offered by both institutions.
In 2005 Stranmillis was incorporated in its present form under the provisions of
The Colleges of Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2005
As from 1 April 2012, Stranmillis has been classified as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) of the Department.
Governance
The Universities
The universities are governed in accordance with their Charter and Statutes.
The Governing Body of Queen’s University Belfast (Senate):
QUB Senate - Terms of Reference
The Governing Body of Ulster University (Council) :
Ulster University - Members of Council
The Governing Body of the Open University (Council), operating across the UK:
The Department for has no role in the appointment of members to the university governing bodies.
The University Colleges
St Mary’s University College is governed in accordance with its Scheme of Management.
St Mary's - Board of Governors
The Department appoints representative Governors through open competitions run in accordance with the code of practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI). Members are normally appointed for an initial period of 5 years but can be re-appointed for a second term. The Department has no role in the appointment of the other members of the Governing Body.
Stranmillis University College is governed in accordance with the Colleges of Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 and its Instrument of Government and Articles of Government.
Stranmillis - Governance arrangements
Representatives (including the Chair) are selected through open competitions run by the Department in accordance with the code of practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI). Members are normally appointed for an initial period of 4 years but can be re-appointed for a second term.
While the Department formally appoints all members of the Stranmillis Governing Body, it has no role in the selection of the ex-officio or staff representative members.
Higher education student support
The Department is responsible for higher education student finance policy in Northern Ireland, including the drafting of annual legislation which underpins the award of student finance to Northern Ireland students, regardless of where they are studying.
Student support is delivered to Northern Ireland students by the Student Loans Company and the Education Authority under the banner Student Finance NI.
Student Tuition Fees
The level of undergraduate tuition fee for students from Northern Ireland studying here is set by the Department. For undergraduate students studying outside of Northern Ireland, fees will vary between courses as well as between universities.
Indicative tuition fees for the most recent academic year are available at Tuition Fees - NIdirect.
Undergraduate Student Support
Further information regarding the various types of funding available (and the relevant eligibility criteria) for Northern Ireland undergraduate students is available on the nidirect website.
Detailed information, including how to apply for undergraduate student support is available at Student Finance.
Postgraduate Taught Student Support
Further information regarding the funding available (and the relevant eligibility criteria) for Northern Ireland postgraduate taught (Masters) students is available on the nidirect website.
Detailed information, including how to apply for the Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan is available at Student Finance NI.
Postgraduate Researcher Scheme
The Department sponsors both part- time and full- time postgraduate studentships at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) and Ulster University (UU) for research for approved postgraduate courses leading to higher degrees (Masters and PhDs).
There are three types of studentships:
Research studentship for PhD study
Collaborative Studentships including Co-operative Awards is Science and Technology (CAST) for PhD study
Taught studentships for MRes study (if available)
The eligibility criteria and terms and conditions of this scheme are available at Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) Scheme Eligibility Criteria and Terms and Conditions.
Further information on postgraduate schemes is available at Department for the Economy Postgraduate Researcher scheme | nidirect.
Applying for student support
To check if you are eligible for student support, please contact Student Finance General Enquiries. They can advise about making an application or checking the status of an application.
Further information about the key stages of the student finance journey, from before you apply to making your last repayment, is available at Student Finance explained.
Higher education support funds
The Department provides additional support funds to eligible students through the higher education institutions in Northern Ireland. These funds are to be used to provide financial help to students whose access to higher education might be inhibited by financial considerations, or who, for whatever reason, including physical or other disabilities, face financial difficulties in meeting their living costs.
Information on the conditions of this support is available at Higher Education Support Funds - Conditions of funding for Higher Education Institutions in Northern Ireland.
Disabled Students' Allowance
The Disabled Students' Allowance offers support towards the additional course related costs that you may have as a result of a disability, mental health condition or a specific learning difficulty. Entitlement is not based on household income, and eligible full-time, part-time, and postgraduate students can apply. The support provided will be tailored to meet your own individual needs, and will generally take the form of one-to-one Non-medical Help; Specialist Equipment; and support towards the cost of travel between your university or college and term-time address.
Further information is available at:
Full-time undergraduate Disabled Students' Allowance for NI students
Part-time undergraduate Disabled Students' Allowance for tuition fee and living cost students
Postgraduate Disabled Students' Allowance for NI students
Publications
Guides have been published by Student Finance NI which cover most aspects of student finance, these can be accessed through the following links below:
Student support and payment
Financial support for full-time students in Higher Education
Financial support for part-time students in Higher Education
Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan – A Guide
Additional support
Legislation
The eligibility of higher education students for financial support in terms of tuition fees, maintenance grants and loans is determined under the Education (Student Support) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (as amended).
Each provision of each Act, Order in Council, or Statutory Rule must be read individually and in its up-to-date version. Legislation which appears on Legislation.gov.uk website is subject to changes which do not appear in the text but are noted in drop down boxes which appear alongside the text. All of these changes must be read, understood and applied to the text to arrive at the up-to-date version of the legislation.
Contact Us
General queries relating to student support should be addressed, in the first instance, to Student Support Branch, Department for the Economy, by emailing studentsupport@economy-ni.gov.uk
Study USA
Study USA is the Department’s flagship outward mobility programme, offering full-time Further Education and Higher Education undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in a funded scholarship to spend a full academic year at a US university or college
Study USA programme
Through study outside their home country, it is intended that students will gain additional confidence, an international outlook, and enhanced core employability skills that will directly benefit the local economy.
Course content
Students study a combination of subjects related to their home subject plus business related subjects, which may include Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Communications, Public Speaking, Marketing and Public Relations, Management, Finance, Economics, Human Resources, Public Speaking, Information Technology, or Foreign Languages
Eligibility
Pre-final year, full-time students, studying for a degree/foundation/ HND level qualification in any subject, at a Northern Ireland university/college, and are classified as having Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland or Great Britain residency for tuition fee purposes.
NOTE - students classified as having International or EU (excluding ROI) residency are not eligible for Study USA
Shortlisting and interviews take place in November/December each year.
Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 academic year.
The application for university students closed on 9 November 2025
Closing date for Further Education - 23.59 on Sunday 4 January 2026.
Cost
The programme receives significant support from the US. The annual contribution which the US institutions make to the programme is in excess of $2 million, which covers the student’s college fees.
The Department pays for:
Term time accommodation on campus
A full meal plan
A generous book allowance
One return flight
Students are required to pay for:
Travel and medical insurance
Visa and SEVIS fee
Non-term time living costs
In addition, a £1000 bursary paid directly to all students
Commitment fee - £200: Students who are successful at interview will be required to pay a £200 Commitment Fee to secure their place on the programme. The £200 Commitment Fee will be payable by students within seven calendar days of being notified of the outcome of the interview and offered a place on the programme.
Should a student fail to pay the Commitment Fee within seven calendar days, their place on the programme will be revoked and offered to a candidate on the reserve list.
In the event of withdrawal, the Commitment Fee is non-refundable (except in extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the British Council). The £200 Commitment Fee will be repaid to the student along with their £1000 bursary at the start of the second semester in the USA. ADD
Normal NI student financial support arrangements are not available while students are participating in the Study USA programme.
All Ireland Scholarship
The All Ireland Scholarship Scheme provides twenty-five Scholarships to the top-performing students in receipt of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) who reside in Northern Ireland. The scheme offers financial support of £5,500 per academic year to students intending to pursue an undergraduate degree course at university or college.
Scholarships awarded will be renewed annually and continue until the completion of the chosen undergraduate course. For further information on eligibility and how to apply please refer to All Ireland Scholarships | nidirect
Contact details
Aisling Hill
HE Student Finance Branch
Adelaide House
39-49 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 8FD
United Kingdom