Murphy approves access to student loans for Ulster University medical students

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced that from the 2025/26 academic year students at the Graduate Entry Medical School at Ulster University’s Derry-Londonderry campus will be able to access tuition fee loans.

Economy Minister Conor Murphy with current medical students studying at Ulster University’s Derry-Londonderry campus

Currently, graduate entry medical students cannot obtain a Government loan to cover the cost of university tuition fees. Minister Murphy’s announcement means that studying at Ulster University’s Graduate Entry Medical School will be more financially accessible for students.

Speaking after a visit to the Medical School, the Minister said:

"Expanding student numbers at Ulster University's Magee campus is a top priority for me and for the Executive. The Graduate Entry Medical School is a key component of the expansion.

“However to date those medical students haven’t been able to access a Government loan to cover the cost of their university tuition fees. My Department will now offer this loan, making it easier to attract students to Magee and producing more medical professionals for our health service.

“This is a small but important step forward as we work towards 10,000 student places at Magee.”

Welcoming today's announcement, Ulster University Vice-Chancellor Paul Bartholomew said:

"This is a significant development which will facilitate wider access to medical education in the North West. For the first time, our medical students will be able to avail of financial support. The Derry-Londonderry campus is already an attractive place for graduate-entry candidates who will go on to become the much-needed medical workforce of the future, and this new intervention will increase that attractiveness

“We thank the Minister for his provision of this important support for our students. We will continue to work together to grow the Derry-Londonderry campus and to realise our ambition for it and the surrounding region, including a new School of Medicine building, as part of the Derry-Londonderry City and Strabane Region City Deal and Inclusive Future Fund.”

The decision to introduce these loans has been made with agreement from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.

Notes to editors: 

1. Photo caption - Economy Minister Conor Murphy is pictured with current medical students studying at Ulster University’s Derry-Londonderry campus - Gina Pritchett, Rosie McGarvey, Clodagh McErlean and Dylan Kerr.
2. The Department will lay the necessary regulations in Assembly for approval in the early new year to enable students to access tuition fee loans from the 2025/26 academic year.
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