Higher education

The Department for the Economy provides funding and sets the strategic direction for the higher education sector in Northern Ireland. However, the universities are autonomous institutions and are responsible for setting their own policies and procedures. Unlike other parts of the UK, Northern Ireland has no higher education funding council; the Department fulfils the roles of both a government department and a funding council.

Information on who delivers higher education (i.e. Level 6 and above) in Northern Ireland

How and when you apply for higher education depends on where you wish to study and what type of course you’re applying for. Whichever route you use, it’s worth starting your preparations early. Further information is available in this section.

Information on the funding of HE providers in NI and the various types of financial support (including student loans and grants) available for students.

The Department is responsible for supporting the HE sector in maintaining and improving the quality of the teaching and learning environment, with particular focus on contributing to a positive student experience. Further information is available in this section.

A key aim of the Department is to develop and sustain a Higher Education Research sector that holds a strong position within the UK and beyond and makes a major contribution to economic and social well-being.

The Department is initiating a review of Higher Education Funding in Northern Ireland, engaging with Northern Ireland's Higher Education Sector to ensure the views of all stakeholders are considered, with the aim of identifying a sustainable funding model capable of delivering transformational and generational benefits. Further information is available in this section.

The Department is committed to increasing participation among under represented groups, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds and individuals with learning difficulties and disabilities. Further information is available in this section.

The Magee Taskforce was launched March 2024, to develop and oversee an action plan to expand Ulster University’s Magee campus in Derry~Londonderry to 10,000 students. Visit this section for further information.

Information on the collection, validation and quality assurance of higher education (HE) data and statistics, and the quality guidance used in managing the production of HE statistics.

The Quality Council for UK Higher Education provides sector-led oversight of those aspects of quality assessment arrangements that continue to be shared across the UK. It will play a key role in promoting quality, standards, and the student interest, and supports a co-regulatory approach by bringing together academic expertise and students with regulatory and other bodies.

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.

A key aim of the Department is to develop and sustain a Higher Education Research sector that holds a strong position within the UK and beyond and makes a major contribution to economic and social well-being.

The Higher Education Division within the department is currently providing funding for Northern Ireland universities to participate in the US-Ireland Research and Development (R&D) Partnership.

Knowledge exchange activities are the processes by which knowledge, expertise and skilled people transfer between the research base and its user communities to contribute to economic competitiveness, effectiveness of public services and policy, and quality of life. The Northern Ireland universities, as the largest practitioners of research in the country, have a particularly important contribution to make to the economy in this respect.

The Department for the Economy (DfENI) recognises that a positive Research Culture is key to sustaining and empowering our research community to carry out the excellent research and world class innovation necessary to drive our long-term economic growth and raise standards for our wider community.