Overview of Ulster University's Rankings

Ulster University, one of the largest universities in the United Kingdom, has consistently demonstrated strong performance across various ranking systems. Located in Northern Ireland with campuses in Belfast, Coleraine, Derry~Londonderry, and Jordanstown, Ulster is renowned for its practical, industry-focused education and research excellence. Rankings provide valuable insights into the university's academic reputation, teaching quality, research output, and student outcomes. These metrics are compiled by independent organizations using data on factors like faculty-to-student ratios, international outlook, citations, and employer reputation.

Ulster's rankings have shown steady improvement over the years, reflecting its commitment to innovation and student success. In recent years, the university has climbed in global and national tables, particularly in subjects like health sciences, business, and engineering. Below, we explore key rankings in detail, including global, national, subject-specific, and employability metrics.

Global University Rankings

Global rankings evaluate universities worldwide based on a broad set of criteria, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty ratio, and international student ratio. Ulster University performs competitively in these, often placing in the top 600-700 globally, which underscores its growing international profile.

QS World University Rankings

The QS World University Rankings, produced by Quacquarelli Symonds, is one of the most widely recognized global assessments. It emphasizes employability and international diversity. Ulster has made notable progress in this ranking, benefiting from its strong industry partnerships and research collaborations.

• 2024: Ranked 555th globally, up from previous years, with strengths in employer reputation (top 400 worldwide).
• 2023: 601-650 band, highlighting improvements in academic reputation.
• 2022: 601-650 band, with a score of 25.5/100 in overall performance.
• 2021: 551-600 band, showing consistent upward mobility.
• 2019: 501-510, marking a significant achievement for a regional university.

Ulster's QS sustainability ranking also deserves mention; in 2023, it ranked 401-450 globally for sustainable development goals, reflecting its focus on environmental and social impact.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings

The THE rankings, based on 18 carefully calibrated performance indicators across teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry, provide a comprehensive view. Ulster excels in teaching and international outlook, thanks to its diverse student body from over 100 countries.

Year	Global Rank	Key Strengths
2024	601-800	International outlook score: 58.5/100
2023	601-800	Research quality: 45.2/100
2022	501-600	Teaching score improved to 32.1/100
2021	501-600	Industry income: Top 500 globally
2020	501-600	Citations impact rising steadily

In the 2024 THE Impact Rankings, which measure contributions to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, Ulster placed in the 301-400 band globally, excelling in goals related to good health and well-being.

Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)

Also known as the Shanghai Rankings, ARWU focuses heavily on research output, Nobel Prizes, and highly cited researchers. Ulster's position here reflects its research-intensive nature, particularly in biomedical sciences and engineering.

• 2023: 701-800 band globally.
• 2022: 701-800, with strong performance in per capita academic performance.
• 2021: 801-900, indicating growing research influence.

While not in the top 500, Ulster's ARWU scores highlight its niche strengths in applied research, with over 80% of its research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the UK's Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

National Rankings in the UK

Within the UK, Ulster University is evaluated by domestic guides that prioritize student experience, entry standards, and graduate prospects. It consistently ranks in the top 50-60 UK universities, making it a top choice for students in Northern Ireland and beyond.

Complete University Guide

This guide ranks based on entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, and graduate prospects. Ulster's practical approach to learning boosts its scores in employability.

• 2025: 42nd in the UK, with a graduate prospects score of 82%.
• 2024: 44th, up from 51st in 2023.
• 2023: 51st, with student satisfaction at 80%.
• 2022: 48th, strong in value-added measures.

Ulster ranks particularly high in Northern Ireland, often first regionally for student satisfaction and employability.

The Guardian University Guide

The Guardian emphasizes teaching quality, career prospects, and value added. Ulster's industry links, such as partnerships with Deloitte and PwC, enhance its standing.

Year	UK Rank	Notable Scores
2024	51st	Career prospects: 75/100; Satisfied with teaching: 85%
2023	58th	Value added: Top 40 UK
2022	54th	Feedback on assessment: 82%
2021	50th	Overall satisfaction: 81%

National Student Survey (NSS)

The NSS gauges student satisfaction annually. Ulster scores above the sector average, with 84% overall satisfaction in 2023, particularly high in organization and management (87%) and learning resources (86%).

In the 2023 NSS, Ulster ranked in the top 20 UK universities for student voice and top 30 for academic support, emphasizing its student-centered approach.

Subject-Specific Rankings

Ulster University shines in specialized fields, often ranking in the UK top 20 or globally competitive positions. Its faculties of Life and Health Sciences, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment drive these successes.

• Pharmacy and Pharmacology (QS 2024): 101-150 globally; 10th in the UK. Ulster's School of Pharmacy is one of Europe's largest, with cutting-edge facilities like the £16m Pharmaceutical Engineering Research Laboratory.
• Nursing (Complete University Guide 2025): 7th in the UK, with 95% graduate employability. The university's simulation suites prepare students for real-world healthcare.
• Business and Management (QS 2024): 301-350 globally; 35th in the UK. The Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics boasts AACSB accreditation.
• Art and Design (Guardian 2024): 15th in the UK, known for its creative industries hub in Belfast.
• Computer Science (THE 2024): 401-500 globally, with strengths in AI and cybersecurity research.
• Architecture (QS 2024): 51-100 globally; top 10 UK, supported by the innovative Jordanstown campus facilities.
• Biomedical Sciences (Complete University Guide 2025): 12th in the UK, with research funded by major bodies like the Wellcome Trust.

According to the REF 2021, 86% of Ulster's research is world-leading or internationally excellent, with particular excellence in allied health professions (100% world-leading) and art and design (92% internationally excellent). This subject strength translates to high rankings in niche areas like sustainable agriculture and digital media.

Employability and Research Rankings

Employability is a cornerstone of Ulster's reputation. In the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022, it placed 301-500 globally, with alumni working at top firms like KPMG, NHS, and Google. The 2024 Graduate Outcomes survey shows 94% of Ulster graduates in employment or further study within 15 months, above the UK average of 92%.

For research, Ulster ranks 35th in the UK for research power in REF 2021. It received £50 million in research funding in 2022-2023, focusing on areas like AI for health and climate change. In the THE Research Quality metrics, Ulster scores 45/100, driven by high citation rates in health and social care research.

Additionally, Ulster's international partnerships, including with over 200 universities worldwide, enhance its global employability ranking. Programs like the Global Opportunities initiative ensure students gain international experience, boosting career prospects.

Conclusion

Ulster University's rankings illustrate its evolution from a regional polytechnic to a globally recognized institution. With steady climbs in QS and THE global tables, top 50 placements in UK guides, and excellence in subjects like pharmacy and nursing, Ulster offers high-quality education with strong employability outcomes. Prospective students should consider these rankings alongside personal fit, as Ulster's emphasis on practical skills and community engagement sets it apart. For the latest data, always check official sources, as rankings evolve annually.