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Derry~Londonderry is a vibrant student city with plenty to offer. Located in the north of Northern Ireland, Derry~Londonderry is home to Ulster University’s Magee campus. Whether you're looking for a stimulating academic environment or a lively social scene, Derry~Londonderry is the perfect place.
You’ll be able to explore its many attractions such as the magnificent cathedral, River Foyle and the historic Walls of Derry. Enjoy a day out at one of the city's riverside parks or take in some live music at one of its many festivals and events. With so much to do, it's no surprise that Derry~Londonderry is becoming increasingly popular with students.
Here are our top 15 reasons to choose Derry~Londonderry as your uni home.
1. Loads of courses on offer
At the Ulster University’s Magee campus, you’ll have courses from physiotherapy to Irish language and literature to accounting and marketing, so there’s courses from a wide range of disciplines to suit different academic interests. Ulster University also came in the top 50 UK universities overall and the top 20 for student satisfaction according to Complete University Guide’s 2025 league tables.
2. A captivating, multicultural city rich in history and culture
From the city walls to St. Columb's Cathedral to the city’s museums and art galleries, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to learn more about the city’s history and the Northern Irish arts scene during your studies.
3. Vibrant nightlife scene
The city has lots of pubs, clubs and bars for students to check out. Some of the most popular destinations for a night out, or a night out-out include Peadar O’Donnells Bar, Sandino’s Café and Bar, Tinney’s Bar & the Shirt Factory and Bennigan’s Jazz Bar.
4. Close to stunning attractions
As well as being a part of the city’s history and culture, the city walls and the cathedral are just impressive to look at. Slightly further afield, you’ve also got the Giant’s Causeway as well as several spots of natural beauty used in filming Game of Thrones.
5. Birthplace of many celebrities
Derry~Londonderry has been home to many famous faces throughout the city’s history. Recently, actors such as Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell have shot to fame, and writers such as James Burke and Seamus Heaney were also born in the city.
6. Amelia Earhart’s landing place
As well as celebrities born in the city, famous faces have passed through the city. Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, landed in Derry~Londonderry in 1932 after inclement weather meant she was unable to land in Paris as planned.
7. Enjoy a wide selection of activities
The city offers a lot of activities to suit different interests. If you’re an outdoors person, why not explore some of the city’s parks or take a walk along the River Foyle? For music fanatics, there are regular live music events across the city, as well festivals such as the Walled City Music Festival, which is available for free online.
8. Receive a strong level of support from professors and peers during your studies
Ulster University is ranked highly in student satisfaction for a reason. The Magee campus has support staff covering a range of areas including wellbeing, finance and AccessAbility. There’s also a careers department with online and in-person resources available to make use of.
9. Experience a total immersion into Northern Irish culture
You can enjoy traditional foods like a Northern Irish breakfast (also known as an Ulster Fry), soda bread, Yellowman candy (like honeycomb) and Champ (a mashed potato dish with chopped spring onions). You can also check out some of the local galleries and museums such as the Void Gallery which showcases international artists alongside Northern Irish art or the Siege Museum.
10. Great career prospects after graduation
There are job opportunities available throughout Northern Ireland thanks to the large number of companies who have their headquarters in the country. There are businesses in a wide range of industries, so no matter what degree you’re doing, you should be able to find a relevant graduate role nearby.
11. Public transport is reliable, convenient, and reasonably priced
There are buses to get you around the city, and you can also easily access other cities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland thanks to the bus and train connections on offer. There’s also the City of Derry airport if you’re looking to make a longer journey.
12. Filming location
Of course, the popular comedy Derry Girls was partially filmed in Derry~Londonderry, and many of the actors in the show were born in the city. If you’re a fan of the show, you might spot some of the filming locations as you walk around the city.
13. Accessible city
For those who can’t or prefer not to walk longer distances, the city’s public transport has you covered. If, however, you prefer not to use public transport, you’ll find Derry~Londonderry to be easily travelled around on foot or on a bicycle. Walking to uni each day is an easy way to hit your daily step goal after all.
14. Located close to Belfast for further exploration and sightseeing
There are regular trains between the two cities, and the journey takes around two hours on the train, so you can easily head to Belfast for a day or weekend if you fancy exploring more of what Northern Ireland has to offer.
15. Close to the Republic of Ireland
Derry~Londonderry is next to the border of Northern Ireland and the northern point of the Republic of Ireland, so it’s ideally placed to explore areas of the Republic such as County Donegal, which lies just the other side of the border.
Situated in the heart of Derry~Londonderry, Ulster University is a modern and progressive institution offering a range of courses for students from all backgrounds. The uni is renowned for its high standards and quality teaching, with excellent facilities including a modern library, labs and student accommodation. A globalized curriculum means that graduates are well-equipped to enter an increasingly competitive job market. With state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge technology, Ulster University also prides itself as a research institution, with world-leading researchers pushing forward boundaries in many fields.
Students who study in the city of Derry~Londonderry will find plenty of things to do and explore. From visiting historical sites, such as the city walls or the cathedral, to going on scenic walks along the banks of the River Foyle or visiting festivals and events, there’s something for everyone. The nightlife scene has a variety of pubs, clubs, and bars to enjoy and if you're feeling up to it, exploring some of Northern Ireland's most spectacular countryside is just a short drive away. There’s so much to see and do that you won’t regret choosing to study in Derry~Londonderry.
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