Why study at University in Northern Ireland?

Ahh, university. 

The first time most of us live away from home. 

Where you learn to cook, work the washing machine and simply how to be an all-round adult (for a change), before regressing back to your teenage ways come Christmas. 

Is that why they say, ‘your school days are the best days of your life’? 

Anyway, the reason we’re looking back wistfully at our university days is… 

Ulster University Business School turns 50 this year! 

As part of the celebrations, they’re sharing lots of great stories about past alumni, events to get involved in and just general merriment around marking this impressive milestone. 

So of course, we want to jump in on the nostalgia… if only to convince you why Northern Ireland is the perfect spot to have your university adventure. 

Celebrating 50 years of UUBS

Ulster University Business School opened its doors in 1975. 

Created to drive business innovation in Northern Ireland, the school started from humble beginnings of just 40 staff members, 300 undergraduate students and a single Business Studies degree… 

…to now educating 10,000 students worldwide with a network of 60,000 alumni in 120 countries.

They’ve got an innovative approach to teaching and strong connections to the industry, so the university works in line with what local businesses and students need.

By talking to employers about the shape of the industry, the university can deliver on-demand skills to students through the courses they offer.

This means everything you learn while at the university should set you up for the real world of working.

It’s a win-win… win!

And speaking of wins, Ulster University was awarded the ‘University of the Year 2024’ in what’s called ‘The Oscars’ of the UK university sector (AKA Times Higher Education).

So that’s another thing to celebrate.

But if that’s not enough to convince you…

An Ulster University Alumni Profile

On Ulster University’s Graduates in the Spotlight series you can read all about the wonderful people who took their university education and used it to achieve big, incredible things in Northern Ireland and beyond.

One alumnus of Ulster University Business School who you might recognise is Alan Wallace, the man behind Inspiring Belfast.

Inspiring Belfast creates content from what’s become iconic red-carpet activations to heartwarming ‘coffee with a stranger’ videos. 

They’re all about connecting with people and celebrating the vibrant spirit of Belfast… a goal we can of course get on board with.

You might remember that Alan came with us to The Open 2025, so we couldn’t resist asking him about his experience of going to university in Northern Ireland.

Here’s what he had to say…

How did your University education set you up for what you’re doing now? Would you recommend coming to Northern Ireland to study?

My time at Ulster University gave me a strong foundation in creative thinking and business strategy, two things that shape everything I do now with Inspiring Belfast.

I would absolutely recommend studying in Northern Ireland. The creative energy here is real, the networks are close, and people genuinely want to see each other succeed.

What is it about Northern Ireland that inspired you to create Inspiring Belfast?

Northern Ireland is full of stories that deserve to be celebrated, stories of creativity, resilience and community. 

I have always believed Belfast has a spirit unlike anywhere else, where people turn challenges into opportunities and ideas into something world class. 

Inspiring Belfast was born from that energy to shine a light on the people and places shaping a brighter future for this city.

You’ve just released a local’s guide to the best Food & Drink spots in Belfast, all having earned their place organically. Did you learn anything new about Northern Ireland or meet any interesting people while making it?

Creating the guide reminded me how strong the sense of community is here. 

With over 200 restaurants and cafés featured, each one had a story, a family recipe or a dream someone finally chased. 

It showed me that Belfast’s food scene is not just growing but thriving because people truly care about what they are creating.

Looking back, what part of your time at University has stayed with you the most, a lesson, experience or connection that continues to influence your work today?

The biggest thing I took away was confidence, learning to back my ideas even when they felt too ambitious. 

That mindset has carried through to every creative risk I have taken since launching Inspiring Belfast. 

I was also fortunate to have support from incredible mentors, not least the late Fred Morrison who guided me during my dissertation, and lecturers such as Karen Stapleton and John Bustard who went beyond teaching and instilled genuine life lessons that still influence my work today.

If that isn’t a glowing recommendation, we don’t know what is!

So not only are you getting your degree but you’re gaining the confidence to chase your bright ideas and a brilliant career doing what you love… whether that’s here or further afield.

And isn’t that all anyone of us want?

For a glimpse into the friendly people and charming culture of Northern Ireland that we’re always raving about in our blogs, check out Inspiring Belfast’s Instagram, or you can buy the Inspiring Belfast Food & Drink Guide here.

And that leads us nicely on to…

Why study in Northern Ireland?

Did you know Northern Ireland has three universities, two university colleges, six further education colleges AND an agri-food and land-based college – whew!

Or that in 2024, Belfast was voted in the top 10 friendliest cities in the UK at the Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards?

Or that it was also named the most affordable city in the UK for students to live, according to Ulster Bank’s Student Living Index 2024?

Basically you can learn a lot, it’s cheap as chips and the people are class.

Is that enough to convince you?

But if you need that extra push, we’ve a whole blog dedicated to it here.

Thanks for joining us to say Happy 50th Birthday to Ulster University Business School.

There are plenty of other educational opportunities, apprenticeships, skills programmes and all sorts on offer in Northern Ireland but we’d never turn down an opportunity to celebrate…

…or to big up the reasons why studying in Northern Ireland is the best.

And big thanks to Alan at Inspiring Belfast for sharing his university experience with us!

If you’re reading this from across the world, do you have any favourite university memories that make you miss the good ol’ days in Northern Ireland?

Give us a shout on our socials, you know we always love to hear from our diaspora.