Queen’s University Belfast
Queen’s University Belfast is part of the prestigious Russell Group, making it an excellent choice for someone interested in learning about physics theory. 88% of the university’s research is ranked as world leading or internationally excellent (highlights include surveying the night sky to detect dangerous space rocks), so it’s worth a look if you’re an aspiring physicist.
One of the benefits of studying at Queen’s University is that you don’t have to study physics on its own. The university offers a range of minors, including physics with extended studies (studying physics in a foreign language abroad), physics with astrophysics and even physics with medical applications. This means you don’t have to compromise on which subject you’d like to study, and studying such a unique degree will make your job applications stand out.
South Eastern Regional College (SERC)
Higher education colleges tend to be cheaper than universities, with more flexible learning options and entry requirements. SERC offers practical STEM courses at a range of levels, from a Higher National Certificate in General Engineering to a Higher National Diploma in Computing (Software and Games Development). They even offer degrees in partnership with the Open University.
If you’ve been unable to pursue further education due to lacking entry-level qualifications, this won’t be a problem at SERC. They build essential skills qualifications into the timetable, so you can obtain GCSEs while working towards a STEM course.
SERC’s commitment to student’s development continues beyond the classroom. They provide students with support on starting their own business, encourage students to get involved with their sustainability initiatives, and even offer the chance for you to present their community radio.
Ulster University
Studying at Ulster University is a great opportunity for someone who learns best through hands-on experience, and with four different campuses across Northern Ireland, you’ll be sure to find one that suits you. Most of Ulster’s STEM courses offer a placement year, with the university working with employers to design placements that best fit student’s needs. For instance, their biomedical engineering degree provides students with not just a placement year, but time studying in the US to learn practical business and management skills.
Ulster offers a number of courses for students interested in the application of physics theories. In response to the rise of AI, they offer a BEng in Artificial Intelligence, where you learn to design and develop AI services and systems. They even offer a degree in game design, where you’ll get to network with leaders in the field, who have had their games released for Xbox and Playstation. You’ll even get the chance to learn using their state of the art labs and equipment.