Derry’s Magee College numbers expected to hit record 6,750 – a 27% increase since 2024: Archibald
Ulster University is next month expected to reveal students numbers at Magee College have risen again to a record 6,750 for 2026-27, universities minister Dr. Caoimhe Archibald has said.
Dr. Archibald said this would represent a 27 per cent increase in numbers since the Executive was resurrected in February 2024.
The Economy Minister was asked by Foyle MLA Ciara Ferguson about student numbers at Ulster University’s Derry campus.
"Student numbers at the Magee campus are expected to increase again in this academic year. The vice chancellor or one of the senior team mentioned a figure of 6,750 in 2026-27.
"That would represent an increase of around 27 per cent since the return of the Executive and the highest ever number of students in Derry, with final enrolment numbers to be confirmed by Ulster University in December,” the minister said.
If these figures are borne out next month student numbers at Magee College will have increased by 66 per cent (2,690) students from 4,060 in 2021-22 to 6,750 in 2026-27
Significant growth at Magee has been delivered following the establishment of the Taskforce for the expansion of the Derry campus to 10,000 students by Dr. Archibald’s predecessor Conor Murphy in March 2024.
Numbers have now surpassed the 6,000 figure that had been considered the campus’ capacity when the Magee taskforce report and action plan was published two years ago.
The student cohort is now 250 enrolments off the 7,000 figure, which was not expected to be achieved until 2028.
Speaking in the Assembly this week Dr. Archibald said: “The progress at Magee has not happened by accident. Since the restoration of the Executive, expanding Magee has been a clear priority for me, and my Department has backed that ambition through investment in additional student places and measures to widen participation and support sustainable growth.
"That is important progress, but there is clearly more to do. The expansion of Magee remains a top priority for me, and my commitment to the long-standing ambition to grow the campus to 10,000 students remains unchanged.”
During the summer the Vice-Chancellor Paul Bartholomew indicated the continued expansion of Magee depends on a sustainable funding model for higher education while a senior civil servant has said the 2032 deadline for 10,000 students has been placed ‘under review’.