Ulster University health science transfer to Magee ‘a big boost for the entire North West’

Derry City and Strabane District Council was among those who proactively lobbied for the relocation and made a strong case in favour of the health science programmes being relocated to Derry as part of the consultation.

Now over 800 health science student places will relocate from Jordanstown to Derry from the start of the academic year in September 2022.

Mayor Brian Tierney said it was a “hugely positive step” for the university and showed the level of commitment and support there is for the campus, the people of Derry and the wider North West region.

He said: “The decision to relocate these high demand Health Science degree undergraduate programmes to Magee is excellent news for the staff and students as well as the wider residents of the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.

“It presents us with new research and learning opportunities that will complement the existing research projects in personalised medicine and cognitive analytics based at the campus. More importantly it will bring up to 800 additional students here over the next five years.

“This decision is important in the context of it being aligned to the opening of the new Medical School and the commitment by the UK Treasury and NI Government to invest a quarter of a billion pounds as part of the Derry and Strabane City Deal and Inclusive Future Fund for innovation projects.”

He commented: “Council made a very strong case in favour of locating Health Sciences to Magee in terms of the city and region’s attractiveness as a location to live and study and the willingness of individuals to relocate here.

“We firmly believe that the relocation of the health science undergraduate programmes will bring significant benefits to the UU, the North West region and NI as a whole. I look forward to seeing student radiographers, dieticians, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and podiatrists being trained at Magee and to welcome the addition of more courses and opportunities for students in the near future.”

The Mayor concluded: “As we face the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 it is more evident than ever the important role played by allied health professionals and I am extremely proud that the Magee campus will be playing such a pivotal role in the development of these key multi-disciplinary healthcare teams.”

The Chief Executive of Derry’s Chamber of Commerce Paul Clancy meanwhile said: “This is excellent news which is a big boost for the entire North West region. The expansion of Ulster University’s Magee campus has been a key strategic aim for all stakeholders in the city and the transfer of these important degree courses to the North West is the latest step in this expansion. This is a sensible decision which goes hand in hand with the new Graduate Entry Medical School which is expected to open to its first intake of students later this year in September.

“Attracting more students to our city brings greater investment, new high skilled jobs, and more prosperity for the entire region. It is also another step in rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy and addressing regional inequalities and we look forward to welcoming these students to our region.”