Ulster University: Minister 'concerned' over courses moving to Derry

Undergraduate healthcare courses will start at Magee in 2022

NI's economy minister has called on Ulster University (UU) to address concerns that an expansion in Londonderry will negatively impact on its Coleraine campus.

UU announced on Tuesday it is relocating undergraduate healthcare degrees to its Magee campus in Derry.

It will bring student numbers in the city to about 5,000 by 2022.

Diane Dodds said that is a "step forward" for the north west campus but warned of concerns about Coleraine.

"Many in the Coleraine area, who had expected these courses to be moved to their local campus, will now be left disappointed," she said.

The DUP minister said she understood UU's aspiration is to be "a multi-campus institution with a presence across Northern Ireland".

Economy Minister Diane Dodds says she will be meeting with UU shortly

"Therefore, it is important that the university now demonstrates that Coleraine maintains a central place in its plans by moving some additional courses there," she said.

Mrs Dodds said she is to meet UU's Vice Chancellor Paul Bartholomew and will press him "on his plans for balance across all of the university's campuses".

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood described the minister's comments as "shocking".

In a tweet the Foyle MP said: "An economy minister who doesn't support courses going to Derry. No surprise".

Mr Eastwood said the expansion of Magee to an overall student number of 10,000 was a commitment of the New Decade, New Approach Deal which restored a power-sharing executive in NI.

Earlier on Tuesday the minister's party colleague DUP North Antrim MLA Mervyn Storey said the university's decision to relocate the health sciences school to Derry was "bitterly disappointing".

• Magee medical school to open in Londonderry in 2021

UU first outlined the plans, which have now been given the green light following a period of public consultation, to move its healthcare courses to Magee in February 2020.

A UU spokeswoman told the BBC it was committed to "achieving a better campus balance".

She added: "Coleraine campus is a thriving and distinguished centre of academic excellence across both research and teaching in diverse disciplines including education, journalism, geography, biomedical science and pharmacy.

"Over recent years the university has invested £27m in facilities on Coleraine Campus, including a £5.1m sports complex for staff, students and the local community."

'Centre of excellence'

The School of Health Sciences move to Magee will bring more than 800 undergraduate students to study at the campus from 2022.

It follows a decision to close the Jordanstown campus in County Antrim.

UU's School of Health Sciences courses include diagnostic radiography, occupational therapy, radiotherapy and oncology, physiotherapy, podiatry and speech and language therapy.

The Provost of Magee Dr Malachy O'Neill told BBC Radio Foyle the decision to relocate the school to Derry reflected the "world-leading centre of excellence that is emerging at Magee campus in terms of medicine and healthcare".

"That stems from our reputation in nursing which has been built up at Magee over the past 20 years.

"It provides rich opportunities for wider professional learning in the related caring professions".

The Magee campus is on Northland Road

Postgraduate health sciences teaching will move to the university's Belfast campus at the same time.

The first health sciences students will study at Magee from 2022.

In September 2021 the first medical students will begin training at Magee's new medical school.

The latest relocation to Derry means the School of Medicine, Paramedic Practice and School of Nursing will all be based at the Magee campus.

It will bring student numbers at the Derry campus to about 5,000.