Economy Minister Dr today said that land
necessary to drive forward the expansion of Ulster University's
Derry~Londonderry Campus to achieve 10,000 students has now been
acquired by the Department for the Economy and Ulster University.
During a visit to the campus the Minister announced the purchase
of the Timber Quay office block, which follows the recent
acquisition of sites along Queen's Quay.
Speaking after a tour of the sites, the Minister said:
“Since the Magee Expansion Taskforce was set up last
year, my Department, in partnership with Ulster University, has
contributed almost £21.5million of capital expenditure to support
the planned growth. The acquisition of the Timber Quay building
will itself allow Ulster University to accommodate 375 new
students in the next academic year.
“This purchase, along with the additional lands secured
along Queen's Quay, means we can drive forward to reach 10,000
students at Magee by 2032.”
Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University Prof Paul Bartholomew said:
“Due to recent rapid growth in student numbers at Ulster
University Derry~Londonderry, our campus is currently at maximum
capacity, and we have a pressing need for more space. The space
that we stand in today at Timber Quay will be quickly transformed
into teaching and learning environments in time to welcome new
and returning students in September 2025. The additional land
that we have acquired in partnership with DfE around Queen's Quay
will help us to add additional spaces in the future.
“We will continue to work with our partners to realise growth on
this campus and are grateful to our co-investors in the
Department for the Economy for their financial support to ensure
that, together, we are delivering for Derry~Londonderry.”
Chair of the Magee Taskforce Stephen Kelly said: “Today's
announcement ensures that momentum is maintained to deliver on
the 10,000 minimum target agreed in the Programme for
Government. The University has purchased these properties
from local owners who are as determined as all of us in seeing
Ulster University's expansion plans meeting the city's economic,
cultural and social ambitions.”
Notes to editors:
Student numbers at Ulster University Derry~Londonderry have grown
from 4,060 in 2021/22 to 5,335 in 2023/24.
