The university also stresses self-motivation and initiative on the part of the student. Students are expected to do a great deal of independent reading and research. The University of Ulster is on a semester system. During each semester, there are 12 weeks of teaching, three weeks of vacation, and at the end three weeks of examinations and assessment. Modules are assessed at the end of each semester.
Students have access to over half a million books in the university's library.
If a book is not available at the student's home campus, an efficient inter-campus loan system makes the transfer. Other academic facilities include a video-conferencing system and computer labs. The housing options vary among the four campuses, but all campuses have on-campus accommodation available. Many students also live in private housing in the city or town. The campus Accommodation Office assists students in finding a place to live.