Welcome to Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
A Practical Guide for Moving to Belfast and Northern Ireland
About Us
Welcome to Northern Ireland!
Northern Ireland is part of the UK and consists of 6 Counties (Fermanagh, Armagh, Tyrone, Londonderry, Antrim & Down) which collectively are known as Ulster.
Arrival in Northern Ireland
Plan your journey and first steps when arriving in Belfast. From choosing the right airport to reaching the city centre, here’s what you need to know.
Belfast Airports
Via Dublin
Airport to City Transport
Living in Northern Ireland
Cost of Living in Belfast
Monthly Cost (Single Person)
Rent & Bills
£300–£450
Groceries
£80–£100
Eating Out
£50–£100
Transport
£50–£70
Car Expenses
£150–£200
Haircut
£10–20
Mobile
£10–30
Misc
£100
Everything you need to know about schools, admissions, and childcare.
Education in Northern Ireland
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School Closures
- 2 weeks at Easter
- Approximately 8 weeks during July/August
- 1 week at the end of October
- 2 weeks around the Christmas period
Every child aged between four and 16 is entitled to a school place. If your child is eligible for primary or post-primary school, you must apply for their place. Children between the ages of 3 &4 can attend funded “pre-school” the year before they start Primary School. This must be applied for (but it is not compulsory for your child to attend).
The Education Authority (“EA”) is the body responsible for ensuring that efficient and effective primary and secondary education services are available to meet the needs of children and young people. Their website contains lots of information and can be found at:
The school year runs from approximately from 1 September to 30 June. Applications for both Primary School and Pre-school must be applied for in the January before the September term starts. For example if your child is eligible to start school in September 2020 then the application must be submitted by January 2020.
A child's age on 1 July determines the point of entry into the relevant stage of education ie children who have turned four by 1 July begin school that September. You may not always get your school of choice.
Your child must wear a school uniform which must be purchased – check with the school to find out where the uniform can be bought. Some schools may sell the uniform directly and others might have specific shops.
Sure Start Programme
Pre-School (3+)
Optional early education
Primary (4–11)
Basic education
Post Primary (11+)
Secondary education
Post Primary education for students aged 11 and above builds on primary learning.
It includes a broader range of subjects and prepares students for GCSEs and further study.
Voices from the Community
Hear from fellow Indians sharing their journey of moving and living in Northern Ireland.
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"We will write a hypothetical testimonial from a satisfied customer. You can replace this with actual testimonials from your clients. Testimonials are a great way to inspire potential customers to trust you."
– Testimonial Author Name
"We will write a hypothetical testimonial from a satisfied customer. You can replace this with actual testimonials from your clients. Testimonials are a great way to inspire potential customers to trust you."
– Testimonial Author Name
Your First Step to Life in Northern Ireland