Queen's University Belfast
Queen’s University Belfast offers a world-class education built on 180 years of history and heritage, where the low cost of living and range of scholarships means your money goes further.
Founded in 1845, Queen’s is frequently ranked as one of the top universities in the world and is a member of the Russell Group of UK research intensive universities, combining excellence in research and education with a student-centred.
Based in the heart of a vibrant capital city that is safe and easy to get around, with excellent employment opportunities and support for your future career, Queen’s really is a place like no other.
STUDY AT QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION AND STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Queen’s offers a world-class education that prepares the students for leadership and citizenship in a global society.
The inspiring alumni comprise outstanding scholars, Nobel Prize winners, such as Seamus Heaney, and influential leaders who are making an impact in Northern Ireland and across the globe.
Queen’s has a reputation for teaching excellence, informed by world-leading academics working at the forefront of their disciplines. Alongside significant investing in the student experience, this has resulted in high levels of student satisfaction.
A GLOBAL AND INCLUSIVE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY
Over 25,000 students live and study at Queen’s, representing over 90 countries worldwide. The diverse community is further enriched by more than 800 international staff from over 80 nationalities, helping to create a multicultural and vibrant campus. Students at Queen’s are joining a university that is committed to attracting, retaining and developing the best global talent within an environment that enables them to realise their full potential.
An innovative, welcoming, and inclusive place to work and study, Queen’s is a leader in gender equality and diversity. Queen’s is one of the UK’s most successful universities in the Athena SWAN initiative which promotes gender equality and career progression. The University holds a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold Award, along with 15 Departmental Awards (9 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze).
A VALUES-LED INSTITUTION
The University translates ideas, academic teaching, research and professional expertise into action, resulting in impact that serves society at home and across the world in life-changing ways. The social charter outlines Queen’s signature projects that focus on serving communities at home and abroad.
The University is a signatory to the UN Accord, which recognises the key role that global universities have in nurturing a culture of sustainability and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 through research and education.
HISTORY OF QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
Queen’s University Belfast was founded by Royal Charter in 1845.
Founded by Queen Victoria, the Queen's University in Ireland, was made up of three Queen's Colleges - in Cork, Galway and Belfast. Although it was the first University in the north of Ireland, Queen's drew on a tradition of learning which goes back to 1810 and the foundation of the Belfast Academical Institution.
Its collegiate department, which provided University-style education, closed with the establishment of Queen's and four of its professors and many of its students transferred to the new college.
The most significant date in the early years of the University's life was 1908 when the three Queen's Colleges, and the Royal University (which replaced the Queen's University in Ireland in 1879), were dissolved and replaced by the Queen's University of Belfast and the National University of Ireland.
As an independent institution, governed by its own Senate, Queen's flourished. Increasing student numbers and new staff were accommodated in a number of new buildings and the academic programme increased in range. Arts, Science, Law and Medicine were supplemented by Faculties of Commerce, Applied Science and Technology, Agriculture, and Theology.
Today, Queen's is one of the leading universities in the UK and Ireland, providing world-class education underpinned by world-class research.
SPECIALIST AREAS AT QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
Queen’s is a comprehensive institution offering degree programmes across 3 faculties and Queen’s Business School:
- Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
- Queen’s Business School
99% of the research environment is assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent, therefore, regardless of which degree programme you wish to pursue, you know you will be studying in an area with greatly esteemed teaching and research staff.
The University offers competitive professional and vocational programmes such as Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Law. Additionally, Queen’s has a range of specialist areas that are particularly strong, such as:
- Astrophysics
- Conflict Transformation
- Cyber Security
- English Literature & Creative Writing
- Food Security
- Global Security and Borders
- Human Rights Law
- Leadership for Sustainable Development
- Music & Audio Engineering
LIFE ON CAMPUS
The Queen’s campus is located in Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland. Situated in leafy South Belfast, only a 15-minute walk from the city centre, offering direct access to a city of arts, culture, great food and beautiful landscapes right at your doorstep. Belfast is one of the UK and Ireland’s most vibrant and affordable cities, packed with energy, culture and history. Queen’s majestic campus is in Queen’s Quarter, with cafés, bars, restaurants, plenty of shopping and entertainment venues. Situated on the banks of Lough Neagh and surrounded by the Belfast Hills, the city is also full of parks and green spaces.
The picturesque campus has a brilliant mix of architecturally impressive 19th century buildings and modern facilities. The University has over 240 clubs and societies, offering the opportunity to meet new people, keep up your interest or passion or, even better, find a new one you never knew you had. With all of the clubs and societies being student-led, there’s something for everyone at Queen’s.
Queen’s student accommodation, located conveniently on campus or in the city centre, means you can take advantage of the most affordable purpose-built student accommodation in the city while undertaking a world-class education and making friends for life.
STUDENT SUPPORT AT QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
Queen’s University offers a network of support services dedicated to helping students get the most from their time at university and in their journey to higher education, before they even arrive to Queen’s!
The wide range of services offered include:
- Careers, Employability and Skills
- International Student Support
- Student Wellbeing
- International Scholarships
- Student Finance
- Immigration Support Service
- Accessible Learning
- Learning Development Service
- Students’ Union
- The Language Centre at Queen’s
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY FACILITIES
The Queen’s campus is a beacon of learning and innovation, providing world-class education and research facilities.
The award-winning McClay Library blends the best features of a traditional library with the latest smart technology, giving students access to extensive book and journal collections, reader spaces, computer workstations and group study rooms.
Queen’s vibrant new One Elmwood Student Centre and Students’ Union facility brings all student services under one roof and is the heartbeat for life on campus.
The KN Cheung SK Chin InterSim Centre provides interdisciplinary, simulation-based education to students across health and social care disciplines. Purpose-built facilities, including a hospital ward and multi-sensory simulation ‘Cave’, closely replicate real clinical settings, helping to prepare students for the realities of contemporary clinical practice.
The University’s award-winning, five-floor School of Biological Sciences building offers state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, helping to grow the life sciences sector. At the heart of the campus, the School of Law and Moot Court Room exemplify Queen’s commitment to the future-thinking needs of its students.
Further along the campus skyline, the exciting facilities and space in the colourful Computer Science Building recognise the importance of this subject to the global market. It features computer labs, project spaces, breakout rooms and a three-floor Student Hub.
The Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s has been home to some of the UK and Ireland’s foremost poets, novelists, scriptwriters and critics for over 20 years.
ACCOMMODATION AT QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
Find your home away from home in the university accommodation. The University offers a range of different university accommodation, providing you with options to live in a village type setting close to campus or in the city centre and affordable rooms to suit your budget and lifestyle.
INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
Queen’s has over 3,800 international students from 112 different countries worldwide. The student body and teaching staff is diverse with many languages, nationalities and faiths on campus. They provide an inclusive and welcoming home for students from all backgrounds and have an international curriculum. They partner with leading universities all over the world and offer their students many opportunities to engage with thought leaders at the top of their field.
STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERNSHIPS
The Global Opportunities team provide short and longer-term study abroad opportunities. Each year the University runs ‘Go Global Week’ in which you can hear about the brilliant range of opportunities to go overseas. You can study across Europe, China, USA, Canada, Australia and many other locations around the world! They offer options for both study and internships abroad.
EMPLOYABILITY AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
At Queen’s, staff are dedicated to making employability an unmissable part of the student experience. Queen’s expert team within Careers, Employability and Skills service are committed to ensuring every student has access to the right experiences to develop future-ready skills.
Staff work to present students to the right connections and expertise they need during their time at Queen’s and into their early career. They offer support with all aspects of career-planning and decision-making.
Many of Queen’s degree programmes offer internship and placement opportunities, and Schools will offer career-focused opportunities and support.
STUDY IN BELFAST/NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast is renowned for being welcoming, so wherever you go to eat, drink or catch up, you’ll feel right at home. It is a modern capital city, friendly and easy to get around, and an affordable place in which to live and study.
Belfast is known for its energy and rich history, with a unique clubs, food, culture and arts scene of its very own.
There are loads of free activities, from art to karaoke. Belfast has a vibrant food scene with some real hidden gems, including vegan-friendly options. Many places offer student discounts, so whether you’re looking for a bite to eat or to catch a movie you’re guaranteed to find something to suit your budget.
Belfast is your gateway to the rest of Northern Ireland, and from coastline to mountains, there’s plenty to explore. Belfast and the Causeway Coast is frequently hailed as one of the most beautiful places in the world, including The Giant’s Causeway – Northern Ireland’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. Northern Ireland’s stunning scenery has made it an internationally filming location, with HBO’s Game of Thrones and Netflix’s The School of Good and Evil filmed around the countryside and coast.
WHY STUDY AT QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
- Queen’s University Belfast is recognised among the top universities in the world
- Queen’s University Belfast is a member of the Russell Group, and is recognised as one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities and has a global reputation for excellence, offering students a world-class education
- Established in 1845 and celebrating over 180 years of its rich history, Queen’s world-leading researchers, pioneering students and inspirational alumni have been a difference to society in Belfast and across the world
- Offering affordable student living, Queen’s is located in Belfast – one of the most friendly, fun and affordable cities – helping your student budget go much further and are proud to offer a wide range of scholarships.
- Queen’s is future focused and dedicated to preparing students for the future career of your dreams with outstanding support, providing valuable opportunities to develop as a future-ready graduate.
