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Queen's University, Belfast

2014 League Table Ranking 29
2014 Overall Score 755
View the 2014 league tables

Pre-arrival and orientation

  • A Welcome and Transfer Service is provided from both Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport to the University on specified arrival days in advance of the orientation programmes.
  • International Student Support (ISS) organises an annual five-day orientation programme for international students in mid-September, prior to the start of the first semester. This falls within the overall Welcome and Orientation period for all new students to Queen’s. A four-day orientation programme is held in late January for international students commencing their studies in the second semester.
  • The orientation programmes give students the opportunity to meet ISS staff, academic staff, Students’ Union representatives and, of course, fellow international students. The programmes include a range of information sessions and social events designed to support students in adjusting to university life, preparing for academic study and getting to know Northern Ireland, including tours of the University’s academic and recreational facilities and the city of Belfast.
  • Further information is available on the ISS website.

Accommodation

  • Queen’s has a range of accommodation and room types across campus to support different requirements of students including 1,127 ensuite and 505 standard rooms within the main accommodation location (Elms Village), 257 bed spaces in the new Willow Walk, and 353 standard rooms in University houses. All accommodation is located within easy walking distance of the University in a pleasant residential area.
  • In the 2012 Student Barometer Survey, Queen’s was ranked top of the nine participating Russell Group universities for accommodation costs and living costs.
  • The state-of-the-art Elms Village is a purpose built student accommodation complex which supports a semi-independent style of living that is reflective of the transition from home to university life. All rooms are single study bedrooms, self-catered with shared kitchen facilities, and have internet access and wifi. The site incorporates a student centre with bar/restaurant, no-alcohol lounge with TV/DVD and games consoles, shop, laundry, and a computer/copier/printer suite and study area.  2013–14 costs range from £86.29 per week for a standard room to £102.50 for an ensuite room inclusive of heating, electricity and internet.
  • Willow Walk is new purpose built accommodation ideally suited to the needs of international and postgraduate students. It opened in September 2012 and is located in an enclosed development on the perimeter of Elms Village.  The modern contemporary accommodation offers rooms with double beds in a mix of studio and 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments, and premium studios/apartments, each with their own front door. 2013–14 costs start at £89.61 which includes internet and wifi.  Students control their own usage of heating and electricity which are paid for separately on a 'pay as you go' basis – further details are available on the website.
  • There are dedicated rooms for students with more specific requirements; these offer a choice of three lifestyle options: Single Sex Accommodation – male or female only accommodation; No Alcohol Accommodation – alcohol cannot be consumed by residents or guests anywhere in the house, floor or apartment; Quiet Living Accommodation – living with other students who prefer a quieter, more study-focused environment.
  • Live-in support is provided by the Residential Life team, whose role is to support students to settle in, make friends, signpost to University support and pastoral care, manage money and share communal living space. They also organise a range of social events throughout the academic year to build community, have fun and support international students in getting to know their fellow residents and the Northern Ireland culture.
  • A guarantee is given for a place in University accommodation to all students travelling from outside Northern Ireland for at least their first year at Queen’s. Students can opt for a contract for either 38 or 51 weeks including Christmas and Easter breaks.
  • For more information, including details of accommodation fees and how to apply online, visit www.stayatqueens.com, or contact the dedicated accommodation helpline at accommodation.international@qub.ac.uk.
  • Students wishing to live in the private sector are recommended to seek accommodation through SU Lets, a letting agency which is operated in association with local estate agent Morton Pinpoint, and is located in the Students' Union. SU Lets liaises with landlords in the provision of accommodation which meets a high-quality Accommodation Code, including simple and fair tenancy agreements and protected deposits. More information is available from www.sulets.net.

English language requirement

  • Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the academic and English language entry requirements for their course. International candidates with queries about the acceptability of their academic or English language qualifications should refer to the Your Country section of the website for advice on comparability with UK qualifications.

General English Language requirements:

  • IELTS: 6.5 (minimum of 5.5 in all four components of the test).
  • TOEFL iBT: 90 (minimum marks for Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17).
  • CAE Cambridge Advanced: grade B.
  • CPE Cambridge Proficiency: grade C.
  • INTO English for University Studies Test: 65% (minimum of 55% in each test component).
  • The English Language Requirements section of the website provides a full list of acceptable English Language qualifications and minimum grades which are accepted by the University for entry to degree level study.
  • Please consult the University Coursefinder for details of the academic and english language requirements for entry to individual undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. Further information on other acceptable qualifications is available on the website, as well as details on nationals of countries deemed by the UKBA to be majority-English-speaking and therefore assumed to meet the UKBA requirements.
  • INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a wide range of English Language courses to assist students to meet the required standard of English language to be eligible for entry to degree programmes at the University. More information is available on the INTO website.

Scholarships and bursaries

  • Queen's offers a range of scholarships for international students – further information is available online at www.qub.ac.uk.

International Student Breakdown

Further information for international students at Queen's University Belfast

Contacts

Any other questions about coming to Queen’s University Belfast to study, or any related issues, can be directed to:

International Student Support
International and Postgraduate Student Centre
Queen's University Belfast
University Road
Belfast
BT7 1NN

For queries about entry requirements, overseas representatives, potential sources of funding and the application process, please visit the Your Country section of the University’s international website, or contact:

International Office
Lanyon North
Queen's University Belfast
University Road
Belfast
BT7 1NN

  • Tel: +44 28 9097 5022
  • Email: intl.student@qub.ac.uk
  • Web: http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/StudyatQueens/InternationalStudents/

Why study at Queen's University Belfast?

  • Queen’s is a Russell Group university: one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities.
  • Queen’s was named University of the Year runner-up and ranked first for Medical Science and Pharmacy in a recent major newspaper survey.
  • Ranked in the UK top 20 in 17 subject areas; students taught by world-leading academics in recent league table listings.
  • Ranked in the top 20 in the UK for graduate employment.
  • Five consecutive Times Higher Education Awards (2008–2012), including Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2009.
  • Dating back to 1845, Queen's is the ninth oldest university in the UK with a heritage dating back over 150 years. Its historic campus is located in the attractive, leafy suburbs of south Belfast, a lively area only 15 minutes' walk away from the city centre, and packed with student facilities.
  • The University has more than 17,000 students from over 80 countries, with 3,500 staff and some 100,000 graduates worldwide.
  • Lowest cost of living in the UK (Mercer.com 2012).
  • Safest region in the UK (British Crime Survey 2011).

 Student organisations for international students

  • International Student Support includes advice on visa/immigration, finance, opening a bank account, counselling support, safety, studying, transport, shopping, and other general living advice.
  • An international student 'buddy scheme' is available for students as an informal way of getting in touch with friendly and approachable second and third year students (both international and local), who have volunteered to help students settle into University life.
  • Queen’s boasts over 170 sporting and non-sporting clubs/societies offering a wealth of experiences, including the Queen’s International Student Society (QISS).
  • In addition to bars, shops and restaurants/cafés, the Students’ Union provides finance/study advice services, employability and enterprise support, a relax and study area called The Space, banking facilities, and meeting rooms.
  • Careers advice is available via the University’s Careers, Employability and Skills service.
  • Healthcare advice is available via the University Health Centre.
  • The University’s chaplaincies provide pastoral and spiritual support for students of all faiths and none.

Advice for International Students

Advice

International Students in the UK

Content was accurate at the time of compilation.

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