One of the top 10 most beautiful historic universities in the UK
(QS World University Rankings 2022)
(QS World University Rankings 2022)
(Mercer Cost of Living City Ranking 2023)
(REF 2021)
We have 19 subjects in the top 200 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024). Four of those subjects are in the World Top 100 (QS World Rankings by subject 2024): Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Nursing, Performing Arts; and Social Policy and Administration.
In the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU, 2022), we have 10 subjects in the top 200 in the world.
We have over 3,900 international students from over 90 different countries. We’re 4th in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024).
We are ranked 13th in the UK for research intensity (Complete University Guide 2025).
Our researchers use world-class facilities to tackle Global Challenges such as health, food, conflict and technology.
In REF 2021, 99% of Queen’s research environment was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent, and we were ranked:
See the global impact of our research.
We offer a number of student development opportunities to help you enhance and develop your employability and personal skills and help you overcome any barriers that might restrict you reaching your full potential or accessing graduate roles.
Queen’s is the first university on the island of Ireland - and only the second in the UK - to be awarded an Athena Swan Gold Award for our commitment to advancing gender equality across higher education. Queen’s also holds a prestigious Athena SWAN Silver Award, along with 15 Departmental Awards (3 Gold, 6 Silver and 6 Bronze).
We’re proud of the diversity of our staff, with over 80 countries represented in our multicultural, inclusive and vibrant campus community. We were awarded the Silver Diversity Mark by Diversity Mark in December 2021, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender diversity, and the progress made at Queen’s in advancing gender, race and disability equality, and our ambitious plans to do more in these spaces.
We rank in the top 10 in the UK for several subjects:
94% of current international students were satisfied with the subject area expertise of their lecturers (International Student Barometer 2022).
We are ranked 10 in the UK for graduate prospects (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024).
Queen's is ranked 9 in the UK for Graduate Prospects – Outcomes (Complete University Guide 2025); and ranked 1st in the UK for career prospects for Medicine, Midwifery, Mental Health Nursing; and Pharmacy and Pharmacology (Guardian University Guide 2024).
Belfast is ranked in the top 10 fastest growing tech cities in the UK (UK Digital Economy Council, 2021).
Find out how Queen’s can enhance your employability.
We are nurturing a culture of sustainability to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and are a signatory to the UN Accord.
Queen’s is ranked in the top 200 in the world in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024 / QS World University Rankings 2024: Sustainability.
Individually, Queen's is ranked 9 out of 741 institutions for SDG15 Life on Land (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024).
Through research, education, and leadership we are taking the lead in equality, diversity and inclusion, sustainable procurement, and a commitment to disinvestment from fossil fuels, incorporating the SDGs and driving real-world impact in climate change.
94% of current international students at Queen’s were satisfied with the eco-friendly attitude to the environment at Queen’s; and Queen’s was ranked 1st out of 7 Russell Group universities for eco-friendly attitude to the environment (International Student Barometer 2022).
Founded in 1845, we are the ninth oldest University in the UK and have a rich history of leading change.
Some of our renowned graduates include Nobel Prize winner Seamus Heaney, ‘Northern Ireland’s Einstein’ John Stewart Bell, and the father of emergency medicine James Francis Pantridge.
Find out more about our greatest achievements.
In the last ten years we have invested £350m into award-winning facilities like the McClay Library, Graduate School, Law School and Computer Science building. We’re going to invest a further £350m in the next decade.
That’s why we were ranked 1st out of 108 universities worldwide for our Students’ Union and 98% of current international students were satisfied with our library services (International Student Barometer 2022).
Visit Queen’s and see it for yourself on one of our Campus Tours.
We were ranked 2nd in the UK for entrepreneurial impact (Octopus Ventures, 2022).
We are one of the leading Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) providers in the UK and a recent report by London Economics found that Queen’s contributes £1.9billion to the UK economy.
Through QUBIS Ltd, our commercial arm, we have created over 100 spin-out companies, generating £323m in revenue.
We hold a Regius Professorship for Cyber Security expert Professor Máire O’Neill, a rare honour bestowed by The Queen to recognise exceptional teaching and research. We were one of the first Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Research by GCHQ in 2011, and were named as one of the UK’s first Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Education (ACE-CSE).
Queen’s holds a prestigious Athena SWAN Silver Award, along with 15 Departmental Awards (3 Gold, 6 Silver and 6 Bronze).
Belfast is a city with a passion for progress and global innovation – a passion shared by Queen’s University Belfast. The prevalence of venture capitalists, business angels and private investors mean that young, high potential companies are booming in the city and Belfast is ranked in the top 10 fastest growing tech cities in the UK (UK Digital Economy Council, 2021).
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. (Complete University Guide 2024).
Belfast was voted one of the friendliest cities in the UK (Condé Nast Traveller, Readers' Choice Awards 2023) and 96% of current international students were satisfied with their safety and security (International Student Barometer 2022).
After a £20m investment, Queen’s was 1st of 8 UK universities for satisfaction with sporting facilities (International Student Barometer 2020/1); and 96% of current international students were satisfied with the clubs and societies (International Student Barometer 2022).
Our world-class indoor and outdoor facilities are ideal for recreational, competitive and high-performance athletes.