Why did you choose Queen’s?

I choose to study at Queen’s due to its profound links with international Universities. I was also excited about the opportunity to live and experience the culture in Northern Ireland.  I enjoy the fact that Queen’s is a mix between both a campus and city University, yet it is small enough to not be overwhelming. It was also the only UK University with such a diverse range of study abroad programme and optional modules.

What is your course like?

As a course that requires a large amount of reading and self-study, Law can be intense and requires self-motivation however it is also very rewarding and for me, it is one of the most interesting degree subjects you can study. There are so many optional modules and different paths you can take and as a result you aren’t likely to lose interest as your degree can be tailored to you. I also find this course includes a lot of current affairs and it is exciting to be studying the details to the events shaping our world.

Why did you choose to study a joint degree?

I chose a joint degree as I am aware of how demanding studying law can be, studying Spanish with Law adds variation. I believe that having a second language will be essential and will help me with not only pursuing a legal career but will open up a pathway to other careers.  Studying a joint degree requires dedication and will help me develop a specific set of skills.

What advice would you give anyone who may be thinking about coming to Queen’s?

I would advise anyone who is considering Queen’s University to keep an open mind. As a GB student having to fly to University is daunting and the prospect of moving to another country at such a young age seems scary. The truth is that after a week you become so settled that all your fears disappear. The support and help available from staff at Queen’s will ensure that your time here is unforgettable.

What do you like about living in Belfast?

Belfast is a small but vibrant city with the most interesting history and culture. The halls at Elms BT1 & BT2 allow you to experience living in the city centre. The location of the halls are great. They are in the middle of the city but you are still within walking distance to the University. Moving so far away from home has allowed me to gain independence and meet new people from many different backgrounds. I know I have made friends for life.

What would you like to do when you graduate?

After I graduate I am hoping to study a Masters in International Law, following that I wish to qualify as a barrister with the UK Bar and go on to practice throughout the UK and Europe. I am hoping to have the opportunity to live and work in Madrid at some point in my future career. 

Why did you choose Queen’s? 

Queen’s is a friendly campus style city University which really appealed to me. I really like the fact that I am a bit further from home but I can still get home quickly if I needed to. The main reason I chose to come to Queen’s is because I wanted to gain some independence and experience in city living. Queen’s gives me both! The Music department is phenomenal, with expert lectures and a broad spec of different modules.   

What is your course like? 

The lecturers are very approachable and easy to speak to. They are at the top of their respective fields and teach the most interesting topics. This is a very hands on and practical degree which will give me the experience I need to move into the industry after my degree. 

What advice would you give anyone who may be thinking about coming to Queen’s? 

Come and visit! Queen’s is a beautiful University with some incredible facilities. Visiting the city and the University not only gives you a taste of the University but what the travel to Belfast is like. Meeting other prospective students, lecturers and getting a flavour for University life is the best thing to do when trying to make your decision. 

What do you like about living in Belfast? 

Friendliness- Everyone you meet is super lovely and friendly. Everything is on your doorstep, Belfast is a small city where everything is within walking distance. The city is also cheaper than any other UK city. 

What would you like to do when you graduate?

My dream would be to work within Music and Audio Production, working with live sound and working in a music studio producing music with artists. 

Why did you choose Queen’s?

I chose Queen’s because when I visited for the first time I was made feel so welcome and I knew this was going to be somewhere that I could feel happy and at home. I also liked the feel of the city because it’s quite small so everything is easily accessible but still has the busy atmosphere, so you could never get bored.

What is your course like?

I love my course because there are so many different module choices to get a wide variety of exposure to a range of texts. I am glad my course is 50/50 between English and French and that we have a core module for French Language skills as I think it is important to keep that practise before I have the opportunity to do my study abroad module for 1 year.

Why did you choose to study a joint degree?

I chose a joint degree because during my A-levels when I was trying to decide my degree pathway, I felt that I wanted to continue with both subjects at a higher level and I had heard that there was a shortage of language graduates. I also believe that having a language as part of my degree will be invaluable to my career opportunities in later life.

What advice would you give anyone who may be thinking about coming to Queen’s?

I would recommend Queen’s to anyone who is considering coming here as you will meet the loveliest people and will enjoy living in the city. The lectures are so helpful and go above and beyond to make sure their students succeed.

What do you like about living in Belfast?

I like living in Belfast because the people are so friendly and always make me feel welcome. It is a good place to live for a student because it is affordable and there are so many things to do to explore the culture of your new home! It also has good transport links to the airport. I find that it is quicker and cheaper for me to get home than it would be for some of my friends to get home and they are studying in universities in England.

What would you like to do when you graduate?

I am considering options such as teaching, translating or future study. I look forward to figuring this out in the next few years.

Why did you choose Queen’s? 

I chose Queen’s due to the fantastic city atmosphere and the opportunity to experience study away from home. The GB Scholarship made it easier to move away with flights being paid for. French and Spanish were both high performing in league tables across other Russell Group Universities. 

Why did you choose to study a joint degree? 

I wanted to learn another language and loved the fact that Queen’s has given me the unique opportunity to be taught French from scratch. 

What is your course like? 

French is my beginner’s language and therefore more pressure is placed on the language alone in the first year. Our lecturers are very supportive as we have a small class of nine which is really nice as this creates a small family of linguists. 

What advice would you give anyone who may be thinking about coming to Queen’s? 

I would highly recommend coming to Queen’s, my main advice would be to make sure to come to the University events beforehand they are really helpful and give a lot of important information. It was really important for me to see the campus, this helped me make my decision as I wanted to be sure that I would like the University and city before making a very important decision. 

What do you like about living in Belfast? 

Belfast is a small city which is packed with everything you need. There is always something more to discover. The people are so friendly and helpful - that’s a highlight for me. 

What would you like to do when you graduate?

Once I graduate I am thinking of further education. Time will tell and I will figure this out throughout my next few years of study. One thing I am leaning towards is working in the Civil Service.  

Why did you choose Queen’s? 

Queen’s is located just outside of the city, so it isn’t too busy but it is also a short walk into the city centre. Not only is it lovely to look at, but I could tell when visiting for the first time they really cared about their students education and wellbeing. The accommodation was lovely, much nicer and more modern than other Universities I visited. Belfast is such a safe and cheap city which was also very important to my decision. Finally the course seemed well structured and suited me well. 

What is your course like? 

The Law course is intellectually challenging but I have always felt much supported by my lecturers. The school has a personal tutor scheme where a lecturer will support and meet with you on a regular basis. They will discuss your progress and give you feedback, this really helped particularly in my first year. I have also found that older students are always willing to help and give support. 

What advice would you give anyone who may be thinking about coming to Queen’s? 

Don’t be afraid to get involved with every opportunity that comes your way. University is a great time to start something new, and Queen’s offers such a vast amount of opportunities, there really is something for everyone! 

Also try to keep on top of your work, otherwise it can become overwhelming but don’t worry the workload is really manageable. 

My biggest worry before University was that I wouldn’t make any friends, but everybody is so lovely and the accommodation offers so many events that really helps you meet new people. 

What do you like about living in Belfast? 

My favourite thing about Belfast is how safe and cheap it is. The low cost of living means I can afford to go out and try all the quirky restaurants and bars. There really is so much to do with something for everyone. The weather might not always be the best but everybody is so friendly which brightens the city even when the sun isn’t shining. 

What would you like to do when you graduate?

When I graduate I want to complete a PGCE and I become a primary school teacher. 

Why did you choose Queen’s?

I am the fourth generation of my family to come to Queen’s so for me it was always my first choice!

What is your course like?

I am studying Business Management in Queen’s Management School which I am loving.  My course covers a wide range of different management modules which I find really interesting.

What advice would you give anyone who may be thinking about coming to Queen’s?

In my first year I lived in Elms Village, I really enjoyed Elms it was the perfect place to meet new friends, being from the UK I was nervous about making the move however Elms was like a home from home.

What do you like about living in Belfast? 

There are many opportunities at Elms to socialise and I attended a lot of the trips they organised. Their trips can range from small weekly shopping trips or day trips out to see the sights in Belfast or slightly further afield.  As well as my course I wanted more from the University therefore I decided to join one of their many clubs/societies. In my first year I took up Rowing and joined the Paddle Sports Club. I spent a lot of time training on the River Lagan or being in the PEC.

Why did you choose Queen’s? 

Queen’s is a well-respected University which I had researched and discovered that it had high achievements for their Law courses.  Academically the University was perfect. I then looked at the city of Belfast for living in and found that this was perfect for me also. Belfast is such an interesting and vibrant city. This made my decision a very easy one when choosing a University. 

What is your course like? 

Law is notorious for being a “scary course” with ridiculous amounts of reading. There is no denying that there is a lot of reading but I feel that Queen’s really broke this down. The lecturers are always willing to help and the School understands this can sometimes be daunting. The Law course therefore offers a peer mentor scheme which pairs groups of first year law students with two or three second year students. The Law course is so unique for the amount of help and opportunities there are on offer. 

What advice would you give anyone who may be thinking about coming to Queen’s? 

My advice would be to visit the campus and talk to the current students. Whilst I was visiting Universities I got the feeling at some, where I knew I could study there and at others I knew they just weren’t for me. Visiting the campus gives you a real feeling for the University which I think is crucial.  

Another piece of advice I would offer is go speak to current students, it is so important because they understand and always tell you the truth. They know how daunting University can be, so want you to make an informed decision.

What do you like about living in Belfast? 

Belfast is a very vibrant upcoming city. There is always something interesting going on such as the Christmas Markets or summer markets etc… Belfast is such a historical city and learning all of this background is amazing. Belfast is also very cheap which is great for students as your money goes so much further. 

What would you like to do when you graduate?

Once I graduate I would like to go on to be a solicitor. I do intend to move home once I finish my student experience in Belfast. 

Why did you choose Queen’s? 

I chose Queen’s because of the friendly atmosphere from everyone I met in Belfast when I first visited. I also like the modules offered in the Law course and the fact that this degree covered England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

What is your course like? 

The course is really interesting. It is quite relaxed but there is a lot of independent work and reading required in order to fully understand the different aspects. The combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars really helps with grouping the idea of other people and formulating ideas of your own.  

What advice would you give anyone who may be thinking about coming to Queen’s? 

I would recommend visiting the campus. You need to come over to get the full experience. I would say come to one of the Open Day events or Offer Holder events. These are the best ways to get all of the important information and speak to students and lecturers. You can ask any questions you like, nothing is too much to ask!

What do you like about living in Belfast? 

I like the friendliness of the people in Belfast. I also like the fact that the city is quite small so it is very easy to get around. 

What would you like to do when you graduate?

In the future I would like to become a coroner.   

Why did you choose Queen’s?

My initial response to this question links to the university’s reputation, its Russell Group status and the fact it’s pretty much as far away from my home in Sussex as you can get. What I wanted from my university experience was a high standard of education coupled with an entirely different culture and place to immerse myself into. After my first visit to Queen’s, I immediately felt it would be the most appropriate place for me to study but also to live for the next few years. The support Queen’s staff offered throughout my A Levels was second-to-none in comparison to other universities I had applied to. From the moment I sent off my application, I was made to feel welcome. My grandmother was originally born in Belfast and I think this opportunity to move to her hometown couldn’t be refused. 

What is your course like? 

The Business Management course is extremely varied. I love the diversity of my degree. Although my modules in first and second year are compulsory, they are diverse and have provided me with improved skills when it comes to communication and discipline. The quality of teaching is extraordinary, especially in my Accounting module, which came as a surprise to me given I wouldn’t class myself as a ‘numbers’ girl! The Business Management course so far, has provided me with a rounded and applied knowledge in the modules I have taken. From Accountancy to Marketing to the concept of a universal basic income we cover it all. This year we focus more on the importance of Data within Businesses and why businesses internationalize.

How did you hear about Queen’s?

Through the Russell Group list of universities. I then got in touch with Queen’s to arrange a tour and meeting with the Business Management Programme Director.

What advice would you give anyone who may be thinking about coming to Queen’s?

GO FOR IT. Any hesitations I had about moving to Queen’s completely dissipated as soon as I had survived the first week. I knew I would be okay here. The opportunities and successes that are possible here are like no other combined with the beautiful campus and city there truly is no place I would rather be studying at. 

What do you like about living in Belfast?

I like that Belfast is a small city and yet is difficult to explore. There is always more places to eat and drink. I love the Cathedral Quarter especially – it reminds me slightly of the North Laines in Brighton near where I live in England. I feel proud when friends and family come to visit that Belfast has so much to offer yet feels welcoming at the same time. 

Do you have any work placement opportunities? Please provide details.

I have an opportunity to take a placement in my third year. I am working on securing this at the moment. I hope to take a year out to aid my decision-making on my future career.

What would you like to do when you graduate?

I hope to graduate from Queen’s and enter the Insurance market as an Underwriting Assistant to eventually progress to a fully qualified Underwriter. I hope to have completed a year-long work placement in this industry by then. 

Why did you chose Queen’s? 

The main reason why I chose Queen's is because it has fantastic international opportunities to take part in alongside your studies. Including: Study USA, semester abroad in Australia and Work place study tours across Europe. Also Belfast is a great city and much cheaper compared to cities in England. 

What is your course like? 

My degree requires a lot of hard work but I really enjoy it. So far I have had to complete exams, essays computer assignments and group presentations. The lecturers are brilliant and the modules are very interesting, for example in applied Economics, you learn about real world economic issues, such as wealth and income inequality and how this affects us. 

What advice would you give anyone who may be thinking about coming to Queen’s?

It would be great if you can visit Queen’s for yourself to see all the fantastic opportunities it has to offer. However, if you are unable to visit, do not worry. You can still find out everything you need to from the prospectus and research online. This was the way I chose Queen's.

What do you like about living in Belfast?

I have really enjoyed Studying at Queen's and living in Belfast so far. The main campus is superb. There are lots of facilities like the library and places to eat and socialise. Close by is the student union- home to Mandela hall and the SU bar and hosts fresher’s fair; and the Student Centre- where various career talks/fairs take place. There is lots to do in Belfast, shopping, Titanic Museum and great night life with plenty of bars and clubs.

What would you like to do when you graduate?

After graduation I am considering studying further for a masters abroad.

Why did you chose Queen’s?

I chose to study at Queen’s because I wanted the independence of living away from home but with the convenience of being a 45 minute flight away from home. I was also aware that Belfast was one of the cheapest cities for students and the GB student scholarship provided many benefits, such as financial support towards flights home. I also thought it would be interesting to study sociology in a post-conflict society. In addition to this, it was the Human Rights Summer School that confirmed my decision to go to Queen’s because it was such an interesting week with the taster lectures and I really enjoyed meeting new people from different backgrounds. 

What is your course like? 

My course is a very interesting insight into our society. I’ve enjoyed building on my A level studies and learning new things on my course, such as looking at issues of inequality. I appreciate how Queen's allows you to study a wide range of modules in your first year. I’ve enjoyed applying my knowledge of criminology and what we define as criminal behaviour to the context of conflict in Northern Ireland. I also think it’s important that Queens encourages students to look at political issues, such as through the study of social policy. I also really like how the social science department at Queens is very knowledgeable and passionate about their area of expertise. I specifically enjoy tutorials, which allow students to explore issues together and I find this really inspiring. 

How did you hear about Queen’s?

I first heard about Queen’s at a University fair at my sixth form college. The representative provided many interesting points such as the GB scholarship which encouraged me to apply for the summer school online.

What advice would you give anyone who may be thinking about coming to Queen’s?

I would tell prospective students to definitely apply to Queen’s as they will have so many opportunities to meet new people, to learn new things and to grow as a person through living away from home and through extra-curricular opportunities. Also, I would encourage prospective students to apply for a summer school if possible because the Human Rights Summer School was one of my favourite experiences and increased my confidence. As well as this, I would tell them that their hard work will pay off as Queen’s rewards your hard work through the GB scholarship.  

What do you like about living in Belfast?

I like that Belfast has everything you need in a city. For example, I really enjoy going to Nandos and the Movie House Cinema. Also, the Victoria Square shopping centre is really impressive. I like how they have shops I don’t have in my home town, such as Pull and Bear. I love how there is always something going on in Belfast, such as in St Georges Market and the Christmas Markets. Another good thing about Belfast is that the people are so friendly, similar to my home town of Newcastle Upon Tyne. In addition to this, the public transport is cheap and reliable which makes life much easier.

Are you going on a study abroad programme? Please provide details.

I hope I’m able to go on the Erasmus programme in the second semester of my second year but this is yet to be confirmed. I would love to study abroad because it would provide me with a new challenge and it would also work well with my course by exposing me to my new cultures.

What would you like to do when you graduate?

Ideally, when I graduate I would like to take a gap year, to allow me to spend quality time with my family and go interrailing.  Following this, I would like to undertake masters in gender/sexuality and work towards being a lecturer/social researcher.  

Why did you choose Queen’s?
I was late to apply for Queen’s and found this University through clearing. The day before I got my results I looked on the Queen’s website and loved the look of the campus. I started to watch youtube videos this gave me more details and allowed me to make my decision. I then visited Queen’s and took a campus tour and fell in love with the University.

What is your course like?
My course gives me the flexibility to tailor what I want to study. I also find my course intellectually stimulating, it pushes me to be independent in my studies. There are crossovers between my subjects so I can focus on the type of study that really interests me.

What advice would you give anyone who may be thinking about coming to Queen’s?
Don’t be nervous about moving away from home. Queen’s and Elms Village feel like a home away from home. Make sure you find out all about your course, the University and the clubs and societies. Ask all of your questions no matter how silly you think they are! Queen’s staff are very friendly and willing to answer any questions.

What do you like about living in Belfast?
Everyone is much friendlier than in London! Belfast is such a friendly, exciting and upcoming city. It is full of art and culture. Living and studying here is also cheaper than doing this at home.

What would you like to do when you graduate?
I plan to study Crime and Forensic Science and hope for the opportunity to work in MI5 or the Met Police.

Why did you choose Queen’s? 

I chose Queen's because of my course. Although other Universities offered similar politics courses, Queen's took it one step further by specialising in subjects such as divided societies and conflict resolution. This paired with Northern Ireland’s rich history offered a unique learning experience which I could not get elsewhere. 

What is your course like? 

The International Politics and Conflict Studies course allows you to study a range of topics from Security and Terrorism, to the Politics and Policies of the European Union to US foreign Policy. It gives you the opportunity to study a broad range of topics in your first and second years then to specify on more specialist-based modules in final year. 

What advice would you give anyone who may be thinking about coming to Queen’s? 

My advice for students who are considering coming to Queen's is to give it a chance. I was apprehensive before coming due to how far away from home it is, along with the thought of friends and family being a sea apart. However, my doubts of being far way were quickly banished as it is much easier and quicker to get home from here than it would be living in London or Manchester. My time at Queen's has been an experience I would not change in the slightest, Belfast is a such great city that is really growing and diversifying which means you get all the fun but without the hefty price tag. 

What do you like about living in Belfast? 

I was surprised that despite Belfast being a city, it still had a friendly community feel to it. As a city it is also very easy to get around whether that be the short walk into town or hopping on a bus to explore the rest of the country.  Coming to Queens for university has offered me a different experience than if I had stayed in Great Britain. It has given me the opportunity to experience a different culture and country, yet at the same time has allowed me all the comforts and likeness of home. Also, Northern Ireland is so much cheaper than elsewhere in the United Kingdom. I had not taken money to much into account when searching for possible universities, however compared to friends who are studying elsewhere Belfast is considerably cheaper. This has allowed me to have a university life and explore all the things that Ireland has to offer without financial stress that my friends Great Britain may have. 

Are you going on a study abroad programme? Please provide details.

There are a range of opportunities to study abroad available. There is the possibility to take part in Erasmus where you can study throughout Europe, Study USA or the Politics of Conflict Transformation module which gives you the chance to go to Washington DC. 

What would you like to do when you graduate?

I’m current looking at various public and private organisations to do graduate schemes or possibly a masters. 

Why did you choose Queen’s? 

My first reason was that I was desperate to get as far away from my home town as possible to gain a sense of freedom and independence. Being from the south of England, my options were Scotland and Northern Ireland. I came to visit Queen’s and instantly fell in love with the University. Another important reason for choosing Queen’s was that my mother was born and raised in Belfast, therefore I had an attachment to the city from my childhood and much of my family still live here, so although I was far away from home if I ever needed help, or a home cooked meal my aunts and uncles were not far away. 

What is your course like? 

The History course at Queen’s is so diverse and each year you are given so much freedom to follow the path that suits your interests the best. Every year there are modules that range thousands of years of history as well as different practices in history, from straight factual recounts to looking at social history. Two and a half years of being able to choose what you find most interesting has allowed me to learn what I am most passionate researching and writing about, which has become my dissertation topic. All the modules are run by leading academics that are still researching, knowing that you will be getting the most out of your time at Queen’s as each and every staff member are extremely passionate about what they are teaching us. On average, the contact hours are around 8-9 hours every week, but that gives us plenty of time to read around each subject and complete work outside the class time which can be just as interesting as attending the lectures and tutorials. 

What advice would you give anyone who may be thinking about coming to Queen’s? 

Definitely do not let that body of water between Northern Ireland and England scare you when considering Queen’s. In fact, I have found that it has been far more accessible to get home then my brother who attends Nottingham University. There are regular flights from both the City and International airports and they are so affordable, usually not paying more than £40 for a return flight. Queen’s is extremely well equipped to help GB students in the transition to life over in Northern Ireland and are able to help with every worry that you or your parents might have. My main piece of advice would be to come and visit the city and the University, there is only so much that can be gained from looking at pictures and videos online, come and experience what the city has to offer for yourself. 

What do you like about living in Belfast? 

I love that I am living in a city that is becoming bigger and more culturally diverse every day but it still feels safe and like a huge community. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming and this was a huge deal for me in order to feel comfortable moving to a city. The city also has so much history, and being a history student, this is something that I really enjoy. There is so much to explore and the city is growing every year and really becoming a popular place to live and work.

What would you like to do when you graduate?

When I graduate, I hope to go on to a Master’s in History or Archives and Record Management. For my summer internship I have decided that I want to work in a similar field, either in archives or handling documents and sources and managing them. 

I have also always wanted to go into teaching, so I am also considering doing my PGCE in primary education.