There is more than one route to university in Northern Ireland. Students can study a foundation degree, Access course or other higher education qualification at one of Northern Ireland’s six further education colleges or other local institutions, which will help you progress to Queen’s University.

The six colleges in Northern Ireland offer a wide range of Higher Education (HE) courses that are closely aligned with industry demand and run in conjunction with other top UK education providers.

Here is an example of a typical route. You start by studying a two-year foundation degree at a regional college, and, if you meet the entry criteria, you can progress to study at a university in Northern Ireland for a further two years and complete a full degree. Students can study a range of subjects via this route, from science subjects to humanities. 

Example route:

1. Study a two-year foundation degree in Mechanical Engineering at Belfast Metropolitan College.
2. Meet the eligibility to enter Queen’s at stage 2 of a BEng Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or Product Design Engineering or go straight into employment.
3. Graduate with an Honours degree after two years of study at Queen’s.

You can find more information about routes to university here. 

As a mature student, you can apply to our degree programmes through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) system.

Some courses, such as Nursing or Social Work, may have additional elements to their application process such as an interview. Entry requirements, course content and career prospects are detailed on the Queen's Course Finder and it is important to read carefully the details of courses you may be considering, as they may have different entry requirements. 

View four full range of courses.

Full details on how to apply for undergraduate degrees at Queen's University Belfast.

Our Admissions team are on hand to help answer any queries you may have about applying to Queen's. They can be contacted on admissions@qub.ac.uk. 

Please note there are no unique entry requirements for mature students. For enquiries regarding entry requirements, please refer to the course finder page. 

Funding can be a concern for many students when considering returning to education. Below you will find information about the financial supports that are available.

• Many students apply to Student Finance NI for their studies. All full-time students who qualify for student finance are entitled to a basic amount of financial help. Depending on your household income/benefits, you can receive a student loan and a maintenance grant. Click here for further information about applying for a loan from Student Finance NI. 
• Queen's also has a range of student support funds to help students. You can find full details of them by clicking here.
• Uversity offers scholarships for mature students entering undergraduate study for the first time. Applications for these scholarships open early February, and more information can be found here.  
• Students who wish to work while studying can also do so - MyFuture advertises a range of flexible, part-time on campus jobs that students can apply for. 
• AdviceSU can help you with all the information you need and questions you may have about Support and Hardship Funds, grants, loans, fees, the financial impact of repeating a year or changing your course, social security benefits, and other general financial issues. To find out more, visit their website here.

Queen’s recognises the challenges that adult learners may face in returning to education and there is support available to help them with the transition. We encourage all students to make use of these supports both before and after entering university to ensure they feel comfortable and confident beginning their studies. 

Here at Queen's, we have a Mature Student Society, dedicated to providing social and academic opportunities for anyone who wants to join. We also have over 220 other clubs and societies you can join during your time here.

Belfast offers a rich and dynamic experience for mature students, combining a vibrant cultural scene with a welcoming community. The city is steeped in history, yet thrives with modern energy, from the iconic Titanic Quarter to the lively St. George’s Market. Its compact size ensures easy access to parks, cafes, and cultural landmarks, making it an ideal place to balance study and exploration.

Life in Belfast