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Rankings and Reputation

At almost 200 years old, we are one of the oldest universities in the UK. Founded in 1845, we have a rich history of leading change and are the only Russell Group university in Northern Ireland.

An Internationally Respected University 

Queen's is ranked in the top 200 in the world for impact and sustainability (THE Impact Rankings 2024/QS World University Rankings 2025: Sustainability)

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, 2024), we have 15 subjects in the top 200 in the world.

We have over 4000 international students from over 90 different countries. We’re 6th in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024).

World-Class Research

As a member of the Russell Group, Queen’s is one of the UK’s 24 leading research-intensive universities.

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:

1st in the UK for Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences

4th in the UK for Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

8th in the UK for Law (REF 2021/ Times Higher Education)

 

A Leader in Equality and Diversity

At Queen’s University, we’re all about creating a warm, inclusive environment that celebrates the diversity of our community. We offer a range of opportunities designed to boost your employability, develop your skills, and help you overcome any obstacles to reaching your full potential.

We’re proud to be the first university in Ireland—and only the second in the UK—to earn an Athena Swan Gold Award for our commitment to gender equality. In recognition of our ongoing efforts to advance gender, race, and disability equality, we received the Silver Diversity Mark in 2021.

OUR REPUTATION FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE

1st in the UK for Dentistry (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)

1st in the UK for Agriculture and Forestry (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)

2nd in the UK for Pharmacology and Pharmacy (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)

2nd in the UK for Social Work (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)

The University is a seven-times winner of the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education. This prestigious award is the highest national honour available to universities and FE colleges across the UK, approved directly by The Queen and Parliament.

Future Focused

91% of Queen’s graduates were in employment and/or further study 15 months after completing their course (HESA Graduate Outcomes).

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.

Leading Innovation

We are renowned for our strengths in enterprise and innovation.

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.

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).

Our commitment to sustainability

As a global institution, we have a major role to play in making a positive impact in our environment.

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 100 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025: Sustainability and in top 200 in the world in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024.

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).