Important Information
Starting university is a big milestone, not just for young people but also for their parents, guardians, and caregivers.
The information below will help you navigate the university process, so you can support your young person in making the best decisions for their future.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
HOME/UK STUDENTS:
For many students, the university search begins in the Spring before their final year of school starts in September. All UK students will submit their university applications via UCAS. Our detailed guide on how to apply for university includes step-by-step instructions and key dates to keep in mind for applications.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:
The process for international students differs slightly, as they have the option to apply directly to the university if they wish to only apply for Queen's University or through UCAS if they wish to apply for different universities within the UK. Our how to apply guide provides more information on international student entry requirements and English language qualifications.
CLEARING
Clearing is how universities and colleges fill any places they still have on their courses. From July to October, students can apply for a course using Clearing if they're not already holding an offer from a university or college.
Students can use clearing if they didn't receive any offers (or none they wanted to accept), didn't meet the conditions of their offers, declined their firm place, or if they're applying after June 30th.
FUNDING UNIVERSITY
One of the biggest concerns for students, as well as their parents, guardians, or carers, is the cost of going to university.
Students have access to various financial aids, including student loans, grants, scholarships, and bursaries, to help cover the costs of university. Many students apply for Student Finance to cover tuition fees and receive a maintenance loan to assist with living expenses. For more information on funding and eligibility, head over to our Fees and Finance section.
As a parent, guardian or carer there is no obligation to contribute anything to university, however, if your young person is applying for Student Finance, the household income will be taken into account when calculating their entitlement for maintenance loans. Some parents may choose to help their young person pay tuition fees, while others will help with accommodation and everyday living costs. Students may also find part-time work during their studies.
Belfast has the lowest cost of living in the UK (Mercer Cost of Living City Ranking 2023) which makes it the perfect place to live and study, see how Queen's compares with other universities in key costs including weekly accommodation, household bills, travel expenses and tuition fees.
UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATION
Having your young person live away from home can be daunting, but here at Queen's, we have plenty of student accommodation options to make them feel right at home.
Finding the right accommodation, whether in university housing or private rentals, can significantly impact your young person's university experience. It's important to consider the accommodation factors that matter most to them.
GB, ROI and International students are guaranteed accommodation if they accept an offer to study at Queen's.
DEDICATED TO STUDENT EMPLOYABILITY
At Queen’s, we offer students so much more than a degree, from bespoke careers guidance, work placements and global opportunities to international workplace study tours and internship programmes. We equip our students with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their chosen field. Discover the professional development opportunities we offer.
- Our employer-sponsored skills award, the Future-Ready Award, allows students to gain accreditation for personal development and work-related activities they undertake outside their degree.
- Our specialists Employer Engagement team works to communicate the value of our students to potential employers around the world through our pioneering workplace study tours to Brussels, London, Asia and the USA.
- Our internship programmes and alumni mentoring schemes connect our students with high-level employers around the world.
- Students also have the opportunity to travel overseas to study or gain work-related experience in Europe, or further afield in Australia, Canada, China, India, New Zealand or the USA.
- Work-related learning is integrated into our degree programmes, offering students hands-on industry experience valued by employers.
SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS
All students have access to the Student Centre at One Elmwood, a comprehensive one-stop-shop for information, advice, and guidance throughout their time at Queen's. The center offers a wide range of services, including health and disability support, emotional wellbeing and counseling services, and money management advice.
We also have an active Students' Union with volunteering opportunities, enterprise programmes and competitons, funding for new business start-ups and access to over 200 clubs and societies.
OTHER ROUTES TO UNIVERSITY
There's more than one route to a university degree in Northern Ireland.
If your young person doesn't get the grades to get straight into university, there are other options. They could study a foundation degree or other higher education qualification at one of Northern Ireland's six further education colleges or local institutions then progress to complete a degree at Queen's University.
My Experience of Being a Pathway Student at Queen’s
INTO Queen's
INTO Queen's University Belfast is a pathway to a degree from Queen's University. It gives international students the option to study at a Russell Group university
INTO Queen's offers a range of courses that are proven to help international students progress to undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in the UK. The centre also offers a number of English Language courses for professional every day use.
More information on INTO Queen's
BLOG: Building Bridges: INTO Queen's Impact on My University Journey
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
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When should we start thinking about university?
A young person should start thinking about university around the time they are picking their A Level subjects (or equivalent). This allows them enough time to explore different interests and whether certain subjects are required for the degree path they are interested in.
- What qualifications will they need?
Every course at Queen's will have different entry requirements, we recommend looking at the individual entry requirements for each course your young person is interested in.
- How much are tuition fees at Queen's University?
Tuition fees will depend on whether your young person is a home/UK student or international student.
More information on our fees, as well as financial support available.
- My young person is planning on taking a gap year, can they still apply?
Many young people see taking a gap year as an opportunity to travel, volunteer or gain some work experience before heading into higher education. If they have already applied for university, they do have the option of deferring their application to the following year.
However, while we are happy to consider deferred entry, many of our courses may not be able to accommodate this. Please advise them to contact our admissions team as soon as possible: admissions@qub.ac.uk
- What security measures are in place on campus?
The University Security Service provides a 24-hour security presence across the campus and is the primary contract in the event of emergencies. The team monitors the CCTV, intruder alarm, and fire alarm systems, as well as managing the access control system and enforcing the car parking regulations. The Security Service is committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all persons working, studying, and visiting the University campus.