Top Reasons Why Researchers Choose Queen's
Are you thinking of joining our community of researchers here at Queen’s University Belfast?
Here are all the reasons why you should.
At almost 200 years old, we are one of the oldest universities in the UK (Complete University Guide 2024).
We are proud to be a member of the Russell Group, a group of 24 UK research-intensive universities, and are the only Russell Group university in Northern Ireland. We are also ranked in the Top 200 universities in the world for impact according to Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024.
Queen’s University was ranked 3 out of 65 universities worldwide for our Graduate School (International Student Barometer, 2022).
99% of our research environment is world-leading or internationally excellent according to REF 2021 and we are ranked 13 in the UK for research intensity.
Here at Queen’s, we have a proud history of conducting innovative, impactful, and world-leading research that has potentially changed people’s lives. Our ambition for 2030 is to further enhance our impact by strengthening our research position and work with industry to broaden our translational impact and innovation. This will ensure we can deliver high-quality, world-leading research addressing local and global challenges.
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
The Graduate School connects students across all disciplines and to mentors, leaders, and employers within the university and beyond. It’s an exclusive hub that values the needs of our students.
Based in the beautifully restored and remodelled Victorian Lynn library, this fully accessible space has modern, hi-tech meeting and group study rooms, a silent study area and social spaces for creating a vibrant space for intellectual exchange and collaboration.
“I’ve found the staff of the Graduate School to be very helpful and cooperative. They are very much student-focused and intent on providing the various forms of support students require with regards to academic engagement and skill development. There are dedicated staff in the Graduate School who are always ready to support postgraduate students with their study and career aspirations.” - Md Salah Uddin
Over the past decade, we have spent £350 million on new campus facilities including the £50 million McClay library.
We also plan to invest a further £350 million over the next decade, making our facilities some of the best in the UK and Ireland. Find out more about our facilities here.
Our academics have a wealth of experience from their time working in industry.
We have won the Queen’s anniversary prize on seven occasions, demonstrating excellence, innovation, impact, and societal benefit. Academics at Queen’s listen, inspire and challenge the way students think and view the world, and play an integral part in the student experience here.
Belfast is one of the UK and Ireland’s most vibrant cities, packed with energy, culture and history.
Queen’s majestic campus is in Queen’s Quarter surrounded by cafés, bars, restaurants, and plenty of shopping and entertainment venues.
While you are here, you can enjoy all that Northern Ireland has to offer like the Causeway Coastal Route, Giant’s Causeway, Titanic history, Game of Thrones filming locations – to name a few. Belfast is also the perfect base for exploring the rest of Ireland, UK, and Europe.
LOW COST OF LIVING
Belfast is the UK’s most affordable student city (Natwest Student Living Index 2024).
As a postgraduate student, you will reap the rewards.
Our Leadership Institute provides executive programmes through its relationships with business experts. Our Degree Plus and Researcher Plus initiatives help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
91% of Queen’s graduates were in employment and/or further study 15 months after completing their course (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2021/22).
VIBRANT STUDENT COMMUNITY
Our postgraduate culture thrives on a collaborative network, with students and academics from different disciplines working together with a shared vision.
“It is extremely enjoyable to be a part of a community where individuals support and uplift one another. Whether it's offering guidance to a fellow colleague, providing constructive feedback on research projects, group study sessions, learning and development workshops or celebrating each other's achievements, there is a spirit of collaboration which is a very positive environment to be in” – Caitlin Trainor
Our postgraduate community is built on a foundation of exceptional teaching, cutting-edge research, innovation, collaboration, and engagement.