Who are we?
Hearing about Queen's University for the first time? Allow us to introduce ourselves...
Hello!
Welcome to Queen’s – a Russell Group University based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. We’re classed among 24 elite UK institutions including Oxford and Cambridge, but being part of the Russell Group is not the only thing that makes us special.
At Queen’s, you can take advantage of our friendly, close-knit campus community, while enjoying all the perks of a buzzing, cosmopolitan city.
Why haven’t you heard of us?
We’re just over an hour from London, but we might not be on your radar – yet. That’s probably because we’re a modest lot and we don’t tend to shout about how great we are. It’s a Northern Irish thing. So pop the kettle on and let us introduce ourselves.
Why should you care?
Queen’s is ranked 206 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025) and 26 in the UK in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
Our graduates are some of the most employable in the world and we’re proud to be ranked 8th in the UK for Graduate Prospects – On Track (Complete University Guide 2025).
We’ve also invested £700m into transforming our historic campus into an innovative learning environment so you’ll be learning in teaching spaces with the wow-factor.
But don't take our word for it: book a campus tour and come and see for yourself.
Will your degree carry prestige?
You’ll be in good company at Queen’s. We have a long history of achieving excellence. We’ve been around since 1845 and have produced world-famous presidents, poets and physicists. For example, did you know that the world’s first portable defibrillator was invented here? (Something to think about next time you’re watching 24 Hours in A&E).
Today, a Queen’s degree carries a stamp of approval recognised by employers around the world. We’re a global leader in subjects ranging from Architecture and Law to Politics and Medicine. 19 Queen’s subjects feature in the top 200 in the world (QS World Rankings by subject 2024).
Where is Queen’s?
We’re based in Belfast, a UK capital most noted as the birthplace of the Titanic and as the filming location for HBO’s Game of Thrones. Our famous exports include Jamie Dornan, Liam Neeson and Rory McIlroy. It’s where C.S. Lewis dreamt up The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where George Best first kicked a ball, and a stone’s throw from where Oscar Wilde went to school.
However, we’re probably most known for our welcoming smiles, infectious sense of humour and something we like to call ‘the craic’ (you’ll find all three in the lively bars, cafes and arts venues that line our cobblestoned streets). It’s probably why Belfast features in the National Geographic’s top 30 most exciting destinations to visit in the world in 2024 (National Geographic Cool List 2024).
What does that mean for you?
If you’re coming from other parts of the UK, our location may be considered ‘off the beaten track’ compared to other universities in England, Scotland or Wales, but we’re actually only around an hour from all major UK airports.
Here, you can enjoy the anonymity and excitement of discovering a new city with the comfort of knowing you’re just over an hour from home. Your parents won’t need to worry either: Belfast is in the safest region in the UK (British Crime Surveys, 2022/23).
What’s more, with the lowest student cost of living in the UK, we offer a much more affordable student experience than our English counterparts. It is £178 per month cheaper for student living costs in Northern Ireland compared to the UK average (Save the Student National Student Money Survey 2024) Our fantastic range of scholarships could save you even more money.
We offer something a little bit different in a capital city with a culture of its own.
You are different. And so are we.
Find out more
8 Reasons Why You Should Study in Belfast
10 Reasons to Confirm Your Place At Queen's
VIDEO: Must Visit Spots on Queen's Campus
Where to Take Your Family When They Visit Queen's and Belfast