© Northern Ireland Tourist Board

2. The locals love a good quality knit

Especially an Aran jumper. Some of them are actually home-made. These are the kind of people you can bring home to meet mum and dad. 

3. Life here won’t break the bank (of mum and dad)

Belfast is the UK’s most affordable student city; and students in Belfast spend least in the UK on household bills (Natwest Student Living Index 2024).

4. It’s the happiest place in the UK

The locals are famed for their friendliness so it’s no wonder that Northern Ireland is officially the happiest place in the UK (Lloyds Bank Happiness Index, 2020).

5. You’ll be closer to home than you think

All major UK cities are within an hour's flying time and London is just 50 minutes by air. 

Northern Ireland has three airports, two of which are in Belfast, sea crossings that happen regularly from England to Scotland and also has direct bus and train links from Dublin.

If you're coming from further afield, you can fly direct to Belfast from over 20 European cities and a number of North American locations.

6. Eating is no longer cheating

"Belfast is one of the UK and Ireland’s most vibrant and affordable cities, packed with energy, culture and history. Queen's majestic campus is in Queen's Quarter, with cafés, bars, restaurants, plenty of shopping and entertainment venues." (Complete University Guide 2025)

7. You’ll be graduating at the same place as classical music group The Priests…

If your mum can’t take comfort in that, your gran definitely will. 

© The Priests

8. …But also honorary graduates Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela

Hello, future world leader. 

10. It’s a big city with a village feel

No need for scary tubes, you can walk from campus to city centre in 15 minutes. 

Belfast Lough © Christopher Heaney Photographic/NI Tourist Board

Find out more

Where to Take Your Family When They Visit Queen's and Belfast

5 Things You Can Do in Belfast That You Can’t Do Anywhere Else!

How to Enjoy a Night Out in Belfast