Shape a Better Future with Postgraduate Study
At Queen’s, we believe that postgraduate study can help anyone achieve great things, whatever stage of their career or research journey.
Postgraduate study at Queen’s not only means advancing your career and boosting your earning power. It also gives you the chance to focus on what you are truly passionate about, learn more about yourself, and be a part of ground-breaking research on a global level at a Russell Group University.
There is a wealth of opportunities available to you: collaborate with innovators at the forefront of your field, work with Northern Ireland’s largest employers, and be inspired by those around you who share your passion.
Meet Joseph
Joseph Ireland completed his Undergraduate and Master’s Degrees in Civil Engineering at Queen’s back in 2011. He then worked as a drilling engineer in the oil and gas sector in the North Sea for nearly eight years, gaining an insight into how we use drilling technology to create energy from fossil fuels. He resigned from his post in 2018 due to his reservations about climate change, starting a PhD at Queen’s. His postgraduate research is helping to shape developments in the emerging geothermal energy industry and work towards a better future amidst climate change.
“Although I never planned to come back and do postgraduate study, the opportunity came at Queen’s to study at PhD level. I jumped at the chance to bring my skillset from the oil and gas industry and see how I can apply it to geothermal energy. Working between the school of Riddel Hall and the school of Natural Built Environment has allowed me to do that.”
At Queen’s, our philosophy is to help shape a better world. Through his PhD, Joseph has been able to do just that, helping to shape the future for a geothermal energy market sector here in Northern Ireland. “Postgraduate research has specifically allowed me to express myself. I am hoping to introduce a new geothermal energy market and get employed within that sector to help shape a better world, not only in Northern Ireland but across the globe.”
Postgraduate Study at Queen's
Our postgraduate students come from a diverse range of backgrounds and age groups. Joseph has reflected on the benefits of doing postgraduate study in his thirties. "Had I done this in my mid-20s, I wouldn't have had the industry experience I gained in oil and gas. I can now come back to Queen's with my unique skillset of drill engineering and apply it to the geothermal industry.”
At Queen’s, surrounding yourself with the right people is just as important as the course, or the research. Our vibrant postgraduate community will help you build a career and research network around all the things that matter to you.
“I feel very grateful and honoured to have the opportunity to work with academics at Queen’s, the government, and key stakeholders in the industry to help build a geothermal sector. I would describe postgraduate study as a gift.”
Interested in postgraduate study at Queen’s? Take the next step by exploring our 225 postgraduate programmes.