Queens University has invested heavily in making international students welcome. As one of the oldest universities in the United Kingdom with a long history of excellence it has become a firm favourite with Chinese students.

Every year international students start their study abroad journey by exploring a host of options looking for the university that best suits and fulfills their personal and academic aspirations. International students often look for the best university for their desired discipline, the tuition and living costs in the country/city in which the university is located as well as after-graduation employability, among many other criteria. This article sheds light on reasons why international students choose Queen’s University Belfast as their university of choice pursuing their education abroad.

Academic Reputation & Faculty Quality

As the 9th oldest university in the UK, Queen’s University Belfast has been providing top education since 1845. With world-renowned faculty members, Queen’s University Belfast is able to provide students with top-class undergraduate as well as graduate education in many different disciplines. The university has a wide reputation as a leading research university in the UK. It is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of the UK’s 24 leading research-intensive universities and has been ranked as first in the UK for research intensity in disciplines like Biological Sciences, Dentistry and Mathematics. Its research ranking received as high as first in the UK for Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Food Science and Agriculture and Forestry making it one of the most popular study destinations for foreign students.

Degree Programs & Disciplines

Queen’s University Belfast is known to provide a wide spectrum of undergraduate as well as graduate degree programs. Its programs cover a host of disciplines; from Accounting and Economics to Medicine, Computer Engineering and Architecture. Its population of 3000 International students from more than 80 countries around the world are not only attracted by the highly-ranked disciplines, but they also choose to study at Queen’s University Belfast for the variety of specializations as well as its academic excellence; 96% of current international students are satisfied with the subject area expertise of their lecturers while 93% of current international students at are satisfied with the teaching ability of their lecturers.

Top Ranked University

Queen’s University Belfast is amongst the top ranked universities in the world and in UK. The University has been ranked 209 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and 200 in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2021. The University also has 15 subjects with ranking in the top 200 in the world in the QS World Rankings by subject 2020; amongst which are subjects like English Language and Literature (51-100), Pharmacy and Pharmacology (51-100), Nursing (51-100) and Medicine (151-200).

 

Not only does Queen’s University Belfast enjoy such a high ranking amongst the world’s top universities, it also holds such high ranking amongst UK universities. It is ranked 27th in the UK with 24 subjects in the UK top 20 and 10 subjects in the top 10. Subjects like Electrical and Electronic Engineering ranks 9th in the UK while Accounting and Finance ranks 6th, Chemical Engineering ranks 16th, and Mechanical Engineering ranks 20th.

Employability

Queen’s University Belfast is ranked in the top 140 in the world for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). The University prepares and encourages its students to take advantage of a student exchange program or an international work placement program as part of their degree. Students will have a chance to utilize the European Erasmus Programme, through which, students will have a chance to study abroad for one year at a partner university in Australia, Canada, China, India, New Zealand or the USA. Students can also gain some work experience through a work placement program with an employer. Every year over 800 Queen’s students take the opportunity to go outside of Northern Ireland to study or gain work-related experience. This will enhance students’ employability, broaden cultural awareness and boost self-confidence and resilience. It’s worth noting that 96% OF Queen’s graduates are in employment or further study six months after graduation. *

*(HESA Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17)

Scholarships

Amongst the top criteria international students take into consideration when deciding on a university to study abroad is the availability of scholarships. Queen’s University Belfast is considered to be one of the top universities to provide foreign students with scholarships and grants; Queen’s University Belfast avails £1.5M in scholarships to talented, fee-paying international students each year making it one of the most attractive study destinations for international students. The International Office Undergraduate Scholarship awards international undergraduate students enrolling in full-time undergraduate programs up to £3000 for one year. The Vice-Chancellor’s International Attainment Scholarship awards international students enrolled in full-time undergraduate program up to 50% discount on tuition fees paid for all years; students can apply for the scholarship by filling out this application.

International Student Friendliness

Belfast, generally, is a modern, beautiful capital city that is welcoming to its visitors and quite easy to get around while being an affordable place in which to live and study. The city features a beautiful contrast of old and modern architecture. Being one of the most affordable cities to live and study within the UK has made Belfast a top destination for international students. Particularly, Queen’s University Belfast is a top choice for international students for its friendliness and welcoming to visiting students. The university takes into account the stress international students may fall under while being away from home thus has over 200 clubs and societies to suit everyone, including sports, gaming, creative, cultural and academic societies.

Location

Queen’s University Belfast is located in south central Belfast and as such is close to both Northern Ireland’s main motorways, connecting it easily with the rest of Ireland. The university is also a five-minute walk to Botanic Train Station making it easily connected to Dublin and the rest of the United Kingdom. Belfast could also easily be reached by plain; Belfast’s 2 airports, George Best Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport, seamlessly connect it to other major cities within the UK with less-than-an-hour flights that are reasonably priced. Its 2 airports serve 74 direct flight from Belfast to UK, Europe and the USA.

Lower Cost of Living

Belfast is generally is considered one of the most affordable cities to live and study in within the United Kingdom making it an attractive study destination for international students. Average monthly living expenses certainly varies depending on individual spending habits but generally speaking, the average living cost in Belfast is considered to be a lot less than the living costs in mainland Britain. Average monthly rent ranges from £400-£550 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment, a single movie ticket costs about £7 and a fast-food combo meal would cost around £6. It is estimated that the average total expense is £950 per month.

Network of Support

Moving to a new country can be an intimidating experience for young international students. The Student Guidance Center at Queen’s University Belfast is the first place students visit when looking for information, support or advice. The center provides students with support services that look after their health, wellbeing, education needs, study needs, financial security and future career. The dedicated International Support Services team can provide students with specialist advice in relation to visa and immigration matters including applying for visa to come to the UK and assisting with any queries they may have during their time here.

Quality Accommodation

With accommodations costs varying between £85-£175 per week, Queen’s University Belfast provides one of the most affordable accommodations options in Belfast. The University has added 1,237 rooms across two brand new city center sites in 2018 that provide students with modern accommodation. Queen’s University Belfast offers its students different types of accommodations; students can choose to live in a twin, standard or en suite accommodation. Additionally, students who wish to live in a single-sex, quiet-living and alcohol-free accommodation have to indicate that in their application. Students who are looking for a more economic accommodation option can certainly look for private housing where they can share an apartment with other fellow students.

Cost of Tuition

Queen’s University is considered one of the most affordable universities for international students to study abroad in the UK. Its yearly tuition fees amounting to £17,400 for classroom-based level of study and £ 21,400 for laboratory-based level of study while Pre-clinical Based / Clinical level of study costs £32,200 per year. While, as mentioned earlier, Queen’s University Belfast avails £1.5M in scholarships to talented, fee-paying international students each year, international students have a great opportunity to make use of scholarships and lowering tuition fees

Local Chinese Community Support

We know how difficult moving away from home and travelling round the world to embark on challenging studied in another language. All those things we miss about home from friends and family to food and fun. While the excitement and rewards of such a move are huge there will always be a time of adjustment and home sickness. Therefore the Chinese Welfare Association which is located practically on campus provides a wide range of events and courses which will help Chinese and other international students feel right at home. A safe space where they can meet each other and enjoy friendship and food as well as a way of exploring Belfast and Northern Ireland.