School of Nursing and Midwifery claims top 50 spot in QS World University rankings

The School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s University Belfast recently joined the top 50 in QS World University Subject Rankings 2018.

Pro-Vice Chancellor for Medicine and Health Sciences, Professor Chris Elliott, commented: “As a world-class university, it is pleasing that we are being recognised for research and teaching on the global stage. This reflects our continued commitment to making a positive impact on wider society locally, nationally and globally.”

Queen’s University Belfast opens new renewable energy centre

Queen’s has opened a GBP 9.7 million cross-border research centre for renewable energy projects. The centre is funded by the European Union’s (EU) INTERREG VA Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The Bryden Centre for Advanced Marine and Bio-Energy Research will recruit 34 PhD students across the marine and bio-energy disciplines for the projects.

The Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in Ireland are also funding the projects.

New construction for the School of Biological Sciences

The new School of Biological Sciences, being built at Chlorine Gardens, will house state-of-the art teaching and research facilities for its 750 students and 170 staff.

Economic contribution nearly GBP 2 billion

An independent analysis by London Economics showed the huge impact Queen’s University Belfast has on the British economy.

The study showed a GBP 1.9 billion contribution to the economy at a cost ratio of 6:1.

It also found it supported a further 2,570 jobs across the UK, in addition to the 3,700 staff directly employed, and it highlighted the public purse benefits by an average of GBP 101,000 per year for each full-time undergraduate.

New PhD and doctoral opportunities

A GBP 5 million investment in a partnership with the University of Aberdeen will create 100 new doctoral study opportunities. Students will be based both in the School of Natural and Built Environment and School of Biological Sciences as they take advantage of a unique opportunity. There will also be places created for 335 postgraduate students studying 28 different disciplines over the next five years.

Queen’s University Belfast is amongst those to benefit as part of the Northern Bridge Consortium along with Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland, Teesside and Ulster. It marks a new era of the collaboration between the alliance to provide world-class education across all arts and humanities disciplines.

The Sunday Times describes Queen’s University Belfast as ‘Ireland’s Oxbridge’ in recognition of its high standards of teaching. Queen’s is also a member of the Russell Group, an independent body of 24 top-ranking, research-led UK universities. This marks Queen’s as one of the most exceptional teaching universities in the UK, on par with reputed universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London.

Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) also has several schemes for reviewing, rewarding and recognising teaching excellence. These include the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS), Higher Education Academy (HEA) professional recognition scheme.

• NTFS: The NTFS recognises individuals who make an outstanding impact on the student learning experience and helps develop a proactive community of National Teaching Fellows.
• HEA professional recognition scheme: The HEA works with higher education providers and organisations to improve the professional experience of HE teachers through fellowships, accreditation, awards and professional development.

Some of Queen’s teachers who are major contributors to their fields include the following:

Professor Joanne Hughes

Joanne is a world-leading educationalist. She has developed a shared education model in Northern Ireland, now used in Israel and Macedonia. She has been appointed to the first ‘UNESCO Chair on Globalising a Shared Education Model for Improving Relations in Divided Societies.’

Dr. Julie M Norman

Julie is a Research Fellow at the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security, and Justice. Her research focusses on unarmed resistance in protracted conflict, particularly in Israel-Palestine.

Professor John McCanny CBE

John is an international authority in the design of silicon integrated circuits for Digital Signal Processing. He has made many pioneering contributions to this field and has co-founded two successful hi-tech companies.

Described as ‘Ireland’s Oxbridge’ by The Sunday Times, Queen’s is recognised regularly for its high standards of teaching. It’s membership of the Russell Group, an independent body of 24 top-ranking, research-led UK universities, adds to its prestige as one of the most reputed universities in the UK.

Queen’s also operates a number of schemes to reward and recognise teaching excellence, including the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS), Higher Education Academy (HEA) professional recognition scheme.

• NTFS: Recognises individuals making an outstanding impact on student learning experience and helping develop a proactive teaching community.
• HEA professional recognition scheme: Works with higher education providers to help improve professional experience of teachers through fellowships, accreditation, awards and professional development.

Some of Queen’s teachers who are major contributors to their fields include the following:

Professor Joanne Hughes

World-leading educationalist who has developed a shared education model in Northern Ireland also adopted in Israel and Macedonia. Appointed the first ‘UNESCO Chair on Globalising a Shared Education Model for Improving Relations in Divided Societies.’

Dr Julie M Norman

Research Fellow at the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security, and Justice, focusing research on unarmed resistance in protracted conflict, particularly in Israel-Palestine.

Professor John McCanny CBE

An international authority in the design of silicon integrated circuits for Digital Signal Processing, John has offered pioneering contributions to this field and co-founded two successful hi-tech companies.

The various departments at QUB come under three main faculties. These are the Faculties of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Engineering and Physical Sciences and Medicine, Health and Life Sciences.

• Arts, humanities and social sciences: Offers a vast range of undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes and is well known for its postgraduate research culture.
• Engineering and physical sciences: Consists of academic disciplines that focus on leading advances in science and technology.
• Medicine, health and life sciences: Recognised for its world-leading postgraduate programmes and partnerships with government and industry.

International students at QUB have a variety of study options available. Undergraduate programmes range from Accounting, Aerospace Engineering, Biological Sciences, Business Management, Civil Engineering and Drama to Finance, French and Spanish, Mathematics, Software Engineering and Zoology.

Postgraduate taught programmes range from Advanced Food Safety, Applied Psychology, Business Communication, Education and Environmental Engineering to Global Health, International Business, Law, Public Health and Youth Justice.

Postgraduate research programmes include Accounting, Clinical Psychology, Ecosystem Biology and Sustainability, Ethnomusicology, Interpreting, Management, Planning and Theology.

Students can also take up pre-sessional English that helps them prepare for academic study at the University. The course helps them improve their English skills and to focus on subject specific written work.

University preparation courses are available to international students in partnership with INTO. The Queen’s INTO partnership offers a student experience with quality teaching and modern facilities.

The International Ambassador option offers students a special opportunity to attend exclusive events and represent the Queen’s international student body. The student also enjoys access to free professional development courses.

View details of all programmes on offer…

Queen’s has various departments spread over three main faculties, namely Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Engineering and Physical Sciences and Medicine Health and Life Sciences.

• Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Vast range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and well known for postgraduate research culture.
• Engineering and Physical Sciences: Made up of academic disciplines focusing on leading advances in science and technology.
• Medicine, Health and Life Sciences: World-leading provider of postgraduate programmes with excellent partnerships with government and industry.

Queen’s provides international students with various study options, including undergraduate programmes covering a range of subjects such as Accounting, Aerospace Engineering, Biological Sciences, Business Management, Civil Engineering and Drama to Finance, French and Spanish, Mathematics, Software Engineering and Zoology.

Students have access to many postgraduate taught programmes in subjects including Advanced Food Safety, Applied Psychology, Business Communication, Education and Environmental Engineering to Global Health, International Business, Law, Public Health and Youth Justice.

It also offers a number of postgraduate research programmes including Accounting, Clinical Psychology, Ecosystem Biology and Sustainability, Ethnomusicology, Interpreting, Management, Planning and Theology.

International students can consider taking up pre-sessional English to help prepare for their academic study by improving English skills with a focus on subject-specific written work. Preparation courses are also available in partnership with INTO, offering a student experience with quality teaching and modern facilities. There is also an International Ambassador option giving special opportunities for international students to attend exclusive events as representatives of the Queen’s international student body and accessing free professional development courses.

Undergraduate entry requirements

Applications for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen’s must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Applicants can get details of the application process from British Council offices.

International applicants can use the direct entry application form when they have been asked to provide information in advance of submitting a UCAS application. Applicants to Medicine or Dentistry cannot use the direct application form.

Postgraduate entry requirements:

Entry to postgraduate diplomas or taught master’s programmes usually requires either a UK upper second-class (2:1) or a lower second-class (2:2) undergraduate degree. Course specific entry requirements apply.

Applicants interested in Computing, Finance or Management courses, not meeting the entry requirements, could consider a pre-masters graduate diploma offered by INTO Queen's.

Students interested in undertaking a PhD at Queen’s University need good grades in their bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes awarded by a recognised university, in addition to a strong research proposal.

Queen’s University Belfast has entry requirements specific to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, country of origin and courses.

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Applicants for full-time undergraduate degrees must apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Details of the application process are available from British Council offices. For international applicants, a direct entry application form can be used when asked to provide information in advance of submitting a UCAS application, apart from Medicine and Dentistry applicants.

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

Postgraduate diplomas or taught master’s programmes usually require either a UK upper second-class (2:1) or lower second-class (2:2) undergraduate degree, with course specific entry requirements.

Pre-master’s graduate diplomas are offered by INTO Queen’s in Computing, Finance or Management courses.

To undertake PhD study at Queen’s, student require good grades in their bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes and must have studied at a recognised university, along with having a strong research proposal.

Queen’s entry requirements are specific to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, country of origin and courses, so students should check specific requirements.

Queen’s University Belfast has several on-campus facilities that contribute toward a good student experience at the University.

Accommodation

Willow Walk offers contemporary apartments with a mix of studio, 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom apartments - with 24/7 security.

McClay library

Queen's has invested over GBP50m in the McClay Library, blending the best features of a traditional library with the latest technology.

Library facilities include computing and media services, IT training rooms, quiet study and group work areas, a café and a language centre.

Research facilities

The University offers cutting-edge facilities across health sciences, business, engineering and computing labs. Facilities include a financial trading room with Bloomberg terminals, research facilities for interdisciplinary health and life sciences, and innovative engineering hubs.

Computer science hub

The University has invested GBP14 million on its iconic Computer Science hub. With a glazed, front elevation, the new Computer Science building integrates teaching and research, delivering a stimulating environment for students and group and project work.

Sport

The Physical Education Centre (PEC) is the hub of sport at Queen’s. Facilities include a fitness area with over 140 pieces of equipment, a functional training and weights area, four studios, a 25-metre swimming and diving pool, two multi-purpose sports halls, a martial arts area, squash courts, handball courts and outdoor 3G grass pitches.

A student union, an art gallery and a boutique cinema hall are other campus features at QUB.

Excellent on-campus facilities contribute towards an outstanding student experience at Queen’s in terms of both studying and living.

Accommodation

Contemporary apartments of various sizes including studio, 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom with 24/7 security are available for students at Willow Walk.

McClay library

Fresh from a GBP 50 million investment, the McClay Library blends traditional library features with top of the range technology to help with study. Computing and media services, IT training rooms, quiet study and group work areas, a café and language centre are all included amongst library facilities.

Research facilities

Known for its outstanding research work, Queen’s offers cutting-edge facilities to enable this research to take place across health sciences, business, engineering and computing labs. Amongst the most impressive facilities in this area are a financial trading room with Bloomberg terminals, research facilities for interdisciplinary health and life sciences, and innovative engineering hubs.

Computer Science hub

Queen’s has invested GBP 14 million in its Computer Science hub, integrating teaching and research, to deliver a stimulating environment for students for group and project work.

Sport

A hub of sport is provided at the Physical Education Centre (PEC), including a fitness area with over 140 pieces of equipment, a functional training and weights area, four studios, a 25-metre swimming and diving pool, two multi-purpose sports halls, a martial arts area, squash courts, handball courts and outdoor 3G grass pitches.

Other key campus features are a student union, art gallery and cinema hall.

Queen’s University Belfast offers several scholarships for students enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research programmes. Country specific scholarships are available for postgraduate and PhD students.

Undergraduate and postgraduate taught/research scholarships

International office undergraduate scholarship

These are for all new international students enrolling onto a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate taught/research programme. No separate application is necessary for this.

Vice-chancellor's international attainment scholarship

Two new international students enrolling on a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate programme are chosen based on conditions. For the postgraduate taught programme, one student is chosen from the Queen’s Management School programme. For the postgraduate research programme, one student is chosen. The scholarship pays the full tuition fees for all years of programme, up to a maximum of four years. Application is necessary for this scholarship.

Commonwealth shared scholarship scheme (DFID) awards

These awards are available for master's students from developing Commonwealth nations.

Queen’s offers several scholarships for students across all levels of programmes, plus country-specific scholarships are available for postgraduate and PhD students.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught/Research Scholarships

International Office Undergraduate Scholarship

Open to all new international students enrolling on full-time programmes, with no separate application necessary in order to be considered.

Vice-chancellor's International Attainment Scholarship

Scholarship paying full tuition fees for all years of programme to two new international students each year. Based on a number of conditions, application is necessary to be considered for this scholarship.

Queen’s University/CHINA scholarship council PhD scholarships

Full scholarships available for Chinese students starting PhD research.

Queen’s University VIED PhD scholarships

Available for Vietnamese students looking to pursue PhD studies.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (DFID) Awards

Awards are available for master's students from developing Commonwealth nations.

LPDP scholarships and Indonesia-UK Dikti Scholarships

For Indonesian students wishing to pursue postgraduate studies.