Founded in 1845, Queen’s has a long tradition of excellence and is in the premier league of UK research-intensive universities. It has a record of achievement in front line research, first-class education and a commitment to internationalisation and has recently celebrated 100 years as a leader in higher education.

There are more than 17,000 students from over 80 countries, 3,500 staff and 100,000 graduates. Many of our academic staff originate from or were educated abroad.

A member of the Russell Group of leading UK research institutions, the University is investing £259 million in new staff and new improved student facilities. At the heart of this is the new £50 million McClay Library and a new student village costing £45 million, while the Students’ Union has had a £9 million refurbishment, including an area for students to improve their enterprise and employability skills. Queen’s has also introduced Degree Plus; a new award providing official recognition of extra-curricular activities and achievements and to help graduates in the job market.

Queen's was named the 'Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2009' at the prestigious Times Higher Education Awards in London. The award sponsored by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) and in its second year recognises and celebrates an outstanding commitment to entrepreneurial activity.

The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise showed more than half of the University’s submission rated as world-leading or internationally excellent and Queen’s ranked in the UK’s top ten in 11 subject areas. Music, English and anthropology produced the highest grades.

The University district, which is among the most attractive in Belfast, is one of the city’s main cultural and recreational areas. Queen’s runs a highly successful arts festival each November, has its very own art gallery and the only cultural cinema in Belfast. Another £2 million has been invested in arts facilities, with the opening of the Brian Friel Centre for Theatre Research, with its 120-seat studio theatre.

Queen’s is an excellent place to learn English. The academic pathway programmes and English language courses at INTO Queen’s University Belfast are designed to help you prepare for your studies at the University. The University is famous for its writers and poets, including Nobel prize-winning Seamus Heaney, after whom its centre in creative writing is named, and Paul Muldoon, a former winner of the Pulitzer Prize.