Belfast, Ireland
Queen鈥檚 University Belfast Partnership

Program Overview
CHALLENGING ACADEMICS AND THE BEST OF IRISH AND BRITISH CULTURES
A member of the distinguished Russell group, Queen鈥檚 University Belfast is respected for academic and research prowess and its entrepreneurial point of view. All business programs are AASCB accredited and the university ranked as a leading institution in matters of sustainability with cutting edge research in climate science. You will also have the opportunity to engage with The Mitchell Institute, a pioneering interdisciplinary research institute exploring societal change.
At a university that sees itself as equal parts British and Irish, you鈥檒l live in Queen鈥檚 Quarter, a mile from the heart of the city. That makes it easy to discover Irish lore and traditions and enjoy the advantages of a modern city.
There鈥檚 tons to explore beyond Belfast, too. That鈥檚 why we complete your program with 91制片厂 excursions (no extra fees!) to places like the stunning West Coast and Kilkenny, the ideal place to sample artisan foods and try your hand hurling, a unique Gaelic sport.
Looking for a scholarship?
A special Queen鈥檚 University Belfast scholarship is available. See 91制片厂 Scholarships, Grants, and Financial Aid for more information.
Details at a Glance
Application deadline
Minimum GPA
2.80
Credit load
15
Housing
Apartment/Flat, Single Room Option
Instruction language
English
Language prerequisites
None
Visa required?
Not in most cases. Learn more.
Academics
Search for classes available to study abroad students on the听. When determining which classes to take, please bear in mind that the academic system is an intensive, three-year program.
- Level 1 – modules normally taken in the first year at university.
- Level 2 – modules normally taken in the second year and often require knowledge of material covered in Level 1 modules.
- Level 3 – modules normally taken in the third year and generally require knowledge of material covered in Level 1 and Level 2 modules.
- Level 4 – modules are offered only in certain cases of degrees lasting four years. Study abroad students cannot generally take Level 4 (or higher) modules.
Some students also take Level 0 modules. Level 0 modules are for students who have no prior knowledge of a subject and provide the essential grounding needed for Level 1 modules.
Credit Conversions
A full class load at Queen鈥檚 University Belfast is 60 CATS credits for the semester (equivalent to 15 U.S. semester credit hours).
1听CATS credit听= .25 U.S. semester credit hours
CHART Your Course
Find the classes you need fast with . Our easy-to-use tool shows you classes recently taken by 91制片厂 students
Course Registration Process
Pre-registration for courses takes place 2-4 weeks after acceptance into the program. Queen’s University Belfast will coordinate courses (based on course interests indicated on your application) directly via email with students. Upon arrival, students will meet with a Queen’s advisor to finalize course registration.
Special Option
Understanding Northern Ireland: History, Politics, and Anthropology
(Offered Spring Semester only)
This class will take anthropological, sociological, historical, and political perspectives to introduce students to key political issues relating to Northern Ireland and will provide a multi- and inter-disciplinary overview of the history and politics of Northern Ireland. It will use anthropological understandings of ethnicity and nationalism to examine how Unionism and Irish Nationalism developed. Students will look in detail at the various political solutions which have been applied to ‘the Province’, with a particular focus on the Peace Process and examine the realities and legacies of the conflict since the signing of the 1998 Agreement. This course also will explore the development of cultural and political ‘traditions,’ in particular examining change and continuity in Irish society, and will highlight how research is applied to Northern Ireland highlighting a range of current ongoing projects into rituals, symbols and public space.
Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your 91制片厂 program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by 91制片厂 or billed to you.
Physics and Mathematics
The Physics and Math departments hold exams at the end of the spring term. If you would like to take physics or math classes in the fall, you must receive approval from your home university to take proctored exams at your home institution in May. It is not possible to arrange earlier exam dates.
New country, new way of learning!
Here鈥檚 what to expect at Queen鈥檚 University Belfast:
- More emphasis on independent learning. The university recommends completing ten hours of independent study for each academic credit you seek.
- Less personal access to professors. Instead, it鈥檚 common to connect with more junior faculty members. Other resources include course designers (who line up lectures) and module coordinators.
- Grades are determined by the UK scale, which is slightly different than the scale we use in the U.S. (We鈥檒l review this and give you a chart to refer to during 91制片厂 orientation.)
- Grades are often based only on a single final paper or on a midterm exam and final paper.
- Full access to the university鈥檚 robust academic support system and resources, including assignment to an advisor. 91制片厂 local staff are also available for individual help.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility
- You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
- You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
- You must have completed at least one (1) full-time year of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.
- Eligibility requirements can vary among host institutions. Please ask your 91制片厂 Enrollment Counselor for specific information.
Recommendation Letter
Your application to this program will require one (1) academic letter of recommendation.
TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, 91制片厂 will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your 91制片厂 Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our听Transcripts听page for more information.
Excursions
Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There鈥檚 no extra fee to participate in these optional outings鈥攅verything is included in your program fee.
Below are a selection of activities and excursions from previous terms; options may vary for your program. Due to the seasonal nature of many of program activities, we cannot guarantee a specific activity or excursion will be available in a given term or program.
- George鈥檚 Market:听Explore Belfast鈥檚 last surviving Victorian covered market, an active site for trade since 1604. Sellers offer fish, coffee, sweet treats, crafts, art, collectables, and more, while buskers play live music. Check out displays that trace the history of the market and the city.
- Stand-up Comedy at The Empire or The Black Box:听Visiting a local club is a not only sure to make you laugh out loud, it鈥檚 also a great way to catch local perspective and the humor that鈥檚 such a huge part of Northern Irish culture. Popular in Belfast, shows range from amateur night to professionals who showcase their unique local take on world events and Northern Irish culture.
- The Titanic Museum, Titanic Quarter:听Learn the story of the famous ship, from conception and construction through its fated 1912 maiden voyage, all in the place Titanic was built and launched.
- Rugby Match at Kingspan Stadium:听Soak up the atmosphere as you walk with local Ulster Rugby supporters to the stadium, just outside the city center. Then catch the excitement as you cheer on the home team.
- North Coast Day Trip:听You won鈥檛 want to miss this chance to explore this jaw-dropping region, world famous for beautiful beaches, folklore, charming villages, and geological stunners like Giant鈥檚 Causeway, a series of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. You’ll also see Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge and the ruins of Dunluce Castle, a treat for听Game of Thrones听蹿补苍蝉.
- Kilkenny Weekend:听Don鈥檛 miss this two-night trip to Kilkenny, a charming medieval city dating back to 1195. Stay in a hostel with 91制片厂 students who are studying all over Ireland and explore this small central Ireland standout, known for its history, artisan food, sporting culture鈥攁nd Ireland鈥檚 most notorious witch. Visit a local farm, try hurling with a local coach, test yourself with a pub quiz, explore Kilkenny Castle, and more.
Housing and Meals
Housing
Apartment/Flat, Single Room OptionMeals
Self-CateringDetails
Most students at Queen鈥檚 live with other students in shared furnished apartments, owned by the university or arranged through a housing partner. Apartments generally house six and include a single room for each student and shared bathrooms, kitchens, and living space.听听
Student apartment complexes are near campus, typically no more than 25 minutes way on foot, and located in popular student areas with restaurants and shopping nearby.听听
Some housing options feature extra amenities鈥攍ike private bathrooms and on-site gyms鈥攖hat warrant higher rent. Keep in mind that if you’re placed in more expensive housing, you鈥檒l need to pay an additional fee to cover these costs.听听
Sample housing:听听
Explore Elms Village, one Queen鈥檚 University housing option, to see what your Belfast home might be like: 听
- Location: A 10- to 15-minute walk from campus, Elms Village is close to restaurants, shopping, and other gathering spots for students, including Botanic Avenue (10-minute walk), Lisburn Road (20 minutes), and Belfast City Center (20 minutes or a short bus ride).听听听
- Living space: Students live in apartments in groups of up to ten. Each student has his or her own room, and shares the living space, bathroom, and kitchen. Students provide bedding, towels, and basic kitchenware.听听
- Meals: No meal plan. Students prepare meals in shared kitchens or purchase food nearby. Many students say cooking and eating with flatmates is a fun, social part of their day.听听
- Additional details: Complex includes a large student gathering space with coffee bar, games, kitchen space, BBQ area. Free tea and coffee. Options available for single gender, no alcohol, and quiet living.听听
- Nearby: Queen鈥檚 Quarter, St. George鈥檚 Market, Cathedral Quarter, Ulster Museum.听听
Dates and Fees
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Sean Campbell
Student Engagement Manager