Universities in Belfast
Applying to study in Belfast? Find out about accommodation, transport and what to do in one of Ireland鈥檚 most energetic and affordable cities.
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CONTENTS
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Why study in Belfast?
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About Belfast
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Queen鈥檚 University Belfast
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Ulster University
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Living in Belfast
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Entry requirements
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Transport links
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Getting around Belfast
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Things to do in Belfast
Why study in Belfast?
Belfast is a very popular choice for students from the UK, Ireland and around the world. The city has won awards for its affordable housing. Inexpensive rent in the Queen鈥檚 Quarter (a popular area for student accommodation) means you鈥檒l have more money to spend on making the most of all that Belfast has to offer.
There are also plenty of free things to do throughout the city. Visit Belfast blog has a good list, including walking trails. Why not try the Belfast pub trail, or the Glass of Thrones route? Inspired by the Game of Thrones TV series (filmed near the city), the latter has six stained glass windows to find, dotted around Belfast.
About Belfast
Belfast has been a favourite of students near and far for some time. Located on the north east of Northern Ireland, this coastal city is within easy reach of beautiful beaches, lush countryside, and the iconic Giant's Causeway.
A friendly and straightforward city to navigate, it's well known for its lively music scene and feisty spirit. And with good transport links, it鈥檚 an easy city to get around.
Queen鈥檚 University Belfast
At almost 200 years old, Queen鈥檚 University Belfast is one of the oldest universities in the UK. It offers approximately 300 academic degree programmes at various levels. Queen's is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. A high number of its academic staff contribute to the university's world-leading research.
Location
The main university campus is just south of Belfast city centre. Historic buildings sit beside contemporary architecture, including a new Student Centre. The university also has two associated university colleges, St Mary's and Stranmillis. Located in the west and south-west of Belfast, their main focus is on teacher training.
Facilities
Queen's has invested in their McClay Library to blend the best features of a traditional library with latest technology. It offers computing and media services, spaces for quiet or group study, and a language centre. When you need a break from studying, a cafe on the ground floor serves meals and hot drinks. Specialist libraries cater to medical, biomedical and agri-food students.
Other facilities to support learning include a financial trading room with Bloomberg terminals, interdisciplinary health and life sciences research facilities, and innovative engineering hubs.
See the university profile page for an interactive map and more information.
Ulster University
Ulster University is Northern Ireland's regional university, with four local campuses. First established in 1968 as the New University of Ulster, it merged with Ulster Polytechnic in 1984 to become the University of Ulster. The university rebranded as Ulster University from October 2014.
Location
Ulster University has campuses in Belfast, Coleraine, Jordanstown and Derry (Magee College). There are also branch campuses in London and Birmingham. Ulster University also offers courses globally through its online distance learning programme. Ulster was among the first to adopt degree-level distance learning, and the first to run online degree courses in Biomedical Sciences.
Facilities
The Belfast Campus has a brand new library. It offers a welcoming atmosphere and a modern learning environment with bookable study rooms. Study resources are also available online. Ulster prioritises access to e-books and e-journals, so you don't have to go to the campus library to find what you need.
All campuses provide access to sport. Facilities include well-equipped sports centres plus plenty of fitness classes (including online).
See the university profile page for an interactive map and more information.
Living in Belfast
Queen鈥檚 University guarantees accommodation to first year students from outside Northern Ireland. Ulster guarantees first-year students accommodation if they meet the room application deadline. Living in student halls is a great way to meet people. It also includes perks like 24/7 on-hand support, Wi-Fi, bike storage and access to nearby facilities such as gyms and learning centres.
From the second year onwards, you鈥檒l need to find your own place to live. It鈥檚 a good idea to think about this during the second half of first year so you have more choice. Unlike some cities, you鈥檒l find reasonable rental options in the city centre. The Queen鈥檚 Quarter is a popular student hub.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements vary from uni to uni and course to course. The best way to check what you need to get into your preferred course at each university is to use our . There you can see what each course鈥檚 entry requirements are.
Transport links
Average flight times from Belfast
| Birmingham Airport | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Bristol Airport | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Edinburgh Airport | 55 minutes |
| Leeds Bradford Airport | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| London Gatwick Airport | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Newcastle Airport | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Southampton Airport | 1 hour 35 minutes |
Getting around Belfast
Belfast is sometimes described as bijou or compact. Walking is the best way to travel but there are plenty of other options too.
To get to the city from the UK, you can fly into Belfast International or Belfast City airport. Alternatively you can get the ferry from Liverpool or Cairnryan in Scotland.
Walk
If you鈥檙e based around Queen鈥檚 campus or Ulster鈥檚 Belfast campus, you鈥檒l be within walking distance of lectures and the city centre. If you want to get away for a break, take a walk or a jog along the Lagan River and look out for The Big Fish sculpture. Its ceramic scales show different scenes from the city鈥檚 history. Or take a stroll through the Botanic Gardens between lectures.
Cycle
Belfast is well set up for cycling and bike hire is available via the Belfast Bikes scheme. There are more than 50 docking stations around the city, two of which are on Queen鈥檚 University campus.
Bus
Metro and Glider offer regular local bus services in Belfast. Ulsterbus and Goldline services connect you to the rest of Northern Ireland. Find bus routes and timetables can on the Translink website.
Train
There are various local stations in Belfast. Queen鈥檚 University is a five-minute stroll from Botanic Train Station. York Street Station is about 15 minutes鈥� walk from Ulster鈥檚 Belfast campus. Belfast Grand Central Station is the main terminus for the city. The Enterprise trains service will take you between Belfast to Dublin, a two-hour journey. More information is available on the Translink website.
Other
If you need to jump in a taxi, there are several local taxi companies to choose from. Uber is also available in Belfast.
Things to do in Belfast
Belfast has all the usual multiplexes, shopping centres and big entertainment venues you might expect in a city. But it also has plenty of unique things to do, if you want some Belfast charm.
Food and drink
If you like your food, Belfast won鈥檛 disappoint. The city has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as budget friendly places to hang out. There鈥檚 a lot of emphasis on local produce. If you visit St George鈥檚 Market, you can sample locally sourced fish, vegetables, fruit, and baked treats. Don't miss out on the famous Belfast Bap (a large white crusty bread roll)!
There鈥檚 a wealth of traditional Irish pubs for that pint of Guinness or a craft beer. Keeping with the alcohol theme, gin and whisky distilleries are plentiful. If you fancy cocktails, head for the Cathedral Quarter. Local chain Clements offers a good cup of coffee; they also run the Hope Cafe in Queen's McClay Library.
Arts and culture
There鈥檚 lots of free things to do in Belfast when you want a bit of culture. Ulster Museum is a treasure trove of things from the past. The Botanic Gardens give an insight into Belfast鈥檚 Victorian heritage, and CS Lewis Square commemorates the Belfast born author with bronze sculptures from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
There are also student discounts available for many of the other city attractions, such as Titanic Belfast. You can hear the story of the famous ship from its conception, construction and launch in Belfast on its fateful voyage.
Events
Belfast loves any excuse for a party and has a vibrant festival programme throughout the year. International film, music, photography, dance, and literature are among the arts events you could enjoy. Or, if comedy is your thing, you鈥檒l find regular local and touring gigs at Pug Uglys, Black Box, Waterfront Hall and The Empire.
Outdoors
Sports fans might enjoy a round of golf at the various course in and around the city. A large aqua park offers various watersports ten minutes鈥� drive from Belfast. If you鈥檇 like somewhere wilder to walk, paddleboard, canoe or kayak, you鈥檙e close to Northern Ireland countryside and seaside from the city.
If you want to get closer to nature, there are lots of options both in and out of the centre. The Belfast Hills are a great place to go walking; Divis and the Black Mountain offer stunning views of the city below. Or get the bus to Cave Hill Country Park for more great views.
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