Belfast, Ireland

Queen’s University Belfast Partnership

  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Programs
  4. /
  5. Queen’s University Belfast Partnership

Program Overview

CHALLENGING ACADEMICS AND THE BEST OF IRISH AND BRITISH CULTURES

A member of the distinguished Russell group, Queen’s University Belfast is respected for academic and research prowess and its entrepreneurial point of view. At a university that sees itself as equal parts British and Irish, you’ll live in Queen’s 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’s tons to explore beyond Belfast, too. That’s why we complete your program with IFSA 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’s University Belfast scholarship is available. See IFSA Scholarships, Grants, and Financial Aid for more information.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

Fall: April 15
Academic Year: April 15
Spring: Oct. 15

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.

Apply Now

Academics

Search for classes available to study abroad students on the Queen’s University Belfast Study Abroad Module page. 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’s University Belfast is 60 CATS credits for the semester (equivalent to 15 U.S. semester credit hours).

1 CATS credit = .25 U.S. semester credit hours

CHART Your Course
Find the classes you need fast with CHART. Our easy-to-use tool shows you classes recently taken by IFSA students

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 IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA 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’s what to expect at Queen’s 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’s 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’ll review this and give you a chart to refer to during IFSA orientation.)
  • Grades are often based only on a single final paper or on a midterm exam and final paper.
  • Full access to the university’s robust academic support system and resources, including assignment to an advisor. IFSA 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 IFSA 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, IFSA 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 IFSA 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 Transcripts 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’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything 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’s Market: Explore Belfast’s 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: Visiting a local club is a not only sure to make you laugh out loud, it’s also a great way to catch local perspective and the humor that’s 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: 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: 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: You won’t want to miss this chance to explore this jaw-dropping region, world famous for beautiful beaches, folklore, charming villages, and geological stunners like Giant’s 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 Game of Thrones fans.
  • Kilkenny Weekend: Don’t miss this two-night trip to Kilkenny, a charming medieval city dating back to 1195. Stay in a hostel with IFSA students who are studying all over Ireland and explore this small central Ireland standout, known for its history, artisan food, sporting culture—and Ireland’s 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 Option

Meals

Self-Catering

Details

Most students at Queen’s 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.  

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.  

Some housing options feature extra amenities—like private bathrooms and on-site gyms—that warrant higher rent. Keep in mind that if you’re placed in more expensive housing, you’ll need to pay an additional fee to cover these costs.  

Sample housing:  

Explore Elms Village, one Queen’s University housing option, to see what your Belfast home might be like:  

  • 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).   
  • 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.  
  • 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.  
  • 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.  
  • Nearby: Queen’s Quarter, St. George’s Market, Cathedral Quarter, Ulster Museum.  

Dates and Fees

Term
Term begins
Term ends
Program costs
Application deadline
Fall 2024
Sept. 5, 2024
Dec. 14, 2024
$21,575
Passed
Academic Year 2024-2025
Sept. 5, 2024
Mid-May 2025
$42,650
Passed
Spring 2025
Jan. 4, 2025
May 31, 2025
$25,525
Oct. 15, 2024
Fall 2025
Early Sept. 2025
Mid-Dec. 2025
$21,575 (estimated)
April 15, 2025
Academic Year 2025-2026
Early Sept. 2025
Mid-May 2026
$42,650 (estimated)
April 15, 2025

Get Started

Kristen Clark

Enrollment Counselor