Queen's University Belfast

Founded in 1845, Queen's University Belfast is the ninth oldest university in the UK. Queen's is a proud member of UK's elite Russell Group of research intensive university. This marks Queen's as one of the most exceptional teaching universities in the country, alongside heavyweights such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London. Queen's is at the heart of Belfast's culture, as well as its art and social scenes. The University is proud to be part of a bustling, cosmopolitan city boasting a vibrant social life and rich cultural heritage. Study abroad students at Queen’s are taught by world-leading researchers and experts in their field through lectures, tutorials, or practical laboratories, in state-of-the-art facilities. Due to the unique history of Belfast, students can also gain insights into their subject(s) in a post conflict scenario, especially in areas of Politics, International Studies, History and English. International students are encouraged to maximize their experience outside the classroom by joining clubs or societies and participating in organized field trips and excursions through student accommodation services.

Current Sophomores can apply to study abroad during their Junior year at sa.holycross.edu

What's student life like at Queen's University?

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Queen's University comprehensive study abroad guide

Click here to read

Fall 2025 PROGRAM DATES*

Accommodations open: Sept. 7, 2025

Orientation for Int'l Students: Sept. 9-10, 2025

Classes begin: Sept. 15, 2025 (depending on academic school, they could start a few days later)

Semester Ends: Dec. 12, 2025

Accommodation contract ends: Dec. 14, 2025

Note: All study abroad students must plan to stay until the end of the exam period. They cannot arrange to take exams at a time other than the one assigned for the class. See the Student Contract for this policy.

*Please do not book your flight until you have your formal acceptance letter from Queen's. When you do book, make sure you enter through a UK port of entry (i.e., do not travel through Dublin!)

Spring 2026 PROGRAM DATES*

Accommodations open: Jan. 3, 2026

Classes begin: Jan. 5, 2026
Orientation for Int'l Students: Jan. 6-7, 2026

Last day of exams: May 16, 2026

Accommodation contract ends: June 14, 2026

*Please do not book your flight until you have your formal acceptance letter from Queen's. When you do book, make sure you enter through a UK port of entry (ie do not travel through Dublin!)

Getting There

You will purchase a flight to Belfast from your 'home airport'- wherever that may be! Once you land, we recommend taking a taxi to your dorm. You can either exit the airport and walk to the taxi stand, or use the Free Now taxi app to order a taxi. Even when you don't use the app, most taxi drivers accept payment via credit card.

Learn More about Packing & Travel Day

Discover Belfast.

A vibrant, friendly, forward-thinking city of about 350,000, Belfast is great value for money and is also the safest region in the UK (British Crime Survey 2014). From the Titanic Museum to the botanic gardens to pubs and restaurants, the city truly has something for everyone. There’s plenty to see outside the city as well, including the famous filming locations for the HBO series Game of Thrones, the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, voted the UK’s best Heritage Attraction, and the Mourne Mountains, an area of outstanding natural beauty canonised as CS Lewis’ Narnia.

Learn More