Description
Queen’s University Belfast is located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. 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. Queen’s is at the heart of Belfast’s culture, as well as its art and social scenes. At Queen’s you will be part of a bustling, cosmopolitan city boasting a vibrant social life and rich cultural heritage.
Quick Facts
Partner Program Type – Exchange
Minimum GPA – 3.0
Eligibility – Good academic and disciplinary standing, Min Age: 18, Open to All Majors, Junior, or Senior Standing by the time of departure
Term Options
Fall Semester: mid-September to late December
Spring Semester: early January to early June
- students must miss both winter and spring quarters at UCSC to participate in this session
Academic Year: mid-September to early June
Cost
Location
City & University
The main campus is located on the southern fringes of the Belfast city center. Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. With a deep history, a blooming art scene, and plenty of green spaces throughout the city, there is much to explore in Belfast!
The campus offers many facilities such as an award-winning library, Naughton Gallery, one of Belfast’s most exciting art spaces, and a full-time cinema, the Queen’s Film Theatre. Queen’s Students’ Union, societies, and clubs will help you to meet and make friends with other students and feel part of campus life. Over 200 clubs and societies are a great way to meet friends, discover new talents, and get a break from studying.
Experience the campus yourself with Queen’s virtual campus tour!
Accommodations
Most Exchange Students who come to Queen’s stay in University Accommodation. Queen’s accommodation is located within easy walking distance of the University, with options in residential areas or in the city center
All rooms are self-catered, which means that students share kitchen facilities and make their own meals. Rooms are either ensuite (with a private shower room) or standard (with a wash basin but students share bathroom facilities). All rooms are single-study bedrooms. Some accommodation blocks are for male students only, some are for female students and others are mixed.
Information about private rentals can be found at the bottom of this webpage.
Student Support
The Global Opportunities Team provides a range of services and support for exchange students. Additionally, Queen’s assists exchange students in successfully integrating into the culture, society, and student life.
Country Information Resources
- U.S. Department of State Country Information Page
- CDC Travelers’ Health
- OSAC Country Security Report
Students with Disabilities
If you need support services abroad, notify your UCSC Disability Resource Center (DRC) Coordinator.
Exchange students can work with Disability Services while at Queen’s.
Identities Abroad and Away
UC Santa Cruz Global Learning is committed to inclusion and equity in our various program options as well as striving to make everyone’s experiences abroad enriching, positive, and safe.
Learn more on our Identities Abroad and Away webpage.
Academics
Host University Courses
As an Queen’s Belfast exchange student, you will enroll full-time in courses alongside other local and international students.
Course Search
- NOTE: UCSC students can only take courses within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. This Faculty includes the following schools:
- Course catalog can be found here. Please make sure the courses you are interested in fall within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
- More information about courses can be found here.
Satisfying Requirements
It may be possible to satisfy major, minor, GE, and/or electives on this program.
Learn more about:
- How to request major or minor credit
- How to request GE credit
Course Load Requirements
You are required to enroll in a full-time course load while abroad as defined by your host institution:
- Exchange Students at Queen’s are expected to enroll on a full-time basis and take 60 Units (normally 3 modules) per semester
As a UCSC student, you must also continue to meet UCSC Satisfactory Academic Progress, which requires students to enroll in a minimum of 12 UCSC quarter credits per quarter. At Queen’s, you are required to ensure you meet this requirement by enrolling in the equivalent of at least 12 quarter credits in fall semester (fall quarter) and at least 24 quarter credits in spring semester (winter+spring quarters) after conversion (see below).
If you are not enrolled in the minimum number of quarter credits required, then you will fall out of Satisfactory Academic Progress. This could lead to financial aid and academic repercussions.
If you are unable to enroll in the minimum number of quarter credits through courses at your host university, you may be able to fill in the gap by enrolling in one remote course through UCSC or UC online.
Credit Conversion
Queen’s uses Queen’s Units. These will be converted to UCSC quarter credits when added to your UC transcript.
- 10 Queen’s Units = 4 quarter credits at UCSC
- 15 Queen’s Units = 6 quarter credits at UCSC
- 20 Queen’s Units = 8 quarter credits at UCSC
- 30 Queen’s Units = 12 quarter credits at UCSC
Academic Restrictions
Some courses abroad may have enrollment limitations and/or restrictions, such as prerequisites. Review course information provided by the university partner to understand any course limitations and/or restrictions prior to official course enrollment abroad.
If you are unsure about your eligibility to enroll, please contact UCSC Global Learning at globallearning@ucsc.edu before applying to this program.
Academic Differences
Please note that the academic system, such as assignments, exams, course structure, grading system, etc., at your host institution may be different from what you are used to at UCSC. We highly recommend researching the academic system at your host university in advance to best prepare for your experience abroad.
Academic Calendar
We recommend comparing the host university academic calendar to the UCSC academic calendar to see how the academic calendars, holidays, and breaks differ.