Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland is one of the four constituent countries that make up the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland is situated northeast of the island of Ireland, with the Republic of Ireland to its west and Scotland to its east across the channel. Northern Ireland offers ancient castles, natural wonders (including Giant’s Causeway), museums, and a spirit unlike any other. Home to over 1.8 million people, Northern Ireland boasts a creative arts scene and cutting-edge restaurants.
Belfast: Quick to charm and packed with attractions, including the world-class Titanic Museum, Belfast is a small city bursting with creativity. Everything you may find in many larger cities is within easy reach to explore. Belfast is packed with art galleries in the Cathedral Quarter, pop-up restaurants that spring up around the city, and the bustle of St. George’s Market. It is a city that challenges students to dig deeper to uncover the layers of history that make Belfast such a compelling place. Nearby nature hikes and ample local parks offer an opportunity to see some incredible city views and get a bit of fresh air.
Neighborhood: Queen’s University is located in leafy South Belfast, just a 15-minute walk from the heart of the city center. The area is known as the ‘Queen’s Quarter’ as it has been home to the University’s staff and students since 1845. The Queen’s Quarter is diverse and welcoming, with lots of student housing, student-friendly cafes, coffee shops and an array of arts venues, including the Crescent Arts Centre, the Lyric Theatre, and the Accidental Theatre. The University is directly adjacent to Botanic Gardens – a popular spot for recreation and home to the Ulster Museum.
Campus: Queen’s is one of the leading universities in the UK and Ireland, with a distinguished heritage and history. Much of the campus estate was built in the 1800s and, as such, has an ‘old-world’ feel to it with beautiful red-brick buildings and an expansive central quad.
Over the last two decades, Queen’s has made substantial investments in new facilities across the campus, providing an innovative learning environment for students and staff. This £700 million investment has delivered a new student center (One Elmwood), a new School of Computer Science, multiple student housing developments (which N.U.in students have the opportunity to live in) and a new School of Biological Sciences.
Queen’s is also home to an award-winning library called the McClay Library – which blends the best features of a traditional library with the latest technology. Queen’s has built a superb collection of books, manuscripts and periodicals over the past 160 years. The library houses 1.2 million volumes. Facilities include IT training rooms, a Language Center, support areas and a cafe, as well as the University’s Special Collections, subject-related inquiry points and a vast range of printed works. It is also home to the C.S. Lewis Reading Room!
Queen’s Sport offers many opportunities to get active, join fitness classes, and sign up for club sports. N.U.in students will have access to these facilities including a rock wall and swimming pool in addition to traditional gym equipment.
Climate: Like much of the UK and Ireland, Belfast can see four seasons in one day. The fall tends to be mild in September and October, with November and December bringing increasingly chilly weather. There can be rain at any time of the year, so students are always encouraged to have a rain jacket in their backpack! Below is a chart of average temperatures and precipitation:
| Month | Avg. Low | Avg. High | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 50°F | 63°F | 3.00 in |
| October | 46°F | 57°F | 3.70 in |
| November | 41°F | 51°F | 3.70 in |
| December | 38°F | 48°F | 3.50 in |