Coming to University is an opportunity for you to explore and discover new ways of living, meet new friends and enjoy new experiences. It is an opportunity for personal growth and development, a time for learning new skills and knowledge. Most of the time University life is a positive experience. But should you need them – as many students at times do – there is a range of health and support services at Queen's to draw upon.
University Health Centre at Queen's
The University Health Centre at Queen's is situated close to the main campus and student residences at 5 Lennoxvale, Belfast. We are a friendly practice and both the doctors and nurses have considerable experience in dealing with the needs of students.
The Health Centre provides not only the complete range of NHS services, but also non-NHS services (eg medical certificates, letters and medical reports), free of charge to registered patients who are students of Queen's University. Both the doctors and nurses have extensive experience in the health needs of young adults and have special expertise in sports medicine, mental health, sexual health, family planning and health promotion.
We offer a convenient and comprehensive service available to the whole University community and provide confidential medical support 24-hours a day throughout the year (including all vacations) for staff and students. Upon registration you will be offered a free medical check, which gives you the opportunity to meet with the nurses and doctors to discuss any health issues or questions you may have.
The doctors maintain close links with the University, however, all information is strictly confidential and will not be shared with the University without your prior written consent.
Registering with the University Health Practice
If you are an international student studying at Queen's for six months or more, you must register with the University Health Centre. This entitles any student from any country to treatment from the University Health Centre; hospital treatment in emergencies from the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Belfast City Hospital; and subsidised dental and ophthalmic services.
You will be required to pay a fixed rate charge for any prescriptions (medicines, pills, etc) in the same way as UK residents. The current charge for each prescribed item is £3.
If your spouse or children are accompaning you, they should also register with the University Health Centre.
If you are an international student studying at Queen's for less than six months, you are not required to register with the University Health Centre. Should illness occur, such students should contact the University Health Service for further guidance. Students from countries with which the UK has a reciprocal health care agreement may receive health care as "temporary residents". Students from other countries may be required to show personal medical insurance.
For further information, contact the University Health Centre.
" A confidential, friendly service provided by professional Counsellors. Freely available."
Many students have problems at some point - personal, academic or both - and many find it useful to share these with someone outside their own circle of acquaintances in order to find help and support.
Queen's Counselling Service provides a professional and confidential service. It is freely available to students and staffed by qualified and experienced counsellors who offer individual sessions to help students with personal, academic and emotional difficulties.
The Counselling Service is available to all students and offers a quick response to students in crisis and early appointments for students with academic or personal difficulties.
The Counselling Service also offers a range of group workshops on issues relating to academic life.
In addition, free emergency telephone counselling is available to students outside of office hours.
For further information, contact the Counselling Service.
The University offers a range of childcare support. This includes: full-time day-care in two crèches for children aged 2 months - 4 years, as well as part-time care mornings only for children aged 2 months - 4 years, after-school care for children aged 4 - 11 years and a summer activities scheme for children aged 6 -14 years.
The University's childcare facilities provide full-time quality day care for up to 78 children, ranging in age from 0 - 4 years, with part-time provision available for a further 80 children, ranging from 0-14 years.
Childcare staff are recruited on the basis of formal qualifications and experience, and all receive first aid training. They are also accustomed to helping overseas children settle into a different cultural environment.
Childcare Centres on campus are open from 8.30am-5.30pm, Monday-Friday for 48 weeks of the year.
For further details, contact the University Creche Services:
Staff Creche
1 Rugby Road
Belfast BT7
Telephone: +44 28 9032 8615
Student Creches
11 College Gardens
Belfast BT7
Telephone: +44 28 9066 2146
5 Rugby Road
Belfast BT7
Telephone: +44 28 9032 8407
