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Rankings and Reputation

One of the top 10 most beautiful historic universities in the UK

(QS World University Rankings 2020)

Belfast has the lowest cost of living in the UK

(Mercer Cost of Living City Ranking 2021)

Joint 1st in the UK for Research Intensity

(Complete University Guide 2022)

A member of the prestigious Russell Group of 24 UK research intensive universities.

800x533 Lanyon July 2018
AN INTERNATIONALLY RESPECTED UNIVERSITY
Queen’s is ranked 198 in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023.

We have 13 subjects in the top 200 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2022). Three of those subjects are in the World Top 100 (QS World Rankings by subject 2022), Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Nursing and Performing Arts.

In the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU, 2021), we have 10 subjects in the top 200 in the world.

We have over 3,800 international students from 92 different countries. We’re 17th in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022).

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WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH
We are ranked joint 1st in the UK for research intensity (Complete University Guide 2022).

As a member of the Russell Group, Queen’s is one of the UK’s 24 leading research-intensive universities

Our researchers use world-class facilities to tackle Global Challenges such as health, food, conflict and technology.

In REF 2021, 99% of Queen’s research environment was assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent, and we were ranked:

  • 1st in the UK for Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences
  • 4th in the UK for Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy
  • 8th in the UK for Law (REF 2021/ Times Higher Education)

See the global impact of our research.

OUR REPUTATION FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE
Queen’s is in the top 75 universities in Europe for Teaching Excellence (Times Higher Education, 2019).

94% of current international students were satisfied with the subject area expertise of their lecturers (International Student Barometer 2020/21).

Queen’s is 28th in the UK in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023. We rank in the top 10 in the UK for several subjects:

  • 2nd in UK for Dentistry (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022) Course information
  • 3rd in UK for Pharmacology and Pharmacy (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022) Course information
  • 2nd in the UK for Food Science (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022) Course information
  • 6th in the UK for Accounting and Finance (Complete University Guide 2022) Course information

The University is a seven-times winner of the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education. This prestigious award is the highest national honour available to universities and FE colleges across the UK, approved directly by The Queen and Parliament.

Eshwar getting careers advice
FUTURE FOCUSED
Queen’s is in the top 170 in the world for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022).

92% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after completing their course (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2018/19), and we are ranked 11th in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022)

Belfast is a city of the future and is one of the fastest growing tech cities in the UK, with jobs in the tech sector accounting for 24% of vacancies (Tech Nation, 2019).

Find out how Queen’s can enhance your employability.

Wind turbine
ADDRESSING SUSTAINABILITY
As a global institution, we have a major role to play in making a positive impact in our environment.

We are nurturing a culture of sustainability to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and are a signatory to the UN Accord.

In the Times Higher Education 2022 Impact Rankings, Queen’s was ranked in the top 10% (85th out of 1438 universities worldwide) in SDG implementations.

Through research, education, and leadership we are taking the lead in equality, diversity and inclusion, sustainable procurement, and a commitment to disinvestment from fossil fuels, incorporating the SDGs and driving real-world impact in climate change.

Imposing Lanyon
A PRESTIGIOUS HISTORY
Queen’s is one of the 10 most beautiful historic universities in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2021).

Founded in 1845, we are the ninth oldest University in the UK and have a rich history of leading change.

Some of our renowned graduates include Nobel Prize winner Seamus Heaney, ‘Northern Ireland’s Einstein’ John Stewart Bell, and the father of emergency medicine James Francis Pantridge.

Find out more about our greatest achievements.

Female student by the Lanyon Building
A LEADER IN EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
We are committed to providing a positive culture throughout the University that celebrates diversity, is welcoming, and inclusive.

We offer a number of student development opportunities to help you enhance and develop your employability and personal skills and help you overcome any barriers that might restrict you reaching your full potential or accessing graduate roles.

We are one of only 21 UK universities to hold Athena Swan Silver status, an accolade that recognises our commitment to progressing gender equality. 

We’re proud of the diversity of our staff, with over 80 countries represented in our multicultural, inclusive and vibrant campus community. We were awarded the Silver Diversity Mark by Diversity Mark in December 2021, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender diversity, and the progress made at Queen’s in advancing gender, race and disability equality, and our ambitious plans to do more in these spaces.

Computer Science Stairwell
A BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS WITH AWARD WINNING FACILITIES
Queen’s was 2nd out of 8 UK universities for satisfaction with social facilities (International Student Barometer 2020/1).

In the last ten years we have invested £350m into award-winning facilities like the McClay Library, Graduate School, Law School and Computer Science building. We’re going to invest a further £350m in the next decade.

That’s why we were 1st out of 8 UK universities for our Graduate School and 96% of current international students are satisfied with our library services (International Student Barometer 2020/1).

Visit Queen’s and see it for yourself on one of our Campus Tours.

Innovation academy students
LEADING INNOVATION AND IMPACT
We are renowned for our strengths in enterprise and innovation.

We were ranked 1 in the UK as the most entrepreneurial university in 2019 and 2020 (Octopus Ventures Impact Rankings).

We are number one in the UK for our participation in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) and a recent report by London Economics found that Queen’s contributes £1.9billion to the UK economy.

Through QUBIS Ltd, our commercial arm, we have created over 100 spin-out companies, generating £323m in revenue.

We hold a Regius Professorship for Cyber Security expert Professor Máire O’Neill, a rare honour bestowed by The Queen to recognise exceptional teaching and research. We were one of the first Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Research by GCHQ in 2011, and were named as one of the UK’s first Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Education (ACE-CSE).

We are one of only 18 UK universities to hold Athena Swan Silver status, an accolade that recognises our commitment to progressing gender equality.

Belfast is a city with a passion for progress and global innovation – a passion shared by Queen’s University Belfast. The prevalence of venture capitalists, business angels and private investors mean that young, high potential companies are booming in the city and Belfast is ranked in the top 10 cities in the UK to develop a digital career (Monster’s Digital Cities, 2019).

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Students at City hall
AMAZING STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Belfast has the lowest cost of living in the UK (Mercer Cost of Living City Ranking 2021).

Queen’s offers a thriving and friendly campus located within Belfast's Queen's Quarter, with cafés, bars, restaurants, superb shopping and entertainment venues. (Complete University Guide 2022)

Belfast was voted the friendliest city in Europe (Condé Nast Traveller, Readers' Choice Awards 2021) and 92% of current international students were satisfied with their safety and security at Queen’s (International Student Barometer 2020/1).

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A PREMIER SPORTING UNIVERSITY
Queen’s is now one of the top sporting universities in the UK and Ireland.

After a £20m investment, Queen’s was 1st of 8 UK universities for satisfaction with sporting facilities (International Student Barometer 2020/1).

Our world-class indoor and outdoor facilities are ideal for recreational, competitive and high-performance athletes.

Why Study at Queen's
Why Study at Queen's