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Queen’s at 175

Lanyon gate
2020 was a special anniversary year for Queen's

It marked 175 years since the establishment of the Queen's Colleges in Belfast, Cork and Galway, and the beginning of our history as a university.

Since 1845, our world-leading researchers, pioneering students and inspirational alumni have been making a difference to society in Belfast and across the world.

View our virtual celebration event, broadcast in November 2020, and hear stories of Queen's contribution through the years via this 175th anniversary website and podcasts.

Virtual Celebration Event

Watch as we award Honorary Degrees to four Presidents of the Learned Societies in the UK and Ireland, hear from our Chancellor, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and a royal reflection of 175 years of Queen’s University.

Honorary Graduates

In order to mark this important anniversary year, we are delighted to welcome into our University community, the Presidents of the British Academy, the Royal Irish Academy, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Academy of Medical Sciences:

Professor Dame Anne Glover
President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
Professor Peter Kennedy
Immediate past President of the Royal Irish Academy
Professor Sir Robert Lechler
President of the Academy of Medical Sciences
Professor Sir David Cannadine
President of the British Academy
Honorary Graduate profiles

175th Anniversary Messages

Video - Anniversary messages

Watch a congratulatory message from the First Minister Arlene Foster.

Making a difference for 175 years

From medical breakthroughs and improving cancer care, to protecting the online security of internet users and transforming the education sector in Northern Ireland, Queen’s touches the lives of thousands of people every day. Explore our contributions below and listen to the podcasts in each section.

Old and new images of Queen's
Queen’s Thinkers
Queen’s Thinkers

Our contribution to the intellectual life of both the local community and the wider global community. 
Old and new Lanyon
Brief History of Queen's
Brief History of Queen's

The story of Queen’s is one of remarkable growth within a changing university landscape.
Old and new images of Queen's
Transforming Healthcare
Transforming Healthcare

Medical research and education have been a cornerstone of Queen’s University since its foundation.
Cloisters
Queen's Writers
Queen's Writers

With iconic links to Seamus Heaney and C.S. Lewis, Queen's is recognised as an international centre of excellence in literature.
Old and new images of Queen's
The Role of Women
The Role of Women

From the Riddel Sisters to Helen Waddell, there have always been outstanding women at Queen's. 
Old and new images of Queen's
Engineering and Science
Engineering and Science

From hardware to software, digital technology, cyber security, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Internet of Things.
Student Experience

An evolving student experience over the past 175 years.
Looking to the future

A reflection and look to the future from our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Greer.

A timeline of the Queen's story

Queen’s is one of the UK and Ireland’s leading universities and continues to grow its global reputation for teaching and research.

The ninth oldest university in the UK, the beautiful campus symbolises both the rich history and academic heritage of Queen’s.

Founded in 1845, Queen’s has grown from a small cohort of students to a thriving multi-cultural community of over 4,200 staff and 24,000 students.

Explore some of the key events in the Queen's story.

View the timeline
More information
University Digital Archive
About Queen's
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