We are a member of the Russell Group of 24 leading UK research-intensive universities committed to maintaining the highest standards of research, education and knowledge transfer. Russell Group universities are major international institutions which also have a strong national and regional role and influence.

Russell Group Universities

We have been awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education on eight occasions.

This was for our work in strengthening global cyber security, for Northern Ireland's Comprehensive Cancer Services programme and for world-class achievement in green chemistry, environmental research, palaeoecology, shared education and law.

Queen's Anniversary Prizes

Queen’s University Belfast is committed to promoting equality for women in academia and is a proud member of the Athena SWAN Charter.  Queen’s holds 15 SWAN departmental awards, comprising two gold, seven silver and six bronze, as well as an Institutional Silver.

Athena SWAN (Scientific Women's Academic Network), is a UK programme that celebrates recognition and commitment to advancing women’s careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine in higher education and research.

Gender Equality at Queen's

QAA checks how UK universities and colleges maintain the standard of their higher education provision.

Read the latest report

The University has retained the European Commission’s HR in Excellence in Research Award following a two year self-assessment.

The award endorses the support provided for our research staff to develop their skills and career development opportunities, and providing a clear plan of action for future developments. Including, a focus on mentoring and induction for research staff and developing faculty specific professional and career development activity.

Researcher Development

The university is a Stonewall Diversity Champion and we have a staff network open to members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Our network won ‘Best LGBT Initiative' at the 2019 Northern Ireland Equality and Diversity Awards. Stonewall is Europe’s largest lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) rights charity.

PRISM

Queen’s received a Women in Business Gender Diversity Charter Mark Bronze Award in January 2019, which recognises the University's commitment to gender diversity and progress made in support of it. This was presented following an assessment of Queen's progress in relation to gender equality carried out by an independent panel of assessors.

Diversity and Inclusion

Queen’s was awarded a prestigious Green Flag Award in the 2019 Green Flag Awards – becoming the first university in Northern Ireland to be recognised by the scheme.

The Green Flag Award is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the UK. It was first launched in 1996 to recognise and reward the best green spaces in the country and is an internationally recognised certification for environmental quality management for parks and open spaces.

Queen’s is ranked 200 in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021), in the top 140 in the world for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020), ranked 22nd in the world for international outlook and is ranked 8th in the UK for research intensity (REF 2014).

Rankings and Reputation