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Getting here and arrival

Arrivals sign at the airport

ARRIVING TO BELFAST

All Queen's Accommodation is in Belfast, close to Queen's main campus.  

Elms BT9 is approximately 1000m from Queen's main campus. This is the check-in and key pick-up point for other Queen's Houses options including Willow Walk. 

Check-in for Elms BT1, Elms BT2, John Bell House and Swanston House will take place in those accommodation buildings. 

  • Travelling by Air

    Belfast is served by two airports, the George Best City Airport and Belfast International Airport. 

    George Best City Airport 

    This is the closest airport to Queen's Accommodation and is approximately five miles from Elms BT9 and four miles to Elms BT1 and BT2.  Bus and train services available at the airport will bring you to Belfast city centre, an additional bus journey will then be needed to bring you to Elms BT9 (see travelling by bus). 

    A taxi from the airport to Elms BT9 will cost approximately £10 - £15 

    Belfast International Airport 

    Belfast International Airport is located approximately 22 miles from Elms BT9 and 21 miles from Elms BT1 and BT2.  Bus services are available at the airport and will bring you to Belfast city centre. An additional bus journey will then be needed to bring you Elms BT9 (see travelling by bus). 

    A taxi from the airport to Elms BT9 will cost approximately £25 - £30 

  • Travelling by Bus

    Elms BT1, Elms BT2, John Bell House and Swanston House are in the city centre. The Europa Bus Centre is approximately 250meters from these properties.

    There are regular Metro bus services from Belfast city centre to the University Area and Elms BT9.  

    The 8b bus runs from the city centre to Elms BT9 from Monday - Saturday.  The 8a bus runs from the city centre to the main Queen's University Campus seven days a week, a 15-minute walk from the main campus will bring you to Elms BT9. 
    For information on timetables visit www.translink.co.uk  

  • Travelling by Train

    Trains from Dublin to Belfast arrive at Belfast Central Station.  From here a train can be taken to Botanic Train Station which is a 5-minute walk from the main University campus and a 20-minute walk from Elms BT9. Alternatively, a train can be taken from Central Station to Great Victoria Street Railway Station which is approximately 250meters from the City Centre properties. 
     
    Information on tickets and timetables can be found here www.translink.co.uk  

PRE-ARRIVAL FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What is the E-induction?

    Your e-induction is a compulsory exercise which you must complete prior to arrival. It explains how things work in accommodation, introduces you to the department and the different teams and makes you aware how things work and what we expect from you whilst living in university accommodation.  It takes approximately 10-15 minutes to read and complete a few short questions at the end of each section.  If your e-induction is NOT complete prior to arrival, you will not be permitted to check-in to your accommodation.

  • What are the arrival slots / arrival pass?

    Students from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are required to book an arrival slot once the e-induction is completed.  Once you have selected the arrival date and time you will be issued with an arrival pass which you must present at check-in.

  • What should I bring with me?

    All Queen's Accommodation is furnished with a bed, a wardrobe with hanging rail and shelving, a desk and chair, waste bin, window covering and desk lighting. Bedding and kitchen packs can be ordered prior to arrival for delivery to your accommodation - please click here to order.

    You can purchase the following items when you arrive to your accommodation.  

    • Washing detergent for laundry and dishes 
    • Towels and dish drying towels 
    • Clothes hangers 
    • Crockery, cutlery, saucepans and bed linen (can be ordered prior to arrival for delivery to your accommodation) 
    • Hairdryer and toiletries 

    If you are bringing any electrical equipment with you, please note the following:  

    • It is less than 1000 Watts and is safe
    • Plugs in UK have three pins 
    • Adapters can be purchased at the airport or in local shops when you arrive 
    • We provide free PAT testing (portable appliance testing) – we arrange times for you to bring your electrical equipment to be tested for safety 
  • What items are forbidden?
    • Electric heaters or electric blankets 
    • Loudspeakers 
    • Candles or incense 
    • Electrical multi-socket extension leads 
    • Animals, reptiles, fish or insects 
    • Hairdryers or other electrical items over 1000 watts 
    • Knives, catapults, cylinders of gas, chemicals or biological substances, replica guns, laser guns, air guns, water pistols, water bombs, fireworks
    • E-scooters
    • E-bikes (please note the charging of these are not permitted in University buildings)
  • Can you help me with proof of residency?

    If you require proof of residency for opening a new bank account, please complete a Proof of Residency online via your accommodation account. A letter will be available for collection within 24 hours from your submission date.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ARRIVAL

  • I am arriving in the middle of the night. Will I be able to check in then?

    Yes. There is always someone available to check you in.

  • I am arriving late because of visa delays. Will I lose my room?

    Don't worry. Your room will be secured as long as you have accepted your offer of accommodation and paid the £300 deposit.  Please keep in touch with the Accommodation Team regarding a revised arrival date.  Please note that you will still be charged from the start of your contract date even though you are arriving at a later date.

  • Is there any parking space when moving in?

    Car parking is available at Elms BT9 for dropping off belongings at your building (30 minutes on site and then car must be returned to the car park). There is no parking available at the City Centre properties but if you require parking, we will provide details of car parking available on check in days in your pre-arrival communication.

  • Can I have packages delivered to accommodation before arrival?

    As we have limited storage facilities, we recommend that you arrange deliveries on or after your arrival date.  

  • How do I get my post / mail?

    All parcel post is delivered to and accepted by your reception. We will inform students via email when their parcel arrives and is available for collection. Please do not visit reception before you receive an email from us advising it is available for collection. During peak times please allow up to 24 hours for your email due to the volume we need to process. 

    If living in Elms BT1, BT2 and BT9, you will be issued with a key for your apartment's post box which is located in reception (excluding Willow Walk).

    Any post not collected after 4 weeks will be returned to sender.

    Students living at 76 Malone Road, Grant House, College Gardens, Guthrie House and Mount Charles will have all mail (both letter and parcel post) delivered directly to the property by Royal Mail and couriers. 

CAR PARKING

Due to traffic congestion and parking restrictions around Queen's, the University asks students NOT to bring cars to Belfast.

  • Requesting car parking

    A limited number of car parking spaces are available within Elms BT9. Please note there is no parking at Elms BT1 or Elms BT2 (only accessible parking available). If the use of a car is essential, students can apply for a car parking permit online which costs £100 for the full residential year. A parking permit allows access to limited parking places on the Elms BT9 site only.

    For your request to be considered, you must state your case in detail, specifying why you require a car parking space. Should you receive confirmation that you have been successfully allocated a space, payment in full must be paid at check-in. 

    If you are not allocated a parking permit, please note that students are asked NOT to park in residential areas around Elms BT9, due to traffic congestion and in consideration of our neighbours. 

  • Pay Per Use Car Parking at Elms BT9

    Students that are unsuccessful in a request for an onsite parking permit or wish to park on a part-time basis, then this system presents an ideal solution. The charge is £0.70 per 24 hours. 

    Students can park in the two car parks located beside the accommodation building located at the bottom of the driveway at Elms BT9 on a pay per use basis. 

    If you wish to use these carparks, you must register your car details at Elms BT9 reception (you only need to register once).  

    Students will be issued with a parking authorisation disc which must be displayed on the car window. Failure to do so may result in the car being clamped and a fine is payable for its release. 

Person reaching for a key fob

GETTING YOUR KEYS/SAFETY

Once you complete student enrolment at the University you will be issued with a student card, a fob (an in some cases a key also), and key ring.  All students will be required to show these items to the Safety/Security Team when gaining entry after 10pm.  Our Safety / Security Teams are based at Elms BT9, Elms BT1, Elms BT2 and Queen's Houses are monitored by the Security Team based at the main University campus.

Queen’s University places a high priority on the safety of you and your fellow residents and it is important that you help keep your accommodation secure by: 

  • Keeping external and corridor doors locked
  • Lock your bedroom door when leaving your bedroom, even for a short time
  • Do not let strangers into your apartment or building
  • Report any loss of fob/key to reception
  • Never leave valuable items on display