What Queen’s Students Really Think About the Quality of Teaching
We asked our current students what’s something they’ve experienced at Queen’s that shows the quality of teaching, and here’s what they had to say.
Hear from our students on their experiences of studying at a Russell Group university
"I’ve really appreciated how interactive the classes are"
“The teaching quality at Queen’s, especially in the Business School is simply incredible! I’ve really appreciated how interactive the classes are. They often start with a quick recap, then move into real-world case studies, and finally, they open-up for student perspectives and discussion. It feels less like a lecture and more like a friendly chat. And the quizzes after understanding a new concept? They really help reinforce the topic. Plus, the professors are super helpful and approachable. We can easily book appointments with them to chat about any questions or issues. This makes learning more personal and meaningful.”
Abdul, MSc Marketing, Pakistan
"They encourage us to engage with the material in a meaningful way"
“Being in a postgraduate setting, there is a lot of emphasis on seminar discussions rather than purely just lectures, with a lot of independent learning involved. It was a bit tough at first, especially since some of us, like me, don’t have a background in the same field - I did my undergraduate in Biomedical Science but switched to Anthropology for my Master’s.
However, the lecturers were skilled at facilitating our learning and did a great job of asking questions that make us think differently and more critically, helping us connect theory to real-world examples. Seeing how they encourage us to engage with the material in a meaningful way reflects the quality of teaching at Queen’s.”
Christstela, MA Anthropology, Singapore
"They motivated me to critically analyse every topic and to question more"
“One thing that I really liked here was how my lecturers ensured that learning happened the right way. They motivated me to critically analyse every topic and to question more. This approach made me to study because I wanted to learn new things rather than just to score more marks. Learning was made engaging through activities, striking balance between fun and academics ensuring no cognitive overload. The lecturers always backed their teaching with empirical evidence and explored every topic deeper.”
Sanjana, MSc Applied Developmental Psychology, India
"There is a safe space for us to discuss the content we’ve learned and our experiences out in clinical practice"
"I remember one of my first classes the lecture described how the teaching during my course is linked to the United Nations sustainable development goals, which gives our learning a global relevance. During most lectures and tutorials there is a safe space for us to discuss the content we’ve learned and our experiences out in clinical practice. This really helps me to think critically and reflect and this in turn really helps with academic assignments.
The tutor always facilitates this and will steer us in the right direction and encourage us to think deeper and more critically and try to help us link our thoughts into strong academic writing. Queen’s is the only university in Northern Ireland that offers my degree programme. Therefore I really feel I am getting the best teaching possible for my course in Northern Ireland.”
Charlene, Midwifery, NI
"The professors are always up to date with the latest developments in their field"
“All the faculty and staff we have had over the year have been passionate about their teaching fields. I appreciate how they continue striving for more through regular research publications in well-reputed journals and attending world-class conferences. The professors are always up to date with the latest developments in their field. They are always willing to listen and learn more, which is a testament to the sound quality of teaching provided.”
Megha, MSc Clinical Health Psychology, India
"Each tutorial class puts the module content into better perspective"
“One particular thing I have experienced during my time here is the way each tutorial class puts the module content into better perspective. While lectures can be a bit overwhelming at the moment, tutorials give you space to understand, learn, ask questions, have discussions with classmates, and engage with your course more closely. All the tutors have been kind and helpful to me and use different methods to make the learning process smoother. The real-world, contemporary examples cited by both professors and tutors while teaching, makes me develop a keener understanding of the topic being covered.”
Natasha, Anthropology and English, India
"My lecturers have been approachable and willing to spend time with me one-to-one"
“One of the things that stands out most is the level of personal attention and support I’ve received from lecturers. For example, whenever I’ve found certain topics challenging, my lecturers have been approachable and willing to spend time with me one-to-one, helping me work through the difficulties until I understood them. That kind of support has not only improved my academic performance but also boosted my confidence. It’s clear that the staff at Queen’s genuinely care about their students’ success and go the extra mile to make sure we thrive.”
Sejoud Barry, Chemical Engineering, NI/Sudan