Please see International Admissions contact information below:

Web: http://www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/
Email: intl.student@qub.ac.uk

Entry qualifications are the qualifications that you require in order to gain an unconditional offer to your course. These are listed on your CAS statement under ‘Entry Qualifications’. You must always submit your original transcripts with your visa application.

A CAS is a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies which you will need in order to apply for a Tier 4 student visa. Queen’s will assign your CAS to you after you have accepted an unconditional offer for your course. Your CAS is a secure electronic document which tells the Home Office information about you, your course, your fees and the qualifications you need to get onto your course among other things. 

When your CAS is assigned, you will receive a CAS statement. This is a letter which will be emailed to you and will contain all of the information which Queen’s tell the Home Office in your CAS. It will also contain your CAS number. When you receive your CAS statement you must read it carefully and ensure that all of the information contained in it is correct. You must make sure that your passport number is correct and you must use the same passport to apply for your visa as the one which you have provided to Queen’s. If the information in your CAS statement is not correct, then you must tell us immediately so that we can inform the Home Office.

The Points Based System for immigration is the UK visa system. International students who are non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and are applying for entry clearance or leave to remain as a student will usually come under the Tier 4 (General) category.

All non-EU/EEA/Swiss foreign nationals whose primary purpose is to come to work in the UK or to study for six months or more are now required to score points in different eligibility categories in order to be granted a visa to enter the UK borders. There are five tiers - student visas are Tier 4.

Click here for more information.

Once you have met all the requirements of Tier 4, you can apply for your visa up to three months before the start date of your course. If you apply more than three months before, your visa application will be refused. However, you should apply as far in advance as possible in order to get your visa in time to travel to Belfast for the start date of your course.

You will need to provide biometric information as part of the visa application process. This biometric information consists of an electronic scan of your fingerprints and a full-face digital photograph. You will have to go to the nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) in person to provide this biometric information. Your visa application will not be processed until you have provided the necessary biometric information.

Please click here for more information.

Many students will require further time in order to continue their studies in the UK once their entry clearance visa expires.

Some students will require extra time to complete their current course of study, while some will want to take up a new course of study once their first course is complete.

Click here for more information.

Recent legislation introduced requires all non-EEA nationals coming to the UK for longer than 6 months, including Tier 4 students, to pay a healthcare surcharge to access health services during their stay in the UK. This must be paid before you complete your visa application You can find more information on the UKVI website here. We recommend that you complete the checking service online here to verify how much you should pay.

If you are a national of any country outside the UK or EU/EEA/Switzerland and you are intending to undertake a postgraduate course in certain science, engineering or technology disciplines you must obtain an ATAS certificate before you can apply for entry clearance to come to the UK. Click here for more information.

If you are a non-EEA/Swiss national and you are coming to Queen’s University Belfast to study for one or two semesters on the Study Abroad Programme, you will need a visa to study in the UK.

It is your responsibility to check which type of visa you will need and how to get it. If you arrive at the University without the appropriate visa which permits you to study in the UK for the duration of your course, you may not be permitted to register on your course until this is corrected. In some cases, you may have to leave the UK and re-enter in order to get your immigration permission corrected.

Click here for more information.

Please follow the below link for all of the latest updates from the University:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/home/coronavirus-faqs/

Belfast has two airports, sea crossings from England and Scotland, and a direct rail link from Dublin. You can fly direct to Belfast from over 20 European cities and a number of North American locations. Click here for more information.

For any QUB accommodation queries, please contact Student Accommodation:

Web: http://www.qub.ac.uk/accommodation/
Email: accommodation@qub.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (028) 90 97 4525

If you require information relating to private housing, Advice SU provide impartial advice to students and can advise further on this front:

Web: http://www.qubsu.org/AdviceSU/Accommodation/
Email: studentadvice@qub.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (028) 9097 3726

If you wish to open a bank or building society account in the UK, we would advise you to speak to banks in the first instance to decide which one best meets your requirements. Please click below for the details of local banks within close proximity of the University and a range of digital banking options.

Student Banking Options

A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is proof of the holder's right to stay, work or study in the UK. It can also be used as a form of identification e.g. to open a bank acount in the UK.

An example BRP is shown here.

You will get a BRP if you:

• apply to come to the UK for longer than 6 months
• extend your visa to longer than 6 months
• apply to settle in the UK
• transfer your visa to a new passport
• apply for certain Home Office travel documents

You do not have to apply separately for a BRP. You will automatically get one if your visa or immigration application is approved, or you’re replacing an older document.

Click here for more information.

Click here for more information.

If you lose your passport and/or BRP card while you are travelling inside the UK or outside the UK the following information should help you identify the next steps that you need to take

Contact us by email at immigration@qub.ac.uk and an adviser will be able to help you.

Click here to see a list of frequently asked questions.

Education in the UK is compulsory for all children between five and sixteen years of age.

We would recommend that you organise this before you arrive in the UK as it can be difficult to find a school quickly.

Department for Education Website

Schools in the UK

Children’s education in the UK begins with primary education the year a child turns five until they are eleven. Children then move to secondary school where they stay until they reach sixteen, seventeen or eighteen years of age. These are normally local authority maintained schools (State Schools) and are free to all children between the ages of five and sixteen. You could choose to send your child to an independent school (private/public schools), but you will pay for their education.

To find a list of schools in the Belfast area click below and enter your Northern Ireland postcode in the highlighted box:

Education Authority Website

Crèche, Nursery, Childcare Facilities

If you want to place your children in the Queen’s creche you should contact them as far in advance of your arrival as possible:

Childcare at Queen's

Click below for information on a wide range of family support services and registered childcare provision in Northern Ireland:

Family Support NI Website

All students are required to complete ONLINE registration at the start of each academic year via the Qsis Registration Portal.

If you are a new student to the University or starting a new course, you will receive a 'Welcome Email' with full instructions from late August onwards.

If you are a returning student, you will receive an email when the Registration Portal is live.

If you have any queries, please email reghelp@qub.ac.uk, or call the Student Helpline on +44(0)28 9097 3223.

Click here for more information.

Click here for more information.

Please see Student Registry’s contact information below:

Website: https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/srecords/
Email: reghelp@qub.ac.uk
Student Helpline: +44 (028) 028 9097 3223

Student Finance oversee the financial enrolment of all students, assessment and collection of tuition fees and related charges, the administration of University Bursary Schemes and administration of the Student Support Fund. Please see their contact information below:

Website: http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/finance/
Email: studentfinance@qub.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (028) 028 9097 2853

The Student Support Fund is used to provide discretionary financial help for students who are experiencing financial difficulties whilst studying and comprises two funds, the Department for the Economy (DfE) Student Support Fund and the University’s Hardship Fund. Click here for more information.

Student Finance are responsible for processing the Canadian tax forms which can be downloaded at the below location:
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/forms/tl11a.html

Once completed, please send through to Uma Mehta at the below address:
Email: U.Mehta@qub.ac.uk

Please see below for information regarding International Scholarship opportunities:

Website: http://www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/International-scholarships/
Email: internationalscholarships@qub.ac.uk

The School of study that you have applied to may also have specific funding opportunities in place:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/about/Leadership-and-structure/Faculties-and-Schools/

For information on how the UK medical system works, private medical insurance, local hospitals, registering with a GP, vaccinations, out of hours pharmacies, emergency services, dentists, opticians and much more please click below:

Click here for more information

All non-EEA national students, as part of enrolment and registration here at Queen’s University Belfast, will need to upload pictures or copies of any current immigration documentation. International Student Support staff will then check these before allowing you to proceed and complete your registration with colleagues in Student Registry Services. This year the process will be as follows:

1. Complete arrival questionnaire emailed to you
2. Complete registration portal steps including uploading of immigration documents
3. International Student Support will contact you if they require any further information prior to completing the check
4. You will receive an email confirming your immigration document check has been completed and you can now proceed and complete your full enrolment and registratio

Find out more information here.

Please see the below page for important information relating to International Visitor Registration:

Click here for more information

The below page provides information on things to plan for if you are required to self-isolate for 14 days either on arrival in Belfast, or at any point throughout the Semester depending on the Public Health Agency guidelines in-place at the time.

Click here for more information

Please see below for Accommodation FAQs related to COVID-19:

Click here for more information

What does PBS mean for the University and you?

The Points Based System for immigration is the UK visa system. International students who are non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and are applying for entry clearance or leave to remain as a student will usually come under the Tier 4 (General) category.

All non-EU/EEA/Swiss foreign nationals whose primary purpose is to come to work in the UK or to study for six months or more are now required to score points in different eligibility categories in order to be granted a visa to enter the UK borders. There are five tiers - student visas are Tier 4.

Under the Points Based System the University will be obliged to tell the UK Visa & Immigration department of the Home Office about any students who:

• Fail to arrive and enrol at the agreed time for the start of their course;
• Defer their studies;
• Take temporary withdrawal/suspend their studies;
• Withdraw from their studies;
• Fail to attend their course for significant periods of time;
• Make significant changes to their studies (e.g. location or length of course)

You will also have responsibilite under this system. You will be expected to:

• Provide the University with a copy of your immigration documents when you enrol and each time you extend your visa;
• Keep your address and contact details in Northern Ireland up to date using your Queen's Online account;
• Tell us if you are not able to arrive at the University at the agreed time;
• Tell us if you want to defer your studies before you come to the UK;
• Tell us if you are thinking about withdrawing or suspending your studies;
• Attend all of your classes. If you cannot attend for any reason you must inform your School;
• Tell us if you make any formal changes to your studies;
• Register with the Police (if applicable);
• Ensure that you do not breach the conditions of your student visa (such as working more time than is permitted or making use of public funds)

Please ensure you read the Terms and Conditions for Tier 4 (General) students:

Please be sure to read the International Student Support Immigration Advice Agreement.
 

Your visa will state conditions which apply to you during your time studying with us. The Tier 4 Migrant Guidance also confirms conditions attached to your Tier 4 visa in Paragraph 200 – 207 (page 46-48). Please read these carefully as not all of this information will appear on your visa. In particular you should ensure that you are aware of and abide by any restrictions on working hours. These will apply if you want to take up employment during term time. Please consult the Semester Dates and your School to confirm your term dates.

Our colleagues in the Student Records department are responsible for producing confirmation documents for the University.

Attendance & Education Letters

Official Academic Transcripts

Parchments

Click here for more information:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/srecords/YourStudentRecord/ 

Student Records contact details:
Website: https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/srecords/
Email: s.records@qub.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (208) 9097 2727

Unfortunately, due to changes in Data Protection, International Student Support are no longer able to issue letters inviting family members to the UK.

You can request a letter from our colleagues in Student Records s.records@qub.ac.uk to confirm that you are a student at the University.

Full information about the Standard Visitor Visa and how to apply can be found on UK Visas and Immigration website here.

To help us create an Immigration Control letter we require the following information:

Full name:
Student number:
Passport number:
Date you are leaving/ left the UK:
Date you will return to the UK:
Nationality:
Date of Birth:
Student number:
Visa expiry date:

Once you have compiled the above information, please email through to iss@qub.ac.uk and remember to ‘cc’ in your immigration adviser.

There is a wide range of support available to you from the Student Wellbeing Service within Queen's. Their services are free and available to registered students at the University. Their counselling support is delivered in partnership with Inspire (external organisation). Counselling is also a free service to registered students at Queen's. If you aren't sure what support is best for you, the Student Wellbeing Service is a good starting point.

Click below for more information:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/wellbeing/InformationforStudents/SupportAvailable/

Queen's offers a network of support services dedicated to helping you get the most from your time at university, looking after your health, emotional wellbeing, education, study needs, financial security and future career. Click here for more information.

Let us help you make the most of your time living in Belfast! Click here for lots of helpful information and advice.

Please be sure to check out our website and find out more about us.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep updated and get in contact with us and other students studying here at Queen’s University Belfast.

Facebook: InteStudentSupportQUB
https://www.facebook.com/IntStudentSupportQUB/

Twitter: QUBIntStudents
https://twitter.com/QUBIntStudents

Instagram: intlstudentsupportqub
https://www.instagram.com/intlstudentsupportqub/

Joining a club or society at Queen’s is the perfect opportunity to meet new people, keep up your interest in a passion, or find a brand new one you never knew you had:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/student-life/Clubs-and-societies/

With over 200 clubs, all student-led, there’s something for everyone. See a full A-Z list below:
https://qubsu.org/ClubsSocieties/

It’s worth getting in touch with Queen’s International Student Society. The society’s aim is to provide an inclusive support group to international students throughout their time at Queen's:
Website: http://www.qubsu.org/ClubsSocieties/A-MList/I/QISS/
Email: qiss@qub.ac.uk

Please click here to find out more about life in Belfast.

International Student Support can only offer visa and immigration advice for UK Study visas, we are unable to advise on visas for other countries.

If you want to enter Ireland, you may require a visa. Follow the instructions on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) website to check if you need a visa and to apply for a visa to travel to the Republic of Ireland:
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/check-irish-visa

Find out more information on our website at the below location:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/iss/VisasImmigration/RoI/

Embassy of Ireland Visa Services website: 
https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/great-britain/our-services/visas/visas-for-ireland/

Please note, your UK Tier 4 visa is not immigration permission for countries outside of the UK.

If your friend or family member is coming to visit you for a holiday they will come as a general visitor. Depending on their nationality, they may need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa before they come here (known as entry clearance).

Some friends or family members can come to the UK without applying for entry clearance, but they will still need to bring certain documents with them to show to Immigration Officers at the airport. You can find all of the information that you need on the UK Visas & Immigration website below.

Click below for more information:
https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa

If you are a non-EEA/Swiss national and you are coming to study in the UK at Queen’s University Belfast as a postgraduate student for more than nine months or as a government sponsored student for more than six months, you will usually be able to bring your spouse/partner and any child under 18 to the UK as your dependants using the PBS Dependant Visa route.

Click below for more information:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/iss/VisasImmigration/PBSDependantVisa/

International Student Support can only offer visa and immigration advice for UK Study visas, we are unable to offer advice on visas for other countries.

Students who need a visa to visit Europe can obtain a Schengen visa which is valid for 26 countries in the Schengen area. The Schengen Visa is valid for all the Schengen countries. You should apply to EITHER the country that you plan to spend most time in, OR the country that you will be entering first. If you are unsure then you should contact the embassy of the country that you are considering applying for, and check with them

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) can provide you with advice about travelling in Europe. For students outside of the EU and EEA, the first thing that you need to check is if you need a visa to travel or not. A number of European countries are part of an agreement called 'Schengen'. This means that you can obtain a single visa to travel in those countries. Countries outside the Schengen agreement may have their own visa requirements.  

Click below for more information:
https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Studying--living-in-the-UK/Travel-in-Europe/

Please note: International Student Support cannot give official advice on applying for a Schengen visa and can provide information only.

In the current economic climate, it is essential that graduates are prepared to enter the workplace, possessing key employability skills which will enable them to compete in today's job market. For this reason, employability skills are a top priority for the University.

Please see below to find out how to apply for a National Insurance Number (NIC):
https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/iss/VisasImmigration/WorkingintheUKasaStudent/

If you would like to try to find a job you can register with Oncampus Jobs who will keep you informed of jobs both on and off campus:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/JobsEventsandFairs/AbouttheStudentJobshop/OncampusJobsforQueensUniversitystudents/

Voluntary work is unpaid work which gives students the chance to meet local people of all ages and backgrounds and to learn more about Belfast and the local community. Voluntary work helps them develop employability skills such as leadership, communication and team working while taking part in fun activities. It also enables them to provide a valuable service to the local community. You can volunteer for just a few hours, or make a more long-term commitment.

Volunteer SU Details:
Website: https://qubsu.org/VolunteerSU/VolunteeringPolicy/
Email: volunteer@qub.ac.uk

Voluntary work and your visa:
If you are on a UK student visa, voluntary work counts towards your 20 hours per week term-time working limit. If you have a short term student visa, you cannot partake in voluntary work, as your visa prohibits all work, paid or unpaid.

Contact immigration@qub.ac.uk for further information.

Click below for more information:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/iss/VisasImmigration/WorkingintheUKasaStudent/

The Start-up visa is aimed at non EU/EEA individuals who wish to establish a business in the UK, and whose business plan has been endorsed by a Home Office-approved endorsing body. This visa has replaced the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa. You can stay in the UK for two years on the Start-up visa.

Click below for more information:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/iss/VisasImmigration/Start-upVisa/

The premise of Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES) is that it is designed to allow doctorate (PhD or equivalent) students a longer period after they have finished their studies (one year) to find work with a Tier 2 employer.

Click below for more information:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/iss/VisasImmigration/DES/