Key Contacts & Useful Information

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

Click here for more information

You will need to check with your chosen bank which documents they require you to present, but generally they will ask for:

• Proof of your identity
• Your passport and visa
• A letter from Queen’s University Belfast confirming that you are an enrolled student
• Proof of your UK address

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

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

Email: reghelp@qub.ac.uk 
Student Helpline: +44 (028) 9097 3223

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.

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:

Student Support Fund

University Health Centre

Please click below for information relating to the University Health Centre:

University Health Centre Website

Please click here for details on how to register.

IMPORTANT UPDATE
During the COVID-19 pandemic to help with reduced staffing the University Health Centre (UHC) will be restricting access to the building. They will open the building daily from 9.15 - 12.30 and 15.00 - 17.00 for Prescription collection only in the afternoon.

The building will be closed 12.30 to 15.00. Their phone cover will operate as normal between 8.30 - 18.00 (emergency calls only 11.00 - 13.30).

Please keep an eye on the UHC website for further updates.

Do I require Private Medical Insurance to come to the UK?

Most medical treatment in the UK is provided under the National Health Service (NHS). Some services are free and there are charges for others.

If you are following a full-time course of study lasting at more than six months you will be entitled to treatment under the National Health Service. If you are married, your spouse and any children will also be entitled to free cover.

If your course lasts less than six months, you will not be entitled to treatment except by a hospital in an emergency unless you come from a country which has a reciprocal health care agreement with the UK. Students from countries with which the UK has a reciprocal health care agreement may receive health care as "temporary residents”. Students from other countries may be required to show personal medical insurance.

In some cases reciprocal health care agreements exclude treatment for conditions that existed prior to your arrival in the UK. Check this before you leave your home country – speak to your doctor.

If you are studying a course that lasts less than six months, you should bring any regular medication with you as this medication will be charged at full cost.

Click here for more information

Hospitals

The two nearest hospitals to the University are:

Belfast City Hospital

51 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AB. Telephone: +44 (028) 90 329 241

Royal Victoria Hospital

Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 6BA. Telephone: +44 (028) 9024 0503

What if I need medical advice?
111 is the NHS non-emergency free number. If you require medical help urgently call 999.

Dentists

There is a charge for all dental treatment but it is less expensive to be treated under the NHS than as a private patient. It might not be possible to find a dentist who can provide you with dental treatment under NHS. When you register with a dentist you should check if they can treat you under the NHS. A list of dentists in Belfast is available from the University Health Centre.

Emergency Dentists

Opticians

There is a minimum charge for an eye test and you will have to pay the cost of any spectacles or contact lenses you might need.

Opticians in Belfast

Emergencies

The national emergency number in the UK is 999. This is for Police, Ambulance and Fire Service and is only to be used for very serious emergencies.

If you are not sure about whether or not you should ring 999, you can ring Queen’s Security on +44 (028) 9097 5099.

The national Non-emergency and general enquiries telephone number in the UK is 101.

You can call 101 if you wish to report a non-emergency incident or hate crime.

What if I need medication late at night – where can I find an out of hours pharmacy?
The NHS Direct line will be able to tell you where you can find an out of hours pharmacy in Belfast:

Click here for more information

What should I do about vaccinations/ immunisations?

You should visit your doctor in your home country before departing for the UK to check if you are required to have any vaccinations or if any are recommended.

There are some vaccinations which the UK NHS recommends you should have before you arrive or soon after you arrive.

Click here for more information

The School of study that you have applied to may also have specific funding opportunities in place:

Faculties & Schools

Student Wellbeing Service

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.

Clubs & Societies

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:

Clubs & Societies

With over 200 clubs, all student-led, there’s something for everyone:

A-Z List

It’s worth getting in touch with Queen’s International Student Society (QISS). The society’s aim is to provide an inclusive support group to international students throughout their time at Queen's:

QISS

Email: qiss@qub.ac.uk