Study Spaces

There are a wide range of study spaces and additional areas on campus for you to learn and study.

Following the new lockdown restrictions announced by the NI Executive to take effect from 26 December 2020, all of the facilities outlined below will remain open with strict social distancing and safety measures applied.

From Monday 12 April, the McClay Library will be introducing 24-hour opening hours Monday to Friday. You should check the updated opening hours here.

Your School's buildings located across the University may also have bookable rooms available for use. If you would like to book a room, you should make contact with your School Office or email roombookings@qub.ac.uk with the details of your request.

Schools will consider individual booking requests on a case-by-case basis.

The University will keep the availability of all of these services and facilities under constant review.

Browse below to find out more.

Please find below a map of current study space locations available on campus:

View the map as a PDF

McClay Library & Libraries at Queen's

In light of the latest restrictions announced by the NI Executive, in effect from 26 December 2020, travelling to the University for the purposes of education is permitted if you are unable to study at home.

Please note that face coverings are now mandatory both while moving throughout the library, as well as while seated at your desk. Some members of our community will not be able to wear a face covering due to a hidden disability, medical condition or other exemption as specified by the PHA. Although you should not be challenged for not wearing a mask, exemption cards are available for students who deem themselves to be medically exempt from wearing a face covering. Exemption cards can be picked up from the Information Desk in the Student Guidance Centre.

Group Study rooms are not available, but if you have caring responsibilities, please contact the Library to make arrangements to book a Study Space. Individual Study Spaces are still available for booking on Queen's Online.

Please note that if you are using the Library to attend online classes, you can use any of the Student Computing Areas to tune in virtually. Please bring headphones/earphones to listen to the class.

You are advised to regularly check the Library Opening Hours and the McClay Library Occupancy to ensure that space is available.

For more information about locations of the libraries at Queen's, please click here.

The Graduate School

The Graduate School remains open for essential study for Postgraduate students. To find out more details about opening hours, and how to book a study space in the Silent Study Area, please click here.

Queen's Students' Union - Elmwood

Queen's Students' Union - Elmwood is currently open Monday to Friday 8:30am-6:00pm. (Please note that the SU will be closed on Wednesday 17 March, and will also be closed from 5:00pm on Thursday 1 April, re-opening on 8:30am on Monday 12 April).

Students should email su.reception@qub.ac.uk to confirm availability of the spaces as currently the SU Room booking system via QOL only permits Clubs and Societies committee members to book rooms.

Alternatively, students can call into SU Reception to check on space on available.

There is a maximum capacity for each room/space

Clubroom 2 = 2 people
Clubroom 3 = 4 people
Clubroom 4 = 6 people
Lounge = 20 + 6 (Kitchen area) people

As well as confirming with SU Reception students should scan the QR code displayed in each room/area and complete relevant form for time spent in each space for each study period to ensure we have accurate track and trace records.

All areas being used should be cleaned before and after use by each student – cleaning kits are in available in each room/space.

Collage of four study spaces in QUBSU Elmwood which are available for study