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Before you arrive

To do list on clipboard on top of table
Everything You Need to Do Before the New Term Begins Everything You Need to Do Before the New Term Begins : News article ID 4492473
Magdalene Natasha Charles | 15 August, 2025

UG student Natasha has put together a guide for both new and returning students at Queen's, complete with tips on brushing up on your academic skills, social event recs on campus and Belfast/NI; and a list of last-minute packing essentials.

QUB campus tour
Everything You Need to Know as a First-Year Queen’s University Student Everything You Need to Know as a First-Year Queen’s University Student : News article ID 4437465
Zoe Brankin (Staff Writer) | 11 August, 2025

Joining us in September? We have put together a guide for everything you need to know from what to bring to your student accommodation to staying safe.

Queen's accommodation keys
Freshers' Accommodation: Essential Kit List Freshers' Accommodation: Essential Kit List : News article ID 2764462
Charlotte Jennings | 8 September, 2025

Not sure what to bring with you to your new accommodation at Queen's? GB student Charlotte has you covered.

Kitchen and desk in student accommodation
Optional/Additional Items to Pack and Bring from India to Queen's Optional/Additional Items to Pack and Bring from India to Queen's : News article ID 2809372
Madhurya Jagadeesh | 20 August, 2024

PG student Madhurya provides a list of optional yet advantageous items to take with you on your journey from India to Queen's.

Queen's red tote bag
Things I Wish I Had Known Before Coming to Belfast as a South American Student Things I Wish I Had Known Before Coming to Belfast as a South American Student : News article ID 2908430
Isabella Barros De La Rosa | 14 August, 2024

Colombian student Isa shares her experience of coming from South America to Belfast to study at Queen's.

Sign saying Queens in Parlous Bar
Essential and Necessary Items to Pack and Bring from India to Queen's Essential and Necessary Items to Pack and Bring from India to Queen's : News article ID 2793746
Madhurya Jagadeesh | 26 July, 2024

Business Analytics student Madhurya has written the below blog to assist new students in ensuring that they have all the essential items packed, facilitating a seamless transition from India to Queen's.

Three students walking past front of Lanyon
Learning Local Etiquette and Customs: A Guide for International Students in Northern Ireland Learning Local Etiquette and Customs: A Guide for International Students in Northern Ireland : News article ID 2668954
Rushikesh Mahajan | 17 July, 2024

Indian PG student Rushikesh provides an in-depth examination of key customs, language differences and local etiquette in Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Woman packing suitcase with clothes
Packing Tips From an International Student Packing Tips From an International Student : News article ID 2854645
Manya Ranganathan | 5 July, 2024

Prepare for the big move to Belfast with Manya's packing guide below!

Student reading on bed in accommodation
Forget-Me-Nots: The Last-Minute Packing Checklist Forget-Me-Nots: The Last-Minute Packing Checklist : News article ID 2527489
Hiya Grover | 29 May, 2024

Embarking on an international student journey is an exciting adventure, but ensuring you have all the essentials packed can be daunting. Hiya runs through a list of “forget-me-nots” to help form your last-minute packing checklist.

Commercial Court Belfast
Belfast Weather Essentials Belfast Weather Essentials : News article ID 2636031
Ghada Al Fakih | 21 May, 2024

"There's no bad weather, only unsuitable clothing!" - Lebanese student Ghada explains how to navigate Belfast's climate while studying at Queen's.

Student working on laptop in front of Lanyon
Tech Savvy at Queen's: A Student's Unconventional Guide Tech Savvy at Queen's: A Student's Unconventional Guide : News article ID 2463980
Rimsha Ali Siddiqui | 15 May, 2024

MSc Marketing student Rimsha provides some essential tech tips for Queen's international students!

Two students walking through the Quad
American Student at Queen’s: How I Prepared for the Move to Belfast American Student at Queen’s: How I Prepared for the Move to Belfast : News article ID 2362680
Marieke Rose Fastovsky | 6 February, 2024

Postgraduate student Marieke recently moved to Belfast from the US (with her dog Mara!) Find out how she prepared for the big move and settled in to private housing in the city.

Bedding in student accommodation
What to Pack for University What to Pack for University : News article ID 2008245
Lauren McGinley | 1 September, 2023

Planning to pack for the big move to university but not sure where to start? ROI student Lauren McGinley provides the ultimate checklist of essential items for day-to-day student life.

Front of Belfast City Hall
Making the Move to Belfast from the Republic of Ireland: A Step-by-Step Guide Making the Move to Belfast from the Republic of Ireland: A Step-by-Step Guide : News article ID 1844905
Lauren McGinley | 12 July, 2023

Making the move from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland can be a big transition and involves a few key considerations. Astrophysics student Lauren McGinley provides some useful tips to help you get settled into life in Belfast.

Students at a table in the kitchen of Elms BT1
Where will I live in Second Year? Check out this guide. Where will I live in Second Year? Check out this guide. : News article ID 1457822
Manasa Ramakrishna | 8 September, 2022

Getting accommodation can be stressful, especially if you’re an international student trying to organise it from afar. Take a look at Manasa's guide to finding your new home in Belfast.

Smiling girl with colourful graffiti background
Your Essential Guide to Freshers Week Your Essential Guide to Freshers Week : News article ID 1465545
Georgia Thornton-Smith | 7 September, 2022

Whether you're nervous, excited or not even sure what Freshers Week is, Georgia is here with the low-down and some top tips to ensure you have an amazing Freshers!

Lots of stationary laid out on a table
Get Term Time Ready! Get Term Time Ready! : News article ID 1457820
Georgia Thornton-Smith | 6 September, 2022

The countdown to going to term time is on! Whether you're a first year or a final year, Georgia has some top tips for getting back into the swing of it.

Room in QUB accommodation
Moving to University? Don’t forget these 10 Accommodation Essentials! Moving to University? Don’t forget these 10 Accommodation Essentials! : News article ID 1454195
Patrick Doherty | 31 August, 2022

When you move to university for the first time, you may forget some small but essential things from your packing list. Here are Patrick's top 10 accommodation essentials that you must not forget!

abstract image of students clubbing
What I wish I had known before arriving at Queen’s – A Beginner’s Guide What I wish I had known before arriving at Queen’s – A Beginner’s Guide : News article ID 1344522
Caitlin Piper | 7 April, 2022

From bruising up on recipes as you learn to cook for yourself, to accessorising your wardrobe for every club night going, Caitlin is here with some useful tips for everyone starting Queen's this September.

moving in weekend
Queen's Accommodation: Your questions answered! Queen's Accommodation: Your questions answered! : News article ID 821919
Cat Rafferty, Residential Assistant | 23 February, 2022

Residential Assistant, Cat Rafferty, is here to answer some of your frequently asked questions about living in Queen’s Accommodation.

5 tips for making the best start at Queen’s 5 tips for making the best start at Queen’s : News article ID 1183974
Valerie Chen, 3rd year Business student | 8 September, 2021

Valerie Chen tells us her top 5 tips for settling into life at Queen's as a first year international student.

The emotions of leaving for Uni The emotions of leaving for Uni : News article ID 1182279
Charlotte Baxter, BA English | 6 September, 2021

Charlotte Baxter tells us about her experience of starting at Queen's. She talks us through how she felt while saying goodbye to school friends and family, finding her new home in Belfast, and meeting new people.

Woman packing suitcase with clothes
What not to bring to uni What not to bring to uni : News article ID 1172112
What not to bring to uni | 24 August, 2021

Emily Stephenson, a third year Biological Student, tells us the dos and don'ts of packing for your first year at university.

Before Moving to Belfast, I Thought... Before Moving to Belfast, I Thought... : News article ID 879552
Tejinder Gill, BDS Dentistry | 13 March, 2019

Tejinder is sharing some misconceptions she had about Belfast before moving here from Canada. *Spoiler alert* It doesn't always rain here!

Derry girls
7 movies and TV shows to watch before coming to Queen’s 7 movies and TV shows to watch before coming to Queen’s : News article ID 951085
Ruchismita Bhattacharjee, Business Analytics | 24 February, 2020

Searching for a cultural reference point before you move to Belfast? Binge-watch these movies and TV shows to get up-to-speed on the local lingo and landscapes, says Ruchismita Bhattacharjee.

tourism ni-banner-18011615
6 things to Read and Watch to Prepare for Northern Ireland. 6 things to Read and Watch to Prepare for Northern Ireland. : News article ID 1004321
Ross McDonald | 23 November, 2020 | 23 November, 2020

Lanyon Building at Queen's University Belfast
VIDEO: Six essentials to pack for student life in Belfast VIDEO: Six essentials to pack for student life in Belfast : News article ID 793839
Sue Lyn Cheang, LLB Law | 12 February, 2018

Pay attention international students: student vlogger Sue Lyn Cheang from Malaysia has your suitcase essentials covered.

What To Pack for Uni When You’re Going to Live in Queen’s Accommodation What To Pack for Uni When You’re Going to Live in Queen’s Accommodation : News article ID 887541
Hew Hoong Liang, LLB LAW | 28 March, 2019

Moving into Queen’s Accommodation is really simple, especially once you know what to bring. Liang is here to break it down for you!

How I made friends at Queen’s How I made friends at Queen’s : News article ID 944211
Ruchismita Bhattacharjee, Business Analytics | 17 January, 2020

Worried about making friends at Queen’s? Our blogger Ruchismita reveals how she developed her uni friendship group.

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How International Societies at Queen’s Helped Me Make New Friends How International Societies at Queen’s Helped Me Make New Friends : News article ID 830208
Hew Hoong Liang, LLB LAW | 7 August, 2018

Making friends can be hard, especially if you’re entering University in your First Year. Fear not, as Liang shows you how Queen’s has allowed him to network and connect with the right people even before he landed in Belfast.

City hall in sunshine
5 Things You Shouldn’t Worry About if You’re Moving to Belfast 5 Things You Shouldn’t Worry About if You’re Moving to Belfast : News article ID 868078
Jia Xin Chang, LLB LAW | 28 January, 2019

Moving to a new place can feel a little scary, especially when it's a brand new country. Jia Xin is sharing the things she was worried about before moving to Belfast, and how that's all changed now she's here.

The biggest "culture shock" moments I had after moving to Belfast The biggest "culture shock" moments I had after moving to Belfast : News article ID 882647
Jia Xin Chang, LLB LAW | 4 March, 2019

Queen's is an international university with students from all over the world studying here. But even so, there are sometimes a few unexpected "culture shock" moments to adapt to. Jia Xin is sharing hers, as well as her new found love of tea!

How to Make New Friends at University How to Make New Friends at University : News article ID 883672
Hew Hoong Liang, LLB LAW | 8 March, 2019

If you are nervous about how to make new friends at University, then Liang is here to share some tips based on his own experience. Don’t worry, it’s much easier than you think!  

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Your Practical Guide to Moving into Queen’s Student Accommodation Your Practical Guide to Moving into Queen’s Student Accommodation : News article ID 819074
Alisha Ratcliffe, BA English | 4 May, 2018

So, you’ve got the grades and confirmed your offer at Queen’s, but now you face what seems like your first big feat as an adult – moving out.

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What it’s really like arriving in Belfast as a GB student What it’s really like arriving in Belfast as a GB student : News article ID 997732
Alice, Gabbie and Maisie | 2 October, 2020

Moving to a new city for uni can be daunting. Here, three Queen's students from other parts of the UK reveal their first impressions of their adopted city of Belfast.