Queen's University Belfast

Queen's University Belfast is a prestigious public research university in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. It was established as "Queen's College, Belfast" with a Royal Charter as part of the Queen's University of Ireland. It gained formal university status in 1908 following the Irish Universities Act. Queen's University Belfast admissions are based on a selective policy, considering various factors to ensure the selection of the best-qualified applicants. This read will help you understand them all. 

Things To Consider Before Applying

A well-structured approach is important to boost your likelihood of admission to Queen's University Belfast. Before beginning your application, consider several essential factors to simplify the process.

Graduate Studies

The following qualifications are acceptable for direct admission to undergraduate programmes:

• Three A levels
• 30 to 36 points in the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
• The Standard Indian XII (10+2) examinations from CBSE, CISCE, or State Boards of Higher Secondary Education are recognised for admission to Bachelor's degree programmes.
• An average mark of 70-85% or higher (best of 5 academic subjects) in the Standard Indian XII Higher Secondary School certificates from central boards (CBSE, CISCE) or a state board, or equivalent, with 75% or higher where specific subject requirements are indicated (comparable to Grade B at A Level).

Typical Offers for Applicants with Standard XII:

• 85% (comparable to AAB at A-Level)
• 80% (comparable to ABB at A-Level)
• 75% (comparable to BBB at A-Level)
• 70% (comparable to BBC at A-Level)

When specific subject requirements are stated in the Course Finder, a minimum grade of 75% or higher in key subjects is usually required.

Medicine or Dentistry Entry Requirements: Applicants aiming for Medicine or Dentistry should hold the Indian Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate Grade XII with a minimum overall score of 90%, including at least 90% in Chemistry and Biology.

Consideration of JEE Main or Advanced Results: If JEE Main or Advanced exams have been taken, results may be considered alongside Standard XII results. Good percentile scores in JEE subjects can compensate for lower-than-required performance in a key subject in Standard XII. To be considered, applicants must meet the Standard XII overall percentage requirement, with at least 60% in critical subjects.

Alternative Pathway: Applicants need to meet the direct entry requirements to be eligible for the INTO Queen's International Foundation. These on-campus programmes prepare students for study, and successful completion guarantees progression to Stage 1 of an undergraduate degree programme, except for specific fields like Agricultural Technology, Medicine, Dentistry, and Social Work.

English Language Requirements: For most Bachelor's degree programmes (excluding Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy), a score of 70% in the English Language in Standard XII may be accepted in place of an IELTS Academic test, provided it is awarded by specific Indian examination boards and verified through Digilocker. The qualification should be obtained at most seven years before the start of the degree programme.

Recognised boards include:

• All India Senior School Certificate Examination (Delhi Senior School Certificate Examination) awarded by CBSE
• Indian School Certificate (Year 12) awarded by CISCE
• Higher Secondary Certificate (Year 12) awarded by the State Boards of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal

English Language Requirements:  Applicants must demonstrate proficiency equivalent to 6.5 IELTS or 90 TOEFL IBT. Specific degree programmes may have higher or lower requirements, so it is advisable to check individual course requirements. A comprehensive list of acceptable English language qualifications is available.

Improving English Language Skills:

• Academic English: Designed for students who need to raise their IELTS score to meet university requirements.
• Pre-sessional English: Tailored for academically qualified students who hold an offer but need to enhance their English language skills to meet the required level for their degree programme.

Postgraduate Studies

Admission to graduate diploma or taught master’s programmes at Queen’s University Belfast generally requires either a UK upper second-class (2:1) or lower second-class (2:2) undergraduate degree. In many cases, the relevance of your Bachelor’s degree major or content may also be evaluated. It’s important to check the specific entry requirements for each course.

Equivalent Indian Qualifications:

• UK Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1): This is comparable to completing a Bachelor’s degree with a First Division Pass and a final average of 58-60% (traditional system) or a CGPA of 5.8-7.5 on a 10-point scale, depending on the institution and grading system.
• UK Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2): This is equivalent to completing a Bachelor’s degree with a Second Division Pass and a final average of 53-55% (traditional system) or a CGPA of 5.3-6.5 on a 10-point scale, depending on the institution and grading system.

Other important factors when assessing applications include performance in relevant undergraduate modules and the number of attempts to achieve the final grade. Each institution's scoring system will be considered individually, especially when a CGPA system is used.

It is recognised that achieving a first-class degree is rare at some of India’s top universities. Therefore, at the discretion of the Selector, candidates from these institutions who have earned a strong Second-Class degree with a final average of 58% or above (where a UK 2:1 is required) or 53% (where a UK 2:2 is required) may be considered.

English Language Requirements: For most postgraduate programmes, a score of 70% in English Language in Standard XII may be accepted in place of an IELTS Academic test, provided it is awarded by one of the specified Indian examination boards and is no older than seven years from the start of the degree programme. An official Digilocker verification must be provided.

Accepted boards include:

• All India Senior School Certificate Examination (Delhi Senior School Certificate Examination) by CBSE
• Indian School Certificate (Year 12) by CISCE
• Higher Secondary Certificate (Year 12) by the State Boards of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal

For more details, refer to the English language requirements page.

Supporting Documentation: When applying, ensure copies of official transcripts for completed and ongoing programmes are uploaded. Degree award certificates for completed programmes should also be submitted. Additionally, include a copy of the grading scale, typically found on the back of the transcript, and provide official Digilocker verification of your degree award.

Borderline Cases: In certain situations, applicants with slightly lower grades than required may still be considered, depending on the discretion of the Academic Selector. After completing your degree, forward your official transcript and award certificate to intl.admissions@qub.ac.uk to confirm your qualifications and overall grade. All further guidance can be provided once this documentation is received.

INTO Queen's Preparation Courses: For those interested in Computing, Finance, and Management courses but who do not meet the entry criteria, a pre-master’s Graduate Diploma through INTO Queen's might be a suitable option.

PhD Study: Applicants interested in pursuing a PhD at Queen’s University must have strong grades in their Bachelor’s and, if applicable, Master’s degree programmes from a recognised university, as well as a solid research proposal. Specific Queens University Belfast entry requirements for individual PhD programmes can be found on the Coursefinder.

How To Apply To Queens University Belfast?

To apply to Queen's University Belfast, you must follow a specific process that varies slightly depending on whether you are applying for undergraduate or postgraduate programmes. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide:

Undergraduate Applications

1. Choose Your Programme: Select the undergraduate programme you wish to apply for from the university's course offerings. Ensure you meet the programme's entry requirements.
2. UCAS Application: For most undergraduate programmes, you must apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Create an account on the UCAS website and fill out the application form.
3. Application Deadlines: The general deadline for undergraduate applications is typically by the end of June, but the deadline is earlier for Medicine and Dentistry programmes.
4. Required Documents: Submit the necessary documents. 
5. Application Fees: Pay the application fee, which ranges from £17 to £27.
6. Track Your Application: Once you have submitted your application, you can track its progress through the UCAS system.

Postgraduate Applications

1. Choose Your Programme: Select the postgraduate programme you wish to apply for from the university's course offerings. Ensure you meet the programme's entry requirements.
2. Direct Application: International applicants can apply directly to Queen's University Belfast for postgraduate programmes using the Direct Entry Application form on the university's website.
3. Create an Account: Visit the official Queen's University Belfast website and create an account to start your application.
4. Submit Required Documents: Upload the required Queens University Belfast documents.
5. Application Deadlines: The application deadlines for postgraduate programmes vary, but for most courses, the deadline is by the end of June.
6. Application Fees: Pay the Queens University Belfast fee, which ranges from £17 to £27.
7. Track Your Application: Once you have submitted your application, you can track its progress through the university's online system.

General Steps for All Applications

1. Check Queens University Belfast Eligibility: Review the programme's entry requirements to ensure you are eligible to apply.
2. Prepare Additional Documents: Ensure you have all necessary documents ready, including financial proofs and any other documents required by the programme.
3. Submit Application: Complete and submit your application well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute issues.
4. Receive and Respond to Offer: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer. To secure your place, you must respond to this offer by the specified deadline.

Deadlines

Queen's University Belfast deadlines and decision dates vary depending on the type of programme and the applicant's status. Here are the key deadlines and decision dates:

Undergraduate Programmes

1. General Deadline: For most undergraduate programmes, the application deadline for international students is 30 June.
2. Medicine and Dentistry: The application deadline for Medicine and Dentistry programmes is earlier, typically by 16 October.
3. UCAS Application: Applications for full-time undergraduate degree programmes must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) with the institution code QBELF and institution code Q75.
4. Direct Application: International applicants can apply directly using the Queen's Portal, but this does not apply to Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing/Midwifery, Pharmacy, or Social Work.

Postgraduate Programmes

1. Application Deadlines: There are no specific deadlines for postgraduate programmes for all courses, but applications should be submitted as early as possible. Some postgraduate courses may have specific closing dates, so it is advisable to check the course details.
2. Application Process: Postgraduate applications should be submitted online via the Postgraduate Applications Portal.

Decision Dates

1. Notification of Decision: Once the application is processed, the university will email the applicant to log on to the relevant application portal to view the decision. An unconditional offer letter will also be sent by post.
2. Confirmation of Acceptance: Upon receiving an unconditional offer, applicants must confirm their intention to take place through the Direct Application Portal or Postgraduate Applications Portal.

Additional Considerations

• Early Application Advice: It is recommended to apply earlier than the deadlines, especially for popular courses, as they may fill up quickly.
• Query Handling: Applicants can contact the International Office or Admissions Office with any questions about the acceptability of qualifications or other matters.

Queens University Belfast Selection Criteria

Queen's University Belfast evaluates applicants based on academic achievements, relevant qualifications, and English language proficiency. The selection process is designed to assess whether candidates meet their programme's specific entry requirements. The university takes a holistic approach, considering quantitative and qualitative factors in its admissions decisions.

• Academic Qualifications:
  • Undergraduate applicants must typically meet A-level, International Baccalaureate, or equivalent qualifications.
  • Postgraduate applicants generally require a relevant Bachelor’s degree with a specific classification (e.g., 2:1 or 2:2) depending on the programme.
• Relevant Coursework:
  • Previous studies' major subject or content is often considered, especially for specialised programmes.
• English Language Proficiency:
  • Applicants must provide evidence of English language skills, typically through IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent qualifications.
  • Alternatives like Standard XII English scores from specific Indian boards may be accepted in place of standardised tests.
• Supporting Documentation:
  • Submission of official transcripts, degree certificates, and grading scales is required to verify academic qualifications.
• Additional Considerations:
  • Performance in critical modules, the number of attempts to achieve grades, and the grading system of the applicant's institution are also considered.
  • For PhD applicants, a strong research proposal and academic references are critical.
• Flexibility in Borderline Cases:
  • The university may exercise discretion in cases where applicants have slightly lower grades than the standard requirements, especially from top institutions.

Queens University Belfast Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Queen's University Belfast varies slightly depending on the source, but it is generally reported to be around 30-35%.

• Acceptance Rate Range: The acceptance rate is between 30% and 39%, indicating a selective admission policy based on academic performance.
• Specific Acceptance Rate: Some sources specify the acceptance rate more precisely, such as 30% or around 35%.
• Selective Admission: The university has a selective admission policy, which means that only a portion of applicants are accepted based on their academic background and grades.

Queen's University Belfast is considered a very selective institution, reflecting its high standards and competitive admissions process.

Fees

The cost of studying at Queen's University Belfast depends on the course and whether you're a local or international student. We'll break down the fees for the upcoming year.