Reviewed on Dec 30, 2024(Enrolled 2022)
What Students Say
Likes
- • High Research Output: My course involved a lot of research work whether it is dry lab or wet lab, and Queen’s University Belfast had a high research output. Even the assignments and exams were devised in a way which required a lot of research and creative thinking which enriched my academic experience and allowed me to think out of the box and find the reason behind every line in the research papers. There was nothing as rote-learning, I had to logically think before writing every answer.
- • State-of-the-Art Facilities: As mentioned, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology was all about lab work and the university provided access to modern labs and research equipment. There were no restrictions on the amount or type of reagents that we could use. The lab managers made sure that we had access to all the right chemicals, required for our practical. The University encouraged hands-on research. We had access to all the research papers published till date with the university email ID and could even print them free of cost at the library.
- • Supportive Professors: The professors and lab managers were incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. They never doubted us if we made mistakes, rather would encourage us to repeat the experiments and find out the mistake on our own. They supported me when I would not obtain the desired experimental results. I went to them with the silliest of questions and they would patiently explain them till my doubts were cleared. They were instrumental in shaping my research mind and building my analytical and logical skills.
Dislikes
- • High Tuition fees: The tuition fees are high for international students, which put financial burden on me and my family.
- • High Accommodation and Living Costs: Student accommodations were relatively expensive as well, due to which I had to do part-time jobs to support my living costs. Even the public transport was expensive which forced me to walk most of the times even in bitter cold.
- • Limited food options: The variety of food options available on campus were limited and costly.
- I applied to 6 Universities: Queen's University Belfast, University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, Newcastle University, University of Leeds and University of Aberdeen. I was Admitted to all the 6 Universities. I received offer letters (admission confirmation) from all the 6 Universities and then I chose Queen's University Belfast. No, my application was successful in each of the 6 colleges that I applied to.
- I chose Queen's University Belfast solely because of it's reaserach excellence. Although all the other colleges also had a significant research output and were a part of Russell's group, I wanted to specifically work on Cancer Biology and Therapeutics. Luckily, I was selected for the same and carried out reasearch related to cancer during my thesis. I wanted to understand the molecular mechanisms of tumor microenvironment and it's therapeutics and Queen's throughly focused on immune responses and gene regulation which matched my research interests.
- The admission process is as follows:
Entry Requirements:
1. A 2:1 degree is required in a relevant field. For my course, this would be a background in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology or any other relevant field (I did Biotechnology engineering).
2. English language proficiency is also required for international students (IELTS/TOEFL). Specific details about scores can be found on the website. - Application Process:
Online Application: Applications are submitted directly through the QUB online application portal. The process is fairly straightforward and can be done on your own.
Necessary documents: 1. Academic transcripts
2. Degree certificate or Provisional Degree certificate (if degree certificate is not available yet).
3. CV
4. References (usually two academic or professional references)
5. Personal statement or Letter of Motivation (I feel this is the most important document for selection).
6. English language proficiency proof - Visa Requirements: International students who are accepted to Queen’s will need a Tier 4 or Student Visa to study in the UK.
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If the application is successful, then the University will provide a Conditional offer letter, stating some requirements that you have to meet if you are still completing your Bachelor's or an Unconditional offer letter you meet all the requirements.
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The eligibility criteria depends on the course. For Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, it was 2:1 grade in any Biology related discipline along with an IELTS score greater than 6.0. I recommend going through the details of the specific course in order to find out the correct eligibility criteria, as it differes from course to course.
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The overall admission process was faily smooth. There were college representatives who would guide us with the admission process. Also, the admission team is quite helpful, they will respond to any queries within a day making the application process fast and smooth. The only challenge I faced was regarding the uncondional offer letter: Due to a huge number of applicants in September, there was a slight delay in providing me the uncondional offer letter due to which I faced minor problems with the visa application. Other than that, everything is good! I wish you all the best and good luck with your application!
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I applied for September 2022/ fall 2022 intake. I started applying from December 2021 and received a Condional offer letter in January 2022 as I was still completing my bachelor's. The conditions stated that I have to complete my Bachelor's without failing in any subject and have to obtain the expected grade which I stated in my application form. Received an Uncondional offer letter in August 2022 when I submitted my 8th Semester marsheet and provisional degree certificate.
Course Curriculum
5
- The course involved both theoretical and practical work and the difficulty level increased at a steady pace as we moved on from one semester to another. The theoretical classes provided a good understanding of the topics while the practical classes involved hands-on training.
- Some positive aspects about the course was conducting experiments and analyzing results which prepared me for real world jobs. The course did not involve rote learning at all which allowed me to increase my creative and logical skills. Professors were approachable and highly knowledgeable which increased my confidence and subject matter expertise.
- The negative aspects were none as such but sometimes the workload felt a lot especially managing a part time job alongside was a challenge.
- There would be 4-5 classes each week mostly between 9am to 5pm. The thesis involved a lot of lab work and intensive experiments so sometimes I would in the lab till 9pm. There were around 30 students in my class. The majority of students were Indians, I would say around 19-20.
Faculty
5
- The faculty to student ratio is balanced. It was almost 1:30. I consider this as a well-balanced ratio which provided opportunities for meaningful interactions with professors. The professors were able to listen and clear out the doubts of every student individually, thus fostering personalized guidance and better engagement.
- The professors used lectures, hands-on laboratory sessions (this is compulsory for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology), and problem-based learning. In assignments, we were given real life problems which would require thorough research and logical thinking, ensuring that we apply all that has been taught in the classroom. This in turn prepares us for the real-world problems which is expected in the interviews.
- There is a portal which consists of part time jobs on campus and also posts vacancies of full-time jobs of various companies. Queen's provide career support through its dedicated Careers and Employability Service, which helps with CV building and also conducts practice interviews. The university also organises career fairs which allows interaction of students with the companies. The university also encourages networking and internships through its career services which secures a job in our field.
- For me, a professor who really stood out was Dr. Katrina Campbell for her knowledge and expertise in Food technology and always being a supporter and a great mentor.
Campus Life
5
- Queen’s University Belfast has one main campus in Belfast, with specialized facilities like Medical Biology Centre (MBC) for Life Sciences, Queen’s Marine Laboratory in Portaferry for marine research and Queen’s Sport at Upper Malone for outdoor sports.
- The campus had a wide range of facilities such as McClay Library having Extensive resources with 24/7 access during exams: Sports facilities such as Gym, swimming pool, climbing wall, rugby, football. The campus also had medical services such as health centre, counselling, pharmacy.
- Some major festivals and events include Freshers’ Week, Qulture Night and Career fairs.
- The campus hosts a number of extracurricular activities such as Sports Clubs which includes Rugby, swimming, adventure sports; various Societies and a lot of Volunteering Opportunities through Volunteer SU.
- Elms BT1, BT2, Stranmillis Road, and Lisburn Road are popular for proximity and affordability.
Part Time Jobs
- TA/RA/DA positions are for PhD students or MRes students only as far as I am aware of at QUB. It might be different for other universities. I am not quite sure of the pay scale as there weren’t any TA/RA/DA from our batch.
- On campus jobs include Library assistant, Student ambassadors, Cafe or food service staff or other staffs in gyms or Queen’s theatres. The hourly wages would range between £10.50 and £15 per hour, in line with the UK National Minimum Wage.
- Minimum working hours according to VISA guidelines is 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours per week during holidays.
- The difficulty level depends on the job that you are applying to, for example, on-campus jobs are quite competitive due to high demand, whereas off campus jobs are somewhat easy to find but you would have to be quite consistent with applying for it.
- I would say that start applying for the part-time jobs as soon as you reach UK or even before that if possible because during the peak season like September, it gets really competitive. Use platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn.
- The wage depends on the type of job that you are doing. Some jobs pay higher than the rest. But on an average, students earn between £10.50 to £15 per hour for part-time jobs, which aligns with the UK National Minimum Wage.
- The difficulty level depends on the job that you are applying to, for example, on-campus jobs are quite competitive due to high demand, whereas off campus jobs are somewhat easy to find but you would have to be quite consistent with applying for it.
- The steps include these:
1. Searching for Job Openings in University platforms: Queen’s has a website called MyFuture, which provides a list of on-campus and part-time roles. Most Universities have such a website to support students in getting a part-time job. You can also search for jobs at Indeed or LinkedIn.
2. Preparing a CV: Most job applications require a CV and cover letter (some of them). The CV must be tailored according to the job description which would help in the shortlisting of the CV. You CV should contain some transferable skills such as communication, teamwork or leadership and any prior work experience.
3. Attending Interviews: Most jobs hold an interview round, but they are moderately easy to crack. You can practise before attending an interview and make sure to highlight all your prior work experiences and skills.
4. Required Documentation: For UK, having a BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) and NI (National Insurance) number is a must. - Additional Tips: 1. An early application helps, if possible before the term starts to avoid peak competition. 2. Start networking with people, faculty or peers who might provide leads or references.
Placement
5
- The percentage depends on the course you are studying and your prior work experiences. In my course, some students decided to pursue a PhD after master’s but around 60–80% of graduates managed to find a job right after graduation or within some months.
- The salaries again differ on the location and the type of job. Mostly it ranges from £22,000 to £30,000 per year.
- Generally, University Career services such as career fairs and workshops help in getting to know the recruiters and the eligibility criteria of their companies. If your course has a work placement, then it helps in transitioning into full-time after completing the placement. Networking with faculty, alumni, or hiring managers can provide insights on roles and vacancies. Platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and GradIreland (for Ireland and NI) is recommended. Queen's MyFuture website is an excellent method to find jobs. It has all the recent job openings along with the eligibility criteria, all in one place.
- Searching for a job is difficult but you have to be consistent and have to start early. I would recommend not to wait for the course to end but start several months earlier. For my course, students mainly secured a role as Research Assistants, Lab Technicians, or Research Scientists in biotech or pharma. As mentioned before, some have enrolled themselves in PhD programs at Queen’s or other universities.
- For Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, most of the employers visited us during the career fairs or we got to know them through the monthly newsletters. Some of them are Avantor, Almac Group, Randox, Wellcome Sanger Institute, IQVIA, etc.
Accommodation
Off Campus
5
- I found my accommodation through online accommodation websites. Queen’s University Belfast also offers various accommodation options, but I chose an outside provider.
- The monthly rent for university-managed accommodation ranged between £600 (en-suite). The room included all utilities such as electricity, warm water, heater, High-speed Wi-Fi, 24/7 security and maintenance, access to common areas like study rooms, gyms, and laundry facilities and cleaning of common spaces in shared apartments
- I faced some availability issues because en-suite rooms, were fully booked early, hence I had a bit of tension finding a good room. Also balancing affordability and proximity to the university was a challenge.
- I would recommend begin searching for accommodation as soon as you receive your offer letter, and join some Telegram, WhatsApp, or Facebook groups specific to QUB students to connect with them and get insights into housing options.
- My university-managed accommodation was about an hour walk from the main campus, which was quite difficult to conquer every day.
Exams
- IELTS is required for English proficiency proof.
- Necessary documents:
1. Academic transcripts
2. Degree certificate or Provisional Degree certificate (if degree certificate is not available yet).
3. CV
4. References (usually two academic or professional references)
5. Personal statement or Letter of Motivation
6. English language proficiency proof (IELTS) - No, I did not give an interview for my course.
Fees
- The only fees charged by Queen's is the Course fees which was £22050 in the year 2022. There was no admission fees.
- Accomodation/Hostel fees - £6000
- Fees is charged on a yearly basis.
- Here is a rough breakdown of the fees: Accomodation fees - £600 (per month), Transportation - £16 (per week for bus), Food/groceries - £200 (per month), Misc. - £100 (per month).
Scholarship
- Yes, I received an International Office Postgraduate Scholarship of £3000 (as of 2022). All International students who are selected and have a 2:1 grade are eligible for this scholarship.
- I am not sure about the number of students receiving scholarships but I assume all the students who score 2:1 grade receive the amount.
