Sociology PhD

Queen's University Belfast

The location of the uni is great - a very inviting environment all around. The main building and the SU are basically inside parks, which makes going about your day on campus quite pleasant. The lecturers and tutors tend to be very responsive and eager to help in any way they can. I haven't experienced any form of.. let's say, embarrassment when asking for help. The welcoming vibes from the faculty is just amazing. The SU is also really great! Just the amount of little events being hosted there is incredible! Almost every week you'd walk into the building, and there's a stall in the hall with people giving out free salad bowls. Stuff like that, I find, boosts the morale and the feeling of being welcomed and wanted as a student. As well as that, the countless clubs and societies are such a great ay of bringing people together. I am a part of the Traditional Crafts society, which is hosted at SU, and I've learnt skills with the society I never thought I would...like, leather binding??? Wow! I'm terms of improvement, nothing comes to mind. Perhaps, some sort of signage around campus could be great? With the amount of little tiny offices all around the Botanic, it can sometimes be really difficult to find the one you're looking for. Looking for street signs can sometimes be time consuminh and, frankly, annoying. So, like a classic arrows-on-a-pole kinda thing would be amazing!

Its very central to everything and has great and easy access to support and careers advice and its all accessible in the SU. The SU bar also has a load of things going on like karaoke and themed quizzes.

Amazing student union and engaging/enthusiastic lecturers. Brilliant travel-study opportunities and experiences involved, and constant student engagement. The library and facilities are incredibly organised, and everything is structured online very well and is all incredibly accessible in terms of timetables, websites, emails etc.

Studying at Queen’s University Belfast has been one of the most rewarding periods of my life. I completed my undergraduate degree here and returned for my PhD in Criminology, so I’ve experienced the university across different stages of my academic journey. What has consistently stood out is the quality of teaching and the genuine commitment of staff. Lecturers, supervisors, and support teams are approachable, knowledgeable, and invested in students’ success. As a mature student, I’ve always felt respected and encouraged, and that has made a huge difference to my confidence and progression. The academic environment at Queen’s is stimulating and supportive. Research opportunities are excellent, and I’ve been able to develop skills that will stay with me long after graduation. The campus itself is beautiful, well‑resourced, and easy to navigate, and the wider student community is friendly and welcoming. I’ve met people from all backgrounds and ages, and that diversity has enriched my experience. If I were to suggest one area for improvement, it would be around inclusivity for mature students within the Students’ Union. While Queen’s is generally welcoming, the SU tends to define “mature student” in a way that doesn’t fully reflect the range of ages and life circumstances of those returning to education. A broader, more flexible understanding and more tailored social or support opportunities, would help mature students feel more represented and integrated into SU life. Many of us balance study with work, parenting, or other responsibilities, and having spaces or initiatives that acknowledge that would make a meaningful difference. Overall, Queen’s is a fantastic place to study. The teaching quality, research culture, and sense of community make it a university I’m proud to be part of. My time here has been transformative, and I would recommend it to anyone considering undergraduate or postgraduate study.

Meeting new people, amazing library and fantastic lecturers that are very helpful when it comes to new topics and assignments. The best part of queens is the map on the app to ensure you don’t get lost from class to class especially an amazing tool for first years. I don’t believe there is anything they could improve as everything about queens university Belfast is perfect