IFSA-Butler at Queen's University Belfast

  Northern Ireland

Belfast

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer 
Dates: September - June

Description: Queen's University Belfast was established by Queen Victoria in 1845 as one of three colleges in Ireland and was raised to full university status in 1908. The charter was ahead of its time in at least two ways: it provided for a student on the governing body and the Senate; and it made women eligible equally with men to hold any office or enjoy any advantages of the university.

Over the years Queen's has become a well-established institution of national and international repute. Courses are offered through five colleges: Engineering; Humanities; Legal, Social, and Educational Sciences; Medicine and Health Sciences; and Science and Agriculture.

Queen's is located in a Victorian suburb on the popular south side of the city, a mile from the center of Belfast. The university is ideally placed near a cultural thoroughfare called the city's 'golden mile,' which stretches from the refurbushed Victorian Grand Opera House. The area includes theatres, clubs, bookshops, bistros, pizzerias, health food emporia and, fashion shops.

Highlights: Ireland is divided into four provinces: Ulster, Leinster, Connacht and Munster. These provinces are in turn are divided into 32 counties. Six of Ulster's nine counties make up Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. The remaining three counties of Ulster and the other provinces constitute the Republic of Ireland.

Apart from the spectacular beauty of the country and the richness of its history, Ireland is famous for music, art and folklore. This heritage is treasured around the world by the descendents of emigrants and the people among whom they settled. From the end of 19th and into the 20th century, a surge of pride in Irish nationalism yielded some of the world's greatest literary works and contributed heavily to the impetus for Irish independence from Britain. Although most students think of Ireland as a place to undertake courses in Irish studies or liberal arts, curricula in science, engineering and computer science are widely available.

The intellectual traditions of Ireland and her reverence of scholarship date back to medieval times. Schools and monasteries flourished to such an extent that for several centuries they were the centers of learning and religion for all of western Europe. This heritage is reflected today in the academic excellence and prestigious reputation of Ireland's colleges and universities.

The academic year in Ireland runs along roughly the same time frame as the American academic year. It begins in late September and ends in mid- June. Teaching terms usually consist of three ten-week periods separated by two four-week breaks, although some universities have switched over to the semester system.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Inquire for more info.

Experience Required: no