Queen’s University Belfast

Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) is a leading public research university located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

Founded in 1845 as Queen’s College Belfast and opening to students in 1849, it has grown into a globally recognised institution known for excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. Today, it is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities in the United Kingdom, reflecting its strong commitment to academic quality and innovation.

Situated in the heart of Belfast, the university is home to a diverse academic community of more than 25,000 students from around the world. Queen’s offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across fields such as science, engineering, medicine, humanities, and social sciences. Its mission focuses on advancing knowledge, providing transformative education, and addressing global challenges through research and innovation.

The university plays a key role in the social and economic development of Northern Ireland, contributing to innovation, skills development, and regional growth. Guided by values such as excellence, integrity, ambition, respect, and collaboration, Queen’s continues to strengthen its international reputation while remaining closely connected to its local community.

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Queen’s University Belfast News

DkIT and Queen’s University Belfast advance strategic partnership

Since the announcement, both institutions have worked in close collaboration, establishing core working groups to oversee key areas. This will see DkIT embedded within Queen’s academic and quality assurance frameworks.

Minister James Lawless T.D. recently brought a memorandum to Cabinet seeking approval to draft legislative amendments to the Technological Universities Act 2018, which will enable Dundalk Institute of Technology to participate in a new all-island university group with Queen’s University Belfast. The legislation sets out a process to establish a Technological University College following a strategic partnership agreement with Queen’s University Belfast. This technological university college will be named Dundalk University College, a College of Queen’s University Belfast. Subject to this regulatory approval process and a successful application by Dundalk Institute of Technology, students entering DkIT in September 2026 can expect to graduate from Dundalk University College which will be a designated awarding body in its own right. 

Subject to legislative approval, and a successful application by Dundalk Institute of Technology, it is anticipated that new entrants to undergraduate honours and postgraduate taught programmes from September 2027 may register for Queen's awards from Dundalk University College, a College of Queen’s University Belfast. Subject to the same regulatory approval and as part of the strategic partnership, it is anticipated that first-year PhD students who enrol from January 2027 may register for Queen’s awards from Dundalk University College.

Dr. Diarmuid O’Callaghan, President of Dundalk Institute of Technology, said: “From the outset of this partnership, we have worked closely with our colleagues in Queen’s University Belfast, alongside government and sectoral stakeholders, to deliver on our shared vision. The formal endorsement of the Heads of Agreement in March marked a significant milestone, underlining our joint commitment to cross-border collaboration in teaching and learning, research and innovation, and community engagement. We remain fully committed to ensuring our students graduate with a university qualification.”

Queen’s University Belfast President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer said: “We are delighted with the continued progress being made in relation to this strategic partnership. The recent government approval was a significant step towards creating the first all-island university group, a partnership that will drive economic growth and further improve student opportunities between Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen’s University Belfast.” 

“We look forward to further developments with this partnership to expand education, research and cross-border collaboration to boost the Dublin–Belfast corridor.” 

This article was first published on 12 May by QUB. 

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