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Queen's University Belfast

The Summer Institute at Queen's University Belfast offers participants a three-week introduction to the rich tapestry of historical, cultural, political, and socio-economic factors that combine to make Northern Ireland a unique place. This experiential programme will situate Queen’s, Belfast, and the north of Ireland within the key conversations that shape our wider world. 

Belfast is one of Europe's most hip, vibrant and affordable cities, lauded for its energy, and rich in culture and history. Queen's stunning campus is within Belfast's Queen's Quarter, with cafés, bars, restaurants, superb shopping and entertainment venues. (Complete University Guide 2022).  

Queen’s University Belfast was founded by Royal Charter in 1845 and is the UK's ninth oldest university, and ranks among the top 1% of global universities. Queen’s is ranked 17th in the world for international outlook and is attracting global talent to Belfast. (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022). Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group of the UK’s 24 leading research-intensive universities. 

The Summer Institute will be led by academic experts from a range of disciplines and institutes such as the Willian J Clinton Leadership Institute which brings world-class facilities, leading academics and industry experts together to deliver a high-end portfolio of executive education and leadership programmes, The Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, which links peace-making with social transformation, acknowledging the need for reform of state institutions alongside cultural and social healing and Queen’s Community & Place, an initiative based on partnership between communities, policymakers and academics to find lasting solutions that tackle disadvantage and improve outcomes for children, young people and communities. 

Highlights

Not simply academic in scope, the Summer Institute at Queen's University Belfast provides insights into the histories, locations, and future visions of Belfast and this part of Ireland by engaging with local people and visiting a range of political, historical, and cultural sites. Participants will learn about the city and explore this country alongside peers from other international universities, drawn from across the world’s seven continents. 

Week 1 comprises core content and is taken by all students on the summer programme; after this introduction, participants design their own summer school experience from QUB’s offering of two-week thematic strands. 

 

Week 1 Belfast: Culture, Identity, History, and Politics 
Academic Lead: Professor Dominic Bryan 

 

Week 1 will explore the entwined social, political, and historical realities of the city today, discovering multiple community perspectives on modern Ireland/Northern Ireland. By the end of this week students will understand the multiple ways we can use and interpret the past and differentiate between various discipline-centered conceptions of the past. Students will be provided  with a new or enhanced understanding of Queen’s University Belfast and the history of the institution within the Belfast city region. Students will be guided through a campus orientation and meet with the key members of staff and students delivering the summer 2024 programme. Students will be oriented to the city of Belfast and visit Derry-Londonderry.

 

Week 2 & 3:  

 

In weeks two and three, participants will have the opportunity to dig deeper into the theme of their choice, both within and beyond the classroom. Through projects, in-class sessions and engagement with local communities, political decision makers, businesses and non-Governmental organisations, participants will explore multiple perspectives on conflict, peace and extremism, contemporary Irish studies, Northern Irish leadership initiatives, or take the opportunity to explore their own creative and storytelling abilities. 

Participants can choose from a range of unique 2 week programmes:  

  • Story 
  • Irish Studies 
  • Identity and Intergroup Relations in Divided Societies 
  • Leadership  

 

Find more information on the different topics here.

More Information

15 June – 6 July 2024  

Participants will stay in Queen’s accommodation which can be provided for 21 nights in Queen’s new student accommodation facility in Belfast City Centre. The new accommodation at BT1 and BT2 opened in Autumn 2018 and is located just 15 minutes’ walk from Queen’s main campus (0.9miles). Participants will be neighbours with the vibrant city-centre nightlife, popular restaurants, and local supermarkets. They will be nestled in the middle of a fantastic coffee culture featuring some of Belfast’s most popular independent coffee shops. 

Each apartment is comprised of a maximum of 6 en-suite private bedrooms and a communal equipped kitchen and living room area with television and sofa. There is also a self-service laundry facility located within the accommodation (equipped with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards). Accommodation will also include: 

  • WiFi Internet 
  • Bed linen and towels (Changed once a week) 
  • Cleaning service: Kitchen and communal area cleaned once a week 
  • 24-hour safety staff 
  • Free access to BT1 Gym  
  • Reception (8am - 8pm, 7 days a week) 

Accommodation is self-catered. Fulbright participants will be provided with vouchers to buy lunch in a café near campus and groceries in a local supermarket. All participants will be provided with a meal at the welcome and farewell events.  

Virtual tour of BT2 Accommodation 

More information on city centre accommodation  

This programme is not accredited. Participants will not receive any credits for this programme.

More UK Summer Institutes:

Aberystwyth University

Identity and Nationhood through the lens of Wales

University of Bristol

Arts, Activism, and Social Justice

University of Bristol

Black Humanities

Scotland (Glasgow School of Art and University of Strathclyde)

Technology, Innovation, and Creativity

University of Exeter

Climate change and the environment

University of St Andrews

Scotland's History: Kingdom, Nation, People.

Applications for 2024 UK Summer Institutes are now closed.
Click to learn more about UK Summer Institutes.

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