Queen’s University Belfast is affordable and strategic for students to gain a business education

Russell Group universities are world-class, research-intensive institutions that produce more than two-thirds of the research in the UK and inject nearly 87 billion pounds into the national economy every year. Only 24 universities are part of this outstanding group — Queen’s University Belfast is one of them.

Established in 1845, the university is the ninth oldest in the UK. In the following years, it became the academic home of the scientist who first introduced absolute zero temperature, the inventor of the world’s first portable defibrillator, and the lead engineer on some of the world’s most innovative buildings, including Sydney Opera House, the Lloyd’s of London building, and the Pompidou Centre in Paris.

Today, QUB is ranked in the top 200 in the world for impact and sustainability — a fitting base for Queen’s Business School, which has a mission to educate and explore for the benefit of business and society. With approximately 600 postgraduate students, the school is one of the largest in the university and offers programmes in globally in-demand fields such as accounting, economics, finance and management.

These programmes are rigorous and relevant to today’s business landscape. Whether you pursue the MSc in Accounting and Finance, MSc in Finance, MSc in Financial Analytics, MSc in Financial Risk Management, MSc in Actuarial Science, MSc in Management, MSc in International Business, MSc in Marketing, MSc in Human Resource Management, MSc in Business Analytics, or an MBA, you will only receive the best theoretical and practical guidance from industry professionals and academics.

MSc in Accounting and Finance

At QBS, Nash Jayaseelan gained and sharpened many skills to help him stand out in the global labour market: financial reporting, management accounting, performance management, research skills, and business technologies/analytics. Alongside coursework, the MSc in Accounting and Finance gave him a foundation for professional and research-based careers and the skillset required to progress into managerial roles. And by attending guest lectures by industry experts, he received insights into what it’s like to rise in various industries.

“The highlight of studying a postgrad in Accounting and Finance here at Queen’s would be that it has one of the most experienced lecturers,” says the graduate from India. “The course modules are structured in such a way that you get both practical and theoretical experiences, which the lecturers guide you well throughout the course.”

MSc in Business Analytics

Similarly, Business Analytics students also have the privilege of meeting guest lecturers which, for student Avinash Chennupati, has been just as eye-opening as it has been useful, “Right now, I’m doing pre-employment training with KPMG,” he says. “I now realise that whatever I studied in my MSc in Business Analytics at Queen’s makes much sense and has helped me to understand what exactly is required to be industry-ready.”

This programme is built around three core areas: business knowledge, statistics, and computing. These specific areas will teach students how to apply analytics in core business functions as well as develop and apply the correct technical skills in the field. Students will also use industry-standard software like R, Python, KNIME, and Tableau over the duration of the programme, exposing them to tools used in professional settings.

“The education here is more industry-oriented. The courses are well-designed and have technical parts to them wherein we have learned coding, which is very important for the part as a business analyst,” Chennupati says.

Queen’s University Belfast is located in one of the UK’s most affordable cities to live in. Source: Queen’s University Belfast

New Queen’s Business School Student Hub, affordable city with loads to enjoy

The brand-new 6,000-square-metre facility has a 290-seat tiered educational space, a 120-seat Harvard-style lecture theatre, a 150-seat computer laboratory, breakout study spaces, a café, and a Business Engagement and Employability Hub — all open to Queen’s Business School students. Some programmes hold classes in the FinTrU Trading Room, where students have access to Bloomberg software, a tool that financial professionals use to get real-time data, news, and analytics. All of this makes learning interactive and reflective of your professional future.

And as Belfast is one of the most affordable UK cities to live in, your cost of living will be low — making your QBS degree one with great return on investment. With an average monthly expenditure of not more than 400 pounds (excluding rent), you can make the most of your time to explore Northern Ireland and beyond. Belfast itself is a walkable city, with plenty to keep foodies, culture seekers, shoppers, “Game of Thrones” fans, and history buffs busy. If you feel like exploring the city by public transport, bus and train services are affordable and convenient, connecting you to the rest of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. As the university is central to Belfast’s social and cultural life, getting to places will be a breeze.

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