[toomanyindiekids]

I am thinking of going to Queen's University Belfast in September. I have had an offer and been to visit the uni, which looks amazing. The course is also just what I want. The only problem is that most people said that the majority of students are fairly local, and so at weekends there is a kind of 'evacuation', when they all go home. I live in Cambridge in the UK, and so obviously I can't do this!
Can any UK or international students studying at Queens let me know whether this weekend issue is really so drastic, and whether they find it to be a problem. I do not want to have quiet weekends at university, and I feel that this could be a real deal breaker in terms of making my decision.

[rocket0612]

Just my opinion but i don't think the situation you described is as drastic as what people are making out. Like all universities, Queens has students attending from various locations and I know from clubbing in my years ago around the Queens area there was an abundance of students in the bars and clubs at the weekends. According to wikipedia it currently has 24,500 students so while I'm sure some may head home at the weekend like a lot of universities, there'll still be thousands left ... and remember many university of ulster students attending the Jordandstown campus and Belfast campus will also live in the student areas of Belfast.

[toomanyindiekids]

Thanks that has put my mind at rest quite a bit!
I have seen a lot of different reactions to the situation, so I suppose the experience is whatever you make of it.

[FuzzyWool]

I don't think that many students head home every weekend! You only need to walk down Botanic Avenue, Stranmillis or Lisburn Road at the weekend and you'll see the place is teeming with them! Plus most NI students from different counties don't bother going home at weekends, more fun to be had in Belfast!

[neopolitian25]

believe me, all the students from here go home every weekend basically, queens and jordanstown alike

[Nocturna]

Yeah, I've always thought it was quite immature how everyone runs home on the weekend with their laundry for mommy and come back with their food for the week bought for them... etc. I knew a girl in final year who had never used the washing machine. Surely it's easier to do it at your house than drag it all the way home? It does happen, you'll just have to get talking to the non-locals if you want to do anything on the weekend!

(I do recognize that this may sound like a bitter rant, but I honestly believe that if my family lived close I still wouldn't go home EVERY weekend, I like my independence).

[SwanVsDalton]

Compared to weekdays, Queens student quarter does become a bit of a ghost town on weekends. But there are still are plenty of people around.

I'm from NI, but met a lot of good mates from the UK while at Queens. We all worked together in the Student Union bar and I think that's a good idea if you come over. If you're looking for a job, the Union's perfect because you'll meet a lot of other non-NI heads to hang out with. Good luck.

[phiti]

I'm from England and go to QUB. I stay the weekends and I know many others who do too, including students from Ireland. Elms Village isn't deserted at weekends, just a bit quieter. And it's fine once you make a group of friends who also stay up.

[m6kyu]

This is the exact same question that i wanted answers to! i'm from england and thinking of applying to queens, but i heard that the campus is empty on weekends. If this is true it will put me off alot, because it will be harder to socialise and have fun on weekends

[Jim-ie]

(Original post by m6kyu)
This is the exact same question that i wanted answers to! i'm from england and thinking of applying to queens, but i heard that the campus is empty on weekends. If this is true it will put me off alot, because it will be harder to socialise and have fun on weekends

QUB campus is a bit different to Unis in England. Nothing revolves around the Campus, people live in the areas surrounding it but its right in the city centre where there is a big nightlife, and a better one than a lot of English cities. Some of the best bars and clubs around are 5 minutes from the Campus.

Besides, the student union has nights on that even non students go to, like Shine. QUBs Campus nightlife is pretty much part of the Belfast night life in general, its not seperate, NO clubs insist on "students only".

Nightlife is one of the best things going for Belfast.

I've met a lot of English students on nights out, they all love it.

[adam5390]

(Original post by phiti)
I'm from England and go to QUB. I stay the weekends and I know many others who do too, including students from Ireland. Elms Village isn't deserted at weekends, just a bit quieter. And it's fine once you make a group of friends who also stay up.

Agreed! I've been at QUB for 2 years and just done a year at Imperial - QUB is way better for socialising at weekends than central London! Go for it - the best university to go to in my opinion!

[StYllebad]

Yeah so I come from Finland and hope that there are going to be people staying in Belfast for the weekends also.
You will recognise me easily, I'm the one wandering around and looking for people and banging the closed doors in Elms during the weekends. Feel free to join.

[i06grhan]

Hey there, I'm thinking of applying to queens... Any feedback from any English students as no one else in my year is even considering Belfast as they want to be closer to home! Thanks

[wordjunkie]

I'm at Queens atm; I'm a local student but I know a good few who aren't. What I gathered from my time spent in Elms (the halls) is that they'll put you on a floor with at least one or two others who won't be going home at the weekends either. There are a couple of girls on my course who are from the same part of England and got put in halls together and they tend to do stuff together over the weekends. There's also a guy from America who I don't really know as well but from his facebook posts I think that he's made friends with some international students and they go on day trips, etc. Hope that puts your mind at rest; it really is a lovely university and a very friendly city.

[zcarz]

Really worried about this too (may be attending for med from september this year, I'm an international student from T and T) .. anyone else can attest to either side?