Tag: student success

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Careers programmes

Students work with industry experts to suggest climate change solutions

real world challenge climate change
real world challenge climate change

We held the Real-World Challenge, Climate Change event hosted by PwC in their Belfast office at Merchant Square on 20 February 2025.

It was an exciting opportunity for the students who took part to hear from industry experts and join a team to tackle the real-world problem of climate change and what is currently being done in Northern Ireland to reduce emissions and produce a greener place to live, all while developing key employability skills!

A presentation was given by Professor John Barry, and we also hosted some Café Conversations with external speakers, who were, Melanie Thrush, Senior Engineer, geotechnical team, ARUP, Claire Shortt, Belfast City Council, Amy Bell, Acting Climate NI Manager, Climate Northern Ireland, Jason Calvert, Director in Economics Consulting, PwC, and John McCann, Estates Manager – Environmental, Queen’s University Belfast.

It was a busy, and fulfilling programme for the students who took part, and it gave them a chance to use their critical thinking skills to come up with some positive solutions to an important topic and an opportunity to interact with a broad range of students from across Queen’s.

Big thanks to everyone who took part!

Hitesh Gidwani, MSc Finance Student Queen’s University Belfast.

Had an eye-opening experience at the Real-World Challenge hosted by PwC, where we tackled climate change solutions alongside industry experts and students from across Queen’s!

One of the most thought-provoking tasks? Creating “The Best & Worst Newspaper Headlines of 2050.”

 “Are you breathing or gasping for air? It’s official—humanity is ending… (Pay $5000 to read full article)”

A dark yet satirical take on how human greed persists even when survival is at stake. Will we let our planet deteriorate to a point where clean air becomes a luxury? Or will we take action today?

Gained valuable insights from expert speakers.

 Collaborated with an amazing team to brainstorm real-world solution.

Realized how even small daily actions can create a massive impact.

3 Simple Steps YOU Can Take Today to Fight Climate Change:

1️. Ditch plastic bottles – Carry a reusable one!

2.  Rethink fast fashion. The fashion industry causes 10% of global carbon emissions. Buying 1 second-hand outfit instead of new reduces waste, pollution, and guilt. (Plus, vintage is cooler anyway.)

3. Sort your waste like your life depends on it. Because, well… it kinda does. Landfills release methane, which is 25x worse than CO₂. Proper recycling = less toxic air = fewer “gasping for air” headlines.

The future is still in our hands. Will we change the headline before it’s too late?

Big thanks to PwC UK, Careers Queen’s University Belfast, and all Lynsey Foster for this incredible opportunity! Looking forward to more impactful experiences ahead.

Lynsey Foster, Employer Engagement Team, Careers, Queen’s University Belfast

We  hosted our Real-World Challenge, Climate Change event in PwC’s beautiful Merchant Square offices. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, the students considered what is currently being done in NI to reduce emissions and become a greener place to live.

We welcomed several external speakers who joined our discussions and shared what their organisations are currently doing to tackle the climate emergency.

It was a very inspiring day with a lot of great takeaways! Thanks to each of our speakers for joining us and having some great discussions with our students – John Barry, Amy Bell, Melanie Thrush, Jason Calvert, John McCann, and Claire Shortt.

A big thank you to Abigail Darwent and the PwC team for hosting us and to Climate Northern Ireland, Arup, Belfast City Council.

Find out more about the Real-World Challenge Climate Change. https://go.qub.ac.uk/realworldchallenge

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Careers programmes

Experience life studying abroad in Utrecht

utrecht
utrecht

Hear from Queen’s student, Liana Mac Intyre about her study abroad opportunity in Utrecht. Take it away Liana…

“Spending a summer studying in Utrecht was one of the best decisions I made during my time at Queen’s. If you’re thinking about a short-term study abroad programme, I can’t recommend it enough.“

“You get to experience life in a new city, meet people from all over the world, and develop a deeper understanding on your chosen course topic. Looking back, my time in Utrecht gave me a deeper appreciation of Europe and the EU, not just as a political project, but as a space shaped by shared history, culture, and ideas.”

“I took part in the European Politics and Economy summer school at Utrecht University. Given my interest in politics and history and my desire to pursue a career in diplomacy, I wanted to better understand how the EU functions, especially from the perspective of a country that has deep historical ties to it. The course was an intense but rewarding mix of lectures, debates, and excursions. We covered everything from the institutional structure of the EU to its economic policies, and we had the chance to apply our knowledge in discussions on real-world issues like Brexit, trade agreements, and the future of the European Union.”

“One of the highlights was visiting The Hague, where we discussed the role of institutions like the International Court of Justice. Furthermore, we had the chance to visit the Mauritshuis Museum where we saw the famous Girl with a Pearl Earring painting!”

Beyond the academic side of things, Utrecht itself was an incredible place to live for a few weeks. The city has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, and cycling everywhere quickly became second nature.

“Afternoons were spent by the canals, and evenings often ended in one of the city’s many bars, chatting with other students from across Europe. The international mix of people on the course made for some fascinating conversations- everyone brought their own perspective, and it was refreshing to step outside of the UK and see things through a different lens. Due to its close proximity, my new friends and I were able to take a trip to Amsterdam at the weekend which was a great bonus to this amazing trip!”

“If you’re on the fence about doing a summer school, my advice is: go for it!“

“It’s a brilliant way to broaden your academic and personal horizons, all while having a great time in a new city. Utrecht, with its mix of history, culture, and student-friendly vibe, is the perfect place to do it.”

Find out more about study abroad opportunities at Utrecht https://go.qub.ac.uk/utrechtsummerschool

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Careers programmes Stock Market Challenge

Real-World Experience Gained at the Stock Market Challenge 2025

Our annual Stock Market Challenge Careers programme took place on 29 January 2025, offering students an opportunity to gain real-world experience of analysing markets and making investments.

Our students got to simulate the excitement of the stock market and compete for top prizes including industry insight opportunities.

Congratulations to our Stock Market Challenge 2025 winners Michael McCormick and William Parr! You played a great game! And congratulations also to the runners up and everyone who took part in the popular competition.

We want to give our thanks to the Employers that took part First Derivative, FinTrU, Fund Axis and Grant Thornton NI LLP and to our delivery partners at SolutionSim.

Here is what some of the people involved had to say about this year’s programme.

As a law student, this was my first time participating in the Stock Market Challenge, and thus it was an incredible experience with Rachel Lyle. We generated profit and secured a top 12 finish, making the experience even more rewarding. It was a competitive challenge but truly exciting, and I’m looking forward to the next one!

Additionally, the Employer Panel Q&A provided great insights into what employers are looking for. After the competition, we also had the opportunity to network with each other and connect with representatives from Deloitte, FinTru, First Derivative, Funds-Axis, and Grant Thornton NI LLP.

A big thank you to Careers Queen’s University Belfast for hosting such an amazing session!
Charmyn Woon 

LLB Law Student at Queen’s University Belfast

It was impressive to see so much talent on display at QUB’s Stock Market Challenge earlier this week. Congratulations to all the students who took part and gained the real-world experience of analysing markets and making investments.

We look forward to welcoming QUB students Richard and Jahed from the competition to our Summer Insights programme this June.

FinTrU

50+ students worked in teams to beat a stock market simulation, with 4 teams performing so well that they won a Work Shadowing / Careers Insight Day with one of our brilliant guest employers, or as part of our upcoming Work Shadowing Week 2025, plus a nice gift voucher to spend however they want!

 We’re so grateful to our Guest Employers representatives who joined us, answered our questions in the Employer Panel, and even tried their hand at beating the stock market alongside our students: FinTrU, First Derivative, Funds-Axis Limited, Grant Thornton (NI) LLP.

A final, massive thank you from myself and my event co-coordinator Becky Law to our Delivery Partners at solutionsim.net for making this possible year after year, and in particular to Liam Barnes, for joining us as game host on the night (and for all the work that came before!).


Ludovica Piccinini, Careers Consultant

https://go.qub.ac.uk/stockmarketchallenge

Categories
Careers programmes

The Future is Bright with a Queen’s Future-Ready Award!

Congratulations to our Future-Ready Award students receiving their awards at Winter graduation 2024!

Hear from Varshitha Manjunath, (pictured above), who is a Queen’s PGT student who graduated in December 2024 with a Master of Science in International Business, and an impressive NINE Future-Ready Award accreditations. Well done Varshitha!

“The Future-Ready Award enabled me to reflect on the diverse range of activities I participated in, including leadership roles, volunteer work, and practical experiences like the Think Pacific Remote Internship. By engaging in initiatives such as the Real-World Consultancy Programme and Prestige Volunteers, I was able to identify key skills I developed, such as teamwork, effective communication, and problem-solving. For example, my involvement in Homework Clubs highlighted my ability to mentor and support others, while Handy Helpers (SU) refined my organizational and time-management skills. These activities provided a structured platform to assess and appreciate the breadth of my personal and professional growth.” 

In semester one 2024, Careers, Employability & Skills celebrated 444 unique students gaining the Future- Ready Award, including single and combined routes as well as an increase in work experience accreditations. 

The award enables you to articulate your learning and signals to employers that you have developed essential skills required to succeed in the workplace and is open to all Queen’s undergraduate and postgraduate students. 

We have over 100 accredited activities available to search on our activity search tool and there are three different ways to achieve the award, single route activity, combined route activity, and the work experience route. Full details on this and the list of accredited activities can be found on the Future-Ready Award website.

Applications open for the Future-Ready Award summer applications open on 20 December 2024 and close at midnight on 01 March 2025.  

Find out all about the award at go.qub.ac.uk/futurereadyaward  

Categories
Careers programmes

Opening your mind to a trainee programme can open new doors for your career 

By Alan Carson, Grant Thornton NI

Alan Carson, Audit Associate at Grant Thornton NI, tells all about his week long internship at Grant Thornton (NI), LLP.

“It was an exciting – if somewhat daunting – end to a truly memorable week. And one that could prove transformational for my career.”

“I’m talking about my week-long internship at Grant Thornton NI last summer, which set me on a path to earning a place in the firm’s trainee programme.”

“There was no official assessment process, as such, but rather a week of being observed while taking part in a wide range of activities and business scenarios, culminating in a presentation to the partner team on the Friday afternoon.”

“Myself and my fellow interns were told soon after we first arrived on the Monday that we would be tasked with delivering a presentation, but we were only told on the Thursday that our audience would be the partners. No pressure, then!”

“To be honest, though, it probably worked out for the better as it meant I didn’t spend the week with that task on my mind. And when it came to the presentation, although I was a little nervous, it proved to be a thoroughly rewarding experience.”

“I had delivered a few presentations as a student before and I decided the best approach to take was to relax as best I could and use the platform as an opportunity to showcase my skills. Thankfully, I managed to do that as, about a week later, I was offered a place on Grant Thornton NI’s trainee audit programme.”

“I am now just over a year into the three-and-a-half year course and thoroughly enjoying every element.”

“We often hear how, in today’s rapidly evolving job market, the idea of a linear career path is increasingly becoming a thing of the past – and I am proof of that. As a proud graduate of Queen’s University Belfast with a degree in History, and plans to do a PGCE and go into teaching, I’ve discovered firsthand how navigating the path of employment can quickly take an unexpected turn.”

“The trainee programme combines on-the-job experience with rigorous exams, and while there is always a lot on my plate, my role is very rewarding. Balancing work and study can be challenging, and although we’re granted study leave prior to exams, I’ve found that consistent weekly study sessions help me stay ahead of the curve.”

“Since beginning the programme, I’ve developed a range of valuable skills, including analytical auditing, attention to detail, meeting client objectives, and effective communication with both my peers and clients, whether that be on calls or in person. Additionally, the research and analytical skills I honed during my history degree have proved to be highly transferable to the world of finance.”

“I’ve also come to realise that the importance of a work-life balance that we often hear about is so true. For me, that balance is found in playing sport. I play hockey for Cookstown, training twice a week with a match on a Saturday, and for me it is the ideal way to unwind and enjoy the camaraderie that team sport offers.”

“It’s similar to work in many ways. One of my favourite aspects of the trainee programme is the opportunity for collaboration amongst my peers. It’s a social environment where senior trainees are always willing to lend a helping hand, having been in the same position themselves. The ‘Buddy’ system is another great feature, providing new trainees with a mentor for reassurance and support.”

“For all of these reasons, I would highly recommend that current students consider internships or trainee programmes. The Queen’s University Belfast Autumn Careers Fair, which has a focus on graduate and placement roles, provides an excellent place to connect with industry leaders from a wide range of sectors.”

“My advice is to attend with an open mind, visit and engage with as many stands as possible and ask lots of questions about the opportunities available. You just never know where it will lead. And, as someone planning on being a history teacher who is now on a trainee audit programme, I would know!”

Grant Thornton (NI) LLP, are sponsoring the Queen’s University Belfast Autumn Careers Fair in 2024.

To find out more about our Careers Fairs visit go.qub.ac.uk/careersfair
Find out more about Grant Thornton (NI) LLP at their website. grantthorntonni.com/careers/

Categories
Careers programmes

Students Tackle Real-World Problems Using Design Thinking

real-world consultancy programme

May 2024 saw the return of our interactive Real-World Consultancy Programme, with students  gaining  a different type of work experience by providing a consultancy service to real clients and working on a real challenge that those clients face.

The Queen’s University Belfast  students from different disciplines were  facilitated through a Design Thinking process to resolve the client’s problem with hosts Patricia Flanagan and Michaelle Dolan of Rejig.

The students applied the design thinking process, tools and mindset to live challenges provided by companies including, Aflac Northern Ireland, BDO Northern Ireland, Gig Grafter Limited, KPMG Ireland, The Phoenix Education Centre, and SureCert.

The busy and interactive programme ran over four days and provided a great opportunity for students to develop highly valued Design Thinking skills prior to them going on to take up a placement, internship or a graduate role.

A massive thank you to Patricia Flanagan and Michelle Dolan of Rejig for coming in to the host the programme, to our Careers Consultant Ludovica Piccinini for overseeing the programme, and to all the employer partners and our amazing students who took part, making this year’s programme a resounding success.

We are already looking forward to Real-World Consultancy 2025.

Below is some feedback from employers and students who participated on the programme.

Thanks to Ludovica Piccinini and Patricia Durkin for the invite to the Careers, Employability and Skills at Queen’s University Belfast Real World Consultancy Programme.

It was great to spend some time at Queen’s University Belfast this week with a team of highly talented students that attempted to resolve a KPMG Ireland business challenge focused on corporate citizenship.

Well done to all the participants and a special shout out to Michael, Majd, Lauren, Ruth and Muhammad for their efforts on our challenge this week (expertly stretched by Patricia Flanagan and Michelle Dolan as always!).

Paul Braden, KPMG, Ireland

Recently, I had the pleasure of taking part in the 2024 cohort of QUB’s Real World Consultancy Programme. This programme allowed me to work in teams with individuals from diverse disciplines with the end goal of providing consultancy services to real life clients.

My team was partnered up with Emma Shaw from Phoenix Education Centre. Emma alerted us to the challenges she was facing and gave us feedback and valuable guidance throughout the process. As a group we came up with innovative ideas to mitigate against these challenges and provided solutions and recommendations that could potentially be implemented by Emma.

Many thanks to Patricia Flanagan and Michelle Dolan for your valuable guidance throughout the program and enabling us to utilise our imagination to obtain useful solutions.

Amith Varghese, Queen’s University Belfast MSc International Business student

Recently, I took part in the Real-World Consultancy Program ran by Careers Queen’s University Belfast. My group got the chance to tackle a real-life problem presented to us by Aflac Northern Ireland; “How Might We Develop Future Tech Talent in NI.” Our group came up with innovative solutions after being introduced to a new way of thinking “Design Thinking” developed by Stanford University. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Deivydas Sakys, Shubham Soni & Akinyemi Folasewa and a huge thank you to Isabel Stacey & Jason Brennan from Aflac Northern Ireland who helped us throughout the week.

Paddy Latimer, Queen’s University Belfast, International Business with Spanish student

This immersive 4-day program equipped us with ”Design Thinking”, a problem-solving approach developed by Stanford University. Patricia Flanagan and Michelle Dolan guided us through the process.

The program was a series of incredibly interactive sessions with dozens of fun activities that fostered invaluable knowledge about design thinking. We learned the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones, fostering group creativity, and embracing empathy.

The program instilled valuable skills in storytelling, identifying key concepts like divergence and convergence, and the importance of inclusion. It also highlighted the power of reformation, building connections, and empathetic listening. Overall, this program provided an exceptional platform to apply our knowledge and prepare us for the professional world.

Riya Anandpara,  Queen’s University Belfast MSc Marketing student
Categories
Careers programmes

Top Law Programme back for 2024

spotlight on law

Our popular Spotlight On Law programme made a return in semester 2 of 2024.

Comprising two-days of in-person workplace visits to local and global law firms based in Belfast, the programme gave students an opportunity to:

  • Take part in case studies, workshops, panels and legal skills sessions
  • Hear from barristers and solicitors from a variety of practice areas
  • Get tips from recruiters on getting hired by a top law firm
  • Practical career knowledge on internships, placements, vacation schemes and training contracts.
  • Gain a Future-Ready Award.

The programme participants were a mix of Queen’s University Belfast Law students and students from other disciplines within Queen’s. They visited a number of Law firms during the programmes including, A&L Goodbody LLP, Tughans LLP, Fieldfisher LLP, Lewis Silkin, and Factor.

After the Law firm visits, the programme culminated with a Panel Event and Networking Session at One Elmwood, where students heard from more experts across the legal field who gave insights into their own career journeys, including, Arthur Cox NI, Departmental Solicitors Office, Herbert Smith Freehills, The Law Society of Northern Ireland of NI, Phoenix Law (Human Rights Lawyers), and TLT LLP.
 
The networking that followed provided a good opportunity for our students to connect with numerous law firms and potential employers, including TLT LLP, A&L Goodbody LLP, Phoenix Law, Arthur Cox, the Departmental Solicitors Office, and Fieldfisher.
 
A massive thank you to our partners at Queen’s School of Law and to all the employer partners and our students who made this year’s tour a resounding success. We are already looking forward to 2025’s programme.

Below is some feedback from students who participated in the tour.

What an incredible start to the 2024 Careers in Law Insight Programme! A heartfelt thank you to everyone at A&L Goodbody LLP for hosting us today. The session on commercial awareness and the firm’s CSR initiatives was not only informative but truly inspiring. It was also a pleasure to meet and learn from Queen’s Careers staff, Terry O’ Hanlon, Phil Wren, and Mark Gallagher. Your dedication to fostering student employability and skills development is evident and greatly appreciated.

Rushikesh Ravindra, Queen’s Law and Technology student

A special thanks to Queen’s Careers staff Terry O’ Hanlon, Mark Gallagher and Phil Wren for putting this tour together, it has made a massive impact on my decision to enter the law industry. As a student from outside the school of law, I cannot recommend this tour enough if you are considering a career in the legal industry. This tour has opened my eyes on the opportunities available to me as a non-law student.  
 

Jake Dodds, Queen’s History Undergraduate

The tour closed with a panel event and networking session at the QUB One Elmwood building, where we had the privilege of learning from some key members of the legal landscape in Belfast, each offering a unique and invaluable perspective on the journey into a career in law.

Rebecca Carlin, Queen’s LLB Law student

Find out about the Spotlight on Law Tour at https://go.qub.ac.uk/spotlightonlaw

Categories
Career planning

My experience of taking part in the Future-Ready Skills for Leader’s Programme

future-ready leadersprogramme

Queen’s University Belfast Masters student, Malavika Mahendranath, talks us through her highlights of the Future-Ready Skills for Leaders programme. Take it away Malavika…

I am more than excited to share my reflections on an incredible journey I embarked upon during the “Future-Ready Skills for Leaders 2024” competitive session in the month of March.

Over three intense and insightful days, my team and I ventured into the challenging yet exhilarating process of designing a business plan, bringing an educational app, “Mentora,” from concept to showcase at the Innovation Fair.

Our mission was to create an app that revolutionizes personalized learning. With activities spanning team formation, developing value propositions, budgeting, and marketing, our goal was to address the educational needs of a diverse learner base.

As part of this dynamic team, I delved into various roles – from brainstorming app features to strategizing our marketing approach. The experience was a profound learning curve, reinforcing the significance of collaborative decision-making and leveraging diverse team strengths.

Our success was not without challenges. Diverse perspectives often meant diverse opinions, but through open dialogue and consensus, we navigated these waters, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for growth and innovation.

The positive reception of “Mentora” at the Innovation Fair was a testament to our hard work and strategic planning. It was rewarding to see our vision resonate with others, validating our efforts and the potential impact of our project.



This journey highlighted my strengths in communication and leadership, while also revealing areas for improvement, such as contingency planning. I’ve learned the importance of adaptability and the value of having a Plan B (and C)

Reflecting on this experience, I’m motivated to further develop my strategic planning and conflict resolution skills. Embracing continuous learning, I aim to apply these insights to future projects, ensuring readiness for whatever challenges come next.

A huge thank you to my teammates, my team facilitators, the guest speakers and Queen’s University Careers service, including Emma Lennox and Becky Law. It was also amazing to be a part of a competitive program with familiar faces.

This experience was not just about developing a product but about shaping future leaders. Here’s to continuous growth and making a difference, one project at a time!





Categories
Careers programmes

Future-Ready Skills for Leaders returns for another fantastic round

future-ready skills for leaders programme 2024

2024 saw the return of our popular Future-Ready Skills for Leaders Programme in Careers, Employability & Skills.

Around 50 students took part in this year’s programme, which offers ann opportunity for any student of any discipline or level to build commercial awareness and develop teamwork, management, leadership and presentation/negotiation skills.

Participants worked in teams, through a series fast moving but fun business games and challenges to win prizes. Each team was mentored by an Employer representative.

There were some fantastic business ideas, design skills and prototypes on display, and the teams sold their products well to our team of judges at the Innovation Fair.

Thanks to all the students who took part, and to all the Employers for their help with bringing the business ideas to life this week.

It was a fun three days, with some great opportunities for networking and some new friendships formed. 

We are also happy to announce we came second, (highly commended), at the AHECS Employability Awards in Dublin in the ‘Supporting Student / Graduate Employability’ award category for the Future-Ready Skills for Leaders programme.

Big congratulations to our Careers Consultant Emma Lennox who was managing the programme. The Careers team really enjoyed the awards and communicating the benefits of the programme to other Careers professionals in various educational institutes.

Check out Queen’s University Belfast Masters student Malavika Mahendranat’s blog about their experiences of the three day programme.

Hear what some of our other students had to say about their experiences on the programme:

These few days have been honestly indescribable for me. I had the opportunity to participate in a series of business games and challenges which helped me to develop my teamwork, leadership, and strategic thinking skills. The program was designed to be dynamic and engaging, constantly challenging us to think on our feet and collaborate effectively under pressure. I was also impressed by the diversity of the participants, who came from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds like undergraduates, postgraduates, and PhD students. Overall, it was an unbelievable experience that left a lasting impact on me.

Aaditya Joshi, Queen’s University Belfast student.

As a Humanities postgraduate who does not usually venture into the realm of business events, the FRS-Leaders Program was one phenomenal way for me to begin exploring the unknown, get outside my comfort zone, and to inculcate important values necessary to improve one’s quality of life.

I loved meeting, laughing, creating and collaborating with all of you! Thanks a tonne, Careers Queen’s University Belfast !

Ashwin Somanath, Queen’s University Belfast, Postgraduate Student

I had so much fun completing the Future- Ready skills for leaders programme over the last 3 days! I really enjoyed the challenges , developing my skills and getting to meet new people! A big thank you to everyone involved

Sophie Wylie, Queen’s University Belfast student

I must extend my gratitude to Emma Lennox, (Queen’s Careers Service), for her outstanding training sessions. I always enjoy her program, and I can feel tons of effort behind designing the session, inviting speakers and judges, and preparing those materials. I also learned a lot from Patricia Durkin, (Queen’s Careers Service), about generating a business idea from scratch. We are so solution-driven, and Patricia guided us to consider problems, which was crucial for business and leadership.

Looking forward to working with you in the near future

Yanglu Alex Wang, Queen’s University Belfast, PhD Researcher

Some of my key insights of the Future-Ready Skills for Leaders programme include:
– Leadership is about diverse styles, from leading by example to empowering others.
– Mistakes are part of the journey; resilience and perseverance are key.
– Empathy, anticipation, and confidence are vital for effective leadership.
– Continuous learning is essential; staying curious and seeking knowledge keeps you ahead.
– Engaging in hands-on learning enhances practical problem-solving abilities.

Uma Ravi, Master’s Student, Queen’s University Belfast.

Find out more about the Future-Ready Skills for Leaders programme.

Categories
Europe Go Global Student experience student success Student success stories

Study Exchange at Utrecht University, Netherlands

Flag of the netherlands flying

Grace McSorley is a final year student who had the opportunity to attend a placement at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Here is what she had to say about her time there!

“Recently I had the opportunity to complete a study abroad placement in Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and it was an amazing experience. The course, ‘Exploring Data through Culture’, was a great learning opportunity and it provided me with the chance to learn several new softwares, whilst equipping me with a range of new data skills and techniques.

One of the highlights was the chance to work alongside a brilliant group of students and lecturers from across the world. The team collaboration was fantastic, and together we presented a research project investigating the rise of Chat GPT and natural language processing AI within education. The insights, skills and experiences I have gained from the Summer School will be invaluable as I commence my final year of university.

A massive thank you to the Careers Queen’s University Belfast Global Opportunities Team for funding and organising the programme, and also to the team at Utrecht Data School for making this experience possible. #UtrechtSummerSchool“

Fancy studying in the Netherlands? We are offering up to £1,400 in funding for approx. 40 full time Queen’s Undergraduate students to complete a Utrecht Summer School Course in the Netherlands – closing date for applications for 2024 is 04 March 2024 at 12 noon.
Find our more about Utrecht Summer School courses places on our Utrecht Summer School web page.

Find out about Study Exchanges in Europe and Search for all global opportunities on our Go Global Search Tool