Global perspective empowers students at Queen’s Business School

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For students looking for a globally focused and business-informed postgraduate business course, Queen’s Business School (QBS) at Queen’s University Belfast is a strong choice. It is ranked fourth in the world for international outlook, according to THE’s 2024 World University Rankings, and has attracted more than 3,900 international students from over 90 countries. 

“We are active in research at QBS but our research helps to define our business topics and helps to inform what graduates need to be working on,” explains Alex Wilson, director of internationalisation at the business school. Coupled with solid connections with employers, this ensures that QBS stays on top of the skills employers need both in the immediate term and the future. Master’s courses at the school span business disciplines including finance, marketing, human resources and risk analysis. Moving forward, it will incorporate more digital expertise to equip students for a rapidly changing world. The William J. Clinton Leadership Institute is also on campus, where students can develop their leadership style and vital soft skills for their future careers. 

QBS’ courses include accreditations with relevant industry bodies, which ensure graduates are professionally ready when they begin applying for jobs and connecting with future employers. The business school itself holds a number of international accreditations, from EQUIS, AMBA and the Small Business Charter. “Accreditations help us to drive continuous improvement,” says Wilson. “They are not just a badge of honour; they signal a strong reputation to prospective students and that we’re constantly looking at what is relevant.” 

At the heart of the school is a brand new, £26m Student Hub for over 3,000 students and staff. Wilson describes the hub as “like a mini campus” where students can collaborate and thrive. It includes a range of facilities such as a lecture theatre, group spaces and a cafe, alongside key student support services such as a career centre and international support team. 

Business students can make the most of the new FinTrU trading room, which is a simulated trading room experience. Using the facility, students can run the Queen’s Student Managed Fund, operating a real-money investment portfolio. 

International students at the school get the full range of career and personal support offered to everyone at QBS, as well as access to a dedicated student advisor. This advisor provides vital personal support to international students, acting as a springboard into the world of work in Belfast and beyond. “They often have connections so students can develop their professional profile, learn about interview techniques, job applications and such like,” Wilson explains. 

QBS encourages all students to spend time studying or working abroad during their master’s, and the on-campus placement office can help them secure a placement with an employer relevant to their course. They also have the option of a study tour, with destinations including prestigious overseas business schools where they can follow an intensive course or solve a particular business problem in a different context. 

Closer to home, Belfast is a vibrant hub for fintech companies and tech start-ups, and graduates can easily connect to the regional economy. 

Find out more about Queen’s University Belfast.