Queen's University Belfast - Student Life

Housing: Many live at home; others in halls for 1 year. Local housing through noticeboards, newspapers, SU welfare office and uni accommodation office (watch the small print: some seem more expensive but include utility bills so work out cheaper).

Eats: Good variety in 2 restaurants in SU. Most local pubs do lunches and good food in bars (£3.50).

Drink: Lots of good bars in university area. SU cheap, £1.50+ a pint, £2+ elsewhere. Speakeasy and Bunatee SU bars - specials all year round. Good brews Harp, Smithwicks, Guinness.

Nightlife: SU main venue for bands (Radiohead, Divine Comedy, Ash etc) and discos. Shine (in SU) is a premier dance venue in Ireland.

Locals: Very friendly; student area is pleasant.

Sports: Excellent facilities on campus including pool, gym, indoor football court; leisure centres, outdoor pitches.

Travel: Cheap travel on railways. Hitching not practical. 15% off bus tare with Translink.

Financial help: Bursar's loans and access funds.

Jobs: Bar work, cloakrooms, bouncers, shop staff, library assistants - pay about £4+ per hour; SU employs some 150 students. Most students do some kind of part-time work. 20% work locally in holidays, many find work at home.

Annual living costs: The minimum amount students say you need to live on each year (covering all living expenses but excluding tuition fees) is £3500 On uni accommodation), £4000 (private accommodation).

Best features: Large numbers of students but in close-knit community.

And worst: Most students go home at weekends.

More info: Ring SU Welfare Officer or Education Office on Tel: 028 9097 3106, Fax: 028 9023 6900, email: su.president(at)qub.ac.uk

Past students: Trevor Ringland, Nigel Carr and Philip Matthews (all rugby players), Brian Mawhinney MP, Seamus Heaney (poet), Bernadette McAlliskey (nee Devlin), Kenneth Branagh (actor), Lord Tombs (former Chairman of Rolls-Royce), Brian Moore (writer), Paddy Kielty (TV presenter), Mary McAleese (President, Irish Republic).