St Mary's University College, Belfast

St Mary's University College, a Catholic higher education institution in west Belfast, stands on the Falls Road and specialises in the liberal arts and teacher education. It dates from 1900, the year the Dominican Sisters founded St Mary's Training College, admitting a first cohort of 100 women. St Joseph's Training College followed in 1961, and in 1985 the two combined to form today's university college. Queen's University Belfast, of which St Mary's is a constituent college, has conferred degrees on its students since 1968, and the Board of Governors is chaired by the Bishop of Down and Connor.

With about 1,000 students, the college is small, and students and staff work closely together. Undergraduates study for either a BA in Liberal Arts or a BEd in Primary and Post-Primary teaching, offering a range of subject specialisms. Postgraduate study includes a Master of Education and an MSc in sport and physical education for young people, while the PGCE for Irish-medium education reflects the college's role in education delivered through Irish. Brian Friel, Seamus Mallon and Seamus Heaney studied at the college or at one of its predecessors.

Information for International Students

St Mary's treats its international dimension as central to its mission, and each year students arrive from partner institutions across Europe, North America and beyond. Exchange and study abroad account for much of this activity, with incoming students arriving via the Irish American Scholars programme, Erasmus+ and the Swiss-European Mobility Programme. The college's administrative support staff supply application forms and guidance to exchange applicants, whereas candidates for a complete BA, BEd, MSc or MEd apply through the usual admissions process for that programme. St Mary's holds a Student sponsor licence.

Housing is supplied by external organisations, and students receive help with their arrangements from both the college and its partner institutions. Student Roost is recommended for single-semester stays; alternatives on the college's list include halls at Stranmillis University College and purpose-built student residences in the Cathedral Quarter and Queen's Quarter. Because the college is small, international students can form close relationships with academic staff, and it also runs an international summer school. Anyone applying from overseas for a full degree is advised to confirm the English requirements with the admissions office.