Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about textbooks, lab coats, term dates and more.
Lab coats are needed for physiology laboratory classes in semester 2 of Year 1 and semester 1 of Year 2; you can bring an old one (from your previous degree, family members etc) or buy a new one at the Medical Biology Centre (MBC).
You do not require a stethoscope before starting your course. The Clinical Skills Education Centre provides stethoscopes to use during the teaching classes. However, by the start of the second semester of first year, when you will attend clinical attachments in General Practice or Hospital wards, it would be advisable to have your own stethoscope.
There are many resources available to cover the material we teach in first year. Part of the challenge of university level education is coping with the numerous potential sources of information available, particularly online. To help guide students we recommend some specific textbooks for the various modules in the first year of the course. Some students may prefer to buy their own hard copies of these textbooks. In addition, the Library at Queen’s aims to stock multiple copies of textbooks, in print and (where possible) in e-book format. However, limitations of space and budget mean that the Library may not have enough copies of books for all students, so some might find it necessary to purchase their own copies of books that are identified in study guides as being essential reading.
If you are considering buying, there is a second hand scheme and 12.5% discount at Blackwells bookshop (42 University Road). You can also look out for older students advertising to sell their used textbooks on Facebook.
You can find this information on the Information Services web pages. However, if you are still having trouble, it is recommended that you visit the IT service desk located on the ground floor of the McClay library.
There are a few things you will need to take care of when arriving in Belfast. The essentials include registering with a General Practitioner (GP) (find more information on the University Health Centre website), apply for your Visa/British Residential Permit and open a bank account. However, this is not an exhaustive list and it is recommended that you attend the Queen's International Welcome and Orientation Week and look at their web page, which contains a lot of very useful information.
We have tailored the campus map exactly for all the locations that you will need for Welcome Week and the beginning of Year 1. It has the full name, abbreviation, real life picture and orientating landmarks to help you find your way around the Queen's Campus.
You will meet many of your lecturers during welcome week and the information from those sessions will be available on the Year 1 page of the Medical Education Portal.
You will need several key online spaces at your time at Queen's including QSIS, Queen's Online and the Medical Education Portal. The differences between each is explained within the Get Online tab.
The Queen's library website has all the information you will need. Another really helpful resource is the Queen's library Youtube channel which has lots of explanatory videos.