St Mary’s University College, Belfast

St Mary’s University College in Belfast, Ireland, was founded upon Catholic values and is rooted in the Gospel values of: respect for life, love, truth, solidarity and justice.

It is a small, specialist institution, and a college of Queen’s University, Belfast. The university was established in 1900, when the Dominican Sisters opened the then named St Mary’s Training College.

For the next 50 years, the college prepared women for teaching in primary schools. The university’s association with Queen’s University began in 1948 with the introduction of four-year courses and post-primary training. In 1985, St Mary’s merged with the men’s training college, St Joseph’s, to form St Mary’s University College.

Bachelor and postgraduate courses are offered in initial teacher education and liberal arts. The bachelor’s courses offered are: primary teaching and a post-primary BA.

The university college offers a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) which is taught in an Irish medium. All undergraduate students have the opportunity to study abroad during their studies, in the USA, Europe, China or India.

Students at St Mary’s can enjoy a range of extracurricular societies during their time there. These include: performing arts, folk group, a lunch and literature group, and many others.

There is a fitness suite, outdoor 3G facility and a sports hall available to students for their sporting needs. There is also a high-performance development centre on the college campus for students to use. Many sports societies use these facilities, including: Gaelic football, camogie, hurling, netball and rugby.

Belfast is Northern Ireland’s capital and largest city, historically known for its linen production in the Industrial Revolution giving it the nickname, Linenopolis. Famous sights include: the Titanic Belfast, St.George’s Market, Belfast Castle and Ulster Museum.