Queen's University Belfast（贝尔法斯特女王大学）entry requirements for Chinese students — minimum average mark, university list tiers and programme extras
贝尔法斯特女王大学（Queen's University Belfast）, ranked 174th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, sets its 2024 taught-master's entry requirements for holders of a Chinese bachelor's degree by mapping your weighted average onto UK degree classes. For a 2.1 programme from a Tier 1 university you need a 75% weighted average; a 2.2 programme from the same tier needs 70%. The threshold you must hit changes with your university's tier and with any programme extra.
All figures below come from Queen's University Belfast's own published 2024 entry requirements. The single source is qub.ac.uk, listed in Sources.
Minimum average mark by UK degree class
Queen's uses the UK 2.1 and 2.2 classifications for taught master's entry. Your Chinese weighted average (加权平均分) is compared against a threshold that depends on your university's tier.
- 2.1 (upper second): the higher of the two common thresholds.
- 2.2 (lower second): the lower threshold; fewer programmes ask for this.
A 2.1 requirement is stricter than a 2.2 requirement at every tier. The actual percentages are in the next section.
University list tiers (2024 intake)
The 2024 requirements divide Chinese institutions into three tiers. Each tier has its own weighted-average threshold for 2.1 and 2.2 programmes.
| Tier | Which institutions | 2.1 threshold | 2.2 threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Dual-first-class universities and the top 100 of a recognised Chinese universities ranking | 75% | 70% |
| Tier 2 | All regular higher-education institutions outside Tier 1 and Tier 3 | 80% | 75% |
| Tier 3 | MOE-recognised independent colleges | 85% | 80% |
Tier 1 combines dual-first-class universities with the top 100 of a recognised Chinese universities ranking. The university's published Tier 1 list note specifies dual-first-class institutions plus the 2023 Best Chinese Universities Ranking Top 100; the 2024 policy table also references the ARWU 2021 / 软科 China ranking Top 100. Confirm the current list on the university's own pages, which take precedence.
Tier 2 covers every regular institution that is not Tier 1 or Tier 3. Tier 3 covers MOE-recognised independent colleges (独立学院). The material does not publish lists for Tier 2 or Tier 3, and it does not state how many universities sit in each tier — do not estimate this; check the university's own pages.
The material also lists affiliated colleges of Tier 1 institutions as recognised by Queen's University on a case-by-case basis. It gives no separate threshold for them, so check the university's own pages, which take precedence.
Which programmes require 2.1 or 2.2
Most business-school master's ask for a 2.1. A few ask for 2.2 or lift background restrictions.
| Programme | Required class | Notable point |
|---|---|---|
| MSc Management | 2.2 | Conversion course; does not accept business/management-related background |
| MSc Accounting and Finance | 2.1 | ACCA + CIMA dual accreditation; up to 8 ACCA and 7 CIMA exam exemptions; ranked 6th in the UK (2022 Times subject ranking) |
| MSc Finance | 2.1 | CFA Institute University Recognition Program; covers 70%+ of CFA candidate body of knowledge |
| MSc Financial Analytics | 2.1 | CFA Institute University Recognition Program; covers 70%+ of CFA candidate body of knowledge |
| MSc Risk and Investment Management | 2.1 | PRIMA certified; GARP teaching partnership |
| MSc International Business | 2.1 | Business studies ranked 19th in the UK |
| MSc Business Analytics | 2.1 | Business and management research intensity ranked 6th in the UK |
| MSc Marketing | 2.1 | No undergraduate background restriction; CIM certified; 12-week paid internship |
| MSc Human Resource Management | 2.1 | No undergraduate background restriction; CIPD certified |
| MBA | 2.1 | No undergraduate background requirement; needs 5 years work experience and an interview |
| MSc Actuarial Science | 2.1 | Up to 6 IFoA professional exam exemptions |
Outside the business school, several programmes accept any academic background:
- MSc TESOL and Applied Linguistics — 2.1; requires proof of at least 30 hours of teaching experience at application.
- MSc Educational Leadership — 2.1.
- MEd Educational Studies — 2.1.
- MSc Planning and Development — 2.2.
The 2024 material contains more courses than listed here. The full set is on the university's own pages.
Programme-specific extras
Some programmes add requirements beyond the average mark.
- Interview: the MBA requires an interview together with 5 years of work experience.
- Teaching experience: MSc TESOL and Applied Linguistics requires proof of at least 30 hours of teaching experience at application.
- Background restrictions: MSc Management does not accept applicants with a business or management-related background; MSc Marketing and MSc Human Resource Management have no undergraduate background restriction.
- Paid internship: MSc Marketing offers a 12-week paid internship, and the internship report can replace the dissertation.
- Professional exemptions: several finance and actuarial programmes carry CFA, CIMA, ACCA, IFoA, CIM, CIPD or PRIMA recognition, with exam exemptions as listed above.
The 2024 material does not list a GMAT or portfolio requirement for these programmes. For any programme not shown here, check the university's own pages, which take precedence.
Study modes the 2024 material addresses
The published 2024 requirements confirm two points on study background.
- Top-up progression (专升本): Queen's University Belfast accepts students progressing from a college diploma to a bachelor's degree. The admissions team mainly weighs your undergraduate-stage background and grades; the college background is a reference.
- IELTS waiver: Top-up students who hold a UK degree taught in the UK follow the UK academic standard and are exempt from IELTS.
The material does not enumerate study modes it rejects. For any mode not covered here, check the university's own pages, which take precedence.
Discretionary grade reduction
When your main subject grades meet the admissions department's requirement, your total academic average may be lowered by 2 points for a discretionary unconditional offer. Six programmes are excluded: Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics, Cancer Medicine, Clinical Anatomy, Experimental Medicine, Global Health, and Public Health.
How to check your own eligibility
Find your university's tier on Queen's published Tier 1 list, or confirm it sits in Tier 2 or Tier 3.
Check your programme's required class (2.1 or 2.2).
Compare your weighted average with the tier threshold above.
Note any programme extra, such as an interview or experience proof.
Verify every figure on qub.ac.uk before you apply.