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As the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast has a lot to offer students. With Queen’s University Belfast and one of Ulster University’s campuses located in the city, there’s lots of students around and the city is more than able to provide something for everyone. Here’s our top ten list of things to do during your studies in Belfast.

1) The Naughton Gallery

Good for: Checking out contemporary art.

What it is: Queen’s University Belfast’s very own art gallery.

Why you should go: You don’t get more suitable for students than the art gallery at the very heart of the Queen’s University campus. Plus, it’s open six days a week and admission is free, so it’s not going to damage your bank account. Free dose of culture – what more could you want?

2) Cuckoo

Good for: A unique night out.

What it is: A bar, arcade, nightclub and karaoke venue.

Why you should go: There’s a huge range of stuff going on at Cuckoo, from pub quizzes to pool to club nights to retro video games. There’s also a huge menu of sharing cocktails and mocktails so it’s perfect for a night out with your new mates. There’s also a karaoke lounge available for private hire if you’re feeling fancy.

3) Botanic Gardens

Good for: A nice afternoon walk.

What it is: The Botanic Gardens are a public garden, featuring the Palm House conservatory, which houses a range of exotic plants.

Why you should go: It’s free to enter and you’ll see loads of amazing plants. It also regularly hosts events like concerts, so you might even be able to see one of your favourite acts perform there.

4) No Alibis Bookstore

Good for: Finding a fab page-turner.

What it is: An independent bookstore that hosts concerts, book launches and more.

Why you should go: As a student, you’ll be doing a lot of reading for your course so why not switch it up and read something for fun? The staff are all knowledgeable about books and will always be happy to make you a recommendation.

5) Lyric Theatre

Good for: Seeing live performances.

What it is: Belfast’s major theatre.

Why you should go: The theatre has a variety of different productions on offer, from musicals to Shakespeare to new dramas. They have a multi-buy offer where you get 15% off when you buy tickets to three different shows at one time. It’s affordable as well, with most shows offering seats for as low as £12.

6) Day trip to the Giant’s Causeway

Good for: Escaping the city and seeing some stunning landscapes.

What it is: A coach trip to the Giant’s Causeway with stops at various locations along the coastline.

Why you should go: You’ll get to see some gorgeous sights you might not otherwise see. There’s also an option to do a Game of Thrones and Giant’s Causeway tour if you’re a fan of GoT and want to see some of the locations used for filming.

7) The Filthy Quarter

Good for: Nights out

What it is: Four venues and six bars in one place.

Why you should go: If four venues and six bars in one place isn’t enough to convince you this is worth a visit, then what more can we say? Maybe if we told you there’s a three-room nightclub, a secret garden, a cocktail bar and a craft beer bar you’d be sold?

8) Titanic Belfast

Good for: Finding out more about the RMS Titanic.

What it is: A visitor attraction telling the story of the infamous RMS Titanic.

Why you should go: Sure, you’ve seen the film. But learning about the Titanic in the very place it was built and launched makes Titanic Belfast well worth a visit. Student tickets are £17 if you go on a weekday, but make sure you book in advance.

9) Crumlin Road Gaol

Good for: Learning some Belfast history.

What it is: An old Victorian gaol offering tours and experiences as well as live entertainment.

Why you should go: With a wide variety of tribute acts, different tour options and special events like a New Year’s Ball, you’ll find something unique to keep you entertained. You’ll also learn more about the gaol’s gory history – 17 people were executed there, with the last execution as recent as 1961.

10) Windsor Park

Good for: Football fans.

What it is: The national football stadium of Northern Ireland.

Why you should go: You can opt for a tour of the stadium or go to see a game. Domestic and international games are played here. The stadium is home to Linfield FC, so if you’re looking for a local team to support, look no further.

Key information about Belfast

Belfast is home to two universities, Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University. The Belfast campus is Ulster University's largest by number of students, and so you'll find a very student-friendly city if you study here. As the capital of Northern Ireland, you can expect to learn a lot about the country's history from the city. The city is also close to lots of beautiful landmarks you can easily visit.

Thinking about studying in Belfast? Start your search here.