Queen’s University celebrates 175 years of offering classes to the wider community

The anniversary marks the long-standing tradition of extramural education at Queen’s.

These were classes offered ‘outside the walls’ of the University, available to the wider community in Belfast and beyond.

The tradition dates back to 1851, when members of the University’s Faculty began offering lectures outside normal working hours to give people who could not otherwise access a university education the opportunity to learn from Queen’s academics.

The first courses covered subjects including chemistry, anatomy and botany.

By 1856, the programme had expanded to include topics such as the history of French literature, great English writers, and Irish topography, history and philology.

The new 2026/27 programme continues that tradition, offering accessible, informal courses across a wide range of subjects, with established favourites including language-learning and creative writing, to cultural studies, personal development and science.

This term there will also be a special new course to mark the anniversary, ‘What Queen’s has given the World’.

The 20-week series of one-hour lunchtime classes will showcase the diversity of Queen’s contribution to education and research, with lecturers and professors from disciplines ranging from anthropology and chemical engineering to Spanish and sports medicine.

All fees from the course will go towards a bursary fund designed to support access to Open Learning courses for people across the wider community.

Professor Katy Hayward and Dr Cathal McManus, Co-Directors of Open Learning at Queen’s said: “As Open Learning at Queen’s marks 175 years of offering extramural courses, we continue a proud tradition of opening up education to the wider community.

"The programme is designed not only for registered students and staff, but also for those who simply wish to enjoy learning alongside others, guided by experts in their fields.”

Addie Curley from Belfast has completed several history courses through the Open Learning Programme. Sharing her experience, Addie said: “I first heard about Open Learning when I was looking for something to do in the evenings outside of work and wanted to find an activity that engaged my mind and allowed me to meet new people and learn something new.

"There is a real sense of camaraderie in the classes that everyone is there as they have a similar interest and so you learn things not just from the lecturers but also from the other people in the class.”

Retired teacher from Belfast, David Kerr, has completed numerous Open Learning courses.

He said: “I found courses like the ones provided by Open Learning provide human contact and you have an expert in the field standing at the front of the classroom.

"The Open Learning Programme is a bit of an acorn that can grow into other things throughout the city.”

Visit the Open Learning website at www.qub.ac.uk/ol to browse the catalogue of courses on offer across categories from Creative Writing and Languages to Personal Development and Visual Arts.

The courses are scheduled for daytime, evening and weekends, and the style is informal and accessible.

Participants do not need any prior qualifications, and learners will quickly appreciate the friendly atmosphere offered by the University. Concession rates are available for the vast majority of courses.

Enrolment for the Autumn/New Year courses is now open with Autumn courses beginning from 28 September 2026.

For more information and the full programme, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/ol or email: [email protected]

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