University of St Andrews

At a glance

Queen's University , founded by Royal Charter in 1841, is located on a beautiful waterfront campus in Kingston, Ontario, which is a city half way between Toronto and Montreal. It is a large public university with a student population of 22,500 students (17,500 undergraduates).

Queen's is one of Canada's leading universities, with an international reputation for scholarship, research, social purpose, and spirit and is consistently highly-ranked.
Established : 1841
Student Population : 24200
History : Kingston, which was the first capital of Canada and therefore has a rich history, sits on the northern shores of Lake Ontario and has a population of 150,000. It is consistently voted as one of the best places to live in Canada. The Queen’s University campus is a ten-minute walk from downtown Kingston, where students can experience the thriving artistic and entertainment areas and enjoy the many festivals which occur there each year. Some of the Queen's residences are situated only minutes from the shore of Lake Ontario.

Queen's is also part of our Multi-Lateral Student Exchange Programme with the National University of Singapore.

Website and links

Website : Queen's University Homepage

Who can go

Students on degree programmes in the following subject areas may apply to study abroad during their Junior Honours year at Queen's University, Canada:

Please note the following restrictions when considering the list below: Chemistry - not available on programmes which already contain an External Placement or Year Abroad; History - History, Modern History (Single Hons and Joint Hons), Mediaeval History (Joint Hons); Psychology - full year only.

• Art History
• Biology
• Economics (Business School)
• Finance (Business School)
• Chemistry
• Classics
• Comparative Literature
• Computer Science
• Earth and Environmental Sciences
• English
• French
• Geography and Sustainable Devt
• History
• International Relations
• Italian
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Neuroscience
• Physics and Astronomy
• Philosophy
• Psychology and Neuroscience

Semesters Available

• Full Year

Note: Joint Honours students may only apply for a full year abroad if BOTH subjects are listed above. Joint Honours students applying for one semester must seek permission from both Schools.

Study abroad coordinator

Each School has a designated Study Abroad Coordinator.

Semester dates

Semester dates are as follows

2024/5
Semester 1 Sep 2024 to Dec 2024
Semester 2 Jan 2025 to Apr 2025
2025/6
Semester 1 Sep 2025 to Dec 2025
Semester 2 Jan 2026 to Apr 2026

Your studies abroad

St Andrews academic requirements

• Minimum Credit in Academic year : 27
• Minimum Credit in Semester : -
• Maximum Credit in Academic year : 30
• Maximum Credit in Semester: -
• Module Weighting : 3

Partner Course Catalogue : All Arts and Science courses are open to exchange students provided that they have the appropriate prerequisite courses. (Availability may be limited in some departments). A description of courses offered in the last five years is contained in the Academic Calendar.

You are also encouraged to consult the departmental websites for the most current course information for your subject.

Students applying for 300 level courses should have three previous English Literature credits completed at the home institution.

All economics degree programs at Queen’s require a supporting credit or background in Differential and Integral calculus.

See our Credits and Modules Abroad webpage for information on the number of credits we expect students to take at our partner institutions. St Andrews expects students to attend all classes as part of their programme abroad. Assessment methods may vary across partners and could include class participation, continuous assessment in the form of homework and final exams. All courses must be agreed with your Study Abroad Coordinator. See our academic information webpage for further details, as well as information about credit and grade conversion.

Application and selection

This institution is part of the programme. .

Places available

Places available : There are four full year places available at Queen's each year through the St Andrews Abroad programme. These exchange places are generously supported by the Canadian Robert T Jones Jr. Scholarship programme.

There are also two places available through our Multi-Lateral Student Exchange Programme with the National University of Singapore.

Places available may vary from year to year depending on the exchange balance. Numbers for the following academic year will be confirmed at the information meeting.

Getting there and getting around

Queen’s do not offer a pick-up service. Students should fly to Kingston if possible, usually through Montreal or Toronto. On arrival at Kingston airport, you should take a taxi to the campus.

Information on transportation and preparing to come to Queen’s will be in your acceptance packet or you can view the Student Exchange Handbook.

Queen’s is a picturesque, campus university and all areas are easily accessed on foot. The West Campus is a 15 minute walk from Main Campus. Some students also use bicycles and a shuttle bus runs frequently between the two campuses.

Accommodation

Accommodation at Queen’s is not guaranteed. Rooms are assigned by a computer lottery process and students will be notified whether they have been successful in the lottery by mid-July so that they can pursue other options for housing, if necessary.

Exchange students have a wide variety of housing options to choose from during their time in Kingston. The University has two residence buildings that are available to exchange students (Harkness International Hall and Jean Royce Hall). Both have single private rooms with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Students can choose to cook or participate in an optional meal plan.

Many exchange students choose to live in off-campus housing with other Queen's students (the majority of upper year Queen's students live off-campus). QUIC recommend that students who wish to live in off-campus housing arrive in Kingston at least one week in advance of the official arrival date to find adequate accommodation. A temporary residence room can be requested while a search for housing is conducted.

The International Housing Office can provide further information and advice on finding accommodation.

Please note that St Andrews is unable to guarantee housing at any of our partner institutions. Guidance on finding accommodation abroad is available on the Global Office webpage.

Student services and orientation

The The Queen's University International Centre (QUIC) is an important on-campus resource that can provide you with some non-academic, practical information and support to prepare you for studying both in Canada and at Queen's. They run a welcome and orientation program for incoming students.

The Arts and Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS) runs an Exchange Buddies program which pairs an incoming exchange student with an upper-year Arts and Science student. You will receive an invitation to participate in this program during the run up to your arrival at Queen's. The university provides lots of information relating to student support.

The Queen's University International Centre (QUIC) at Queen's provides academic support to, and facilitates the integration of, incoming exchange students. They run an academic orientation session, which provides information on courses and registration, which you should attend on arrival at Queen's.

Please be aware that student support services will be different across all of our partner universities.