University of St Andrews

At a glance

Queen's University is a public research institution located in Kingston, Ontario, approximately a 2.5-hour drive east of Toronto. Established in 1841 by a royal charter from Queen Victoria, Queen's has evolved into a globally recognized university known for its academic excellence and vibrant campus life. The university serves a diverse student body, with its main campus spanning 40 hectares along the shores of Lake Ontario, adjacent to Kingston General Hospital and within walking distance of downtown Kingston. Queen's attracts students from more than 100 countries, fostering a dynamic and inclusive community committed to addressing global challenges through research, teaching, and community engagement.

Established : 1841
Student Population : 28142
History : Founded in 1841 by royal charter from Queen Victoria, Queen’s University began as a small Presbyterian college focused on training clergy and educators. Modelled on the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, the first classes were held in 1842 with just 15 students and two professors. Over time, Queen’s expanded its academic offerings and, in 1912, formally severed ties with the Presbyterian Church to become a secular institution. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, Queen’s has grown into a leading research-intensive university, known for its academic excellence, strong sense of community, and commitment to innovation.

Rankings : #202 QS World Ranking
Overview of Facilities and campus : Queen's main campus blends historic Gothic-style architecture with modern, sustainable buildings, creating an inspiring environment for learning and research. Notable landmarks include Grant Hall, completed in 1905, which serves as a central venue for events and ceremonies. The campus houses 18 student residences, with Victoria Hall being the largest, accommodating nearly 900 students.

Website and links

Website : Queen's University Homepage

Study abroad page : Incoming Exchange - Why Queen's?

Study abroad guide : Queen's University Study Abroad Guide

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:

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

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 Adviser.

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 : Queen's University Course Catalogue.

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 St Andrews Abroad programme .

Places available

Places available : The number of places available will be confirmed at our annual Study Abroad Fair in October.

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 University is in Kingston, Ontario, approximately 2.5 hours east of Toronto. Kingston is located in Eastern Ontario and easily accessible for anyone flying into Toronto, Ottawa or Montreal. Whilst the university does not offer an airport pickup service, there are several transportation options available from major airports.

Bus services such as Megabus and Flixbus Flixbus operate from Toronto and Ottawa to Kingston. Megabus and the STM 747 service operates between Montreal and Kingston. Train services are also available from Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal to Kingston.

Once in Kingston, the city offers a reliable public transportation system. The compact nature of the campus and its proximity to downtown make walking and cycling popular choices among students.

Accommodation

Queen's university provides a variety of on-campus housing options. There are a limited number of spaces in Jean Royce Hall available for exchange students. Jean Royce Hall rooms are single with a shared kitchen and bathroom facilities, students may also select a meal plan.

However, all residence allocations are made through a lottery system and housing is not guaranteed.

Many exchange students choose to live off-campus. Queen's University International Centre (QUIC) provides resources to assist students in finding housing. QUIC recommend students who choose to live off-campus come to kingston at least 1 week in advance to secure accommodation, as this can be challenging.

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

Student Wellness Services (SWS) and Student Academic Success Services (SASS) are also offered by Queen's University to support international exchange students adapting to a new university environment.

QUIC provides non-academic support for international exchange students through its varied programs and activities throughout the year. Staff and volunteers organize events to introduce international students to the unique aspects of Kingston and surrounding areas. Section 5.1 in the international student guidebook offers more information on orientation and events.

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