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Katy Hayward, PhD, FHEA

Cathal McManus, PhD, FHEA

Fee £50.00 (concession rate £40.00) - fee will amend when you select the appropriate fee rate below.

Autumn 2026

20 weekly sessions on Wednesdays 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm, starting 30 September (restarting 13 January)

In their history of the University, Queen’s, Belfast 1845-1949, Moody and Beckett (1959: 159) describe the ‘efforts made by the college to extend its educational advantages to sections of the local community for whom the ordinary academic courses were inappropriate or out of reach’. These efforts began early on. In 1851, members of the faculty were offering courses of lectures outside working hours, with the first such courses being in chemistry, anatomy and botany. Short courses such as these slowly but surely became a feature of Belfast and the surrounding areas. Thus began a tradition that has continued for 175 years.

To mark this anniversary, Open Learning is pleased to offer the course, 'What Queen's has Given the World' - a series of one-hour lunchtime classes in the Autumn and New Year. The 20-week course is a celebration of the diversity of Queen’s contributions, both through education and research.

Beginning with a history of extramural provision in Queen’s, the course will offer a wide array of with topics ranging from ‘How Queen’s tackled the global cancer challenge’ to ‘Language, Community and Shared Space’. Enthusiastic lecturers and professors from disciplines ranging from Anthropology and Chemical Engineering through to Spanish and Sports Medicine will make this course an enjoyable celebration of the University as a vibrant institution that exists to serve the public good.

We welcome learners, old and new – including alumni and staff as well as curious members of the public. All fees paid to attend this course will go towards a Bursary Fund to support access to Open Learning courses for the wider community.

No class on Wednesday 17 March

This class will be offered in hybrid form, i.e. you can attend on QUB campus or online

Support Requirements

If as a result of your disability you have support requirements, please complete a support needs form and return it 3 weeks before your class commences. The form is available to download here under the Facilities and Support for Disabled Students section or contact the office on 90 973323.

Data Protection Act 2018 - GDPR

The information you provide below will be added to our Open Learning database, which is held securely by Queen's University Belfast, and will be treated confidentially. We will only use this information to provide you with the services you have enrolled for.