Âé¶¹Çø

Top Skip to main content
Skip to Content
LOGO(small) - Queen's University Belfast
LOGO(large) - Queen's University Belfast

School of

Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences

  • Home
  • Study
    • Postgraduate Taught
    • Postgraduate Research
    • PhD Opportunities
    • Centre for Medical Education
    • Centre for Dentistry
    • Centre for Biomedical Sciences Education
    • Intercalated Degrees
    • Clinical Academic Training
  • Research
    • Postgraduate Research
    • Research in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
    • Johnston Cancer Research Centre
    • Wellcome-Wolfson Institute For Experimental Medicine
    • Centre for Public Health
    • Find a PhD Supervisor
  • International
    • Partnerships
    • Students
  • Careers & Work Placements
    • Placements
  • Discover
    • Medical Education at 190
    • Research Facilities
    • Teaching Facilities
    • History
  • Connect
    • Staff Directory
    • Key Contacts
    • Gender Equality Office
  • News
  • Home
  • Study
    • Postgraduate Taught
    • Postgraduate Research
    • PhD Opportunities
    • Centre for Medical Education
    • Centre for Dentistry
    • Centre for Biomedical Sciences Education
    • Intercalated Degrees
    • Clinical Academic Training
  • Research
    • Postgraduate Research
    • Research in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
    • Johnston Cancer Research Centre
    • Wellcome-Wolfson Institute For Experimental Medicine
    • Centre for Public Health
    • Find a PhD Supervisor
  • International
    • Partnerships
    • Students
  • Careers & Work Placements
    • Placements
  • Discover
    • Medical Education at 190
    • Research Facilities
    • Teaching Facilities
    • History
  • Connect
    • Staff Directory
    • Key Contacts
    • Gender Equality Office
  • News
In This Section

  • Home
  • School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
  • News

News

Queen’s Medical School at 190: Celebrating Progress, Innovation and Shaping Modern Medicine

31 March, 2026

Queen’s University Belfast’s Medical School is celebrating 190 years of driving groundbreaking innovation, delivering excellence in education and shaping modern medicine.

QUB Medical Education 190 - Red logo

The Belfast Medical School was established in 1836, where it began in a small brick building at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution school site with only thirty male students.

The School then integrated with Queen’s in 1847, two years after the University was officially founded by Royal Charter.

Since then, the School has taught over 17,000 students, educating generations of medical leaders to the highest quality from across Northern Ireland and beyond.

It is better known today as the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences with a current intake of 300 pupils per year from over 20 countries.

Throughout its history, students and teachers from the School have made significant global advances in science and medicine including Professor Frank Pantridge’s lifesaving portable defibrillator, Professor Mollie McGeown’s pioneering treatment to prevent kidney transplant rejection and Dr George Blair’s titanium plate treating hundreds of victims of the Northern Ireland 'Troubles'.

Commenting on the importance of the anniversary, Professor Alan Smyth, Dean and Head of the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast said:

“Queen’s has a long tradition of excellence in medical education and it is an honour as current Dean and Head of School to be a part of this unique history.

This special anniversary is a fantastic opportunity for us to reflect on students, both past and present, and celebrate the key milestones we have achieved together over the past 190 years. These achievements have created great momentum for us to excel in our mission to continue excellence in medical teaching into our next century and beyond.”

To honour this milestone, the School has planned a series of celebratory events to celebrate this fascinating history.

The School's website will also host a virtual video timeline which includes interviews with key people who have helped shaped the School and the wider world.

Share
Latest News
  • Queen’s Medical School at 190: Celebrating Progress, Innovation and Shaping Modern Medicine
    31 March, 2026
  • 2025 JD Williamson Prize winner announced
    5 November, 2025
  • Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences staff celebrated at the 2025 Queen’s Teaching Awards
    7 October, 2025
  • Queen’s University Belfast to Reopen Body Donation Programme
    25 August, 2025
  • Dentistry graduate caps off degree with historic hockey success for Queen’s
    26 June, 2025
QUB Logo
Contact Us

School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences

Whitla Medical Building,
97 Lisburn Road,
Belfast, BT9 7BL

Phone: +44 (0)2890 972215

Quick Links

  • Key Contacts
  • Careers & Work Placements
  • News and Events
  • Website Feedback
© Queen's University Belfast 2026
Privacy and cookies
Website accessibility
Freedom of information
Modern slavery statement
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
University Policies and Procedures
Manage cookies