A world top 150 university for English Language and Literature, situated in the heart of literary Belfast, Queen's has one of the most esteemed heritages of any English department in Britain and Ireland.

The Michael Longley Scholarships offer two scholarships of £7,500 on an annual basis to assist graduates to pursue the MA in Poetry: Creativity and Criticism, in the School of Arts, English and Languages at Queen’s University Belfast.

Both scholarships are open to students who have already been accepted to the MA in Poetry. Both are dependent on a short written statement. Applicants must have applied to the MA in Poetry by the deadline of Fri 29 May 2026, the deadline for written statements for the Longley Scholarships is Fri 12 Jun 2026. 

Scholarship One:
To be eligible for the Scholarship an applicant must:
• be a resident of Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland and qualify for fees at “Home Student” status;
• be accepted on to the MA in Poetry (Full Time) in the School of Arts, English and Languages.
• Preference will be given to students who can provide evidence of financial need. This could include:
 - You are or have been in receipt of a maintenance grant, a special support grant or a means tested bursary.
- You are in receipt of a means tested benefit such as Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
- You were in the care of a Health and Social Care Trust or Local Authority for three months or more from the age of 14 years.

Scholarship Two:
To be eligible for the Scholarship an applicant must:
• be classed as a resident of the UK or EU citizen and classified in residency terms for fees at “GB” “Home Student” or “EU” status;
• be accepted on to the MA in Poetry (Full Time) in the School of Arts, English and Languages.
• First preference will be given to “GB” students. Second preference will be given to students from the island of Ireland.

How to Apply:
The award will be based on the quality of the sample of work submission* and a supporting written statement to include (750 words):
• what the applicant hopes to achieve through this opportunity and the impact they think this will have on their life
• what the applicant plans to do with their learning to impact the lives of others
*This refers to the sample of work candidates will have already submitted as part of the application process for the MA Programme.

Closing Date for Applications: Friday 12 June 2026 at 4.00pm
The written statement application must be received by the AEL postgraduate office - ael-pg@qub.ac.uk - by 4pm UK time

ENDS...