Queen Mary University of London (commonly shortened to Queen Mary) is one of the leading institutions in the world for further education. Split across five campuses in central and east London, it has a long heritage dating back to 1785 when the first medical school in the UK was formed at the Royal London Hospital.
Students are able to select from an exceptionally broad range of subjects across three main faculties, including the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
Queen Mary University of London
Table of Contents
Overview
About this university
The university places 20th in the UK and 125th in the world (QS Subject rankings 2023) and was the first Russell Group institution to deliver degree apprenticeship programmes.
Queen Mary is a member of the Russell Group of universities in the UK, which means it is committed to outstanding research and teaching. The University has been ranked joint 7th in the UK for the quality of its research. Across the University, 92% of Queen Mary’s research was assessed as internationally excellent or world-leading. As such, the institution has invested over GBP 105 million in the last five years in facilities alone, including renovating existing learning spaces and creating brand new robotics buildings.
Queen Mary boasts a hugely diverse student population, with over 28,000 students from more than 160 different countries, and 50 per cent of the university’s student community is made up of international students. Students of all backgrounds can enjoy an exceptional education, and all the culture that London has to offer, if they choose to study at Queen Mary.
The award-winning careers service on offer at the institution provides students with the opportunity to book one-to-one careers appointments with trained advisors, look through over 2,000 work experience opportunities and attend events to meet employers from all over the UK.
As well as taught courses, Queen Mary is renowned for its truly world-leading research. Students who choose to continue from an undergraduate degree to postgraduate study can choose to be involved in some of the most ground-breaking and pioneering research possible if they remain at Queen Mary.
What’s new
Innovation and quality are both exceptionally important at Queen Mary, and so it is never an institution to stand still. Investment is made regularly to both expand the horizons of the university and to improve on the existing facilities, so that students are always using the latest technologies and study methods in their field.
The university also partners with some of the largest institutions and employers around the world. It recently announced a new partnership with Health Education England to provide a pilot scheme for a new way of learning for medical degree students.
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Another new training program has been developed in-line with some of the largest biotechnological companies in the world, which will ensure that AI technology is weaved into the study program of its next generation of biological scientists.
These are just some of the examples of how the university constantly reinvents, reinvests and forges new partnerships to offer students a pioneering education.
Finances
How much will it cost?
Average tuition fees per year
Living costs
£21,200
£22,520
£5,900
£5,045
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Living costs
To live on campus
Scholarships & funding
Each year, Queen Mary supports undergraduate and postgraduate students through a range of different scholarships opportunities. This includes a number of competitive Queen Mary bursaries and scholarships, in a range of subject areas, as well as external sources of funding.
The full range of scholarships can be viewed on the university’s website, including all eligibility criteria needed to apply. The list is extensive but can be filtered to the level of study, subject and country of residence to help students find a suitable scholarship.
Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit. The QM database shows what’s on offer, the eligibility criteria for each, and how to apply. Some may have conditions depending on the course, school or faculty.
Application processes for scholarships can be competitive and students should also be aware of application deadlines for external scholarships.
Eligibility
Entry requirements
The entry requirements to study at Queen Mary will vary depending on the chosen course. As such, students are advised to research their subject in advance and make sure that they are on target to be successful when it is time to apply.
The full list of courses and their requirements can be found on the university’s website. All undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS and postgraduate applications should be made online.
International students are welcomed at Queen Mary. Students can check with the university whether their qualifications are sufficient to meet the requirements of their course.
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Students whose first language is not English must also be able to demonstrate they have a strong written and spoken command of the language. All courses are taught and measured in English. The requisite scores on recognised English tests vary depending on the school for which the student is applying – more information can be found on the website.
Department and Faculty
Teaching quality
As one of the 24 Russell Group universities in the UK, Queen Mary is committed to being at the forefront of research as well as offering an exceptional learning and teaching experience to all students, along with outstanding networking opportunities and employability skills.
Students who attend Queen Mary will find that courses are taught in a multitude of ways. Alongside the traditional lectures there will be smaller-group teaching through seminars and workshops, exercise classes, and for medical and materials courses, there will be problem-based learning (PBL) sessions.
All students will be able to complete work in a variety of ways, with essays, group projects, reports and reading expected through almost every course at the university. Many will also require a final-year dissertation. Academic support is available to help students bridge the gap between university and their previous studies.
Department structure
Queen Mary is made up of a wide variety of departments, each of which falls into a number of schools governed by three main faculties. Each faculty is responsible for ensuring the highest standard of education.
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
The faculty consists of eight schools ranging from Business and Management through to English and Drama. Students who wish to study law, politics or linguistics will also fall under this umbrella. The faculty has a number of research centers, including the Criminal Justice Centre, the Centre for Catalan Studies and the Centre for Globalisation Research.
In the QS subject rankings 2021, performing arts, English language and literature, and law were ranked in the global top 50. In the Guardian University Guide 2022 rankings, law ranked 8th in the UK.
Faculty of Science and Engineering
The faculty offers a wonderful range of scientific and technical programs both for undergraduate and postgraduate study. From materials sciences to mathematics, astronomy through to behavioral science, there’s a magnificently diverse range of subjects offered to students by this state-of-the-art faculty.
The faculty has invested over GBP 50 million in the past few years to ensure that students are taught using the most advanced teaching methods in first-class laboratories.
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry is a faculty of Queen Mary. Through partnership with its linked trusts, notably Barts Health NHS Trust, and its associated University Hospital Trust Homerton, Newham, Whipps Cross and Queen’s (Romford), the school’s research and teaching is informed by an exceptionally wide ranging and stimulating clinical environment.
It is nationally and internationally recognised for research, attracting GBP 40 million annually in research income. Dentistry and Medicine are ranked 8th and 14th in the UK respectively by the Guardian University Guide 2022.
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Campus and facilities
Facilities
Queen Mary is home to one of the largest self-contained student campuses in central London. Across the various campuses that make up the university, students will find every facility they need.
As well as lecture theatres, laboratories and an extensive 24-hour library, it has shops, restaurants, a bar, gym, bank and accommodation all on site. Students can also take a virtual campus tour from the comfort of their home or explore the campus via Queen Mary 360° videos on the university’s website. Or visit the campus in person.
Library
Queen Mary’s 24-hour Library in Mile End recently underwent a GBP 1.5 million refurbishment, providing even more study and computer spaces. Medical and dental students can make use of the specialist medical libraries at Whitechapel and West Smithfield.
Health
The Student Health Service can be found at the Mile End campus, which caters for all physical and mental wellbeing needs of students at the university.
Sport
The university has its own health and fitness center called QMotion, situated on the Mile End campus. There’s also a smaller gym at the Charterhouse Square campus that Medicine and Dentistry students can use.
QMotion Health and Fitness Centre
QMotion is the sport and fitness centre for Queen Mary University of London at the Mile End campus. There is also a smaller gym located at the Charterhouse Square campus for Medicine and Dentistry students.
Students’ Union Hub
The Hub is home to a majority of the Union’s activities at Mile End with the Union Reception, bookable spaces for student groups and societies, social spaces and more. Barts and The London Students’ Association (BLSA) has its own set of facilities at the Whitechapel campus for medicine and dentistry students.
Accommodation
Queen Mary University of London has a total of 2,928 bed spaces to offer to new applicants at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Queen Mary offers guaranteed accommodation for all new undergraduate, postgraduate, and foundation students as long as they meet the criteria.
