Queen Mary, University of London

Overview

Queen Mary, University of London is the third-largest college of the University of London, with its main campus situated in the East End of the capital. As a member of the elite Russell Group, Queen Mary is recognised for its world-class research and academic excellence. With roots tracing back to 1785, the university boasts a rich history while maintaining a forward-thinking, innovative approach to education. Queen Mary is renowned for its international reputation, attracting 32,000 students from over 170 different nationalities, making it a diverse and global institution.

The university offers a wide range of academic opportunities, with over 240 degree programmes across three faculties: Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Engineering, and Medicine and Dentistry. Queen Mary was the first Russell Group institution to introduce degree apprenticeship programmes, reflecting its commitment to providing innovative and flexible learning pathways. The university is ranked among the top 20 institutions globally for its international outlook, further enhancing its appeal to students from around the world. In addition, through the university's recruitment agency, QTemps, students can access valuable work placements both on campus and in the local area, helping to build practical experience alongside academic studies.

Queen Mary is particularly well known for its medical teaching and research, particularly at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, which forms part of the world’s largest academic health science centre. The medical school has established itself as a leader in specialist areas such as cardiology, infectious diseases, surgery, and dentistry. The School of Dentistry has recently moved into new, state-of-the-art facilities, providing students with cutting-edge resources for practical learning.

Services for International Students

Queen Mary offers pre-sessional English programmes, running for 5, 9 or 13 weeks before the start of the year, while in-sessional modules and courses are available for all students wishing to supplement their English during study. Upon arrival, an airport welcome service and an international orientation programme are designed to introduce international students to London, the University and each other.

The Advice and Counselling Service offers comprehensive support to students experiencing financial, welfare and legal issues, including immigration advice for international students, whilst the free, on-campus Student Health Service offers a full range of medical services, including immunisation and psychological counselling.

Ranking

Queen Mary University of London is a leading research-intensive university that was one of the highest climbers among UK universities in the 2025 QS World University Rankings. In 2022, it won ‘University of the Year’ at the sixth annual UK Social Mobility Awards and has also been noted for its social inclusion.

• 39th in the Times University Guide 2025
• 74th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
• 120th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
• 141st in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025

2025 Times University Guide rankings include:

• 14th in the world for Research Quality

The University was ranked joint 7th in the UK for the quality of its research in the REF 2021. Across the University, 92% of Queen Mary’s research was assessed as internationally excellent or world-leading. Queen Mary’s drama department was rated first in the UK, repeating its success in the last REF in 2014. Six further subject areas with the university are ranked within the top 10 in this year’s exercise: Film, Computer Science and Informatics, Politics and International Studies, Engineering, Economics, and History.

Accommodation

Queen Mary currently has over 2,000 rooms available in its completely integrated residential campus. Accommodation is generally arranged in flats and houses of 3-11 students and many rooms are en suite. About 100 rooms in intercollegiate halls are also available, allowing students from different University of London colleges to live together around the city.

Location

Queen Mary’s main campus is in Mile End, in London’s east end. It hosts the bulk of the teaching at the University, the main library and several halls of residence. The nearby Whitechapel campus is mainly used for scientific research and medicine.

East London benefits from being not only cheaper than other areas, but also close to trendy neighbourhoods such as Shoreditch and Brick Lane. As well as this counterculture, the area has been a traditional melting pot of cultures from around the world for centuries.

London is the capital city of the UK and is home to almost 8 million people. It boasts a varied culture, with different areas characterised by different moods, languages and cultures. Over 100,000 international students are living in the city from 43 universities, and it attracts 15 million tourists a year for its world famous museums, restaurants, parks, culture and nightlife.

Alumni

• Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
• J. G. Ballard (Author)
• Graham Chapman (Comedian and actor, Monty Python)
• Sir Peter Mansfield (Nobel Laureate, Physiology or Medicine)
• Bill O’Reilly (Television presenter and political commentator)

FAQs

What are the best courses at Queen Mary University of London?

Some of the highest-ranking subject areas at Queen Mary University of London include law, the arts and humanities, clinical and health, and computer science. Students are particularly interested in the Law LLB (Hons) programme, Medicine MBBS programme, and the English Literature MA programme. 

Is Queen Mary University of London good for MBBS?

The Faculty of Medicine at the Queen Mary University of London is one of the oldest medical schools in the UK and it has been ranked among the top 100 medical colleges in the world. It has an innovative curriculum driven by cutting-edge research enabling students to gain the best theoretical knowledge and practical experiences in the field. 

What is the tuition fee at Queen Mary University of London?

The tuition fee for international students at Queen Mary University of London ranges from £10,000 to £43,000. The university also offers many scholarship opportunities for international students to assist them with funding. 

What is the minimum requirement for admission to LLM at Queen Mary University?

To gain admission into an LLM at Queen Mary, international students must have completed a bachelor's degree in law or a degree with a heavy focus on law-related subjects. Applicants must meet the following metrics or international equivalent in previous study: 

• UK 1st class degree: 75% to 80%
• UK 2:1 degree: 60% to 70%
• UK 2:2 degree: 50% to 60%