Admissions·United Kingdom & Ireland· 9 min read

How to Get Admission in Queen Mary University of London

An international student's guide to applying to Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) — a Russell Group London university: UCAS and direct routes, the International Foundation Year, and the Barts medicine UCAT track.

Last updated 3 July 2026

Key facts

Type: Russell Group research university in London, England
UCAS institution code: Q50 (used with the UCAS course code for undergraduate applications)
Undergraduate applications: Apply through UCAS; postgraduate taught programmes are applied to directly via the course finder
Medicine & Dentistry (Barts): Applicants must sit the UCAT in addition to meeting academic requirements — verify current rules on the Barts faculty pages
Pathways: International Foundation Year (and pre-master's) for students who need a bridging route
Entry grades & fees: Set per course and reviewed each year — always check the specific course page

About Queen Mary University of London

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) is a Russell Group research university based in London, with well-known strengths in law, medicine and dentistry (through Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry), business and management, computer science and the humanities. It attracts a large and diverse international student community.

This guide explains how international students apply — the UCAS and direct routes, English requirements, the Barts medicine track and foundation pathways. It avoids quoting exact grades or fees, which vary by course and change annually, and it does not claim QMUL is the 'best' university — that depends on your subject and goals.

Russell Group university located in London
Notable in law, medicine/dentistry (Barts), business, computer science, humanities
Rankings, where cited, should be attributed to the ranking body (QS/THE)

How to apply: UCAS and direct routes

For undergraduate courses, apply online through UCAS. Queen Mary's UCAS institution code is Q50, which you use with the specific UCAS course code for your programme. Prepare a personal statement, transcripts, predicted or achieved grades and a reference, and submit within the UCAS cycle.

For postgraduate taught programmes, you apply directly to Queen Mary, typically via the 'Apply now' button on the relevant course-finder page. Postgraduate applications need your transcripts, degree certificate, references and, where required, a statement of purpose. Deadlines and documents differ by course, so check the course page.

Undergraduate: apply via UCAS using institution code Q50
Postgraduate taught: apply directly through the course-finder page
Prepare transcripts, references, personal statement/SOP and English evidence
Confirm course-specific deadlines and documents before submitting

The Barts medicine and dentistry track (UCAT)

Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary are taught through Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, and the application route is more involved than for other subjects. In addition to meeting the academic entry requirements, all applicants must sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT); applications are not considered without a UCAT score unless a formal exception is granted.

Admission to medicine and dentistry is highly competitive, and international places are limited. Selection uses academic attainment together with the UCAT and other criteria set by the faculty. Because thresholds, the use of UCAT deciles and academic requirements are reviewed each cycle, verify the current selection rules directly on the Barts faculty admissions pages before applying.

Medicine/Dentistry is via Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
All applicants must take the UCAT alongside academic requirements
Places — especially international places — are limited and highly competitive
Defer exact thresholds and UCAT decile rules to the official faculty pages

Foundation and pre-master's pathways

If you don't yet meet direct-entry requirements, Queen Mary runs an International Foundation Year, taught by Queen Mary academics, that prepares international students for undergraduate study and can progress to a wide range of bachelor's degrees. There are subject strands (for example, humanities and social sciences, and science and engineering) and pre-master's options for postgraduate preparation.

On successfully completing a foundation year and meeting the stated progression requirements, students can move onto an eligible undergraduate degree. Entry and English requirements apply to the foundation route itself, so check the current criteria and the list of degrees each pathway progresses to.

International Foundation Year prepares international students for undergraduate degrees
Subject strands cover areas like humanities/social sciences and science/engineering
Meeting progression requirements is needed to move onto the degree
Confirm current entry criteria and progression lists on the official pages

English language requirements

Queen Mary sets English-language requirements by course, and international applicants provide an accepted English test result (such as IELTS) at the required level. Foundation and pathway routes also have their own English requirements, which may differ from direct-entry degrees.

Because accepted tests and minimum scores vary by programme and are updated over time, check the specific course or pathway page and verify current requirements on Queen Mary's admissions pages before you apply.

English requirements are set per course (and per pathway)
Provide an accepted test result at the required level (e.g. IELTS)
Verify accepted tests and scores on the official admissions pages

After you receive an offer

When you hold an offer, meet any conditions, accept your place, and begin the student visa process as an international student. Queen Mary issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that you use for your visa application.

UK immigration rules are set by the government and change from time to time. Use the official GOV.UK student-visa guidance for current requirements and verify on the official source before acting — this guide is general information, not immigration advice.

Meet offer conditions, then accept your place
The university issues a CAS for your student visa application
Check current student-visa rules on GOV.UK; verify before acting

Frequently asked questions

What is Queen Mary's UCAS code?

Queen Mary University of London's UCAS institution code is Q50. You use it together with the specific UCAS course code for the programme you are applying to when you submit your undergraduate application through UCAS.

Do I need the UCAT to apply for medicine at Queen Mary?

Yes. All applicants to Medicine and Dentistry at Barts (Queen Mary's medical and dental school) must sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in addition to meeting academic requirements; applications are not considered without a UCAT score unless a formal exception is granted. Verify the current selection rules on the Barts faculty admissions pages, as thresholds are reviewed each cycle.

How do postgraduate applications work — through UCAS?

No. Undergraduate applications go through UCAS (institution code Q50), but postgraduate taught programmes are applied to directly with Queen Mary, usually via the 'Apply now' button on the relevant course-finder page. Check the specific course page for deadlines and required documents.

I don't meet the direct entry requirements — can I still study at Queen Mary?

Possibly, via the International Foundation Year, taught by Queen Mary academics, which prepares international students for a wide range of undergraduate degrees, or via a pre-master's route for postgraduate preparation. You must meet the pathway's own entry and English requirements and the stated progression requirements to move onto a degree. Confirm current criteria on the official pages.

What grades do I need for Queen Mary?

Entry grades are set per course and reviewed each year, so we don't quote a fixed number. Read the specific course page for the year you are applying to see the required qualifications and grades, including how Indian boards, the IB or A-levels map to the requirement.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: Queen Mary University of London — How to apply (undergraduate); Queen Mary — International Foundation Year; Barts and The London — Medicine selection criteria; Queen Mary — CAS and Visa.

Last verified: 3 July 2026.