Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) is a competitive Russell Group university that is achievable for well-qualified applicants. It makes offers to a majority of applicants across most courses, with typical A-level offers from ABB to AAA. Medicine, Dentistry and Law are much more competitive, and meeting the grades matters more than at the very top universities.
Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) is a research-intensive Russell Group university and a member of the University of London — competitive, but achievable for well-qualified applicants. It is a Russell Group member (which it joined in 2012), based in East London, and particularly strong in medicine and dentistry through Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, as well as law and engineering. Getting in means understanding what the numbers mean for your specific course.
The real acceptance rate at Queen Mary
The headline "acceptance rate" hides a lot, and the gap matters.
Applications received: high across a broad range of courses, with the strongest competition on medicine, dentistry and law.
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Review my statement → From £7.49 · Results in under 10 minOffers made: Queen Mary makes offers to a majority of applicants across most courses — an offer rate well above the most selective universities.
By subject, the picture varies. The medical and dental schools and Law are highly competitive, with far more strong applicants than places; many other courses make offers to most well-qualified applicants.
The key point: for most Queen Mary courses, meeting the grade requirement puts you in a strong position. The exceptions are Medicine, Dentistry and Law, where grades are the entry ticket and tests, experience and interviews decide.
Source: Queen Mary University of London admissions data and UCAS sector figures.
Entry requirements by course
| Course | Typical A-level Offer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine (A100) | AAA | Chemistry + Biology; UCAT required; interview |
| Dentistry (A200) | AAA | Chemistry + Biology; UCAT; interview |
| Law | AAA | Essay-based subjects help; strong department |
| Economics / Finance | AAB–AAA | Maths required |
| Engineering | ABB–AAA | Maths + Physics |
| Computer Science | AAB | Maths required |
| Psychology | AAB | A science often preferred |
| Humanities (History, English) | ABB–AAB | Essay subjects |
IB requirements: Queen Mary's standard IB offer typically sits between 32 and 38 points, with higher requirements for medicine, dentistry and law.
Medicine, Dentistry and Law: the hardest doors
Queen Mary's Barts and The London medical and dental school is one of the larger and more competitive in the country. Medicine and Dentistry require AAA including Chemistry and Biology, plus the UCAT and an interview. Law at Queen Mary is highly regarded and competitive, with a strong research reputation. As everywhere, on these courses the personal statement and any tests genuinely matter alongside grades — check the current-cycle requirements.
Rankings and Russell Group standing
- QS World University Rankings 2026: within the global top 150
- Complete University Guide / Guardian 2026: within the UK top 40
- Research strength: strong in medicine and dentistry, law, and the sciences
Queen Mary traces its roots to the 19th century and took its current form as a college of the University of London; it joined the Russell Group in 2012. It sits in the upper-middle tier of UK universities, with genuinely elite provision in its strongest subjects.
Contextual offers at Queen Mary
Queen Mary has a strong widening-participation mission and operates contextual admissions. Eligible applicants — from under-represented backgrounds or low-participation areas — may receive reduced offers and are considered with additional context. Check Queen Mary's published criteria, as they vary by course.
Who gets into Queen Mary?
For most courses, offers go to applicants who:
- Are predicted ABB to AAA with the relevant subjects
- Meet any course-specific requirements (UCAT for Medicine/Dentistry; Maths for Economics/Engineering)
- Have a personal statement showing genuine subject engagement
For most Queen Mary courses, meeting the grades puts you in a strong position — the personal statement becomes decisive mainly on the competitive medical, dental and law programmes.
Queen Mary vs. comparable universities
Queen Mary sits alongside London universities like UCL and King's College London (both more selective), and Russell Group civics like Manchester and Leeds. Its distinguishing strengths are its Barts and The London medical and dental school, its Law department, and its strong widening-participation record.
The personal statement: what Queen Mary is looking for
For most Queen Mary courses, meeting the grades is the main hurdle, and the personal statement — now the three UCAS questions for 2027 entry — confirms genuine interest and fit. On Medicine, Dentistry and Law it does far more work, distinguishing between high-grade applicants.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Queen Mary?
Queen Mary makes offers to a majority of applicants across most courses, so its overall offer rate is well above the most selective universities. Medicine, Dentistry and Law have far lower success rates, so the figure varies sharply by subject.
What grades do you need to get into Queen Mary?
Most Queen Mary courses require ABB to AAA at A-level. Medicine and Dentistry (at Barts and The London) require AAA including Chemistry and Biology plus the UCAT and an interview. Check the exact requirements for your course.
Is Queen Mary a good university?
Yes — Queen Mary is a Russell Group university (which it joined in 2012) and a member of the University of London, especially strong in medicine and dentistry (Barts and The London), law, and engineering. It ranks within the UK top 40 and the global top 150.
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