Queen Mary University of London
QS World 2026 number 110, a Russell Group member since 2012. Founded in 1885 in East London, plus the medical school Barts and The London with 900+ years of heritage (origins at St Bartholomew's Hospital, 1123). 5 campuses (Mile End, Whitechapel, Charterhouse Square, Lincoln's Inn Fields, West Smithfield). Acceptance ~44% overall (the most accessible Russell Group in London), but Medicine is extremely competitive at ~5.8%. Strong for Medicine, Law (CCLS), Business, Engineering.
About Queen Mary
Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) was founded in 1885 as East London College, in Mile End (Tower Hamlets), with the aim of providing education to the working class of the East End. It was renamed Queen Mary College in 1934 in honour of Queen Mary, the wife of King George V. QMUL only became a Russell Group member in 2012, alongside Durham, Exeter and York (the most recent addition to the UK academic elite). A unique feature: the medical school Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry has its origins at St Bartholomew's Hospital, founded in 1123, so 900+ years of medical heritage, the oldest in England.
What makes QMUL unique: 5 campuses in East and Central London (Mile End main, Whitechapel for medical, Charterhouse Square, Lincoln's Inn Fields, West Smithfield), plus international campuses in France, China, Malta, Piraeus and Singapore. 3 main faculties: Humanities and Social Sciences (English, History, Politics, Geography, including the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, CCLS, a world leader in commercial law), Medicine and Dentistry (Barts and The London), Science and Engineering (CS, Engineering, Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry). REF 2021: QMUL was number 7 in the UK for research quality, with 92% of its research rated excellent or world-leading.
For Romanian students, QMUL is an excellent option for those who want a Russell Group academic experience with a more accessible acceptance rate. The typical profile: a real (science) BAC track with Biology-Chemistry (for Medicine at Barts), a humanities track with very strong English (for Law CCLS or Humanities), a real track with Maths (for CS or Engineering). Advantages for Romanians: a cost of living that is lower than central London (Mile End is in the East End, with good transport links to the centre), and the most demographically diverse community in the Russell Group (more than 160 countries represented). Notable alumni: Christopher Lloyd (the Back to the Future actor), many doctors who graduated from Barts and work in the NHS and internationally, and judges and lawyers from CCLS at Magic Circle law firms.
How to apply to QMUL
UCAS application (QMUL code: Q50)
You apply through UCAS, with a maximum of 5 choices in total. QMUL uses the institution code Q50. UCAS application fee: £28.95 for 5 choices. Strategy for Romanians: QMUL works well as a target or safety choice for Russell Group applicants (more accessible than Imperial/UCL/KCL/LSE). A suitable mix: 2 reach (UCL, KCL) + 2 target (QMUL, Manchester) + 1 safety.
Deadline 14 January 2026 (Medicine 15 Oct)
Standard UCAS deadline for QMUL: 14 January 2026, 18:00 UK time. Exception for Medicine MBBS and Dentistry BDS at Barts: 15 October (the same as Oxbridge). UCAS Apply opens in September. Note: QMUL has 2 intakes per year, but for undergraduate study September is the main intake. For the January intake (rare for undergraduate): you apply through the QMUL portal directly, not UCAS.
Required tests: UCAT (Barts) or LNAT (Law)
QMUL does NOT require TMUA, TARA or ESAT (unlike Imperial, UCL, LSE). Only 2 required tests: UCAT (which replaced BMAT in 2024) for Medicine MBBS and Dentistry BDS at Barts, and LNAT for LLB Law. Barts UCAT: cut-off at the 4th decile (lowest), with a Band 4 SJT being an auto-reject. In 2025 the lowest UCAT score invited to interview was 2670. UCAT sittings run July-September 2026. LNAT: sittings September 2026 - July 2027. For Romanians: both tests are available at Pearson VUE in Bucharest.
Personal Statement (NEW FORMAT 2026)
The UCAS Personal Statement has been REFORMED for 2026 entry, structured into 3 sections with specific questions. Around 4,000 characters in total. For Barts Medicine: clinical experience, hospital work shadowing, NHS volunteering, demonstrating an understanding of East London community health. For Law (CCLS): interest in commercial law, the City of London context. For CS/Engineering: personal projects, hackathons. Predicted grades come from your teacher.
Interview (Barts Medicine, Dentistry only)
QMUL holds interviews only for Medicine MBBS and Dentistry BDS at Barts. Format: a panel interview, 15-20 minutes, with 2 or more interviewers. It is hybrid, either online (MS Teams) or in person at Whitechapel. For 2025: ~80% of UK applicants were interviewed, with a ~73% offer rate for those interviewed. Internationals face tougher odds: ~42% interviewed, ~38% offer rate for those interviewed. The rest of QMUL courses (Law, CS, etc.) do NOT involve an interview, with the decision based on UCAS plus tests plus predicted grades.
Conditional offer + Baccalaureate
Conditional offers are based on predicted grades. For the Romanian BAC: a BAC average of 9-9.5+ and 9-9.5+ on the relevant track (more accessible than Imperial/LSE). The equivalent of A*AA-AAA at A-Levels. Per faculty: Medicine MBBS Barts: AAA required, plus Chemistry and Biology at 9.5+; Law LLB: 9-9.5+ plus a competitive LNAT; Standard courses: a 9-9.5+ average is sufficient. Plus IELTS 6.5-7.0 depending on the course. After the BAC in June-July, you confirm that you have met the conditions.
Costs for Romanians
Intl Tuition 2026-27
Total cost 3-year BSc / 5-year MBBS
Merit-based
QMUL does NOT offer need-blind/need-aware admissions like the US Ivies. For international undergraduates, there is NO need-based financial aid. Scholarships are merit-based, but QMUL is among the most generous London Russell Group universities for internationals.
Up to £12,000
QMUL International Excellence Scholarship: up to £6,000 tuition reduction for intl high-achievers. QMUL Global Talent Scholarship: up to £12,000 for undergraduates (the most generous in the RG). Department-specific awards vary. For Romanians: apply separately from UCAS, with deadlines in April-June.
Overseas full
Since 2021, EU citizens (Romanians) pay full Overseas fees. You NO longer have access to UK Student Loans. Exception: pre-Brexit settled status or Irish citizenship. QMUL sometimes requires a deposit in the first year for intl undergraduates.
Want to apply to Queen Mary?
QMUL is more accessible than Imperial/UCL/KCL/LSE (~44% acceptance overall), but Medicine at Barts is among the toughest in the UK. For Romanians: it does NOT require TMUA/TARA/ESAT (an advantage), but Medicine requires UCAT plus a panel interview, Law requires LNAT, plus a BAC of 9-9.5+ predicted grades and IELTS 6.5-7.0. Our mentors from QMUL guide you step by step. The mentoring session is 100% free.
Talk to a mentorFrequently asked questions
QMUL vs other London Russell Group universities (Imperial/UCL/KCL/LSE), which to choose?
QMUL is more accessible in terms of acceptance (~44% overall) vs Imperial ~14%, UCL ~24-28%, KCL ~13%, LSE ~6-12%. QMUL is chosen for: Medicine at Barts (the oldest medical school in England, but with 5.8% acceptance), Law CCLS (the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, a world leader in commercial law), and the East London cost of living (around £3-5k/yr cheaper than central London). Choose Imperial/UCL/KCL/LSE if: you want a more prestigious brand and you are not bothered by the cost and the tougher competition. For Romanians: QMUL is excellent as a target or safety choice for the Russell Group, plus Barts Medicine is a top option if you want to study medicine at a London Russell Group university.
How many Romanians study at Queen Mary?
QMUL has students from 160+ countries, ~30% international in total, the most demographically diverse in the Russell Group. The Romanian community is well represented, especially in Medicine MBBS at Barts, plus Law CCLS and Engineering/CS. Estimate: ~80-130 Romanian undergraduate plus postgraduate students at any one time. The QMUL Romanian Society organises social events, networking events and support for new arrivals. QMUL is among the most accessible Russell Group universities for Romanians (especially for those with a BAC between 9 and 9.5).
What admission tests do I need for QMUL?
QMUL does NOT require TMUA, TARA or ESAT (the same as KCL, unlike Imperial/UCL/LSE). Only 2 required tests: UCAT (which replaced BMAT in 2024) for Medicine MBBS and Dentistry BDS at Barts, with sittings July-September 2026; LNAT for LLB Law, with sittings September 2026 - July 2027. Note for Barts Medicine: the UCAT cut-off is at the 4th decile (the lowest accepted score), with a Band 4 SJT being an auto-reject. In 2025 the lowest score invited to interview was 2670. The rest of QMUL courses (CS, Engineering, Business, Humanities) do NOT require an admission test. This means the focus is exclusively on the BAC plus Personal Statement plus IELTS.
Can I get into QMUL with the Romanian Baccalaureate?
Yes, the Romanian BAC is accepted at QMUL. Typical threshold: a BAC average of 9-9.5+ and 9-9.5+ on the relevant track (more accessible than Imperial/LSE). The equivalent of A*AA-AAA at A-Levels. Per faculty: Medicine MBBS Barts: AAA required plus Chemistry 9.5+ and Biology 9.5+; Law LLB: a 9-9.5+ average plus a competitive LNAT; Standard courses (CS, Engineering, Business, Humanities): a 9+ average is sufficient for a competitive applicant. QMUL is actively chosen by Romanian students with good but not absolute top grades.
What IELTS do I need for QMUL?
The minimum QMUL IELTS varies by course: Standard (most courses): 6.5 overall, no <6.0 per component. Higher level: 7.0 overall, no <6.5 per component (Medicine MBBS Barts, Law LLB, Humanities). TOEFL alternative: 92+ overall (no per-component minimums). For Romanians: aim for IELTS 7.0+ for a competitive profile. Valid for 2 years. An international high school taught in English can be an IELTS waiver.
How much does 3 years at QMUL cost in total for a Romanian?
3-year BSc/BA Humanities: ~£115,000-£130,000 all-in total. 3-year LLB Law CCLS: ~£120,000-£140,000. 3-year BSc CS/Engineering: ~£135,000-£155,000. 4-year BBA Business: ~£145,000-£170,000. 5-year MBBS Medicine Barts: ~£260,000-£340,000. Annual breakdown: tuition £29-54k + East London accommodation £10-14k + living £5-7k = ~£44-75k/yr. East London advantage: around £3-5k/yr cheaper on accommodation/living than central London (Imperial, UCL, KCL, LSE). The Mile End campus has excellent transport (Central Line) to the City and West End.
Can I stay in the UK after graduation? Graduate Route?
Yes, through the Graduate Route visa. After graduating from any QMUL degree (BSc, MSc, MEng, MBBS, LLB), you are automatically entitled to 2 years on the Graduate Route (3 years for a PhD) to look for a job in the UK without a sponsor. Visa cost: £822 + £1,035/yr IHS. QMUL graduate salaries: Medicine MBBS Barts: £32-37k/yr starting in NHS Foundation Year 1, rising in 5-7 years to £55-80k. Law CCLS LLB: £42-55k starting at firms specialising in commercial law in the City. CS/Engineering: £30-50k starting in tech jobs. QMUL employability stat: 90%+ of graduates are employed or in further study 6 months after graduation (HESA).
What are the best QMUL courses for global careers?
For Medicine/Healthcare careers: MBBS Medicine at Barts (the oldest medical school in England, founded in 1123 through St Bart's Hospital), BDS Dentistry. Training at St Bartholomew's, The Royal London (Whitechapel) and Whipps Cross. For Law careers (especially international commercial law): LLB Law at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS), a world leader in commercial law. Top Magic Circle recruiters: Clifford Chance, Linklaters, Allen and Overy. For tech careers: BSc Computer Science, BSc Electronic Engineering with Industry, BSc Robotics Engineering. For finance/business careers: BBA Business Management (4 years, includes a placement), BSc Economics, Finance and Management, accredited by AACSB.
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