Queen Margaret University

Overview

Queen Margaret University is a modern university located in Musselburgh, near Edinburgh, Scotland. It was Scotland’s first university to be founded in the 21st century and currently has around 6,500 students enrolled from over 70 countries.

QMU’s traditional strengths lie in creativity and culture, business and health. Queen Margaret has the widest range of health degrees in Scotland, ranging from health psychology to audiology and diabetics, while the University holds a worldwide reputation in speech sciences. 93% of Queen Margaret graduates find employment or go on to further study within six months of graduating.

At the heart of the Queen Margaret campus is an innovative learning resource centre, combining IT and library facilities, and offering a wide variety of flexible learning spaces. QMU is the first Scottish university to have an on-campus Business Gateway, which is run by East Lothian Council and located within QMU’s Business Innovation Zone.

Services for International Students

The Recruitment and International Liaison Office at Queen Margaret University is the first point of contact at QMU for students coming to the UK from overseas. The team are able to provide information about the University and courses as well as fees, visa considerations and cultural differences. The Effective Learning Service offers individual appointments to help with language issues and pre-sessional English courses of four weeks.

Ranking

• 105th in the Times University Guide 2025
• 91st in the Guardian University Guide 2025

Results from the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) show that Queen Margaret University is delivering research with a strong reach and impact globally. REF 2021’s expert peer review panels have confirmed that QMU has world-leading or internationally excellent research in every one of the REF 2021 Units of Assessment to which the University submitted work.

Accommodation

QMU accommodates 800 single rooms available, arranged in self-catered flats of three to six people. All rooms are en suite and it is possible to upgrade to a premium room with more space and a double bed. All accommodation is in the Student Village on campus, close to the main University buildings. Private rented accommodation is also available in the local area, and the University can assist students in finding suitable properties.

Location

The QMU campus is situated on the east side of Edinburgh, by Musselburgh. The campus includes well-equipped specialist laboratories and clinics, en-suite student residences, a students’ union building, sports facilities and attractive landscaped gardens.

Musselburgh has a great deal to offer students: a theatre, a sports centre with a swimming pool, numerous supermarkets and shops, a racecourse, two golf courses, a harbour, a beach, restaurants, pubs, a public library, riverside walks, a public park and a museum.

Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, blends impressive architecture and a rich history and culture with a vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere. Many cultural festivals are held in Edinburgh throughout the year and in the summer, the Edinburgh International Festival brings music, dance, opera and theatre to the city.