Edinburgh · Founded 1875
Specialist InstitutionQueen Margaret University
A specialist health-sciences university based at a purpose-built campus in Musselburgh, east of Edinburgh. QMU's speech and language therapy programme is one of the top-rated in the UK, and its podiatry and dietetics courses are among the few in Scotland. The campus is small and close-knit, with strong clinical placement partnerships across NHS Lothian.
Rankings
- Guardian
- 50+97
- Times
- 50+66
- Student satisfaction
- 73%
Cost of Living
- Rent (halls)
- £650/mo
- Rent (private)
- £620/mo
- Other costs
- £820/mo
QMU is in Musselburgh, just east of Edinburgh, where rents are noticeably lower than the city centre. The campus has excellent on-site accommodation at competitive rates.
Known For
Students
6,600
Location
Edinburgh
SAAS code
Q25
Entry requirements for Scottish students
Typical Higher offers for 2026 entry. Always check with QMU directly.
Nursing (Adult)
No specific subjects
PVG check required
Speech & Language Therapy
English preferred; science preferred at National 5
Diagnostic Radiography
One science required (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)
Drama
English and Drama preferred
Costume Design & Construction
Portfolio required
Education
English required
Entry requirements sourced from Queen Margaret University prospectus, April 2026. Competitive courses may ask for higher grades.
What it actually costs per month
Realistic monthly budget for a student living in Edinburgh, 2026.
The SAAS gap at QMU
- SAAS gives you (max, monthly)
- £950/mo
- Your costs (est.)
- £1,130/mo
Musselburgh rents are well below central Edinburgh, so SAAS support stretches further. On-campus halls are the cheapest option and worth applying for in Year 1.
Calculate your exact SAAS packageSAAS tuition — what you’ll actually pay
If you’re a Scotland-domiciled undergraduate, SAAS pays Queen Margaret University’s tuition fee (£1,820/year) directly — you pay nothing. The SAAS code is Q25.
Open days 2026
Confirmed 2026 open day dates for QMU. Always book a place directly via the university website.
26 Sep 2026
Campus
7 Nov 2026
Campus
Dates sourced from QMU’s official open days page, checked April 2026. Confirm current details before travelling.
Scholarships & bursaries
Verified funding available to Scottish-domiciled students at QMU. Always check the university website for current eligibility criteria and deadlines.
Lord Forte Foundation Scholarship
£2,500/yr
Penultimate and final year students studying Events, Hospitality, or Tourism Management; 6 awards annually
Apply / find out moreBaillie Gifford Bursary
~£2,400 (one-off)
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds facing financial difficulty; competitive application
Apply / find out moreRobertson Trust Scholarship
Up to £4,250/yr
Young people from under-represented backgrounds; nomination-based via Robertson Trust Journey to Success programme
Apply / find out moreWho is QMU best for?
Queen Margaret is small, healthcare-focused, and unusually specialised — the speech and language therapy, diagnostic radiography and dietetics programmes are well-regarded by the NHS and have very high direct-employment rates. The Musselburgh campus is on the eastern edge of Edinburgh with a train station directly outside the campus (around 6 minutes to Waverley), so you get cheaper-than-central-Edinburgh rent with full city access. Right pick if your child is sure about a healthcare profession or performing arts route. Less obvious if they want a broad academic experience — QMU’s strength is depth in a few areas, not breadth.
Student life at a glance
Students’ union
QMSU — small, friendly, runs a strong support network particularly for healthcare students on placements. Less of a clubbing/nightlife scene than EUSA.
Social scene
Musselburgh is suburban-quiet, but Edinburgh’s nightlife is 10 minutes by train. Many QMU students use the campus as their home base and head into central Edinburgh socially.
Graduate prospects
High direct-employment for nursing, AHPs (allied health professions) and speech therapy. Acting and performance graduates have a strong UK creative-industries network.
Considering QMU? Also look at
Same city, broader course range, similar entry requirements
View profileComparable nursing/health focus in Glasgow, larger institution
View profileSimilar healthcare strengths in Aberdeen, much cheaper rent
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Frequently asked questions about QMU
What is Queen Margaret University ranked?
Queen Margaret University is ranked 97 in the Guardian University Guide and 66 in The Times Good University Guide. Student satisfaction (from the National Student Survey) sits at 73%. Rankings shift annually — always check the latest published tables before relying on a specific position.
How much is student rent at Queen Margaret University?
Average monthly rent in Edinburgh for QMU students is approximately £650 in university halls and £620 in private rented accommodation. Other living costs (food, transport, utilities, social) add roughly £820 per month on top. These are indicative averages — actual costs depend on the specific hall or flat. Always check the university's accommodation pages for the latest prices.
What is Queen Margaret University known for?
Queen Margaret University's strongest subject areas include Speech & Language Therapy, Nursing, Drama, Podiatry. These are the departments most commonly cited in league tables and by employers. QMU also has strong graduate employment in these areas — check the university's own graduate outcomes data for the most current figures.
What type of university is Queen Margaret University?
Queen Margaret University is a specialist institution with a focused academic offer rather than the broad faculty structure of a traditional university.
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Browse options →Rankings, rent, and living-cost figures checked April 2026.
Rankings source: Guardian University Guide and The Times Good University Guide. Rent figures are indicative averages from council and university accommodation pages. Entry requirements sourced from QMU prospectus 2026 entry. Always confirm current prices and requirements directly with QMU. See our editorial policy for how we source and update this data.