Queen Margaret University

History

• Founded in 1875, the Edinburgh School of Cookery was created to improve women's education and career opportunities and to improve health by improving the diets of ordinary people.
• From its beginnings, the university has always focused on contributing in practical ways to improving the quality of human life and serving the community.
• Today, inspired by its history and the great tradition of Scottish education, Queen Margaret has developed into a modern university which prepares graduates for useful careers and equips them with the skills which will help them make a real difference to society. Its teaching and research are designed to enhance the social and economic well-being of the communities it serves – within Scotland, the UK and internationally.

Location and transport

• Relocated to a new purpose-built university campus on the southeast side of Edinburgh in 2007. The new campus is right next to Musselburgh train station (6-minute train journey to the centre of Edinburgh).
• Vibrant new academic village with high-tech buildings and attractive landscaped spaces, featuring an innovative learning resource centre, modern student residences, students' union building, indoor sports facilities and all weather surfaces. The academic building features high quality specialist facilities including practical research laboratories, a nursing simulation suite, and working speech, audiology and podiatry clinics.

Entry standards

• Get information on entry standards at Queen Margaret online.

Student mix

• Men 26%, women 74%.
• Home and EU students 89%, overseas students 11%.

Course flexibility

• Some courses available via distance learning – please contact Admissions for advice about this particular area.

Teaching standards

• The University, which has over 6,000 students and approximately 500 staff, is divided into two schools: the School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management and the School of Health Sciences.
• Lecturing staff are actively engaged in ongoing research and collaborative work with external agencies, businesses and academics from other institutions. In the past five years our researchers have secured an increasing number of prestigious research grants from the UK Research Councils including the AHRC, ESRC and EPSRC and have also received funding from the Chief Scientist Office, NHS, central and local government, charities and industry. We are also currently leading the HEI sector in Scotland on the development and awareness of social enterprise.
• This helps ensure that teaching is up-to-date and relevant, benefiting from the latest thinking and developments in the field.
• In 2009 the university gained the highest possible category in the enhancement-led institutional review conducted by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

Research standards

• QMU is dedicated to improving the quality of life and building the evidence-base for policy and inter-professional practice through interdisciplinary research and society relevant knowledge exchange.
• The value of our interdisciplinary work is measured by its impact and the social usefulness, practicality and applicability of its outcomes.
• We are committed to the two-way interaction and exchange of knowledge between business, public and third sector organisations.
• The vitality of our research culture and the importance of researcher development promotes synergy between teaching, research, knowledge exchange and third stream activity to achieve maximum benefit.
• The most research active institution within the post 1992 university sector.
• Our research is Media and Communication and Linguistics is recognised as being internationally excellent.
• QMU’s research work is focused on six themes:

• Nutrition and Metabolism in Health and Disease
• Physical Therapies
• Social Determinants of Health
• Media, Culture and Production
• Speech and Communication
• Sustainable Business

Academic strengths

• Queen Margaret University has academic flagship areas in:

• Health and Rehabilitation;
• Sustainable Business and
• Creativity and Culture.

• Within these flagship areas, the University provides highly relevant professional education and research that informs policy and practice in health, performing arts, media and social science, and business, enterprise and management.  
•  QMU’s Health and Rehabilitation flagship area is underpinned by a portfolio of health courses - the University has the widest range of allied health professional courses of any university in Scotland.
• Within the area of health and rehabilitation, flagships include food and nutrition, speech and hearing sciences, international nursing education and rehabilitation science.
• The University’s work in Health and Rehabilitation has a global reach, not least through its Institute for International Health and Development (IIHD). Focused on the social determinants of health in globally and locally marginalised populations, IIHD provides post-graduate education, research and technical assistance to development agencies and governments.
• The University established CASL (Clinical Audiology, Speech and Language) Research Centre in 2011, building on years of pioneering work carried out by QMU’s experts in speech science.
• An excellent reputation for healthcare courses, particularly with an international reputation for excellence in the area of speech & language therapy.
• In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, 40% of our research in Communication, Cultural & Media Studies and 40% in Speech & Language Sciences was rated as being of international excellence.
•  Established three academic flagship areas - health and rehabilitation, sustainable business, and culture and creativity - as a focus for future investment and development.
• Establishment of the CASL (Clinical Audiology, Speech and Language) Research Centre.
• In the Student Barometer 2010 (autumn wave), EU and international students ranked QMU number 1 in the UK for ‘overall living experience’ and number 1, in both the UK and amongst all 203 universities participating worldwide, for their satisfaction with the ‘overall student support’.
• Ranked as the top university in Scotland for improving students’ communication skills in the National Student Survey (NSS).
• Over £1 million secured from the Department for International Development to undertake research into rebuilding the delivery of health services after conflict or social disruption.
• £0.5m anonymous donation received for research into osteoporosis.
• Significant funding received from research councils and other sources to undertake research in speech (including interventions for children with Down’s Syndrome and autism), on the causes and impact of osteoporosis, and into the effects of the changes in Scottish Government policy on alcohol on individuals with alcohol-related problems.
• Achieved student numbers and tuition fee income targets.
• Expansion of a suite of international agreements, including existing partnerships in Singapore, India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Greece.
• Became the first university in the UK to offer a UK degree delivered face-to-face in Nepal.
• Winner in the e-Government Awards 2010; highly commended in the Green Gown Awards and Green Business Awards 2011, a warded Fair Trade status.
  

Student facilities, including library and computing

• The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) is a one-stop shop for the learning, teaching and research needs of students.
• The LRC has 1,000 study spaces, most with IT. Its flexible modern learning spaces include social, group, quiet, silent and individual study areas.

Disability services

• For information about the disability services at Queen Margaret, telephone 0131 474 0000, email jjebb@qmu.ac.uk or visit the website.

Students' union

• Awarded Gold at the Best Bar None Awards 2011 and Winner of Most Improved Students’ Union in the UK (2010).
• The Students’ Union offers a representation and welfare service to all students to help them through their journey in higher education.
• There are lots of sports and societies to get involved in, including our League Champion teams; Women's Hockey and Netball, and Men's Basketball and Rugby (2010).
• The SU runs a variety of voluntary initiatives to help students gain experience, including a university radio station, magazine and charity work.
• The café bar offers a diverse menu with make your own options and all at student friendly prices.

Availability of part-time work

• The JobShop offers a free service to all QMU students, helping them find suitable employment and suitable work experience while studying.
• Also offers information and advice on many employment related matters, such as application forms, CVs, and tax and national insurance.

Notable alumni

• Matt Baker, TV presenter (formerly Blue Peter, currently The One Show and Countryfile).
• Ashley Jensen, actor (US hit TV series Ugly Betty).
• Edith Bowman, Scottish music critic, radio DJ and TV presenter (BBC Radio 1)
• Kevin McKidd, actor (Trainspotting, TV hit series Rome, Grey’s Anatomy).
• James McKenzie, actor (children’s TV gameshow series Raven).
• Angel Coulby, actor in the TV hit fantasy series, Merlin where she plays Guinevere. Angel has also starred next to Johnny Vaughan in Orrible and appeared in The Bill, Casualty, Holby City, Hustle, Doctor Who and Vincent.
• Catriona Strachan, the face of Marks and Spencer’s online TV channel.
• Jacqui Lunday, Chief Health Professions Officer, Scottish Government
• Fiona Burrell, Principal and Managing Director of the Edinburgh New Town Cookery School and formerly Co-Principal of Leiths School of Food and Wine.
• Helen Doherty, producer of Children’s TV series Balamory and Me Too.
• Kellyanne Farquahar, actor (Monarch of the Glen).
• Craig Hill, comedian.

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