About the university
Queen Margaret University (QMU) began in 1875 as the Edinburgh School of Cookery, set up to educate working-class women. It took the name Queen Margaret in 1972, gained degree-awarding powers in 1992 and won full university title in 2007, when it moved to a purpose-built campus at Musselburgh on the eastern edge of Edinburgh.
QMU is best known for health and rehabilitation (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, speech and language therapy, radiography, nursing and podiatry), public and global health, and business and communication. It reports strong student satisfaction and graduate outcomes, and hosts the QMU Startup Studio and a Business Gateway on campus.
For Indian students the attractions are moderate fees (most business and public health master's cost £18,950 to £19,860 in 2027/28), January starts on many master's, and professional pre-registration health master's. QMU offers international scholarships of up to £3,000.
The campus is a short bus or train ride from Edinburgh city centre, Scotland's capital. QMU is not ranked highly in global tables, so students who value rankings should compare carefully.
- Roots
- Founded as the Edinburgh School of Cookery in 1875; full university title and move to the Musselburgh campus in 2007
- Type
- Public university on a single campus on the edge of Edinburgh
- Total students
- 13,260 in 2024/25, including 6,839 studying through partners overseas
- International students
- 29.9% international (non-EU) and 30.3% EU in 2024/25; students from more than 80 countries
- Intakes
- September for all courses; January for most business and public health master's
- Graduate outcomes
- 76.5% of responding graduates in high-skilled work 15 months after graduating (HESA data published 2026)
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
1201–1400 in the world
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
=102nd of 130 UK universities
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £18,950
- Duration
- 1 year (18 months with a January start)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
MSc International Management and Leadership
- Fee / year
- £18,950
- Duration
- 1 year (18 months with a January start)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,860
- Duration
- 1 year (18 months with a January start)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £19,860
- Duration
- 1 year (18 months with a January start)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £18,950
- Duration
- 1 year (18 months with a January start)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
MSc Accounting and Finance with CIMA
- Fee / year
- £18,950
- Duration
- 1 year (18 months with a January start)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no component below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration)
- Fee / year
- £22,970
- Duration
- 27 months (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2028
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (no component below 6.5)
- Postgraduate
MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration)
- Fee / year
- £22,970
- Duration
- 2 years (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (no component below 6.5)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Business Analytics | 1 year (18 months with a January start) | £18,950 | ≈ ₹23.1 lakh |
| MSc International Management and Leadership | 1 year (18 months with a January start) | £18,950 | ≈ ₹23.1 lakh |
| MSc Public Health | 1 year (18 months with a January start) | £19,860 | ≈ ₹24.2 lakh |
| MSc Global Health | 1 year (18 months with a January start) | £19,860 | ≈ ₹24.2 lakh |
| MSc International Marketing | 1 year (18 months with a January start) | £18,950 | ≈ ₹23.1 lakh |
| MSc Accounting and Finance with CIMA | 1 year (18 months with a January start) | £18,950 | ≈ ₹23.1 lakh |
| MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) | 27 months (full time) | £22,970 | ≈ ₹28 lakh |
| MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) | 2 years (full time) | £22,970 | ≈ ₹28 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Queen Margaret University with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- First year of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree
QMU International Scholarship
Value: Up to £3,000
Eligibility: Competitive awards for new international students who have applied to QMU; you do not need an offer before applying for the scholarship.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Postgraduate
Funded places on selected master's (January 2027)
Value: Funded places (details on the course page)
Eligibility: QMU advertises a number of funded places for January 2027 entry on courses such as MSc Business Analytics. Eligibility is set out on each course page.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- QMU welcomes Indian students with at least 60% in the Higher Secondary School Certificate from a recognised board.
- Scottish bachelor's degrees take four years full time; some health degrees lead to an integrated master's.
- Health courses such as Nursing have higher English requirements (IELTS 7.0) and may include interviews.
Postgraduate
- QMU considers a good bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Business master's ask for an honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject, or an ordinary degree with managerial work experience.
- International application deadlines for business master's: end of June for September 2027 and end of November for January 2028.
- Pre-registration health master's (physiotherapy, dietetics, radiography and others) ask for a relevant first degree and high English scores.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Degree certificate and transcripts (or Class 10 and 12 mark sheets for bachelor's)
- English test score
- Statement of purpose or personal statement
- CV and references where the course asks for them
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Undergraduate minimum 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill; postgraduate minimum 6.5 with 6.0 in each skill. Health courses ask for more (7.0 to 8.0). |
| PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT | Accepted (TOEFL only when taken outside the UK). Check the course page for the equivalent scores. |
| Duolingo English Test | Not accepted. |
| Degree taught in English | QMU may accept a degree taught and assessed in English with a letter from your university; you may need an interview before a CAS is issued. |
| Pre-sessional English | Online pre-sessional courses are available, for example 12 weeks for a 1.0 IELTS band increase. |
Accommodation and living costs
The on-campus Student Village houses 800 students in en-suite standard or premium rooms. Rents include electricity, heating, hot water, internet and basic contents insurance. Prices below are 2026/27 postgraduate rents; January accommodation is very limited.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Standard en-suite room (38 weeks)£5,738 for 38 weeks | £151per week | ≈ ₹18,422 |
| Premium en-suite room (38 weeks)£6,992 for 38 weeks | £184per week | ≈ ₹22,448 |
| Standard en-suite room (50 weeks)£151 a week | £7,550per contract | ≈ ₹9.2 lakh |
| Premium en-suite room (50 weeks)£184 a week | £9,200per contract | ≈ ₹11.2 lakh |
Campus and location
QMU's purpose-built campus at Musselburgh opened in 2007, with the Student Village, sports centre, Students' Union and Learning Resource Centre on one site.
- Frequent buses and trains to Edinburgh city centre, plus a night bus service.
- QMU Startup Studio, which has hosted 100 graduate start-ups, and Scotland's first on-campus Business Gateway.
- Fort Kinnaird shopping centre and the town of Musselburgh close by.
- 24/7 security and a Residence Life programme in the Student Village.
Careers and graduate outcomes
QMU's career-focused health, business and communication courses include placements and industry projects, and QMU was ranked 1st in Scotland for career prospects in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2026. For post-study work options, see our UK guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Graduates in high-skilled work 15 months after graduation | 76.5% (UK sector average 74.4%) | QMU facts and figures, citing HESA Graduate Outcomes 2023/24 |
| Graduate unemployment rate | 4% (sector average 7%) | QMU facts and figures, citing HESA Graduate Outcomes 2023/24 |
Studying in the UK
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FAQs
How much is a master's at QMU?
Business master's such as Business Analytics and International Management and Leadership cost £18,950 for 2027/28. Public and global health master's are £19,860. Pre-registration health master's are £22,970 a year.
Does QMU have a January intake?
Yes. Most business and public health master's start in September 2027 or January 2028. Pre-registration health master's except Physiotherapy start in September only.
What do I need for a bachelor's at QMU?
QMU welcomes Indian students with at least 60% in the Higher Secondary School Certificate, plus IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill for most courses.
Does QMU accept Duolingo?
No. QMU lists Duolingo among tests it does not accept. IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT (outside the UK) and several others are accepted.
Is QMU in Edinburgh?
QMU's campus is in Musselburgh, on the eastern edge of Edinburgh, with frequent buses and trains to the city centre.
Sources
- QMU: MSc Business Analytics (2027 entry) (opens in a new tab)
- QMU: MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) (2027 entry) (opens in a new tab)
- QMU: 2027-28 postgraduate fees (opens in a new tab)
- QMU: 2027-28 undergraduate fees (opens in a new tab)
- QMU: information for students from India (opens in a new tab)
- QMU: English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- QMU: accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- QMU: postgraduate accommodation fees 2026/27 (opens in a new tab)
- QMU: history (opens in a new tab)
- QMU: facts and figures (opens in a new tab)
- Complete University Guide 2027 league table (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.qmu.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
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