С»ÆƬ

Facts and Figures

See below for some quick facts and figures about Queen Margaret University. From this page, you can also access our Statement of Accounts and our Strategic Plan.

Rankings

National Student Survey 2026

Infographic highlighting QMU's National Student Survey 2026 results and university rankings. Several courses achieved 90-100% overall student satisfaction, including BSc (Hons) Nursing (100%), BA (Hons) Education Studies (100%) and Master of Nursing (96%). The university is ranked among Scotland's top institutions for social inclusion, graduate prospects and student satisfaction, and recognised as Scottish Higher Education Institute of the Year 2025.

View the National Student Survey 2026 results in full

In the National Student Survey (NSS) 2026, QMU is ranked highest among Edinburgh-based universities for 'Teaching on my course' and 'Students' union representation of students' academic interests'.

Courses achieving 100% overall satisfaction:

  • BA (Hons) Education Studies 
  • BSc (Hons) Nursing 

Courses achieving 90% or higher overall satisfaction:

  • DipHE Hearing Aid Audiology (95%) 
  • Master of Nursing (96%) 
  • BSc (Hons) and Master of Diagnostic Radiography (93%) 
  • BSc (Hons) and Master of Speech and Language Therapy (92%) 
  • BSc (Hons) and Master of Podiatry (90%) 
  • BA (Hons) Education Studies (Primary) (90%) 

Other highlights include: 

  • Highest score among Edinburgh universities for the ‘Teaching on my course’ theme. 
  • Highest score among Edinburgh universities for ‘How good are teaching staff at explaining things?' 
  • Highest score among Edinburgh universities (and in the top 5 in Scotland) for ‘How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?'
  • Highest score among Edinburgh universities (and in the top 5 in Scotland) for ‘How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?' 
  • Highest score among Edinburgh universities (and in the top 5 in Scotland) for 'How well does the students' union represent students' academic interests?'

Read more about our National Student Survey results.

Other rankings

In the Complete University Guide 2027, we are ranked:

  • Joint 1st of UK universities for student continuation in Physiotherapy
  • 1st of Scottish universities for graduate prospects on track in Medical Technology (ie for our Radiography degrees)
  • In the top 3 of Scottish universities for student satisfaction in Business and Management Studies
  • In the top 6 of UK universities for student satisfaction in Nursing
  • In the top 4 of UK universities for Podiatry
  • Within the top quartile of UK universities for Drama, Dance and Cinematic.

In The Times University Rankings 2027, we are:

  • In the top 5 (out of 14) in Scotland for Social Inclusion 
  • In the top 2 in Scotland for the percentage of our students who are first in their family to go to university (47.2%)  
  • In the top 4 (out of 46) UK universities for Physiotherapy 
  • In the top 5 (out of 83) UK universities for Nursing, and in the top 3 for Teaching Quality in that subject

For the third year in a row, in 2026 we were ranked 1st in Scotland for Career Prospects in the Whatuni? Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs) - an achievement which reflects our commitment to preparing students for successful futures through career-focused degrees and strong industry links. In 2026 we also ranked:

  • 1st in Scotland for university halls
  • In the top 4 universities in Scotland overall in the WhatUni? Student Choice Awards 2026
  • In the top 2 in Scotland for lecturers and teaching quality
  • In the top 3 in Scotland for international
  • In the top 3 in Scotland for student support
  • In the top 4 in Scotland for student life
  • In the top 4 in Scotland for facilities
  • In the top 4 in Scotland for our Students’ Union
  • In the top 5 in Scotland for postgraduate
  • 11th in the overall UK rankings for accommodation

In the Guardian University Guide 2027, we are ranked:

  • In the top 20 in the UK for ‘value added score’, which compares students’ degree results with their entry qualifications, to show how effectively they are taught
  • In the top 20 in the UK for ‘average entry tariff’
  • Top 'post-92' university in Scotland for Business and Management (ie top in this subject among the seven universities created after 1992)
  • Top 'post-92' university in Scotland for Psychology (ie top in this subject among the seven universities created after 1992)

In the Daily Mail University Guide published in August 2026, we are ranked

  • 1st in Scotland for the percentage of first generation students
  • In the top 13 (out of 128)  in the UK for graduate salaries
  • In the top 38 in the UK for first year completion
  • In the top 39 in the UK for firsts and 2.1s.

We were named Higher Education Institute of the Year in the Herald Higher Education Awards 2025

Student Statistics (24/25 academic year)

Infographic showing QMU student data for 2024-25. Total student headcount is 13,260, with 64.8% undergraduate and 15.8% postgraduate students. Subject areas include 7,484 Arts, Social Sciences and Management students (56.4%) and 5,776 Health Sciences students (43.6%). Student origins: 33.2% Scotland, 6.6% rest of UK, 30.3% Europe and 29.9% outside Europe. Age profile includes 41.1% under 21 and 24.3% aged 30+. Graduate employment outcomes exceed UK averages.

View our Student Statistics in full

  • 13260 students (including 6839 studying via our partners overseas)
  • 33.2% are from Scotland
  • 6.6% are from the UK outside of Scotland
  • 30.3% are from the EU
  • 29.9% are international (non EU)

Graduate Employability

In Graduate Outcomes Survey data published by HESA in 2026*:

We are the #1 modern university in Scotland for the percentage of graduates in high skilled work 15 months after graduation. (76.5% of QMU graduates responding to the survey were in high skilled work 15 months after they graduated, placing us above the UK sector average of 74.4% and above all other modern Scottish universities on this measure.)

86% of respondents from QMU said their current activity is meaningful, placing us above the UK average of 83%.

At 4%, we have a lower graduate unemployment rate than the sector average of 7%.

*Graduate Outcome Statistics 2023/4 published by HESA in 2026.

In a separate published in 2026, QMU is ranked 7th top of all UK universities in terms of graduates in employment 15 months after finishing their degree.

Our delivery in widening access to higher education

The latest set of statistics from the Commissioner for Fair Access (issued August 2026, relating to the academic year 2024/5) show that 15.1% of Scottish domiciled, full-time, first-degree entrants to QMU are from Scotland’s 20% Most Deprived Areas.

Based on the same set of statistics, QMU has the second highest retention rate of entrants from Scotland’s 20% Most Deprived Areas among all Scottish higher education institutions. The figure for retention at QMU from 2023-2024 to 2024/5 was 94.6% versus 87.7% for the higher sector as a whole. 

Research Excellence

Infographic highlighting QMU research excellence in REF 2022. The proportion of research impact rated world-leading or internationally excellent is 75% in Speech and Language Sciences, 75% in Global Health and Development, and 100% in Communications, Cultural and Media Studies. In Business and Management Studies, 50% of research impact is rated internationally excellent. Nursing and Allied Health Professions achieved 100% world-leading or internationally excellent research impact.

View our Research Excellence in full

REF 2021 (the system of assessing, through peer review, the quality of research in UK higher education institutions) showed that:

  • QMU has world-leading or internationally excellent research in every one of the seven REF 2021 ‘units of assessment’ to which we submitted research; 
  • 100% of our research impact in Communications, Cultural and Media Studies was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent;
  • 100% of our research impact in Nursing and the Allied Health Professions was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent; 
  • 75% of our research impact in Speech and Language Science was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent;
  • 75% of our research impact in Global Health and Development was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent;
  • 50% of our research impact in Business and Management Studies was as rated internationally excellent; and
  • 50% of our research impact in Psychology was rated as world-leading.

Fostering Innovation

Infographic highlighting QMU’s support for innovation and entrepreneurship. Through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, £40 million of funding was secured for Edinburgh Innovation Park. QMU’s SCFDI won the Knowledge Exchange Heroes category at the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2025. The university has helped over 100 students, graduates and community members start businesses and was the first Scottish university to host a Business Gateway on campus.

View our Fostering Innovation statistics in full

We have hosted 100 graduate start-ups in our on-campus QMU Startup Studio

We are the 1st Scottish university to host a Business Gateway on campus

Staff and Financial Statistics

Infographic showing QMU staff profile and income for 2024-25. As of December 2025, the university employs 326 academic staff and 263 professional services staff. Staff demographics include 69% female, 31% male and 9.3% from a minority ethnic background. Total income is £53 million. Main income sources are tuition fees and education contracts (£20.9m, 40%) and Scottish Funding Council funding (£19.9m, 38%), with the remainder from operating income, investments, donations and research grants.

View our Staff and Financial Statistics in full

QMU staff (as of December 2025)

  • 326 Academic
  • 263 Professional Services
  • 69% Female
  • 31% Male
  • 9.3% have an ethnic minority background

Income (2024-25)

Total income: £53³¾ 

Sources of income (2024-25)

  • Tuition fees and education contracts: £20.9m (40%)
  • Scottish Funding Council: £19.9 (38%)
  • Research grants and contracts: £1.5m (3%)
  • Other operating income: £8.3m (16%)
  • Investment income, donations and endowments: £2.2m (4%)

 

Economic Impact

shows that international students in QMU’s home parliamentary constituency (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh) contribute a net  £267.7million to the economy. The positive financial impact of international students in our parliamentary constituency is 23rd top among the UK's 650 parliamentary constituencies. 

Other Interesting Facts

  • We were established in 1875. Throughout our history, we have focused on serving the community and improving the quality of life through education and research which is relevant to society’s needs.
  • We offer the broadest range of allied health professional degrees in Scotland including nursing, dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, radiography, audiology, art psychotherapy, music therapy, and speech and language therapy.
  • We have won the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for our work in speech science.
  • We are a significant provider of transnational education: through collaborative agreements, students are studying for our degrees in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Greece, Egypt and other countries.

Some of our Alumni

  • Ashley Jensen, actor (US hit TV series ‘Ugly Betty’, Nativity, Agatha Raisin)
  • Edith Bowman, Scottish music critic, radio DJ and TV presenter (BBC Radio 1)
  • Kevin McKidd, actor (‘Trainspotting’, TV hit series ‘Rome’, Grey’s Anatomy’)
  • Michael Matheson, MSP
  • Shirley-Anne Somerville, MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice in the Scottish Government
  • Matt Baker, TV presenter (formerly ‘Blue Peter’, currently ‘The One Show’ and ‘Countryfile’)
  • Dame Louise Martin, (Immediate) Past President of the Commonwealth Games Federation
  • Dr James Robson MBE, former Team Doctor and Chief Medical Officer for the Scotland national rugby team
  • Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (appointed in 2024)
  • Laura Mitchell, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Moray

Read our alumni (and current student) case studies

Economic Impact

  • According to research by the University of Strathclyde (2009):
    • QMU is worth £77 million to the economy.
    • Employment attributable to the University represents 3% of all East Lothian employment.
    • Students from outside Scotland who come to study at QMU generate an estimated £11 million of economic output each year.

Research from London Economics commissioned by the Higher Education Policy Institute and Universities UK International estimated that that in East Lothian (where QMU is based) the net economic impact of the international student cohort of 2018/19 was £29.5m (refer to the  for the estimated economic impact of the international student cohort in other areas of the Lothians, eg Edinburgh East, at £156.8m).

Acting with Head, Heart and Hand: QMU’s Strategy for 2026-2031

Our strategy will enable us to become known as Scotland’s most professionally focused university, recognised for our high quality, accessible education and strong career outcomes, delivered through a modern, digitally enabled, and financially sustainable operating model. Reflecting our long history of combining intellectual rigour with compassion and practical action, it encourages us to act with head, heart and hand. 

Find out more about our strategy 

Annual Accounts

Find our Annual Accounts in the Finance section of our website

Queen Margaret University

General Enquiries

Show Contacts

Queen Margaret University

Queen Margaret University Main Telephone Number 0131 474 0000

Useful Links

Glass panelled wall of Queen Margaret University Campus, taken from the patio area
International Community
Two prospective students speaking with a lecturer at an Open Day event.
Open Days and Meeting Us
Some QMU students walking on campus
Study Here
Group of students smiling and talking together, QMU campus, Edinburgh
Fees and Funding