How to apply

The main deadline for submitting an application to study with us is usually in January every year. Remember, your referee (usually your teacher or tutor) will need some time to complete their parts of the form. To ensure your form is submitted by the deadline, you will need to make sure you complete your parts of the form – and submit it to the referee – in plenty of time (at least 2 weeks before the UCAS deadline). We encourage early applications.

If you miss the deadline, don't panic. You can submit a Late Application up until the end of June typically. We usually accept Late Applications for all of our degree programmes in the School, but you should always check the UCAS website for updates. If you have not applied by the June deadline, you can only apply in Clearing.

The Admissions Tutor is a member of academic staff who spends their time teaching and carrying out research, as well as doing the job of Admissions Tutor. They understand the academic requirements and content of all our degree programmes and can give you detailed expert advice should you have any questions. You can contact them via geogadmissions@qmul.ac.uk. They will decide whether to make you an offer for one of our programmes based on your predicted grades, personal statement, reference and, where necessary, performance at interview.

We will generally make an offer if your predicted grades fall within or near to our standard offer. You may be invited for an interview before we make our decision. For example, if we feel that you have the ability to perform better than your predicted grades, or if we feel you have additional qualities that would make you a good student, we may still make you an offer even though your predicted grades are a little below our standard entry requirements.

If you have already completed your A Levels (or other qualifications) but your grades are below our normal entry requirements we can still consider your application. You may be asked to attend an interview, which will enable you to demonstrate your subject knowledge, your commitment to study for a degree and the relevant skills and experience that you have gained since completing your secondary education. If you have been out of formal education for a long time you should consider taking an appropriate Access to Higher Education course.

As part of our commitment to ensuring that students with the potential to excel in a challenging university environment, regardless of background, are encouraged to apply to study with us, we are able to take ‘contextual data’ into consideration when making an offer. This involves considering, alongside the academic strengths of your application, the level of participation in Higher Education in your neighbourhood, the performance of the school(s) or college(s) where you took your GCSEs and A Levels and whether you have spent time in care.

Occasionally we accept direct transfers from students into Year 2 of our degree programmes and you must apply to us through UCAS. We do not recommend students change institution part way through their degree, although we do recognise that occasionally students may need to relocate for personal or financial reasons. We will need to ensure that the subjects you have studied at your current institution prepare you in terms of skills and knowledge for your chosen degree programme at Queen Mary. Therefore, you are advised to contact the Admissions Tutor prior to application, informing us of the title and content of all courses you are currently studying and indicating your reasons for transfer. We will expect you to pass all your first year courses and demonstrate clear academic ability. You may be restricted from taking some of our modules. We do not accept transfers on to Year 3 of our degree programmes.

Our decision to offer you a place will be based on your UCAS application. However, in certain circumstances, such as a mature student returning to higher education, an applicant with non-standard qualifications, or with grades below our normal entrance requirements, we will invite you for an interview before making a final offer decision. In these cases, the interview is important as we are looking for students who can demonstrate not only good academic achievement, but also a real commitment to and enthusiasm for geography or environmental science. Applicants will also be asked to attend an interview if they meet the eligibility criteria for the School of Geography's Outstanding Potential Award scheme. This may result in a reduction in the entry grade requirements for the programme they have applied for.

If you are made an offer, you will be invited to an Offer Holder Day. We recommend all offer holders attend one of these events if they can. They will help you make an informed decision about where to study by providing an opportunity to talk to our staff and students, see our facilities, learn about the courses we teach and the research we do, and hear more about living and studying in London. It is also a good way to demonstrate your commitment to studying in the School – something we take into consideration when making final admissions decisions if you miss your target offer grades.

You will not be able to accept or decline any of the offers you have received until all the universities you have applied to have confirmed their decision with UCAS. You must make a Firm acceptance of one of your offers, an Insurance acceptance of one other offer, and decline any other offers you have been made. Typically, students will choose to hold the course they most want to do as their Firm offer, and then hold a slightly lower offer as their Insurance. If you achieve the grades needed for your Firm offer, your place on that course will be confirmed in August when the exam results are published. If you are rejected by your Firm choice because you did meet the conditions of the offer, but do achieve the grades for your Insurance choice, your place on your Insurance course will be confirmed.