Access to Queen Mary

Queen Mary is the most inclusive university of its kind. Through Access to Queen Mary, we nurture students typically under-represented at Russell Group universities, through an 18 month programme of activities, events and interventions.

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Access to Queen Mary supports the entrance of students under-represented at Russell Group universities to study at Queen Mary, the most inclusive university of its kind!

Through an 18-month programme of activities, we aim to help students become more prepared for and successful in, higher education. Students who successfully complete the programme will not only have benefited from tailored academic and pastoral support but will benefit from consideration for a contextual offer to Queen Mary*.

Please note, this programme specifically aims to work with students outside of Greater London, and priority will be given to those students in targeted areas of low-participation. Before applying, please ensure you read the eligibility criteria and that you understand the expectations of the programme. If you have any questions, please email us.

Applications are now open. The deadline to submit your application is Friday 10 November 2023.

Students will receive advice and guidance on how to prepare a UCAS application and personal statement.
Students will benefit from additional support to prepare them for the different teaching styles at university.
Students will receive tailored academic support in a key subject of their choice, relating to their Level 3 study.
Students who successfully complete the programme and enroll on a Queen Mary undergraduate degree within two years will be offered supported entry onto our Student Ambassador scheme
Students who successfully complete the programme and enroll on a Queen Mary undergraduate degree within two years will be receipt of a £500 bursary in return for 20 volunteer hours
Students who successfully complete the programme will be eligible for a contextual offer of up to two A-Level grades below the standard entry offer*.

To be eligible for the Access to Queen Mary programme, students must:

Meet all of the criteria outlined in step one:

Attend a state school or college in one of our target regions (Kent, Medway, Essex)
Have achieved five grades 5-9 or A*- B at GCSE (with English and Maths at a minimum 5)
Be a Home fee paying student upon entry to Queen Mary

Meet at least two criteria from step two*:

Live in an area of low-participation to higher-education (POLAR4 Q1/Q2)
Be living in an area of high deprivation (IMD decile 4 or below) or be living in an area of socio-economic disadvantage (ACORN categories 4/5)
Be a Home fee paying student upon entry to Queen Mary
Has lived in local authority care for a period of at least three months
Are a registered carer
Are estranged and living independently of family/living with friends
Neither parent has attended higher education in the UK or abroad
Are in receipt of, or entitled to, free school meals/16-19 bursary/pupil premium funding
Are disabled and in receipt of, or entitled to, personal independence payments or disability living allowance
Are from Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller backgrounds

* We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as men as this group is underrepresented at this level at Queen Mary. Priority will be given to certain ethnic groups that are currently under-represented in higher education and at Queen Mary, as defined by the OfS priorities. Where demand for the programme exceeds the number of places available in a given year, places will be allocated based on students meeting the highest score in step 2, alongside institutional access priorities.

Ensure you have checked that you meet the eligibility criteria outlined above
Submit your application, using the online form.
Ensure that your parent or carer, and your designated teacher or school contact, have also completed their section of the application, where required.

Students who are successful in gaining a place on the Access to Queen Mary programme will be expected to attend a minimum of two events, complete the Study Skills element, and attend and complete the residential academic summer school.