We recognise that your individual educational experience and context can have an impact on the grades you achieve and your opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities. By using contextual data, we can take this information into account to form a complete view of your attainment and potential when we assess your application to study with us.
How are contextual admissions used?
Our contextual admissions policy is reviewed annually in conjunction with our academic schools. By taking contextual data and information into account, the admissions selector may make one of the following decisions;
- Provide additional consideration at application stage prior to making a decision regarding your application.
- To make you a contextual offer:
- Our standard contextual offer is up to a two grade reduction from our standard A-level offer (one grade for our Medicine, Dentistry and Law programmes)
- Our enhanced contextual offer is up to a three grade reduction from our standard A-level offer (AAA + guaranteed interview for our Medicine and Dentistry programmes for those who have participated in one of our sustained/partnered access schemes or AAB for care leavers).
Our contextual offer eligibility
Your eligibility for a contextual offer is made using the information provided on your UCAS application form. We review every application holistically to determine whether you are eligible for a reduced contextual offer:
Standard contextual offer
To be eligible you must meet one of the following criteria:
- You live in an area of disadvantage, defined using ACORN segmentation
- You were previously in receipt of Free School Meals during study in Key Stage 4, which is directly linked to financial hardship
- Your school or college is sponsored by Queen Mary
- The school or college where you took (or are taking) your GCSE’s and or A-Levels has performed below the national average over the last three years and you live in an area of disadvantage using the IMD measure
- You are care experienced
- You are estranged
- You have a declared disability
- You are holding an immigration permission which confirms you are:
- a refugee
- an asylum seeker
- entered the UK via one of the following schemes (Ukrainian Family Scheme; Homes for Ukraine Scheme; or Ukraine Extension Scheme).
Enhanced contextual offer
To be eligible you must meet one of the following criteria:
- You are a care leaver
- You have participated in one of our sustained/partnered access schemes where we can verify successful completion
Medicine and Dentistry (AAA + guaranteed interview* or AAB for care leavers).
*Guaranteed interviews are subject to meeting minimum GCSE requirements, predicted at least AAA and being within or above the UCAT 4th decile / SJT Bands 1 - 3.
BSc Oral Health (A910) is not eligible for a reduced offer.
Our Contextual Criteria
This list provides further definition of the criteria used in our contextual admissions policy. It is not an exhaustive list. Please refer to eligibility criteria above for the year you plan to apply.
| Criteria | Definition |
|---|---|
| Live in an area of low participation in HE | Your home postcode is identified as POLAR4 Quintile 1 or 2. |
| Live in an area of disadvantage (IMD) | Your home postcode is identified as IMD Quintile 1 or 2 |
| Live in an area of disadvantage (ACORN) | Your home postcode is identified as ACORN Group: M, N, P, Q, R, S or U |
| Attend a School or College sponsored by Queen Mary | Currently attend Drapers' Academy, St Pauls Way Trust School or Royal Greenwich Trust School |
| Attend a state school performing below the national average | This is calculated by us by taking the average performance using Department for Education data over the last three years, at both Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. Due to the COVID pandemic and different grading approaches, we exclude 2019/20 and 2020/21 from this calculation. |
| You were in receipt of Free School Meals | You have been eligible for free school meals (FSM) on any day prior to finishing study in Key Stage 4 (Year 11) |
| Care Leaver | A young person who has been looked after for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14. If you are a care experienced student, we encourage you to learn more about the ways in which we support you during the admissions process and transition to university. |
| Care Experienced | Refers to anyone who has been, or is currently, in care. This care may have been provided in many different settings, including living with foster carers; living in a residential children's home; being looked after at home under a supervision order; living with friends or relatives in kinship care |
| Estranged | Students aged 18 to 24 who are not communicating with either of their parents due to an irreconcilable breakdown in the relationship with them. |
| Successful completion of a verifiable QMUL Access Activity |
This currently includes Access to Queen Mary, Bridge the Gap, Realising Opportunities, and Pathways to Law (Law programmes only). |
Frequently asked questions
Am I eligible for a contextual offer if I am an international student?
The Contextual Admissions Policy can only be applied to applicants with Home fee status.
I have completed my A Levels already and will be resitting one or more subjects
We are unable to apply the Contextual Admissions Policy to candidates undertaking private resit exams. For applicants repeating their final year of study at the same institution, we will assess eligibility for a contextual offer.
Are the qualifications I am taking eligible for a contextual offer?
We can consider applicants taking A Levels, Scottish Highers and the International Baccalaureate Diploma for a contextual offer.
Which access programmes are eligible for an enhanced contextual offer?
Enhanced contextual offers can be considered if:
- You have completed the Access to Queen Mary programme.
- You have completed the Realising Opportunities programme at any institution.
- You have completed the Pathways to Law programme with Queen Mary (Law courses only).
- You have completed the Bridge the Gap programme (Medicine A100 and Dentistry A200 only).
Are direct applications to Queen Mary eligible for a contextual offer?
For applications that come through our online application form directly, we will use the information provided to assess for a contextual offer though there may be some factors for which we can only assess for applications received via UCAS.
Are any undergraduate programmes excluded from the Contextual Admissions Policy?
Foundation programmes are not eligible for contextual offers (both standalone and integrated foundation programmes).
BSc Oral Health (A910) is also excluded from the policy.