Queen Margaret University (QMU) has established itself as a respected institution in the UK higher education landscape, particularly known for its focus on health, social care, and creative disciplines. Located in Edinburgh, Scotland, QMU consistently performs well in various ranking systems, reflecting its commitment to teaching quality, research impact, and student employability. This overview provides a detailed examination of QMU's rankings across national, international, and subject-specific categories, drawing from reputable sources such as the Guardian University Guide, Complete University Guide, Times Higher Education (THE), and QS World University Rankings. Rankings are based on the most recent available data as of 2023-2024, and they evaluate factors like entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, graduate prospects, and value added.

National UK Rankings

In the UK, university rankings are crucial for prospective students assessing teaching quality and career outcomes. QMU excels in several national guides, often ranking highly for its specialized programs.

Guardian University Guide 2024

The Guardian University Guide emphasizes student satisfaction, teaching quality, and career prospects. QMU achieved a strong position overall, ranking 81st out of 121 UK universities. This placement highlights its value in providing practical, career-focused education. Key highlights include:

• Student Satisfaction: Scored 4.1 out of 5, above the national average, particularly in health and social care subjects.
• Career Prospects: 85% of graduates in professional employment or further study within 15 months, ranking in the top 50 for this metric.
• Value Added: Ranked 32nd, indicating effective support for students from diverse backgrounds to achieve strong outcomes.

Subject-specific rankings in the Guardian Guide showcase QMU's strengths:

Subject	UK Rank	Key Strengths
Nursing	10th	High employability (95%) and clinical placement opportunities
Physiotherapy	12th	Excellent student feedback on practical training
Drama, Dance & Cinematics	15th	Strong industry links and performance facilities
Social Work	20th	Focus on inclusive practice and community engagement

Complete University Guide 2024

The Complete University Guide, which incorporates data from the National Student Survey (NSS) and graduate outcomes, places QMU at 100th out of 130 UK universities. This ranking considers entry standards, research intensity, and student-staff ratios. Notable aspects include:

• Research Quality: Ranked 78th, with growing output in allied health and public health research.
• Student-Staff Ratio: 18:1, better than many larger institutions, fostering personalized learning.
• Graduate Prospects: Top 40 for health professions, with 92% of alumni in high-skilled roles.

In subject rankings, QMU shines in vocational areas:

• Paramedic Science: 8th in the UK, praised for simulation-based learning.
• Speech and Language Therapy: 14th, with strong NSS scores for course satisfaction.
• Business and Management (Hospitality focus): 55th, bolstered by Edinburgh's tourism sector ties.

National Student Survey (NSS) 2023

The NSS, a key component of many rankings, measures student experience. QMU's overall satisfaction rate stands at 82%, exceeding the sector average of 78%. In teaching quality, it scores 4.2/5, and in learning resources, 4.3/5. This data underscores QMU's student-centered approach, with particular praise for its modern campus and support services.

International and Global Rankings

While QMU is a smaller, specialist university, it holds respectable positions in global rankings, which prioritize research output, international outlook, and citations.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024

THE ranks institutions based on teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry income. QMU is positioned in the 801-1000 band globally out of over 1,900 universities assessed. In the UK, this translates to roughly the 90-100 range. Strengths include:

• International Outlook: 25% of students from overseas, scoring highly in this pillar.
• Research Quality: Citations per faculty member place it competitively among teaching-focused universities.

In the THE Impact Rankings 2023, which focus on UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), QMU ranks 401-600 globally. It performs notably in SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) at 201-300, reflecting its health sciences expertise.

QS World University Rankings 2024

QS evaluates academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, citations, and internationalization. QMU falls within the 1201-1400 band worldwide, a solid achievement for a specialist institution. In the UK context, it's among the top 100. Key metrics:

• Employer Reputation: Strong scores due to high employability in NHS and creative sectors.
• International Faculty Ratio: 20% international staff, enhancing global perspectives.

QS Subject Rankings 2023 highlight QMU's niche excellence:

Subject	Global Rank	UK Rank
Nursing	201-250	15-20
Performing Arts	151-200	10-15
Social Policy and Administration	251-300	25-30

Subject-Specific Rankings and Accreditations

QMU's curriculum is tailored to professional fields, earning it accreditations from bodies like the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). These ensure graduates meet industry standards, boosting rankings in applied subjects.

Health and Social Care Dominance: QMU is renowned for allied health programs. In the Complete University Guide, its health studies rank 25th overall, with physiotherapy at 12th and occupational therapy at 18th. The university's research in public health, including partnerships with NHS Scotland, contributes to its rising profile.

Creative and Digital Industries: The Faculty of Drama, Dance, Music, and Media sees QMU ranked 22nd in the Guardian for media studies. Its film and media production courses benefit from Edinburgh's festival scene, with 90% graduate employability in creative roles.

1. Business and Management: Ranked 70th in the Complete Guide, with a focus on social enterprise and sustainability.
2. Education and Teaching: 45th in the Guardian, strong in inclusive education pathways.
3. Sciences (Dietetics and Nutrition): Top 20 in the UK for clinical nutrition, per NSS data.

Accreditations further validate these rankings: All nursing and allied health programs are NMC/HCPC approved, while drama degrees align with Equity standards, ensuring professional readiness.

Employability and Research Impact

Rankings often spotlight employability, where QMU excels. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 94% of QMU graduates are in work or study 15 months post-graduation, surpassing the UK average of 88%. In health professions, this rises to 97%, with many securing NHS positions.

Research rankings are improving, with QMU submitting to 16 units of assessment in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. It achieved 100% world-leading or internationally excellent research in allied health professions and public health, ranking joint 1st in Scotland for clinical sciences impact.

Compared to peers like Glasgow Caledonian or Edinburgh Napier, QMU's smaller size (around 6,000 students) allows for agile, innovative teaching, reflected in its consistent top-quartile NSS scores.

Trends and Future Outlook

QMU's rankings have shown steady progress over the past five years. From 95th in the Guardian 2020 to 81st in 2024, it demonstrates resilience amid post-pandemic challenges. Investments in digital learning and sustainability initiatives, such as its net-zero campus goals, position it well for future rankings like THE's Green Impact metrics.

For students, QMU offers a supportive environment with low dropout rates (under 5%) and scholarships for international applicants. Its Edinburgh location enhances global appeal, with rankings likely to climb as research output grows.

In summary, Queen Margaret University's rankings affirm its status as a leader in practical, impactful education. Prospective students should consider these metrics alongside personal fit, as QMU's strengths lie in fostering employable, compassionate professionals.