Overview of Queen Mary University of London's Rankings

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) is a prestigious member of the Russell Group, renowned for its research excellence and diverse academic offerings. Established in 1785, it has consistently climbed the global and national rankings, reflecting its commitment to innovation, teaching quality, and societal impact. Rankings provide a snapshot of institutional performance based on metrics like academic reputation, research output, student satisfaction, and employability. Below, we explore QMUL's key rankings across various categories, drawing from reputable sources such as QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and UK-specific guides.

Global University Rankings

QMUL's international standing has strengthened over the years, positioning it as a top 150 university worldwide. These rankings evaluate universities on a global scale, considering factors like citations per faculty, international faculty ratio, and employer reputation.

• QS World University Rankings 2025: QMUL ranks 145th globally, an improvement from 160th in 2024. This places it among the top 10% of universities worldwide. In Europe, it secures 58th position, highlighting its competitive edge in the continent.
• Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024: At 135th globally, QMUL excels in research quality (ranked 100-150th) and industry income (top 200). Its teaching score of 32.5/100 underscores strong student support and learning environment.
• Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Jiao Tong) 2023: QMUL is positioned in the 201-300 band, with notable performance in clinical medicine and social sciences, driven by high-impact publications.

These global metrics demonstrate QMUL's rise since the early 2010s, when it hovered around 200th place. The university's investment in world-class facilities, such as the £80 million Blizard Institute for biomedical research, has bolstered its international profile.

National UK Rankings

Within the UK, QMUL holds a solid position among the 100+ universities, often ranking in the top 50. National guides focus on entry standards, student outcomes, and value-added metrics, making them particularly useful for prospective UK students.

Ranking Source	2024 Position	Key Strengths	Previous Year Comparison
Complete University Guide 2024	41st	High graduate prospects (85% in professional jobs or further study)	Up from 45th in 2023
Guardian University Guide 2024	43rd	Strong in value-added score and satisfied with teaching (82% student approval)	Stable from 44th in 2023
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024	37th	Excellence in research intensity and student experience	Improved from 40th in 2023

QMUL's UK rankings reflect its urban location in East London, offering unparalleled access to cultural and professional opportunities. It outperforms many peers in London on affordability and diversity, with over 25,000 students from 170 nationalities.

Subject-Specific Rankings

QMUL shines in several disciplines, particularly those aligned with its historic strengths in medicine, law, and humanities. Subject rankings assess specialized performance, including research citations and employer feedback.

Medicine and Dentistry

QMUL's Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry is a global leader, benefiting from its NHS partnerships.

• QS Subject Rankings 2024: Medicine - 51-100th globally; Dentistry - 26th worldwide.
• THE Subject Rankings 2024: Clinical and Health - 76th globally.
• Complete University Guide 2024: Medicine - 20th in UK; Dentistry - 5th in UK.

These rankings are fueled by groundbreaking research, such as in genomics at the Barts Cancer Institute, and a 95% employability rate for medical graduates.

Law and Humanities

The School of Law and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences drive QMUL's reputation in legal and cultural studies.

• QS Subject Rankings 2024: Law - 51-100th globally; History - 51-100th.
• THE Subject Rankings 2024: Law - 51-75th globally; Arts and Humanities - 101-125th.
• Guardian University Guide 2024: Law - 25th in UK; English - 32nd in UK.

QMUL's law program is praised for its practical focus, including moot courts and internships at top firms like Clifford Chance.

Science, Engineering, and Business

• QS Subject Rankings 2024: Engineering - Civil & Structural - 101-150th; Business & Management - 151-200th.
• THE Subject Rankings 2024: Physical Sciences - 101-125th; Business & Economics - 126-150th.
• Complete University Guide 2024: Computer Science - 38th in UK; Economics - 29th in UK.

In engineering, QMUL's multidisciplinary approach, integrating AI and sustainability, has elevated its profile. The School of Business and Management ranks highly for its global outlook, with accreditations from AACSB and EQUIS.

Research and Innovation Rankings

Research is a cornerstone of QMUL's prestige, with 80% of its research rated world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

• REF 2021: Overall - 25th in UK; 91% of research impactful.
• QS Research Citations per Faculty 2024: 120th globally, excelling in life sciences (top 100).
• THE Research Quality 2024: 100-150th worldwide.

QMUL's partnerships with institutions like the Francis Crick Institute underscore its innovation edge. It receives over £100 million annually in research funding, supporting projects in climate change, public health, and quantum computing.

Employability and Student Experience

Rankings increasingly emphasize graduate outcomes and campus life, where QMUL performs admirably.

• QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022: 201-250th globally, with strong alumni networks including Nobel laureates like Sir John Vane.
• Complete University Guide 2024: Graduate Prospects - 35th in UK (85.7% in high-skilled employment).
• National Student Survey (NSS) 2023: Overall satisfaction - 80%, with teaching quality at 82%.

QMUL's careers service, Queen Mary Careers & Enterprise, offers personalized support, leading to placements at FTSE 100 companies and global NGOs. Its diverse student body enhances the experience, fostering inclusivity—QMUL ranks top 20 in UK for social mobility.

Sustainability and Inclusivity Rankings

Modern rankings value ethical practices. QMUL is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

• QS Sustainability Rankings 2024: 201-300th globally, strong in environmental impact (top 200).
• People & Planet University League 2023: 22nd in UK, excelling in ethical investment and carbon reduction.
• Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023: 101-200th for SDG contributions, particularly in good health and well-being.

Inclusivity is evident in its Athena SWAN awards for gender equality and top rankings for widening participation.

What These Rankings Mean for You

QMUL's rankings illustrate a dynamic institution balancing academic rigor with real-world relevance. While global positions highlight its international appeal, subject-specific strengths guide course choices. Prospective students should consider personal priorities—research enthusiasts may value REF scores, while career-focused individuals appreciate employability data.

Compared to peers like University College London (top 10 globally) or King's College London (top 40), QMUL offers similar quality at a more accessible entry point, with lower tuition for home students and scholarships for internationals. Its Mile End campus provides a vibrant, affordable London experience.

Rankings evolve annually, influenced by evolving metrics like digital learning post-COVID. QMUL's trajectory suggests continued ascent, making it an excellent choice for ambitious scholars.

For the latest updates, consult official sources, as rankings can vary slightly by methodology.