Queens Mary University

[Autumnsunnyday]

Does anyone have experience of this university? DC is considering applying for Design, Creative and Innovation Engineering,

Just wondering if the university and course has a good reputation?

I don't know how helpful this is since it's been 20 years since I've graduated from this university. I studied English Literature which has classes mainly in the east side of the campus. I loved this university because it was one of the few universities with a full campus in London. Others have buildings scattered here and there whereas Queen Mary is self contained which means you can experience university life much better. There's also student accommodation but I lived not far so didn't experience this. It also had a good reputation for my department and I did thoroughly enjoy my course. The professors are really good and I remember they're quite big on independent learning - if you need help from them, you would need to seek them out, not the other way around.

There are a lot clubs so you could get involved if you want. I tried a few and ended up taking a Japanese course which was very fun.

I can't comment on the course your DC is taking but I know engineering is difficult and they would need a lot of math skills which is situated opposite end of where I went (I only know because I had friends studying maths).

I remember my course was very progressive for it's time because they dared to be creative with their modules (you can choose different ones each semester) so if you find traditional material boring then this was great.

I'd recommend visiting them in person as in the end I chose Queen Mary based on the feeling it gave me. It was this or King's College but I didn't vibe with the latter.

I went there. Many years ago now. I loved it. The sports social scene and student media was so much fun, I loved my course, the location is an awesome place to be young in the city. Apply!

To add, another benefit is that you get access to a lot of University of London perks because Queen Mary is a member, for example, access to research libraries across London

Thank you. It is great to hear such positive feedback.

@Autumnsunnyday. Having had a quick look at the course, it seems it’s only BEng. Without MEng, this usually limits professional status to Incorporated Engineer, not Chartered Engineer (the highest tier) unless further learning takes place - a masters degree. Therefore I’m wondering why not a masters in the first place (MEng)?

QMUL is not really a foremost engineering university. Where else is he applying? I’d certainly look at Bristol, Sheffield and other “red brick” unis with a long engineering tradition. Bath also. This course will only partly qualify him for CEng and there doesn’t seem to be a MEng available. I’d definitely see what is available elsewhere and compare.

Thank you. This is useful. They are applying also to Loughborough, Bristol, Kings College. Trying to find other 2 options. Sheffield is good but they don’t have the subjects required.

Imperial?

Yes, that’s an option but it is very competitive so really need more options.

@OnGoldenPond Imperial is about the most competitive and asks for A star in maths - without Physics I would suggest it won’t be a competitive application and probably needs FM too.

Yes I know it is, I work there

It could be an aspirational choice depending on the expected grades of the DC.

@OnGoldenPond He hasn’t got the subjects required by Sheffield so cannot see Imperial being possible. Not that Sheffield really does this exact course as they are more about traditional engineering, not hybrid courses.

Yes, it is an aspirational choice and they have the A level requirement for DE at IC, as that course doesn’t ask for physic; but I think they should put 5 good choices they are happy with. As someone said Queens Mary is not known for Engineering so not sure they should include it.

DC is on a gap year and has Astar in maths and A in the other two subjects

OK, fair enough, just a thought.

I would agree with others that your DC should only consider the courses leading to MEng and Chartered Engineer status. With his grades he should be fine for that. DD’s DP graduated from Bristol about 2 years ago with MEng and he had similar A level grades to your DC. He didn’t have FM, did Maths, Physics and Biology.

Thank you. Yes Bristol is a good choice. DC went for a tour recently and really liked it so we have 3 good choices; but nothing is guaranteed so I think they should have other 2 they are happy with.

I didn’t grow up here so don’t know much about the difference. They want to do a MEng. Was thinking to suggest this one as 5th choice.

https://www.strath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/productdesigninnovationbsc/

It is a BSc? Will that be any good?

Don't know about engineering but we looked at QM for DD who's in her third year studying law. I really liked it on the whole, but she decided it wasn't for her (wasn't keen on a campus uni) and ended up at Bristol where she's been very happy.

We have 4 good choices including IC and Bristol so hopefully they will get a place in one of those, they are all MEng. Looking for a 5th one. Not sure if they should put the Queens Mary or the Strathclyde BSC one which is not engineering

Just found out that Durham has General Engineering MEng and doesn’t requires physics. I think that is a better option

Queens Mary does hace an MEng so DC is putting that as a 5th choice. So all sorted

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/coursefinder/courses/2026/design-innovation-and-creative-engineering/

choices are: IC, Loughborough, Bristol, Kings College, Queens Mary. All Engineering MEng. Which is what they want

@AutumnsunnydayThe majority of engineering courses require maths and most require physics. For obvious reasons. He’s got to edge away from traditional engineering with no physics and choices become narrow. The traditional engineering unis are the mostly occupying the top 15 in league tables but ignore Oxbridge and Imperial (in my view as no FM - I think they’d what you said?!) Lots at Bristol will have FM but not necessarily on the course he wants. It just depends on who else applies and at Bristol, GCSEs count too.

Thanks. Those universities and degrees dont ask for further maths or physics; only maths and a science. DC is more inclined to design and product design than mechanical. They got a 9 in GCSE physics but didn’t want to take it A level; hence They are limited to the above choices.

They won’t ask for FM as some dc don’t have it on offer. Look at stats for how many successful applicants have it though. That can be very different and it’s important to have this stat.

Will do. Thanks