Skip to main content
School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences

Frequently asked questions

Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your query here. Download the SBBS 2023 UG Prospectus [PDF 10,013KB]

Questions about East London?  Download our handy guide: A student's guide to East London [PDF 2,914KB]

Entry requirements

Applying

Other

Entry requirements

My predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements for the programme I want to study. Can I still apply?

We receive a high number of applications for our programmes and are unlikely to offer places to students who do not meet the stated entry requirements. However, if your predicted grades are just below our entry requirements you might still be considered.  Any offers we make will be made at the entry requirements outlined on our website.

If you do not meet our entry requirements, you may want to consider applying for our foundation programme.

Do you accept BTEC/Access course/Foundation courses?

We accept the BTEC National Extended Diploma qualification for the following programmes:

The BTEC entry requirements for these programmes are stipulated below. We do not accept BTEC qualifications on any other programme in our School.

‘NEW’ National Extended Diploma in Applied Science

  • DDD overall (Distinction, Distinction, Distinction), including
  • DD in Units 1 (Principles and Applications of Science) and Unit 5 (Principles and Applications of Science II), including
  • Any 2 Units of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17 and 20 at Merit

‘NEW’ National Extended Diploma in Biomedical Science

  • DDD overall (Distinction, Distinction, Distinction), including
  • DD in Units 1 (Principles and Applications of Science) and Unit 5 (Principles and Applications of Science II), including
  • Any 2 of Optional Units Group A (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 20 and 21) at Merit

‘NEW’ National Extended Diploma in Analytical and Forensic Science or Physical Science

  • DDD overall (Distinction, Distinction, Distinction), including
  • DD in Units 1 (Principles and Applications of Science) and Unit 5 (Principles and Applications of Science II), including
  • Any 2 Units of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17 and 20 at Merit

‘NEW’ National Extended Diploma in Animal Management (BSc Zoology only)

  • DDD overall (Distinction, Distinction, Distinction), including
  • DD in Units 1 (Animal Breeding and Genetics) and Unit 2 (Animal Biology)

Students with National Diploma/Access/Foundation qualifications: we will consider applications, from students with these qualifications, on a case-by-case basis. Where an application shows clear evidence of exceptional quality it is likely we will ask you to attend an interview to assess your knowledge on the subject.  Some of our programmes do not accept these qualifications; please see individual degree pages for more information.

Access courses must be Open College Network accredited.

I am a mature student interested in studying one of your programmes. What qualifications will I need?

We welcome applications from mature students. You will usually be required to meet the standard entry requirements for our programmes. However, if you have extensive relevant work or research experience but do not quite meet our entry requirements, you can contact our admissions team for further advice:

Email: sbbs-admissions@qmul.ac.uk

All applications will be considered on individual merits.

I am taking more than 3 A-levels. Will all of my A-levels be taken into account for any offer that can be made?

Any offers we make will only be based on three of your A-level subjects taken in the same sitting. These will be specified in the terms of our offer, which you will receive via UCAS HUB.

Do you accept applications from students who are re-sitting their A-levels?

We will usually still consider students who are re-sitting their A-levels to achieve higher grades.  

Applying

What do you look for in a UCAS application?

For us, the four most important parts on your UCAS application are as follows:

  1. The grades you have already achieved
    We want to check that you have reached basic requirements in English and Maths (C at GCSE or equivalent), and we will consider the grades you have achieved in relevant subjects (i.e. chemistry and/or biology and any other sciences).
  2. The grades you are predicted to achieve
    We want to check that you are predicted to meet the entry requirements for the programme you have applied for. If your predicted grades are just below our entry requirements, you might still be considered.  Any offers we make will be at the entry requirements outlined on our website.
  3. Your academic reference
    We are looking for evidence that you will be a good student. We want to know that you can interact appropriately with both your tutors and your peers, that you put a sufficient amount of effort into your studies, that you are motivated and committed to your studies, and any other positive attributes you hold as a student.
  4. Your personal statement
    Within your personal statement we are looking for evidence of enthusiasm, potential, and originality; as well as relevant experience outside of your formal studies.

I am applying from overseas. Is there anything I should know as an international applicant?

As an international applicant, you may have studied for different qualifications than those stated in our entry requirements. To find out whether we accept your qualification, and how your grades/marks translate please visit our international pages.

On the international pages you will also find information about:

  1. English language requirements
  2. How to apply
  3. Fees and funding
  4. Information about living and studying in the UK.

In recognition of the important investment that overseas students are making in their education, we are pleased to offer the Queen Mary Global Excellence Scholarships for outstanding academic achievement.

 

I would like to apply for your Biomedical Sciences BSc and go on to study medicine afterwards. Is this possible?

Our Biomedical Sciences programme provides an ideal background for studying medicine or dentistry.

The 19 highest-ranked students from our Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience and Pharmacology and Innovative Therapeutics programmes are guaranteed an interview for the five-year A100 Medicine MBBS degree (Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry). Students are selected at the end of the second year on the basis of an aggregate of academic ranking (50%) and UCAT score (50%). 

Of these students, the top five will also be considered for the four-year A101 MBBS Graduate Entry Programme.

Will I be required to attend an interview when I apply for a degree programme at the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences?

Most applicants will not have to attend an interview. However, as applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, a telephone interview may be arranged to assess your suitability for the degree programme.

Can I transfer to QMUL from my current institution?

We do not usually allow students to transfer onto our degree programmes once they have started their studies elsewhere.  

For more advice contact our admissions team:
Email: sbbs-admissions@qmul.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7882 3364/3321

Other

Where can I find out about the accommodation offered by QMUL?

Our residences team can help you find student accommodation at Queen Mary. They will be able to provide you with information on what accommodation we have available for students, how and when to apply, and any other questions you may have.

You can browse photos of our accommodation and Mile End campus in this Flickr album

Are any of your programmes accredited?

Our Psychology BSc is accredited by the British Psychological Society and, upon successful completion, you will be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).

I would like to visit. How and when can I do this?

You have three options if you want to visit Queen Mary:

  1. QMUL open days
    Open days provide you with a chance to find out what life as a student is like at Queen Mary. A range of talks, tours and activities will be available on the day. To find out when we will next be opening our doors and to book your place please visit our open days page.
  2. Campus tours
    If you cannot make an open day but would like to visit the university you can book a campus tour.
  3. Offer Holder days
    The School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences holds subject-specific Offer Holder days for students who have applied to us and are holding an offer. You will automatically receive an invite to this once you have received your offer.
Back to top