St Mary's University

The university is always working on new developments and exciting projects that engage students and help to improve the quality of degree offered. St Mary's University is not an institution that stands still – it is constantly evolving and improving, and helping to shape the next generation of leaders across a wide range of fields.

The university is dedicated to widening access to higher education, and in July 2023 it again won four awards at the Aimhigher London Practitioner Awards, recognising the university's determination to help more students from various backgrounds achieve the success of a university education.

The university has also made the top 10 for student satisfaction in the 2024 edition of the Complete University Guide, whilst also seeing its rankings in various other guides (Guardian University Guide, Sunday Times Good University Guide) improve significantly compared to the prior year's rankings.

All of the courses offered at St Mary's University are of a high standard. This is ensured thanks to the continued funding of new resources and facilities, along with the careful recruitment of some of the best lecturers in each respective field – faculty that have extensive experience within their fields but also a real passion and drive to deliver course content in a way that is engaging and exciting.

Sporting courses are a real strength of the university, with a huge range of study programs available across a range of disciplines, including coaching, nutrition, and sports science. In particular, the university has a range of courses targeting strength and conditioning, and it works closely with professional football club Chelsea FC for some foundation coaching and development courses.

This strength is reinforced by the world-class sporting facilities that the university has to offer, meaning students will learn using the same quality studios and equipment as major sporting institutions use around the world.

St Mary's University splits up its courses by category. Students can use these categories on the university website to browse related subjects and find the qualification that best fits them. These categories include:

• Business, Management, and Communications – including a range of business, marketing, and journalism-related courses
• Computer Science
• Creative Arts – including acting, production, film studies, creative writing, and playwriting.
• Education and Teaching – covering primary education and a range of postgraduate courses for secondary education.
• Health Sciences – including courses in nutrition, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation.
• Humanities and Theology – including literature, politics, history, and a selection of courses related to Christianity and Catholicism.
• Law and Criminology – including a range of law-based courses
• Psychology – including regular and sports-based psychology
• Sports Science – including courses in biomechanics, and strength and conditioning
• Sports Coaching and Physical Education – including sports sciences, officiating, and coaching including a foundation course designed in partnership with Chelsea FC.

The entry requirements for study at St Mary's University vary depending on a number of factors, including students' home country and the chosen study program.

Broadly, all international students will need to upload copies of their academic transcripts and certificates, along with answering a visa history questionnaire. Students may be required to have studied certain subjects previously, depending on their chosen course.

International students may also need to submit evidence of English language test scores to prove their capability with the language. This only applies for students from whom English is not their first language. Students who don't meet the requirements can still apply provided they sign up for a pre-sessional English course before starting their main degree.

Upon acceptance, international students will be required to pay a GBP 5,000 deposit to secure their place.

The university campus is equipped with a wide range of facilities to ensure that students have every opportunity to succeed.

There are two libraries open to students, offering a large number of digital and physical resources, along with 570 study spaces. Students can use the libraries to grab a book for their course, make use of the IT equipment, or just find a quiet spot to work on a project solo or as part of a group.

The university offers various sporting facilities too, open for recreational and teaching use for the students along with the wider community. This includes world-class training pitches, athletics facilities, fitness studios and more.

Individual courses also benefit from specific facilities aimed at offering the necessary study resources. The university has its own media production suite and theatre for creative programs, along with various laboratories featuring the necessary professional-grade equipment for sciences.

There are a number of scholarships and bursaries available through the university to help with the financial burden of study. These include a mix of awards aimed at home and/or international students, including some broad options and some that are course specific.

These bursaries typically offer a set fee per year of up to GBP 3,000, although some of those aimed at a specific study program will cover the full tuition fees for three years. Students should check the eligibility requirements for each award, and should note that only one scholarship is permitted per student.

Alongside the scholarship awards, there are some additional financial support options that students may be eligible for.

These include the Digital Equity IT Loan Scheme, which can help students to borrow IT equipment to use during their time at university, and the Student Engagement Fund, which can cover the costs of some extracurricular activities for students while at university.