St Mary's University, Twickenham

St. Mary’s University, Twickenham is a university which combines a rich educational heritage with a modern outlook, providing a range of boundary-pushing postgraduate courses across a number of subjects. 

The university recently placed in the top 90 universities in the UK according to the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2022, as well as securing 85th place in the 2024 Complete University Guide league table. 

The university’s story began in 1850, when it was established with an initial intake of just six students. It gained university status in 2014, leaving its college title behind. Today, it hosts approximately 6,000 learners in its modern campus in west London. 

St. Mary’s campus is separated into four parts around the Twickenham area. The main campus site combines Gothic Revival architecture, excellent sporting facilities and specialised learning environments, all on the bank of the River Thames. Students will be able to benefit from facilities including a new library, industry-standard laboratories and a fully functional TV production suite. 

Twickenham offers postgraduate learners the best of both worlds when it comes to student lifestyle. Itself a leafy, safe and peaceful suburb in the west of the city, Twickenham is still only half an hour from the heart of the UK capital and its many sights, sounds and opportunities. The local neighbourhoods of Twickenham and Teddington are home to plenty of bars, cafes, restaurants and shops, while central London and nearby Richmond host world famous sites such as Kew Gardens, the Tower of London and a huge range of theatres, clubs and sports venues. 

St. Mary’s University, Twickenham provides postgraduate students with access to a broad range of short programmes, full master’s degree and research pathways. The university offers courses across a diversity of subjects and disciplines, from international business management to creative writing, psychology, theology and sports nutrition. 

The university’s academic offerings are developed and delivered through the following departments: 

• Business, Law and Society 
• Education 
• Mater Ecclesiae College 
• Sport, Allied Health and Performance Science 
• Theology and Liberal Arts 

The university is also noted for its teacher training programmes. Students can train to be primary or secondary school teachers through St. Mary’s ‘outstanding’ Ofsted-rated courses. 

Whatever subject students decide to study at postgraduate level, the university’s courses are delivered by active academics and expert teachers, who bring a wealth of experience and industry connections to their programmes. 

In addition to master’s degrees and shorter qualifications, such as the PGCert or PGDip, students can pursue a range of doctoral research qualifications at St. Mary’s. MPhil, PhD and Professional Doctorate are all possible for learners here. More than 150 doctoral research students are supported in their influential work by an active and experienced supervisory team. 

Students wishing to enrol on a postgraduate programme at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham will need to meet the stated entry requirements of their chosen course. 

These admissions criteria may relate to previous academic achievement, professional experience and qualifications, or performance in an interview or assessment. 

For example, students applying for the MA in Sports Journalism will need to demonstrate achievement of an undergraduate degree at a 2:1 level or above. Students with less or alternative qualifications will be considered in light of evidence of their commitment and competence around sport or journalism. 

Applicants for the PGCE in Secondary Geography will typically have a 2:2 level or above at undergraduate level in geography, or a related subject. Students will also need to have grade C or equivalent at GCSE level in English and mathematics, or above. 

Applicants for the Professional Doctorate in Ministry (DMin) will need to have achieved an undergraduate honours degree at 2:1 level or above. 

Entry requirements can change over time and will vary between subject and study level, so students should check the university website before applying. 

Postgraduate students at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham are in good hands when it comes to graduate prospects and student employability. The university places the professional prospects of its students at a high level of priority, providing a range of initiatives and services to support their ongoing success. 

Courses at the university focus on growing sectors and fields where exciting new progress is being made. Students can learn from active researchers and experienced professionals. 

Students can get a range of helpful services from the university’s careers services team, including personalised advice in one-to-one sessions. These can be in person or remotely, making it easy to get information on what steps to take next in areas such as developing a CV, getting ready for interviews or enhancing professional networks. 

There are also regular careers events and employability workshops, giving students the chance to get acquainted with potential employers and find out what’s in demand across their field. 

Students can make use of a regular calendar of events delivered through the University of London Careers Group Network, which is open to students of St. Mary’s. 

Accommodation

There are a wide range of accommodation options open to postgraduate students at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. Whatever a student’s budget, lifestyle or living preferences, they’re sure to find the right place for them through the university’s partner accommodation providers or other private landlords. 

Some of the accommodation options offer longer contract lengths than normal, perfect for postgraduate students. 

Some of the options open to postgraduate students include: 

• Grosvenor apartments, offering rooms which are just 15 minutes away from the university’s main campus on foot. They’re also close to the train station, providing excellent access to the rest of the city – particularly useful for PGCE students travelling to placements. 
• IQ Kingston, which provides modern rooms and social spaces in the nearby town of Kingston. This area has many shops, cafes and bars, as well as good access to London transportation hubs. 

The local area is home to a large range of other accommodation options, ranging from shared houses and apartments to individual properties, rooms in private halls of residence or lodger vacancies. The StudentPad service is available to help students browse vacancies and book viewings, as well as chat with other students. 

Postgraduate students at St Mary’s University, Twickenham can access a variety of scholarships and bursaries to help them cover the costs of their studies. These awards vary in eligibility criteria, value and application deadline, and may award funds to students based on their personal circumstances or academic achievements. 

Available funding options include: 

• The Alumni Discount, which offers students a discount to tuition fees of up to 20% if they have already graduated from an undergraduate degree at the university. This is not available for students on postgraduate research degree programmes. 
• Sport Scholarships, which provide awards worth up to £2,000 per academic year for students who demonstrate professional sporting potential. 
• PGCE Bursaries, which provide funding assistance to students training to be teachers. The value of these awards depend on undergraduate level performance and the variety of PGCE being pursued. 
• Other course specific bursaries, such as the MA Social Justice and Public Service scholarship, which offers a waiver of tuition fees for the successful applicant. 

Students can explore the full range of scholarships and bursaries on the university website.