Apply for 2026 / 2027 intake.

Study at St Mary's University, Twickenham

Twickenham

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Location: Twickenham
Founded: 1850 (as St Mary's College); university status 2014
Students: about 6,000 (5,965 in 2024/25)
Type: Public university
Main intakes: September, January
Study levels: Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Research

St Mary's University, Twickenham is a public campus university at Strawberry Hill in south-west London. It was founded in 1850 and gained full university status in January 2014, and it's often described as the oldest Catholic university in the United Kingdom. About 6,000 students study here (5,965 in 2024/25), which gives it a small, friendly feel despite being in the capital. Sport and teacher education are what it is best known for. Its Endurance Performance and Coaching Centre has supported Olympians including Sir Mo Farah (the athletics track bears his name), and Ofsted has rated its teacher training outstanding since 2011. Other strengths include health sciences, nutrition, psychology, business and law, theology, and a School of Medicine. In the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework it received Silver overall with Gold for student experience, and 96% of graduates were in work or further study within 15 months (HESA 2024/25).

Location and student life

The main campus is at Strawberry Hill in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, next to the gothic Strawberry Hill House. A second sports campus at nearby Teddington Lock has playing fields and all-weather pitches. From Strawberry Hill station, a short walk away, South Western Railway trains run to London Waterloo and Kingston, and the 33 bus stops outside campus. Twickenham itself is famous for its rugby stadium. Teddington, Kingston and Richmond add shops, nightlife and green space along the Thames. On campus, daily life centres on the library, sports centre, athletics track and the Students' Union venue, The 1850.

Courses and subjects

There are two faculties, Sport, Technology and Health Sciences, and Arts, Business, Law, Education and Theology. Within them, schools cover allied health and life sciences, sport and exercise science, business and law, education, arts and theology, and medicine. The subjects people most associate with St Mary's are sport science, coaching, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy and nutrition. Primary and secondary teacher training with PGCE routes, psychology, theology and business are also well established. Many undergraduate degrees offer a foundation year if you need extra preparation, and pre-sessional English courses help if you narrowly miss the language requirement.

Entry requirements for international students

You'll apply with school-leaving or university qualifications, which the university matches against equivalents for your country published on its website. Exact requirements therefore vary by course and country. For English, most undergraduate and foundation degrees ask for IELTS 6.0 overall with no section below 5.5. Most postgraduate degrees ask for 6.5 overall with no section below 6.0, and equivalents such as TOEFL and PTE are accepted. If you fall slightly short, you can take a pre-sessional English course before your degree starts. Some subjects, teaching and health for example, set higher thresholds, so check your course page.

Accommodation

Halls of residence sit on the main Strawberry Hill campus and within walking distance of it, with 24/7 security and support on site. New first-year undergraduates who are eligible, make St Mary's their firm choice and apply by the published deadline are guaranteed a place. For the current cycle that deadline is midday UK time on 5 June 2026. Room types, prices and contract lengths change each year, so read the official accommodation pages and apply early, particularly if you're arranging housing from abroad.

Scholarships and funding

You don't need to apply separately for tuition-fee scholarships as an international student: the university considers you automatically. The International Country Scholarship takes £1,500 a year off undergraduate fees (£1,000 on selected sport, nutrition, psychology and therapy courses) and £1,500 off most postgraduate taught fees. For applicants with higher grades, the International Excellence Scholarship offers up to £4,000 a year off undergraduate fees (£3,000 on selected courses) or up to £4,000 off first-year postgraduate fees. MBA applicants can receive £2,500, rising to £4,000 in limited cases. Values and eligible intakes change each year, so confirm the details on the scholarships page.