St Mary's University, Saint Mary's University

• Location: Twickenham, southwest London, England,
• Year of foundation: 1850,
• Number of students: approximately 7200,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of education: mixed.

St Mary's University — a state Catholic university in one of the districts of London, offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in many sought-after fields, including medical sciences, computer science, business and management.

The institution has been providing educational activities for over 175 years, during which time it has earned recognition from the local and international community. Despite its relatively small size, the university has many advantages: from close proximity to historical sites in London, a personalized approach to each student, to active research activities, comprehensive support for students by qualified teachers and specialized staff.

St Mary's University boasts excellent academic, sports, residential and recreational infrastructure, with several educational campuses within London. Its students not only have access to all facilities but also find themselves at the epicenter of active student life: the university offers them dozens of thematic clubs, sports teams and creative groups, effective career guidance, professional training, and participation in research together with leading experts in various scientific fields.

Three faculties are allocated at St Mary's:

• Sport, technology, medical sciences,
• Arts, business, law, education, theology,
• Medical Sciences.

Also, a preparatory department operates at St Mary's University, which teaches short-term adaptation courses for foreign students.

Several research centers operate at St Mary's, conducting research in the following areas:

• Applied Performance Sciences,
• Social and Medical Sciences,
• Quality of Life,
• Slavery, Exploitation, Abuse,
• Bioethics, Emerging Technologies,
• Religion,
• Catholic Education, Research, Religious Literacy,
• Literature, History, Public Past,
• Education of Children and Youth from Marginalized Groups,
• Sport, Wellbeing.

In addition to active research aimed at improving the lives of local and international communities, the centers provide comprehensive academic support for doctoral students, giving them the opportunity to gain applied professional skills.

There are several large residences on the campus grounds that accommodate students in rooms of various types: with a capacity from one to several people, with access to a shared bathroom or with their own shower in the room. International students can choose the duration of the accommodation contract:

• 36 or 50 weeks in a room with a shared bathroom, meals included,
• 36 weeks — the contract includes meals and a room with a private bathroom.

Each residence has many common areas, including laundry rooms, relaxation zones, cafeterias, self-study classes, and much more. The dormitories are within walking distance of academic buildings, allowing students to enjoy comfort, devote more time to their studies and personal interests, without wasting time on commuting.

Meals are included in the cost of many housing plans: dishes are served in the university dining hall, and snacks and drinks are available in cafeterias and food trucks throughout the campus.

An active extracurricular life is one of the main advantages of St Mary's. The Student Union organizes most of the events held on campus, manages all thematic and sports organizations. Several events are held throughout the year during which students can familiarize themselves with the list of existing clubs, join the ranks of volunteers, create their own community or join the Student Union.

Sports are represented in several areas: gyms and independent training, amateur and professional sports. A student who joins a team can participate in competitions at the university and regional levels, earning scholarships and personal awards. Some of the popular sports include:

• Athletics,
• Badminton,
• Basketball,
• Cricket,
• Dancing,
• Cheerleading,
• Football,
• Hockey,
• Lacrosse,
• Netball,
• Rugby,
• Martial arts,
• Tennis,
• Table tennis,
• Volleyball.

Students have access to thematic communities where like-minded people unite to discuss the implementation of their ideas. Communities are divided into academic, creative, entrepreneurial, environmental, social and others:

• Catholic ministry,
• Chess,
• Cinema, television,
• Model UN,
• Psychology,
• Ecology, wildlife protection,
• Programming,
• Fishing,
• Theatre, drama,
• Christian Union and much more.

In addition to various activities on campus, students can look forward to exciting events in the city and beyond: thanks to excellent transport links with the suburbs, students will be able to enjoy natural beauty, attractions, and visit Cambridge, Oxford and other cities of the country.

• One of the top ten universities in the UK for student experience — Sunday Times 2024,
• Ranked in the Top 5 for teaching quality — The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024,
• One of the institutions listed in the Top 10 for campus safety and location — Complete University Guide 2024,
• High graduate employment rate,
• Guaranteed accommodation in residence halls,
• International student community, 10% of which are foreign students from over 90 nationalities.

The academic calendar consists of two semesters:

• Autumn: September-March,
• Spring: April-July.

Classes are held on weekdays, with weekends and holidays, as well as during seasonal breaks.

Approximate list of additional expenses:

• Administrative and registration fees,
• Accommodation, meals and related housing costs,
• Some extracurricular activities, student community contributions,
• Books, stationery and personal study materials,
• Technology usage fees,
• Medical care,
• Additional academic support, a number of extracurricular consultations and external educational events,
• Personal expenses.

In recent years, St Mary’s University graduate statistics have shown excellent results: 96% of students who recently completed their studies are employed or continue their academic path within 15 months.

To date, the alumni community includes several hundred thousand specialists in various professions and scientific fields. Among them are many prominent figures who have built careers at national and international levels, for example:

• Rebecca Romero — Olympic champion in rowing,
• Thomas Grennan — musician, songwriter,
• Jonathan Holloway — theater director, playwright,
• Joshua Buatsi — professional boxer, Olympic medalist,
• Paul Clement — football manager who has collaborated with Chelsea and Real Madrid clubs.

International applicants wishing to enroll in one of the higher education programs at St Mary’s University must provide:

• Personal documents: foreign passport, financial statements, health insurance, visa or residence permit,
• Academic certificates from previous educational institutions: certificate of complete secondary education, bachelor's or specialist's degree, master's degree,
• Language test results: PTE Academic (from 59), TOEFL iBT (from 80) or equivalent. The higher the level of education for which an applicant is applying, the stricter the requirements for English language proficiency will be. However, admission to St Mary’s University is generally quite flexible, so students who have not achieved passing scores on the language test can apply for admission and take preparatory courses.

Some specialties and levels of education may require applicants to have professional experience, a portfolio, letters of recommendation — these details will be clarified by the university individually.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision