Focused on educating and training its students to make a positive and practical impact on the everyday issues that affect us in the world, Queen Margaret University has a history steeped in cultural change.

The institution started life in 1875 as The Edinburgh School of Cooking and only accepted female students.

Its two principle aims were:

1. To provide equal educational opportunities for women and to establish greater choice of career opportunities available to them.
2. To help improve the diets of working class families.

Lectures were held at the Royal Museum in Edinburgh as well as through nationwide public lectures and demonstrations.

In 1972 the school was renamed Queen Margaret College in honour of the 11^th century Queen who stood for the same values as the institution; to serve the community and to enhance the quality of life of its people. With its new name the institution began to teach a wider variety of subjects, with other institutions partnering with the college. Fields of study now included Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Drama, Speech Therapy, Podiatry and Radiography. And in 1998 the institution was given university status, allowing it to award its own research and higher degrees.

Today Queen Margaret University is known for its expertise in health & rehabilitation, sustainable business, and creativity & culture and from 2019 they will also offer courses in primary education and home economics teaching.

 Queen Margaret University takes pride in preparing its graduates for careers that, in their own words, “make a real difference to the world” and it is this ambition and drive that makes it a popular choice for students. And with an impressive 98.2% of graduates going into full time employment or further training within 6 months of graduating it’s no wonder Queen Margaret University graduates and staff can be found in many influential roles across the world. In fact, statistics from 2017 rank Queen Margaret University as having the highest graduate employment rate out of all other Scottish universities and in third position amongst UK higher education institutions.

The university has over 8000 students, with just under 3000 of those studying overseas through their international partnership programme with the remaining 5000 studying at the Scottish campus. The university campus is just a bus ride from London Road near New Park and within walking distance of Musselburgh town centre where you will find a theatre, sports centre, swimming pool, shops, a racecourse, golf courses, a harbour and even a beach.  

Downing Student Accommodation can help you make a difference by preparing you for student life and providing you with a base in which to study, relax and make new friends. Our student housing in Edinburgh offers home from home student living in a supportive community just minutes away from the Queen Margaret University campus and Edinburgh city centre.

Distance from Queen Margaret University to Downing Student Accommodation in the area

New Park

	Walk – 15 minutes
	Cycle – 5 minutes
	Public Transport – 8 minutes