How to provide references
How to provide references for an application
The Admissions Team at QMU is unable to contact your referees on your behalf. Please contact referees and request a reference in a suitable format.
References should be provided on headed paper, signed and dated or sent directly to Admissions from the referee's own professional e-mail address.
If you are providing a reference from a professional address, this must be an academic or company e-mail address. We cannot accept references from Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo or similar e-mail accounts.
References should be no more than two years old and should refer to the last two to three years. References not in English language should also be provided with a certified translation.
If you have completed study in the last three years, we ask for you to provide an academic reference. Alternatively, we will accept a professional reference.
The reference can include any information, but as an example could cover:
- how long and in what capacity the referee has known the applicant
- suitability for the course
- previous and potential academic or professional performance
- ability to communicate, character and personality
Please upload your references to the application form if your referee has given you a copy (this can be attached as an e-mail).
Most of our course require one reference only, but some courses have other requirements. Specific requirements can be found on each course page.
Under certain circumstances, we may have to ask to ask for an additional reference.
UCAS References
The format of the UCAS reference section is changing for applications submitted from September 2023 onwards. The previous free-text approach to references has been replaced with three structured sections. This will help advisers and referees focus on the following areas:
- A general statement about the school, college or centre, or independent referees are asked to provide an overview of their relationship with the applicant.
- Any information about extenuating circumstances which may have impacted the applicant’s education and achievement.
- Any other supporting information specific to the applicant and/or the course(s) they’re applying to which the referee feels you should be aware of
Please note we require a reference from all applicants.
