A. A Fresher is any new student here at Queen Mary, so if you’re in your first year that means you!
Q. What is Freshers Week?
A. Freshers Week is the week before term starts, and is an amazing introduction to uni life. It’s a great time to find your feet, meet friends in your halls or on your course and to try a load of new stuff.
There is a great evening entertainment programme organised for you and a two-day Freshers Fair with over 140 stalls. This great abundance of stalls will introduce to the wide range of sports team, societies, volunteering and a host of other activities you can get involved with on campus. There is always lots of free stuff given out at Freshers Fair by local businesses and the student groups, everything from Pizzas and Pens to Mugs and Magazines. Make the most of it before those annoying lectures start…
Q. When is Freshers Fair?
A. Wednesday 23rd & Thursday 24th September. 10am – 4pm (on both days)
It is split on over three sites:
Site 1. Sports Hall at Qmotion Health and Fitness Centre.
Sports team, local businesses
Site 2. Library Square
Societies, volunteering, support services.
Site 3. Barts & The London Students’ Association ( Medics and Dentists)
Sports, societies, support services and local businesses
Q. What is a Freshers Pass?
A. All our events are immensely popular and sell out every year. Each year we provide pre pay Freshers’ Passes to ensure that first years don’t miss out when returning students nab all the tickets! There are 2 options, the Freshers Pass and the VIP Pass. The Freshers Pass provides you entry to all our events during your first two weeks of university. The VIP Pass provides you entry to all our events for the whole year (except Balls and day trips). As a service to the first years we sell these with substantial discounts of up to 62% to make it all the sweeter. Click the Events tab to see more information.
Q. I lost my handbook, is there a copy online?
A. Below is a copy of the handbook that you can click and view full screen!
Q. What’s the social life at Queen Mary like?
A. As central London’s only campus based University Queen Mary provides the campus feel in the heart of the capital. On campus we have our stunning Drapers bar and nightclub which incorporates fresh homemade food, gourmet burgers, ground coffee, smoothies and chilled out environment by day. By night the place transforms into a stylish student bar and club incorporating some of London’s best Performers and DJs.
The majority of entertainment QMSU provides is on campus at drapers bar. Your regular favourites include Mondays Calling, We Love Wednesdays, Hail Mary, Revision Club, and flirt! Our large variety of drinks promotions, DJs, live PAs and music styles ensure we cater for everyone’s taste.
To add some variety we use some external venues to put on some of our events at some of London’s top venues including the world famous Fabric and Ministry of Sound incorporating the UKs best DJs and artists all for bargain entry prices. This means that venues usually out of the average students’ price range are accessible courtesy of Queen Mary Students’ Union.
Look out for the Queen Mary Students’ Union logo on events flyers, posters and emails to make sure they are bonafide Queen Mary events and to make sure you don’t get ripped off!
All profits made from Queen Mary Students’ Union entertainments and drapers bar goes back to you, the student. Monies made help fund your clubs and societies, the welfare department, academic advice, student campaigns, volunteering and every other part of the Students’ Union. By attending an event, buying a drink at the bar, having lunch in Drapers bar you are helping fund everything the Students’ Union provides for you, the students.
You can check out all our events on our website www.qmsu.org and on our facebook group Queen Mary Freshers / QMUL / QMSU QM 2009 - 2010. We also provide up to the minute information on events, free entry, drinks vouchers and Q Jump through QMSU text alerts, which you sign up for on the website.
Q. Is there a Twitter of Facebook group for Freshers 2009?
Q. What is the Students’ Union?
A. The Students’ Union exists to represent its members and provide you with services, support and opportunities for development to enable you to maximise the benefits of your overall student experience. For all you need to know about the Students’ Union visit
www.qmsu.orgQ. How do I join the Students’ union?
A. Upon enrolment you are automatically a member of the Students’ Union.
Q. Is the Students’ Union just a bar?
A. NO! The Students Union runs bars, the health and fitness centre and other commercial services for two main reasons. Firstly to provide you with affordable and convenient services and secondly so that we can generate income which is used to run the activities and support services for you, e.g. all the sports clubs, societies, volunteering, academic advice and course reps.
Q. Where do I go if I have an enquiry to do with the college?
A. General enquiries can be made to the reception in the Queens building ext 100. Additionally you can access the Student Portal (including email, library and Blackboard) at
www.my.qmul.ac.uk.
Q. How do I become a member of a club or society?
A. ‘Subs’ are available in person at the Blomeley Centre or BLSA reception and also online. In person we will need to see an ID card, there is also a charge normally of £5, however this varies with some clubs and socs. (Students will need to submit their own contact details directly to the club themselves). This subscription lasts the academic year.
Q. Are ‘subs’ refundable if I change my mind?
A. No, they are not refundable, therefore students are strongly encouraged to attend taster sessions before paying ‘subs’. In extreme circumstances they can speak to
VP activities about getting them back.
Q. What are other ways to get involved?
A. In addition to Sports, Societies and Volunteering, if you would like to get more involved there are various different ways of doing so. You could become a course rep for your course or department, help run a club or society, or get involved in volunteering. You could also stand for a position on Union Council and help make decisions about the whole Students’ Union; also any student can stand to be elected as a Sabb.
Q. Where can I get forms for reimbursement or to add money to my club/society account?
A.These can be picked up from the Students’ Union. Alternatively they can be found under
Sports Resources on the website.
Q. Can we bring guests to the event?
A. Depends on the event, if unsure whether guests will be permitted then contact the Students’ Union. Most of the time, guest tickets will only be available at the door. No. of guests permitted also tends to vary.
A. ‘National union of Students’ card enables the user access to deals and discounts with a number of companies and organisations.
Q. How much does the NUS card cost?
A. The NUS card costs £10 and is valid for a year.
Q. How do I apply for the NUS card?
A. You must apply online at www.nus.org.uk
Q. How do I receive my card?
A. Once you have sent off for your card, it will take approximately 2 weeks to arrive at the Blomeley Centre. Once we have received it we will email you letting you know that it is ready to pick up.
Q. What is a student oyster card?
A. The student oyster card works like a normal oyster card, however there is a 30% discount on weekly, monthly and yearly travel cards. It is valid around London (however there are some stations that do not accept it, so please be aware of these e.g The One railway).
Q. How does the oyster card work?
A. Oyster card is a ‘pay as you go’ like service. You can top it up with money at the station as well as shops. When ever you ‘touch’ in at a station a certain amount of money is deducted from the amount available on the card. For more information visit http://www.qmul.ac.uk/enrolment/useful/oystercard/
Q. How do I apply for a Student oyster card?
A. Paper applications are available from CB05 (Student Registry) in the Queens Building. You can also apply online at
https://photocard.tfl.gov.uk select 18+ Photocard.
Q. Where’s the nearest bank/cashpoint?
A. There are two cashpoints outside Drapers Bar on Bancroft Road. An additional cashpoint is now available inside the Village Shop. There is also a Barclays Bank located on campus near the book shops and underneath the Hive.
Q. How can I book a room?
A. Students can call bookings on 0207 882 8162 or alternatively email them at
bookings@qmul.ac.ukQ. How do I book the sports hall?
A. Students need to speak with VP activities, for anything to do with a club or society.
Q. Can I get posters stamped and distribute flyers for an event?
A. The poster needs to be authorised by VP activities first. Students cannot display the poster on any of the boards used for advertising QMSU events around campus. They can be put up in the library, on dept notice boards, etc (with permission). Not on pillars around the university.
Q. Where can I get a tax redemption form from?
A. From room CB05 in the Queens Building, Student Registry. You need to provide your student ID card.
Q. How can I contact security?
A. You can contact security on 0207 882 5000 (ext 5000).
A. Every year students stand to be one of five Sabbatical Officers, and thousands of people vote for their preferred candidate. Their jobs involve representing you to the University and other bodies as well as leading and developing the Students’ Union. There can be found at the Students’ Union, Blomeley Centre (between The Curve & The Village Shop)
Q. Who runs the Students’ Union?
A. Decisions on what the Students’ Union does are made by you, the students, through various committees, including the Union Council. There is a trustee board which is made up of the five sabbs and five student trustees, they are responsible for deciding on the aims of the Students’ Union and are held to account by Union Council. The Students’ Union also has excellent staff that organise and run the day to day activities of the Students’ Union, they are also always available to give you advice or support on a huge range of topics.
Q. What is Union Council?
A. Students’ Union Council is the highest level decision making body in the Students’ Union, responsible for giving the Students’ Union direction (through deciding policy) and approving the aims of the Students’ Union Trustee Board (by approving strategy). It is a forum for raising issues and discussing items (through questions to officers) and holds the Sabbatical Officers to account through regular reporting and planning. The Union Council still has two positions available if you would like to get involved. The posts of Postgraduate Officer and Council Secretary are available. If you are interested please email Anna on
vpwelfare@qmsu.orgQ. How is the Students’ Union funded?
A. The Students’ Union is funded with income from various different sources. We receive a grant from the College each year; we also generate income from our shops, bars and health and fitness centre. All of this money is spent on running and improving the Students’ Union. So any money that you spend in the bar or on a membership to a club or society is put straight back into your Students’ Union.
Q. Is the Students’ Union part of the College?
A. The Students’ Union has its own constitution and management structure and is effectively run as an independent organisation. However we do receive a grant and other support from College, and work closely with the College and its departments in order to represent your views most effectively.
Q. What do I do if I have a problem with my course or want to change subject?
A. Step 1-Go and speak to your Personal Tutor. They can often advise you on the best options.
Step 2-Contact Annie Mitchell on annie.mitchell@qmsu.org. She can guide you through the academic regulations and advise you on your options. It is entirely confidential and independent from the College.
Q. Where is the GP/advice and counselling/occupational health service?
A. Near the geography department.
Q. Where can I go to get sexual health advice?
A. The Vice President Education, Representation and Welfare provides a confidential service that will be able to sign post you in the right location for your needs.
Q. Are there any available?
A. Periodically the Union will post available positions that can be found
here. Additionally you can visit the Queen Mary University job centre
here.Q. Why do we need Course Reps?
A. Course Representatives sit on academic committees and put forward your thoughts and criticisms on your course. They are there to get your views across ensuring that modules and courses are run the best way for students. To find out who your Course Rep is and how to email them your views, go to the Course Rep page on this website.
Q. Why should I vote in Student Union Elections?
A. People that represent you in the Students’ Union make very significant decisions that improve your life at Queen Mary. It is important for you to have the choice because in the end it is YOUR Union.
Q. What is the Merger Cup?
A. Since the merger of Barts and London there has existed a friendly competition between the respective sports teams of BLSA and QMSU. Held every year it is an amazing competition which brings sports teams all over the union together.