Queen Mary is home to a diverse community of over 27,000 students. On this page, we have compiled some essential advice and support information for specific student communities including the LGBT+ community, postgraduate students, international students, student carers and student parents. If you feel you need support or you want to support a friend or flatmate, there are a number of services and organisations that can help. You’ll also find information about our faith support and provision at Queen Mary.
All students at Queen Mary University of London are automatically members of the Students' Union and that includes postgraduates. Here we have collated some links and information that you might find useful while studying at Queen Mary. You can find more information in our Postgraduate Hub pages by clicking the button below.
Each year the Students’ Union elects a Postgraduate Taught Rep and a Postgraduate Research Rep for each faculty. Our reps work throughout the year to represent PGT and PGR students within the Students’ Union and to the University, attending meetings and lobbying for changes and improvements to the University and Students' Union.
We also elect a Vice President Communities, who works full-time as part of our Executive Officer team and is responsible for leading our work engaging with student communities.
To find out who your reps are, see what they are working on or get in contact, visit the link below.
Provides confidential, professional counselling support and advice for emotional, psychological, financial and student welfare issues to all Queen Mary students. The service is free to use.
Support for students with disabilities, specific learning differences and mental health conditions. They offer advice and guidance on areas such as examination arrangements and provide one to one tuition and support workers.
The Students’ Union provides confidential advice and advocacy support on a range of academic issues including extenuating circumstances, appeals, academic misconduct investigations, disciplinary hearings and complaints. The service is confidential, non-judgemental and free and is open to all current students. It is independent from Queen Mary University of London, meaning issues discussed with the service will not appear on your University record without your consent.
The University and College Union (UCU) represents over 120,000 academics, lecturers, trainers, instructors, researchers, managers, administrators, computer staff, librarians and postgraduates in universities, colleges and other organisations across the UK.
PhD students who teach (for example tutors and demonstrators) are eligible to join UCU for free for up to four years. You should select the ‘standard full membership’ option and tick ‘yes’ under ‘eligible for free membership’ here. This will entitle you to all rights of subscription-paying members whilst you complete your degree. This includes voting, support with problems at work, legal support and access to the local and national fighting funds if you experience pay deductions following industrial action. These rights all begin immediately on joining.
PhD students who teach as a condition of their funding from Queen Mary and hold no contract of employment with Queen Mary are still eligible for the standard free membership. Postgraduates who do not (or do not yet) teach may join UCU for free as non-voting associate student members by selecting ‘student membership’ at the membership link above.
Being LGBT+ in London means you have access to a rich, diverse community with lots happening, from film screenings and art exhibitions to coffee mornings and club nights. However, it can also be daunting for someone new to University or someone living away from home. Below we have put together some information you might find useful during your time at University.
If you’re looking to get involved with the LGBT+ community on campus, our LGBT+ Societies for Mile End and Barts and The London are a great way to meet people and get involved. You can find out more about each of them below.
In addition, each year the Students’ Union elects two self-identifying LGBT+ Representatives for our Mile End and Whitechapel campuses and a cross-campus Trans Representative. Self-defining means that the reps identify as part of the community that they represent. These reps work throughout the year to represent LGBT+ students within the Students’ Union and to the University, running campaigns, organising events and lobbying for changes and improvements to the University and Students' Union. You can learn more about what our reps are working on below. You can learn more about liberation at the Students’ Union, which includes our reps for BAME, Women and Disabled students, here.
QM LGBT+ Society aims to create a safe space for all members of the LGBTQ+ community at Queen Mary. They run a range of events, including club nights both on and off campus, coffee mornings and meets, cross-society events, including film screenings, games nights and more and political events and activism.
A society set up to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all LGBT+ and questioning medics, dentists and other students studying at Barts and The London. Events include socials exploring London's fantastic gay scene, lectures and discussions, cultural film nights celebrating the best in LGBT cinema and zany events that no other society can provide. The society also works to ensure the curriculum and student experience at BL are LGBT-friendly and has links with GLADD (The Gay Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists).
Each year, we elect two self-defining LGBT+ Representatives for our Mile End and Whitechapel campuses and a cross-campus Trans Representative. Self-defining means that the reps identify as part of the community that they represent. These reps work on behalf of LGBT+ students at the University, running campaigns, organising events and lobbying for change within the University and Students' Union.
You can learn more about liberation at the Students’ Union, which includes our reps for BAME, Women and Disabled students, here.
To find out who your reps are, see what they are working on or get in contact, click the link below.
Queen Mary University of London has recently published a Trans Inclusion Policy Statement which provides an overview of its approach to supporting trans staff and students. The University intends to publish further guidance for students later in 2020 on Queen Mary processes and support around transitioning.
If you are looking for gender neutral toilet facilities on campus, the University has created this Gender Neutral Toilet Map of the Mile End campus.
If you feel more comfortable living with other LGBT+ people, there are several places you can look for somewhere to live while at University.
SpareRoom is a house share website that allows you to search for housemates or rooms in houses. It has an LGBT+ section which lists people who are looking for LGBT+ housemates or rooms in LGBT+ homes.
Please approach this with an element of caution. You should always meet potential housemates in a public place and, if possible, with a friend. If you are viewing a property, take a friend with you and make sure someone knows when you are expecting to return. You can read SpareRoom’s safety tips here
Stonewall Housing works to ensure lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people live in safer homes. They can provide help if you are experiencing issues with your housing or feel you have been treated badly by housemates or landlords because of your identity. You can contact them by phone or they have a referral form on their website. You can call on 020 7359 5767.
Offers a range of support for LGBTQ+ people aged 16-25 who are facing or experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile environment.
Below are some charities and organisations you might find useful during your time at University.
Charity providing confidential services for people under the age of 25, with advisors specifically trained on LGBT+ and mental health issues. Contact them on 020 7739 3082 or email them on info@step-forward.org
Leading LGBTQ Muslim charity, offering support for Muslim LGBTQ people, their families and friends. Imaan run an online forum where people can seek help and advice. Email imaanlgbtq@gmail.com for more information.
Galop is an independent charity that provides support and advice to LGBT+ people who experience domestic violence and abuse, sexual violence or hate crime.
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428
London LGBT+ Advice Line: 020 7704 2040
help@galop.org.uk
Information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men and bisexual and trans people, and others considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity Call 0300 330 0630 between 10am and 10pm every day or contact the helpline via Instant Messaging or email.
Free counselling and social and support groups offering a safe space for those dealing with issues around their sexuality. They also offer specialised counselling for LGBT+ people who have experienced domestic abuse. All groups are run by trained volunteers in Kings Cross.
National trans-led charity improving the lives of trans and non-binary people in the UK. They offer youth groups for young trans people under 21 and a peer-led support group in London for people aged 18-30. They also offer a mentoring scheme for trans students in education and provide resources for trans youth and their families. The service is free and confidential.
The UK’s largest independent LGBT+ therapy organisation. They provide an online directory of therapists of all sexualities and gender identities who work across the LGBTIQ spectrum from a non-judgmental standpoint.
A UK wide organisation whose purpose is to improve the lives of trans and gender non-conforming people of all ages, including those who are non-binary and non-gender. They provide a range of resources and information you might find useful.
A range of information and support for LGBT+ communities and their allies on a range of topics including coming out.
A comprehensive resource for people searching for support in the transgender community. They provide an easy to use directory to help you find trans support groups near you.
Website containing links for transgender support groups all over the world.
If you have experienced any form of violence, including homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, sexual violence, domestic abuse, harassment, bullying, hate crime or discrimination, there are lots of places you can access confidential support or report what has happened to you.
Experiencing any form of violence – whether it’s physical, emotional or verbal – can be incredibly traumatic, however there are many support services that can help you. While some people wish to access support right away, others may not do so for weeks, months or years. How and when you access support is completely up to you.
You can find a comprehensive list of support services available nationally, locally and within Queen Mary on the University's Report and Support reporting platform. The website allows you to report an incident and includes details of a wide range of support services, including allowing you to request support at Queen Mary.
Students with caring responsibilities make up an increasingly large proportion of university students across the UK but often face particular barriers to participation in university life. Caring responsibilities vary for different people but normally include providing personal care, physical care, or household assistance for someone with a long-term health condition, often a family member or friend. Here we have collated some resources that you may find helpful.
Carer’s Allowance is the main benefit for carers. If you are a part-time student looking after someone for 35 hours a week or more, you may be eligible.
Confidential, professional counselling support and advice for emotional, psychological, financial and student welfare issues.
If you are facing exceptional or unforeseen costs or you are in financial hardship you could be eligible for help from the University’s Financial Assistance Fund. For advice about your finances, or to discuss which aspects of your situation might be important to include in your application, you can make an appointment with a Welfare Adviser at the Advice and Counselling Service (Ground Floor, Geography Building).
UK-wide charity providing carers with expert advice, information and support and campaigning to find better ways to reach and support carers.
If you or someone you know needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability, this website explains your options and where you can get support.
This guide provides information, tips and advice for current or prospective students with caring responsibilities.
Students with parental and caring responsibilities make up an increasingly large proportion of university students across the UK but often face particular barriers to participation in university life. Here we have collated some resources that you may find helpful.
If you’re a full-time student with children, you may be eligible for help from the government with your learning or childcare costs. The University’s Advice and Counselling Service provides a guide to the types of support you may be able to access here.
Moving to a new country to study can be daunting, but there is lots of support and advice available. Here we have collated some links and information that might be useful to you, both within the University and externally.
The Students’ Union has lots of student groups that you can get involved in, including a number of societies representing particular cultures and countries. You can find a list of all our societies and their contact details by clicking the link below.
All our societies are led by a committee of students, and you can join them at any point throughout the year. Societies are always welcoming new members and will let you know about the activities they run and how you can join in.
Each year the Students’ Union elects three International Representatives, who represent students across the Faculty of Science & Engineering (S&E), Faculty of Humanities & Social Science (HSS) and Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Each of our International Representatives is an international student at Queen Mary. Our reps work throughout the year to represent international students within the Students’ Union and to the University, running campaigns, organising events and lobbying for changes and improvements to the University and Students' Union.
We also elect a Vice President Communities, who works full-time as part of our Executive Officer team and is responsible for leading our work on liberation, equality, diversity and inclusion and engaging with student communities.
Provides confidential, professional counselling support and advice for emotional, psychological, financial and student welfare issues to all Queen Mary students.
The service is free to use for all students. They have specialist trained international advisors who can provide advice and guidance on a wide variety of issues faced by international students including immigration and Tier 4 visa queries. Welfare Advisers at Queen Mary are regulated under OISC guidelines to give immigration advice.
The service has also created several information sheets for international students containing helpful information on topics including visas, travelling, working during or after your studies and more.
There are plenty of options for food shopping in East London, from large supermarkets such as Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco as well as smaller shops which sell a range of foods. Our very own Village Shop on the Mile End Campus also stocks a wide range of international and speciality products at great prices. You can find the Village Shop in the Student Village.
The large Sainsbury’s in Whitechapel (15-minute walk from Mile End campus) has an extensive world food aisle and you should be able to find some home comforts there. If you are unable to find certain foods, there are lots of other options nearby in Brick Lane, or in central London such as Chinatown.
There are a huge range of things to do while studying at Queen Mary and living in London. These websites might give you some ideas about free activities that you can get involved in.
International Students House (ISH) is a residential, social and cultural centre for international and British students located in central London. They are based near London Euston station and host lots of events for all international students in London as well as hosting trips throughout the year.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is the UK’s national advisory body supporting international students and those who work with them. They provide advice, guidance and information about all aspects of the international student experience, from immigration and fees to mental health, culture shock and orientation.
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. They have written a number of advice guides about being an international student in the UK which you might find helpful.
Contact the Student Voice team at your Students’ Union with any questions you may have.