EECS Student Handbook 2024/25

3.4. Advisor/Student Support mechanisms

The key staff listed on the previous chapter deal with all general queries and should be your first point of call.  In addition, you will be allocated a personal academic advisor.

All students are allocated a personal advisor for the duration of your studies. Advisors are members of academic staff who provide advice and support to students. They have two main roles: academic and pastoral.

In their academic capacity, advisors advise on, and approve, programmes of study. If you are considering changing your programme of study, or taking a module that does not appear on your recommended programme, you must discuss this with your advisor. Any other academic-related concerns, e.g. general academic progress, should be discussed with your advisor in the first instance. Please note that, in this School, the role of advisor is separate from that of Senior Tutor.

In their pastoral capacity, advisors are the first point of contact in case of personal problems or concerns. Advisors recognise that personal problems can severely affect a student’s academic performance, and they will provide a sympathetic and non-judgmental ear, as well as practical help. They can also direct students to other QM support services, where appropriate. Discussions with students will always be treated in confidence. However, in cases where academic performance is affected by personal problems, the School must be officially informed, and advisors can also guide students through the correct procedures for doing this. 

Advisors can be asked to provide academic references for students for job and other applications after leaving university, and this is another good reason for building and maintaining a good student/advisor relationship. 

If your Advisor, Year Tutor, or Senior Tutor is not available you should contact the Student Support Officer.

How do I know who my Advisor is?

The name of your advisor will be shown on your EECS landing page.  A time will be set for you to meet with your advisor within the first 2 weeks of term. First year students will meet regularly with their advisor throughout the first and second semester. It is your responsibility as a student to attend these meetings.

The Advice and Counselling Service offers a free and confidential service to all Queen Mary students.  This should be the first point of call for international students with visa issues.  Advice and Counselling are located on the ground floor of the Geography Building at Mile End and are open on weekdays throughout the year, including most vacations.  Further information can be found at http://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk

We encourage all students to feedback to us and we are keen to hear and act on student voices.

The School has five ways in which feedback can be given:

•  Meeting with your personal advisor

• Student Support page

•  Student Representatives who are a voice for your programme, details can be found at - https://www.qmsu.org/reps/coursereps/ and https://intranet.eecs.qmul.ac.uk/admin/sslc.

• Student Staff Liaison committees (SSLC) which are held twice a semester and your student reps attend these on your behalf to give feedback to the School, the reps will contact you, usually via email, so please do feedback to them.

• Module feedback questionnaire – you will be given an opportunity to give anonymous feedback at module level in each semester.

The above should be seen as the main avenue for giving feedback on your module, programme and experience at university.  We encourage you to make this as constructive as possible, i.e. if you have a problem, suggest a solution