IP Student Handbook 2025/26

Advice and Counselling Service 

The Advice and Counselling Service offers confidential, professional support services to all Queen Mary students. We have helpful advice and guidance for financial, immigration and other practical issues as well as emotional, mental health and wellbeing support on our website (https://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/). You will also find information there about our services and how to contact us.

Money and practical advice

Managing practical and financial matters while also focusing on your studies can be challenging. Welfare Advisers provide confidential advice and guidance about funding your studies; planning and managing your budget; tuition fees and fee status; and the practical implications of a change to your studies. We offer dedicated support for students who no longer have contact with their family (estranged), and students who have experience of local authority care, and students from a refugee background. We also provide support for students experiencing domestic abuse or forced marriage. Check our website (https://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/) to see the range of advice and guidance we offer, and how to contact us.

Visa and international students’ advice

Immigration rules change frequently and can be complicated. International Student Advisers provide confidential advice and guidance about visas for study (and visas for dependents) as well as other immigration issues, financial advice, and practical matters relating to life in the UK as an international student. Check our website (https://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/international/) to see the range of advice and guidance we offer, and how to contact us.

Counselling 

Life can seem like a struggle at times, and it is normal to sometimes feel a bit low or anxious. Sometimes, though, emotional and psychological issues can become too challenging, and may have a negative effect on your studies and well-being. Our Counsellors can help you to make sense of difficult experiences and feelings by providing the opportunity to think and talk reflectively, which can bring relief and meaningful changes.

The first step is meeting confidentially with one of our Counsellors to discuss what type of support might be most useful to you. This might be short term counselling, group therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy or a referral for longer term support or specialist services outside Queen Mary/ in the NHS. For many students, just one or two sessions can really help. Our Counsellors are all highly experienced in working with students, and all types of issues.

Mental Health

We also have a mental health team who can advise and support you to manage a mental health condition while you are studying at Queen Mary. Our Mental Health advisers can advise you about the local NHS and other support services available in Tower Hamlets and the neighbouring boroughs as well as offering a range of interventions to help you manage your mental health.  

Sexual assault and harassment advice

The Sexual Assault and Harassment Adviser (SAHA) is a specialist adviser who provides emotional and practical support to any student who has experienced sexual assault or harassment, whether that’s happened recently or in the past. The SAHA can support you whether this happened at university or not.

The SAHA can provide you with practical support, such as advice around your safety, impartial information and support around your options for reporting both within the University and externally, and signposting/referring you to appropriate support services both within the University and out. The SAHA can also provide emotional support, including supporting you to understand and manage the impact of sexual violence, working with you to develop positive coping strategies and helping you to re-build your self-esteem and trust in yourself and others. 

Contacting the Advice and Counselling Service 

For more information about available services and contact details please visit the Advice and Counselling Service’s website:

www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk