Student Handbook 2023/24

Student Health Service

The Student Health Service (SHS) is a free National Health Service (NHS) providing a wide range of medical services. Students living in Queen Mary accommodation at Mile End or Whitechapel and students living in the borough of Tower Hamlets (postcodes E1, E2, E3 and E14) are encouraged to register with the Student Health Service. Out of area registrations may be possible in some cases. Registrations for the SHS can take place online.  The SHS on campus is located in the Geography Building, Mile End (number 28 on map). If you live outside of Tower Hamlets, and you wish to register with a doctor close to where you live, you can find a list of local doctors through the NHS website. Please, visit the Student Health website for further information.

Westfield Nursery

Queen Mary University Westfield Nursery is based on the Mile End campus and provides full day care for up to 65 children per day aged three months to four years. The nursery prioritises students and staff at Queen Mary, but is also available to those outside Queen Mary.

Our curriculum is woven with the seven areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This is embedded and enriched in the moment with the child’s interest from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave the nursery.

Our Early Years Childcare Practitioners are fully qualified with grades of level 3 in Childcare / BA (Hons) degrees in Early Childhood, and Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning.

We approach play with a holistic point of view that enriches the development of the children.

Staff receive continuous professional development on early years to keep their practice up to date.

The nursery is open 48 weeks of the year, from 08.30 - 17.30 on weekdays. The nursery closes for 2 weeks holidays at the end of August and 2 weeks at Christmas.

The Nursery gives children a full week to settle in (even if they are part time) before their start date and for this there is no charge.

Early application is advised as demand is high and waiting time is usually six to twelve months. Please visit the Nursery webpage for more information and an application form.

Contact

Telephone: 020 7882 2782

Email: nursery@qmul.ac.uk 

Web: www.nursery.qmul.ac.uk

 

Lost Property

If you have lost something at Queen Mary, please contact the Security Control Room at your campus. If the item has not been handed in, the Security Team  will assist you in completing a lost property report that can be referred to by your insurance company if you need to make a claim. We will keep your contact details and a description of the lost property on file in case the item is handed in later. Please see http://www.security.qmul.ac.uk/ for more details. Your School/Institute may also have its own lost property store.

Parking on Campus

There are no parking facilities available for students unless you are a Blue Badge Holder.

Smoking on Campus

Only in designated areas, other than those areas which are clearly signed. QM is a smoke free campus. You cannot smoke in the QM halls of residence or any other QM building.

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