Student Handbook 2023/24

Your views are important to the school of law and QM. There are a variety of ways in which you can tell us what you think and share your ideas for improvements. Student representatives, elected by fellow students, also speak on behalf of the student body at the school, faculty and QMUL-wide level via various committees, groups and meetings. More information can be found at http://my.qmul.ac.uk/your-voice/feedback/ 

Some of these will include:

• School Staff-Student Liaison Committee and Course Representatives
• Module evaluation
• Postgraduate Taught Experience (PTE) Surveys
• Personal feedback to academic tutors
• Student Ambassadors (for open days, etc.)
• Student Representatives for the Staff Student Liaison Committee and main Course Representatives.
• Health and Safety Committee

During the first weeks of the programme we will be looking for volunteer members of our PG Law student body to act as Student representatives. We try where possible to have volunteers from each of the Programmes/areas that we teach. 

Each Queen Mary postgraduate law Programme has one or more appointed student representatives who work with their Student Support Team/Engagement Team and the PD Team to put on a programme of events for their cohort. The aim is to enhance students' educational and social experience beyond their academic study during the year, and to develop opportunities for students to experience professional growth and to give service.

The programme focuses on 3 areas: Social, Charitable, and Careers-related activities.

The Professional Development team works closely with Student Support/Engagement Team and Course Representatives to organise Programme-specific career events and, where possible, to source a limited number of exclusive work experience and mentoring opportunities for our students, matching Queen Mary postgraduate law students with leading legal practitioners. The PG Law Careers Team additionally organises a series of weekend workshops that offer invaluable opportunities for you to develop your professional skills (e.g., effective negotiation, accounting for lawyers, time management, etc.).

The Students' Union will provide full training and support for all student reps, preparing them to make the most of their role, acting on behalf of the students they represent and liaising with the staff in their SSLC and school. This training will be organised in co-operation with their school and provided before the first SSLC meeting. 

From these volunteers, we then ask you to nominate and confirm two main Course Representatives.

As a recognition of their efforts and the contribution they have made, all Course Reps are invited to a special Education Awards ceremony at the end of the year where they receive a certificate. In order to qualify for a Course Rep Contribution Award, the Reps must attend an introductory training session and at least one of their SSLC meetings. There are also additional award opportunities, for those who make an extra achievement, which goes beyond their core role.

Course Reps will also have an opportunity to learn and develop wide range of valuable skills that can help them to improve their employability, through a number of additional training sessions available during, from ‘Personal Development Planning’ and 'Communication' to 'Chairing a Meeting' and ‘Negotiation Skills’. These training sessions, along the introductory core training, count towards the QM Skills Award, which is another opportunity to have the skills they have developed recognised and awarded. 

The student representatives are asked to meet at LIF usually once each term for the SSLC meeting. This is your opportunity to raise areas of concern directly with programme directors, the programmes Coordinator and certain key academic or specialised staff - it can be used as a quick remedy for many concerns. It is also an opportunity for staff to discuss particular areas with you perhaps with regard to current year procedures or planned changes in the future. The meetings are very worthwhile and interesting.

The two Course Representatives may be asked to attend additional QMUL committee groups over the year – again, not many and usually no more than two per year. 

All student reps would be asked to introduce themselves to fellow classmates in their own lectures only and be approachable, so that students can raise issues of concern with them.

A list of contacts for all student representatives and Course Representatives QMUL emails will also posted on the QMplus Noticeboard. Please look out for your emailed invitations to volunteer for this very worthwhile group.

Module and Programme Evaluation

Towards the end of each Teaching Period, you will be asked to complete an evaluation of each of your taught modules for that period.  Evaluation forms period will announced in class and are coordinated online. Please check  Class academics should give you some time to complete these.  We would be grateful if you could assist us with this, as the information and feedback we receive from you is vital and is always carefully considered and vital for continued improvement.

The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 

The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) is conducted every year. It is facilitated by Advance HE, the national body that champions teaching excellence. The PTES gives you, as a postgraduate taught student, an opportunity to give your opinions on what you like about your time at Queen Mary, as well as those aspects that you feel could be improved. Please do consider completing the survey; your feedback really is invaluable and will help us make a difference for future generations of Queen Mary students.

http://my.qmul.ac.uk/your-voice/feedback/postgraduate-taught-experience-survey/

For all enquiries and to contact please e-mail: pglaw-support@qmul.ac.uk