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About us

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  1. Queen Mary University of London
  2. About us
  3. Sustainability
  4. Sustainable development goals
  5. Goal 1: No Poverty
  6. Operations

Operations

London Living Wage

Research at Queen Mary led to the introduction of the living wags. We are a founding partner of the London Living Wage Foundation and strong supporter of the London Living Wage. We were the first UK university to become accredited in 2006 and have been a principal partner of the foundation since 2008, demonstrating a commitment to paying our staff a wage based on the actual cost of living. 

Free Period Products

Queen Mary provides free period products across our campuses to ensure no one’s education or wellbeing is disrupted by period poverty. By offering accessible menstrual health support for students and staff, we’re helping to create a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate campus community.

Student financial support

Queen Mary provides financial support to help reduce the barriers that poverty can create in accessing higher education. Through income-assessed Queen Mary University of London bursaries offering up to £1,700 per year and hardship grants of up to £3,500, the University ensures students from low-income backgrounds can meet living and study costs. This support enables equitable participation and helps break the link between financial hardship and educational disadvantage.

Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre

Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre provides free legal advice to members of the public, staff and students at Queen Mary University of London. The centre has provided legal advice for 5,500 clients through its clinics, from 450 student volunteers and students have won £1m of disability benefits for vulnerable clients since 2006. 

Financial Assistance Fund (FAF)

The Financial Assistance Fund (FAF) is open to all current students studying at Queen Mary, ordinarily based on our London campuses. The fund is intended to act as a safety net for those in need, and can help alleviate unexpected financial hardship.

Google DeepMind Scholarships

The Google Deepmind Scholarship programme was launched in 2019, and support was renewed for the 2024/25 academic year. These scholarships are awarded to women and Black students who are currently under-represented in the field of AI. Since the launch of the programme, 26 students have benefited from the Scholarships. Each scholarship provides students with full financial support, plus mentorship from Google DeepMind employees and opportunities for attending leading AI academic conferences and Google DeepMind events.  

PWC’s Flying Start Programme and Financial Bursary

The Flying Start programme is a partnership between Queen Mary and Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) to give students an opportunity to become a qualified chartered accountant. The Flying Start Financial Bursary is aimed at supporting students with the day-today costs of university life. At PwC, the development and wellbeing of people is paramount, and the company are delighted to be able to award a substantial bursary to support our students with their studies in accountancy. The bursary offers a unique opportunity for 10 individuals to receive support in their educational journey. To be eligible students must attend a non-fee paying school and have a household income of <£35,000.

Scholarships for accommodation support

Scape provide scholarships to support students estranged from their family, who are care leavers or care experience (Scotland). Two students are awarded subsidised rent for one ensuite and one studio room either at Scape Mile End or Scape Schoreditch. Those who are successful can retain their room, with reduced rates, for up to three years.

The Unite Foundation Scholarship offers support to young people who are care experienced or estranged from their families. The scholarship provides up to three years of free, year-round accommodation at Rahere Court.

Widening Participation Travel Bursary

Our Widening Participation Travel Bursary aims to bring students who have specific characteristics, typically under-represented in higher education, on to campus. The bursary aims to support students make informed choices about their future by exploring the options available to them.  

The bursary is for students attending qualifying events taking place on our campuses and will provide support with travel costs (up to £40) to eligible participants. Events may include:

Essential living cost support

Queen Mary University recognises unforeseen circumstances may occur whereby students are unable to afford food, toiletries or other essential living costs. To help support students the university offers several avenues of short-term support:

  • Queen Mary Supermarket Voucher Scheme – This gives students a £25 voucher, to be issued once in an academic year, for use at dedicated supermarkets.
  • Short term loan – An interest-free loan of £350 that can be given to students whose Student Finance application for living costs has been delayed.
  • Students’ Union Welfare Loan – A short-term, interest free, welfare loan, of up to £100, that students can apply for should they be facing unexpected financial need due to a cash flow issue.

Food pantries - support for students

Two food pantries are available through Queen Mary Students’ Union to students as part of an emergency service supporting those in need of short-term food assistance. The QMSU Food Pantry is based in the Students’ Union Hub reception and is open 9am-9pm. The Garrod Good Pantry is located on the 2nd floor of the Garrod building and is open 24 hours.

Free campus facilities

The University offers free access to basic facilities for students across our campus’, including:

  • Water fountains available across our campuses in several buildings to provide free access to drinking water.
  • Bicycle parking
  • Charging points
  • Laptop loans
  • Microwave oven access
  • Shower access
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