Engagement

Access to Queen Mary

Access to Queen Mary is an 18-month programme supporting students from under-represented backgrounds through tailored academic and pastoral support, including mentoring, skills development, and transition guidance, alongside eligibility for a contextual offer. By recognising intersecting barriers such as disability, care experience, and socio-economic disadvantage, it works with schools and communities to create fairer pathways into higher education. 

Advancing Access 

In partnership with Advancing Access, a national collaboration of 24 universities, we support schools and colleges with CPD for teachers and advisers, with the aim of aiding progression to selective universities, particularly those from under-represented groups. Furthermore, Queen Mary is a member of the Advancing Access Steering Group, helping to inform the future direction of the partnership.  

Disability Mentoring and Targeted Support

Queen Mary offers many support services to our disabled students beyond just estate, digital and academic accessibility.  

For mentoring, Queen Mary offers Specialist Mentoring and Specialist One-to-One Study Skills Tuition. Our specialist mentoring can support students facing difficulties because of their disabilities, such as time management and planning, concentration, anxiety and stress. Whereas the Study Skills Tuition sessions are individual, personalised support sessions for students with Specific Learning Differences (SpLDs) including dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD, focusing on reading, essay planning, note-taking, presentation and revision. 

For targeted support, Non-specialist human support consists of non-specialised general assistance for disabled students, such as book fetching services at libraries, proof reading, scribing and amanuensis 

Staff Disability Network

Staff Disability Network provides a confidential and supportive community for staff with visible, invisible, or long-term conditions. The network advises senior leadership on disability equality and workplace accessibility. 

Buddy Up Scheme 

The Buddy Scheme programme connects first-year students with experienced second-and third-year students in the same academic school for mentoring and navigating adjusting to university life. Whether its for navigating a new city, adjusting to academic life, or just looking to make friends, the Buddy Scheme mentor will be a friendly, trained volunteer who offers informal support, shares useful tips, and helps new student feel more confident as they begin your journey at Queen Mary. 

Level Up Scheme 

The Level Up scheme is a new pilot expansion of the Buddy Scheme, aimed at returning second-year students. Level up is not simply an extension of the Buddy Scheme but for second-year students, it represents career-focused mentoring, with mentors offering practical advice on how to get the most out of university and direct to services on campus to help students thinking about their career.  

Counselling and Support for Students and Staff 

 The Advice and Counselling Service and Student Life Team co-facilitate regular free social events for care experienced and estranged students to enable independent students to connect with each other and provide peer support at the same time as enjoying some fun activities. Queen Mary also offers flexible, tailored Counselling both online and on Mile End campus, including one-to-one talking sessions and cognitive behavioural therapy , as well as referrals for psychiatry appointments.  

 Our Money and Practical Advice page on the Advice and Counselling Service website has dedicated tailored pages for students facing all kinds of challenges, including but not limited to students from refugee-backgrounds, care experienced and estranged students and students with children. 

Togetherall – Free Online Support 

 Queen Mary partners with Togetherall to extend inclusive mental-health support into a wider online community where students can connect, share experiences, and support one another. Through its peer-led model, students can join topic-based groups, post and respond to others, create expressive artwork, and access wellbeing courses and self-assessments at any time. This community-driven platform is particularly impactful for disabled students, Black students, and those from low-income backgrounds, offering a safe, accessible space to seek help and build resilience beyond the classroom. 

LGBTQIA+ History Month  

Queen Mary celebrates LGBTQIA+ History Month each February with a rich programme of events, campaigns and educational resources that promote visibility and understanding for LGBTQIA+ communities. The 2025 theme “Activism and Social Change” emphasises allyship, intersectionality and the ongoing struggle for rights, contributions and recognition. By engaging students, staff and community partners in open dialogue and reflection, the university helps dismantle discrimination and build a more inclusive environment for all. 

Black History Month  

Queen Mary honours Black History Month each October through a diverse calendar of events, workshops, and exhibitions that celebrate Black achievement and promote racial equity. In 2024 the theme emphasised “Community, Culture, and Care”, engaging students, staff, and local organisations in discussion on racial justice and inclusion. By centring lived experiences and fostering dialogue across our community, the university advances inclusive representation and helps reduce systemic inequalities.