This webpage provides information and guidance for Queen Mary University of London staff, students and visitors. It is updated regularly.
This page was updated on 31 March
The welfare of our students and staff is our top priority as we respond to this fast developing situation. Please follow the University’s official communication channels and UK Government advice. To read all University email updates on coronavirus, students should visit MyQMUL and staff should visit Connected.
The UK Government has announced that everyone must stay at home and only go outside for food, health reasons or work – if they are unable to do so from home. Queen Mary remains open, however there is now no face-to-face teaching until further notice. All education is being carried out online and all but essential on-campus services are being delivered remotely. Therefore, many of our campus buildings are now closed.
We ask that all students and staff support their friends and colleagues at this difficult time. Harassment and discrimination of any kind has no place on our campuses. If you are victim of, or witness, any form of physical or verbal attack, report it immediately.
Our library services remain open and accessible online to all students, although library buildings are closed until further notice.
As of 25 March, we have closed all PC labs on our campuses. We are now working to put in place IT facilities for students who need them and are continuing to live in our residences.
Face-to-face summer exams will not take place.
Instead, there will be on-line assessments focused on the achievement of learning outcomes. For accredited courses, these online assessments will meet requirements of professional and regulatory bodies. No student will be disadvantaged in relation to assessments by the changes that we have had to make as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The majority of University staff are now working remotely, with only those needed to maintain important facilities and support services remaining on campuses. Guidance on home working, and maintaining mental and physical wellbeing for staff working on campus and working remotely has been issued to staff. There are also a number of resources, technologies and training opportunities to support staff with remote teaching, learning and assessment.
On 26 March, the UK government advised that students still living in on-campus accommodation should remain in that accommodation and not attempt to travel. We are continuing to provide support for students remaining on campus.
We are transitioning as much as we can of our research activity online, and advising staff to work remotely where this is possible. Where this is not feasible, we have clear plans in place for each research area, with appropriate risk assessments. These have been communicated at a School or Institute level. Guidance for research staff and students is available at www.jrmo.org.uk/news-and-training/covid-19/
We are working closely with government and the NHS to support the fight against coronavirus. We have already released all our clinical staff from their academic duties and have medical students in years 1-4 ready to volunteer. We have also released parking spaces on our campuses for NHS workers, and important diagnostic equipment. We are now looking into the possibility of providing accommodation for NHS staff across our campuses.
We are also exploring other ways to support our community and have published a list of volunteering opportunities.
We have agreed to postpone summer graduation ceremonies, and will be communicating new dates as soon as we can. Any student expecting to graduate this year will get an award.
I have a question that has not been answered by these FAQs. What should I do?
If you have a question about your individual circumstances you should ask your school if you are a student, or your line manager if you are a member of Queen Mary staff.
If you have a more general question that has not been answered above, please email studenthealth@qmul.ac.uk (for students) or staffhealth@qmul.ac.uk (for staff).
Please note that we may be receiving a high volume of questions but we will respond as soon as possible.
