Arriving in the UK

BRP collection

If your Student immigration permission has been granted for more than six months, you'll normally need to collect your BRP card from your chosen Post Office within 10 days of arriving in the UK. The nearest collection location to the Mile End campus is the Whitechapel Post Office (208A Whitechapel Road, Whitechapel, London, Greater London, E1 1BJ). 

If you are under 18 then a member of the Global Engagement team will be happy to collect your BRP on your behalf. Please email the Global Engagement Office to arrange a time to drop off your decision letter and passport. 

If you are an EEA or Swiss national, and applied for your Student immigration permission through the app, you will receive a digital visa and will not have to collect a BRP card. 

Police registration

Police Registration has been suspended for Student Visa holders as of 01 August 2022. During the suspension, new Student Visas will be granted without the Police Registration condition. This will also apply retrospectively to students who were granted Student Visas before 01 August 2022.

Airport transfers

Queen Mary works with Greater London Hire Limited (GLH) to provide students with a secure and discounted taxi service from any London airport to campus or Stratford. Please have your flight details ready and airport terminal before you contact Greater London Hire. They can only accept payment via credit card.

How to Book

By telephone: Call 020 7490 4222 and quote the Account Reference Number: 99610

This must be quoted to benefit from the preferential rate.

Online: To register for the on-line booking service, please go to Greater London Hire’s website and register using the fields on the right hand side, using your allocated Pin Number which is 99610. Slide ‘Do you have an account pin?’ to ‘Yes’ and then enter your email address.

This pin must be entered to benefit from the preferential rate.

Max Passenger and Luggage Guidelines

Saloon Car

4 passengers and 2-3 medium suitcases

MPV

6 passengers and 3-4 medium suitcases or 2-3 passengers and 5-6 medium suitcases

Arrival Arrangements

The price quoted includes 30 minutes waiting time and airport car park charges. The driver can meet you 30, 60 or 90 minutes after the flight is scheduled to land. To avoid any further waiting time charges, please state your preference when booking. To add this online after you have entered your flight number a box will appear that says ‘Hold Off Time’, enter how long after the flight has landed you would like the driver to meet you in arrivals.

Any additional car park charges are charged at cost depending on the airport and waiting time is an additional £15.00 per hour and will be charged automatically to your card after the booking has gone ahead.

Your driver will text you to let you know they are there which will include a photograph and their telephone number. They will also meet you at arrivals with a name board. If you are arriving into Terminal 5 in Heathrow, the meeting place is by Costa Coffee as you come through arrivals.

If you have any difficulties, please contact GLH on 020 7490 4222 quoting your booking reference number and they will be able to assist you.

 Prices

Travelling to Queen Mary by public transport

Queen Mary’s campuses are easily accessible from all of London’s airports. For general directions to our five London campuses click here. If you choose not to book a GLH taxi then there are alternative ways to travel.

Travelling to Mile End from London Heathrow

• Heathrow Express and London Underground: The Heathrow Express is a quick and easy way to reach central London from Heathrow (approx. 15 minutes). The Heathrow Express goes to Paddington station where you will need to take the Elizabeth Line to Whitechapel and then change to the District Line or Hammersmith and City Line to Mile End. Heathrow Express tickets can be booked in advance or on the day of your journey.
• London Underground: Take the Piccadilly Line to Holborn then change to the Central Line to Mile End.
• Uber: You will receive directions to Heathrow Airport pickup points directly in the app. Pickup locations may vary by terminal. More information can be found here

Travelling to Mile End from Gatwick

• Southern railways and London Underground: Take a train from Gatwick Airport to London Bridge station. Once you reach London Bridge, follow the signs in the station for the Underground. Take the Northern Line to Bank and change to the Central Line eastbound to Mile End.
• Uber: Pickup locations may vary by terminal. To find your pickup location, check the Uber app after you request a ride.

Travelling to Mile End from London City Airport

• Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Underground: Take the DLR to West Ham station. Change to the District or Hammersmith and City Line to Mile End.