What's on

Students' Union events

Saturday 12 - Wednesday 30 Sept

Your first few weeks at Queen Mary are packed with opportunities to meet new people, discover new interests and make the most of life beyond your course. That's why the Students' Union has put together an exciting programme of more than 50 Welcome Events taking place throughout September.

From huge club nights, quizzes and cultural celebrations to sports taster sessions, day trips, craft workshops, wellbeing events, movie nights and language cafés, there's something for everyone. Whether you're looking to make friends, explore London, try a new hobby or simply have fun, you'll find plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Browse the full programme and get your tickets on the QMSU website. New events are added regularly, so keep checking back to see what's coming up.

Welcome Week events

Monday 14 - Friday 18 Sept

Campus tours (Mile End):

• Get to know your new campus and Student Ambassadors' top tips to make the most of your time at Queen Mary.
• Leaving every 30 minutes between 10am and 4pm from Library Square.
• No need to book, just turn up and look for the Campus tours sign and a student ambassador in a blue top!

Chill out zone:

(Weather permitting) - take a break on a bean bag and relax with some games on Geography Square.

Library Square information stands:

Monday 14 Sept

Get Ahead at Queen Mary:

1-4pm, drop-in, The Octagon (Queens' Building)

Register for the Get Ahead drop-in event here 

Start your Queen Mary journey with confidence at this interactive drop-in event for new students. You'll have the chance to connect with other Queen Mary students, pick up practical tips, and discover the support available to help you succeed in your first semester and beyond. Visit the themed activity zones at your own pace and complete the Get Ahead Bingo Challenge for your chance to win a prize. Free refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon, giving you even more opportunities to relax, chat, and meet fellow students. 

Explore the Get Ahead webpages before Welcome Week for online courses, tips and guidance to help you prepare for university.

International Students Welcome event

4-6pm, Great Hall (People's Palace)

Find out more about the International Student Welcome

Tuesday 15 Sept

Wellbeing Fair:

12-4pm, drop in, the Nest (Students' Union hub)

Start your student journey equipped with everything you need to take care of your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing, meet other students, and collect some freebies. Including animal therapy, henna art, ice cream, crafts, and lots of information on support to keep you safe and well throughout your studies.

No need to book, just turn up! See the Wellbeing Fair programme here.

Study Smarter: Digital tools for academic success

11am-12pm and 3-4pm, Library Seminar Room (G.10), Mile End Library

Book your place for a Study Smarter session here

Discover digital tools that can help you save time, stay organised, and improve your studies. In this practical, student-led session, you'll explore resources for referencing, study support, accessibility, and skills development through live demos and practical examples.
Leave with useful tips and tools you can start using straight away.

Wednesday 16 Sept

Discover QM Elevate: Communication Skills for University and Beyond

12-1pm, Bancroft 1.13a

Discover QM Elevate, Queen Mary’s free, non-credit programme offering flexible 5- and 10-week modules in academic and professional communication. Develop your academic writing, presentation and critical thinking skills, learn to communicate effectively across cultures, and strengthen your communication skills for the workplace.

As part of this interactive session, you will also get a quick, hands-on taster of how to craft engaging stories that connect with your audience, an important element of effective communication at university, in the workplace and beyond.

Come along to discover why communication is a key skill for both academic and professional success, explore the range of classes available to you, and find out how QM Elevate can support your development throughout your studies at Queen Mary.

No need to book, just turn up. 

International Students Welcome talk

12-2pm, Arts Two Lecture Theatre (Arts Two building)

Find out more about the International Student Welcome

Make new friends: A small, relaxed social

2.30-3.30, Bancroft building 1.02.6

Looking to meet new people and make new connections? Join us for a relaxed Student Life event with fun games and friendly Student Ambassadors, in a welcoming space to chat and get to know other students. As this is a quieter, more relaxed event, there are limited spaces, which are first come first served.

BLSA Whitechapel Welcome Fair

1-4pm, Whitechapel campus

The Whitechapel Welcome Fair is your biggest opportunity of the year to find out how you can be involved in the Barts and The London medicine & dentistry community throughout the year! Come along and check out the huge variety of Societies, Sports Clubs and Volunteering Groups BLSA and the Students' Union have to offer.

Book your free ticket to the BLSA Whitechapel Welcome Fair

Study Smarter: Digital tools for academic success

11.30am-12.30pm and 2.30-3.30pm, Library Seminar Room (G.10), Mile End Library

Book your place for a Study Smarter session here

Discover digital tools that can help you save time, stay organised, and improve your studies. In this practical, student-led session, you'll explore resources for referencing, study support, accessibility, and skills development through live demos and practical examples.
Leave with useful tips and tools you can start using straight away.

Thursday 17 Sept

QMSU Welcome Fair - Day One:

Thursday 10.30am-5.30pm, Friday 10am-4pm, across Mile End campus

The Welcome Fair is open to all students (new and returning) and is your opportunity to come and check out everything that your Students’ Union has to offer, meet lots of our Clubs & Societies and grab lots of exclusive discounts and freebies from visiting brands and your Students' Union bars, cafes and shops.

See the full Welcome Fair programme and book your free entry ticket here.

Avoiding Loose Language and Assumptions – an online QM Elevate taster session

11am-12pm, online - join the online QM Elevate taster session

Assumptions appear all the time in everyday communication:

Enjoy the sunshine! = assumes that sunny weather is something everyone enjoys.

Go on, have a chocolate! = assumes that everyone likes chocolate.

In casual conversation, these kinds of assumptions usually pass unnoticed, even though they may not be true for everyone. Academic writing is different. It requires claims to be accurate, justified and supported by evidence.

Assumptions can be easy to miss, and unsupported assumptions can weaken an argument. Developing the habit of identifying and questioning them is therefore an important part of critical thinking and effective academic communication.

Join us online for this taster session to explore how assumptions shape the way we communicate and discover how QM Elevate modules can help you sharpen your critical thinking and communication skills.

Study Smarter: Digital tools for academic success

11am-12pm and 3-4pm, Library Seminar Room (G.10), Mile End Library

Book your place for a Study Smarter session here

Discover digital tools that can help you save time, stay organised, and improve your studies. In this practical, student-led session, you'll explore resources for referencing, study support, accessibility, and skills development through live demos and practical examples.
Leave with useful tips and tools you can start using straight away.

International Students Welcome talk

2-4pm, G. O. Jones Lecture Theatre (G. O. Jones building)

Find out more about the International Student Welcome

Friday 18 September

QMSU Welcome Fair - Day Two:

Thursday 10.30am-5.30pm, Friday 10am-4pm, across Mile End campus

The Welcome Fair is open to all students (new and returning) and is your opportunity to come and check out everything that your Students’ Union has to offer, meet lots of our Clubs & Societies and grab lots of exclusive discounts and freebies from visiting brands and your Students' Union bars, cafes and shops.

See the full Welcome Fair programme and book your free entry ticket here.

Beyond Welcome Week

Monday 21 Sept to Friday 25 September

Library Inductions and Tours: 

Join our library inductions and tours to learn about our services, resources and study spaces.

Library inductions take place daily at 11am and 2pm.

Library tours take place daily at 9am (quiet tour), 12pm and 2pm.

Book your place on a library induction or tour