10 #QMULHacks Revealed 2019

1. Senate House Library

As a Queen Mary student you can get membership to the University of London’s Senate House Library with it’s lovely comfy armchairs and 3 million books to borrow. Pre-register for your membership card here.

2. Free Online TV

Meet BoB, your new best friend

Long before Netflix ruled your eyeballs, universities created Box of Broadcasts which is a huge free archive of TV recordings. Login with your QMUL credentials and you’ll get access to movies, TV series and documentaries galore. We’re loving the Films, Mostly Gay and London Films watchlist!

3. Free Counselling

We take your well-being seriously

Opening up when you’re feeling low can be the hardest thing, but if you are struggling to cope with life events or need a space to talk openly, our Advice and Counselling team are here to help. They offer a range of free and confidential professional services to all QMUL students including individual counselling, group therapy, specialist drug and alcohol support and much more.

We also offer students access to an online support service called ‘Big White Wall‘ who offer unlimited, 24/7 accessible online support from trained counselors and use other helpful resources – it’s totally free and confidential. Please

4. Free Careers Support

Finding a job can seem like a daunting task, but don’t crumble under the pressure! Whether you have a particular job in mind and want advice to help you get there, or are not sure what you want to do next, the Careers & Enterprise Centre provides QMUL students a range of support to help you prepare for your future. You can even book a practice interview with a Careers Consultant.

5. Free Student Central Membership

As a QMUL student, you’re automatically entitled to be a member of Student Central (formerly University of London Union). Membership is free and enables you to get involved with everything they have to offer including sports, societies, online tickets and access into our bars. Find out more here.

6. Book Library Group Study Rooms

Need a room for you and your friends to study? You can book one of our library group study rooms up to one week in advance for up to four hours per week. The Mile End group study rooms contain a touchscreen PC, connectivity for laptop use and a whiteboard. Whiteboard pens are available from the Library Welcome Desk. 

7. Get free one-to-one tutorials

You may have a big presentation coming up, or perhaps you’re unsure of how to start that 3000 word essay or you may have serious issues with managing your time effectively – spending way too much time looking at memes while procrastinating . Whatever it may be – if you feel like you need extra guidance to brush up on your study skills you can book a free one-to-one tutorial with our Learning Development team. You can even have your tutorial through Skype if you are unable to come to campus. Find out more about their services here.

8. Free access to paywall content providers

Your QMUL library account gives you access to much more than just books. Along with laptops, stationary, videos and DVDs, you also get access to a number of paywall content providers such as The Financial Times. Find out more here.

9. The 339 bus is a local legend

As a QMUL student, you have the added advantage of being at the heart of East London – one of the most diverse and culturally rich areas in the world. Not only can you eat food from virtually anywhere in the world, but the public transport system means you can get around without needing a car – true Londoner style. Also, free Wi-Fi at underground stations – bonus!

The 339 bus is one of our local faves which takes you from the hundreds of stores in Westfield Stratford City on a journey past the world famous Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the humble market on Roman Road all the way to the countless curry houses on New Road.

10. SED Freebies

Finally, we want our students to have nice things. Come and say hi or tag us @qmulsed to receive some of our SED freebies. We have an awesome range of products including pens, notebooks, bags and postcards. Also, don’t forget to check out our Instagram and Twitter to see the #sedfreebooks we have available!

And the Winner of our Tote Bag competition 2019 is…

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED THEIR QUOTATIONS AND DESIGNS. THE WINNER OF OUR TOTE BAG COMPETITION CHOSEN IN A VOTE BY SED STAFF 2019 IS…

NAJIYAH BEGUM

Here’s some of the amazing entries we received and have turned into postcards and bookmarks! Quotes are on postcards too so keep an eye out in goodie bags and our reception area in welcome week.

  • Imaan Ahmed
  • Abdur-Raheem Modan
  • Joanna Bailey
  • Aamirah Ismail
  • Maria Messias Mendes
  • Laila Ali
  • Eleni Sophia (@EleniKaur Instagram)
  • Maya Ostrowska
  • Phoebe Serventi

Ali Campbell launches his new book: The Theatre of the Oppressed in Practice Today (Bloomsbury)

Ali Campbell launching his new book:

The Theatre of the Oppressed in Practice Today (Bloomsbury), which is an introduction to the work of his own teacher and mentor, the legendary Brazilian Director and founder of the Theatre of the Oppressed movement, Augusto Boal.

Seen here with one of Boal’s original Theatre Company Barbara Santos (holding Ali’s book). Ali in turn is holding her own which they are launching in parallel: Theatre of the Oppressed:  Roots and Wings (Kuringa).  The launch took the form of seminars and workshops in Rio de Janeiro at the headquarters of CTO Rio, Boal’s original company, alongside the devising of street theatre pieces and other interventions across the City protesting the draconian measures currently being proposed by the Bolsanaro Administration and impacting heavily on access to State funded Higher Education.

A similar event will happen as part of this year’s Season of Bangla Drama Festival, of which Ali is a co-Director with responsibility for CPD across the Festival’s 17 theatre companies and 6 venues, of which QMUL is one. The Festival begins on Friday 1st November.

Student of the month: Hannah Mohamed – BA (Hons) English

That person who wears obnoxiously bright coloured clothing in the winter time

Tell us about your time at QMUL. What have been your highlights?

The biggest highlight of my time at QMUL (so far) is between meeting two of my closest friends randomly in the library one day in first year and bonding over Disney music or the time after the Black Girl Book Club anthology launch where my friends and I stayed behind after everyone had left just belting Beyonce songs.

How has your course at Queen Mary helped you to progress into the world outside? What’s next?

One thing about my course which has helped me progress into the outside world is how proactive the staff are in helping you find experience and opportunities to take part in during our free time and breaks from uni.

Aside from course content what have been your favourite elements of the experience of studying here as a whole?

Easily friends.

Tell us about your life outside Queen Mary including any projects, ambitions or jobs you’ve had.

Outside Queen Mary, I am an archery instructor at children’s summer camps and spend a lot of time teaching myself how to code.

What could be improved to enhance future students’ experience at Queen Mary?

Solely course related but exploring literature through other media e.g. film, theatre, audio etc

New Undergraduate English and Drama Student Information 2019-20

We can’t wait to see our new students on 16 September 2019 for welcome week!

Please see below for key info for undergraduate students.

Postgraduate info will be coming very soon via email to those with offers.

Key Information

Welcome Week Information

DOWNLOAD yOUR welcome week timetable pdf

Any questions? Please email: sed-information@qmul.ac.uk

Key Preparation

DOWNLOAD OUR KEY PREPARATION DOCUMENT

SOUND ON for this one please…

Our online webinar from 24 July 2019 for all the information you need to know…

watch our webinar on zoom

PDF Presentation

SED-Webinar-Presentation

DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION

Questions & Contacts

Clearing, Confirmation and Results Day Important Information

Limited places are available on our courses as follows:

Drama

English

Please call: 0800 376 1800 (UK) or +44 (0) 203 053 0793 (overseas).

call now

Results Day and Confirmation

On Thursday 15 August 2019 A-level students will receive their grades and this will trigger the next steps to starting with us. If you already have your grades and haven’t heard anything or have any questions please contact us.

What’s your status?

  • Unconditional or met your Conditional Offer? If you have an offer with us and you are unconditional or you have met your predicted grades that your offer was made on you will automatically be confirmed and you should receive an email and your UCAS track update should say you are placed.
  • Not met your predicted grades? We will assess your offer and in some cases honour it despite your grades as we see potential in you or we may ask for extra information or reject your offer. If you have any doubts or would like to talk to us about your place please call: 0800 376 1800 (UK) or +44 (0) 203 053 0793 (overseas).
  • Changed your mind or now want to study with us? Please call: 0800 376 1800 (UK) or +44 (0) 203 053 0793 (overseas).

Not sure about Queen Mary or need more information?

  • Chat with a student: Elliot (Drama) and Saramarie (English) are here to help.
  • Explore our English and Drama hubs: There’s a forum for questions, intro videos, welcome information and much more to explore.
  • Contact us: We’re a friendly team available on the phone, email and social media.

English and Drama Mini Newsletter – August 2019

Confirmation and Clearing

Confirmation: We are excited to results day on Thursday 15 August to welcome our incoming students ahead of welcome week starting on 16 September.

Clearing: We are likely to have a limited number of places on our English and Drama programmes and would love to hear from you when you have your results. Use the button below to find out more and register your details.

find out about clearing

Events

Queen Mary at the Edinburgh Fringe – All Month

Students, alumni and staff will be heading up to Edinburgh to showcase their performance work. Check out our blog post for details of shows we’ve heard about.

News

Update from Morag Shiach

Morag gave the keynote  lecture at the Modernism in the Home conference at the University of Birmingham 1-2 July. Charlie Pullen, Harriet Baker, and Jade French also presented papers at the conference. My lecture is on Youtube, and the title is Modernism, Melancholia, History and Home. Watch here

She has also written the Afterword to a great collection of essays published this week on Modernist Work.

Network helped to run a workshop on digital platforms for Craft (UK/China) at Cockpit Arts on 27 June, as part of an AHRC-funded  research project led by Dr Nick Bryan-Kinns (EECS) on which we are a partner.  More information here 

School of English and Drama Takeover at the Edinburgh Fringe 2019

Lots of our students, alumni and staff use the Edinburgh Fringe to showcase and critique new performance work.

Queen Mary Theatre Company

This year QMTC have four shows heading up to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Here’s the blurb for all of the shows…

Auto-Nation by Cindy Kim

On the verge of a natural disaster, a prison guard is called into work and discovers a newcomer to the team – an Artificial Intelligence named Sally. When the city is evacuated, what happens to the prisoners?

If I Die On Mars by Clarice Montero

The final 24 candidates for The Mars Mission Programme have been observed for a month by the public in a reality TV show designed to choose the final four. The public have voted and the candidates are about to be sent off to Mars with no hope of return… as soon as the final confirmation is granted.

At This Stage by Megan Young

Have you ever loved a show so much that you wished you could kidnap all the actors, keep them in your basement and get them to perform it again for you? No? Just Rupert?

Rock’n’Roll Girls by Rachel Jermy and Ellie Calnan

Lola, Eleanor Rigby, Brown Sugar, Roxanne, and Monica – you may know their names, you may even remember singing them in the shower or at a party. What you probably don’t know is their stories. Neither do they, but they’re trying to figure it out.

Alumni at the Fringe

Just These Please

Georgie Jones is part of this highly acclaimed sketch troupe who are performing their new show ‘Suitable’ at the fringe.

The Cat’s The Thing

Marissa Landy is taking her comedy based on the reality of living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder to the Space @ Surgeon’s Hall.

I, Am Dram

Hannah Maxwell channels her inner am dram in her new show at the fringe.

Sh!t Theatre Drink Rum with Expats

‘Celebrating their final year as Europeans, island monkeys Becca and Louise got invited to the 2018 European Capital of Culture in Malta. Lads on tour…Sh!t Theatre went to drink rum with Brits abroad but found mystery and murder in the fight to be European. Here it is, another excuse for the multi award-winning Sh!t Theatre to get drunk on stage. ‘

Kayla MacQuarrie: Traumatised

‘From an Essex-based, sad, weird kid to a less sad, trans, lesbian loudmouth. She’s grown up, gotten hurt and she’s still here and ready to share in her debut hour. Winner of the Best Comedy Show Award at the Brewery Fringe Festival.’

Criticism and Insight

Bechdel Theatre: BT talk gender and representation on stage and list shows that pass the Bechdel Test.

Check out their list of shows

The Sick of the Fringe: Lewis Church will be covering shows which deal with health at the fringe. Follow @TSOTF for the latest.

To Do List: Rupert Dannreuther from the admin team is a blogger with a mission to bring the offbeat underdogs to the fore at this year’s fringe.

Check out their 50 Unmissable shows list

Did we miss a show? Leave a comment…

Student of the month: Rai Kamana – BA (Hons) English with Creative Writing

BA English with Creative Writing student Rai Kamana describes herself as…

‘a ray of sunshine‘

Tell us about your time at QMUL. What have been your highlights?

There has been so many highlights since I joined QMUL. Its been engaging socially with meeting new people from different backgrounds to me – learning about all the array of cultures has really opened my mind up. Joining the Women’s Wellbeing society was fun. I met some lovely girls and we were able to openly have conversations about issues women deal with universally. I really enjoyed the calligraphy session held during World Mental Health week – I learnt something new and it was very therapeutic and much needed. Academically, I especially enjoyed writing my own poetry in my creative writing course.

How has your course at Queen Mary helped you to progress into the world outside? What’s next?

My creative writing course has been so helpful for me in terms of writing advice given by my seminar leader, such as how to pursue a career in this field and developing a writing portfolio. I feel with the numerous personal works we have handed in and the advice from my peers, I am ready to start publishing my work, whether that is a article for a platform like Buzzfeed or poetry for the QMUL newsletter.

Aside from course content what have been your favourite elements of the experience of studying here as a whole? (societies/friends/community/values)

Meeting so many unique, diverse individuals from all over the world. Making life-long memories with new friends in the heart of London. Meeting those certain people who I know I will be life-long friends with. The importance of friendship, respect and community engrained as the core values of QMUL is inspiring and encouraging for all students’ growth.

Tell us about your life outside Queen Mary including any projects, ambitions or jobs you’ve had.

My main ambition is to publish a poetry book in the near future. I have a lifestyle blog that encourages people to be mindful through holistic self-care advice. I want to continue developing my blog and share my personal work and thoughts of things I am a passionate advocate of and I feel the world needs to hear of like veganism and spirituality.

What could be improved to enhance future students’ experience at Queen Mary?

I believe eco-friendly initiatives such as growing more plants/trees around the campus will benefit the QMUL students as it cleans the air, lowers pollutant levels and provides a pleasant aesthetic. A student-led interactive QMUL garden growing organic fresh produce like herbs cultivates the health benefits of organic farming for QMUL students.

British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme 2019-20 – Applications Open

Early career researchers seeking support for their application to the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme are invited to get in contact with us as soon as possible

Deadline for applications: midday on Wednesday 11 September 2019

The School of English and Drama invites early career researchers seeking support for their application to the British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme to get in touch by submitting:

(1) an explanation of the reason(s) for your choice of Queen Mary as the host institution (150 words maximum)

(2) an outline of your proposed programme of research (1,500 words maximum)

(3) details of your planned research outputs, e.g. monograph, journal article(s), book chapter(s), digital resources, other (please specify) (300 words maximum)

(4) a list of existing publications (1 page maximum)

(5) a CV (2 pages maximum)

Please submit the above documents to Dr Huw Marsh, Research Manager, sed-research@qmul.ac.uk, by no later than midday on Wednesday 11 September 2019. Please state ‘British Academy PDRF’ in the subject line.

Your application should demonstrate:

  • that you are eligible according to the BA’s criteria
  • the excellence of
    • your research track record;
    • your academic record;
    • the publishable research you propose, how you will structure, pursue, and complete it in the time frame, and its importance;
  • the relevance of QMUL SED to your research and vice versa;
  • who you would like as a mentor and why.

You are strongly encouraged, before submitting your application and time permitting, to find a mentor, provisionally agree their support, and get some feedback from them on a draft application.

Full scheme details will be available on or before 21 August 2019 and can be found on the British Academy website: http://www.britac.ac.uk/british-academy-postdoctoral-fellowships

All outline proposals will be considered by our Directors of Research and those that we give institutional support to will have approximately one month to finalise their online application, due on 16 October 2019

Student of the month: Louise Fligman – BA (Hons) English

This month we meet English student Louise Fligman. Here’s her story…

‘I’m a total bookworm who’s friendly, organised, and loves compelling TV shows ‘

Tell us about your time at QMUL. What have been your highlights?

The variety of modules on offer on my course is fantastic. If Shakespeare is your passion, you can study it. If you love medieval texts (like I do), you can study them. Or, if you prefer more contemporary novels, you can study them. There is something at Queen Mary for everyone. I have loved being able to get involved in the student media outlets, CUB Magazine and The Print. Not only have these allowed me to develop transferable skills for my time after uni, but they have put me in touch with some wonderful people. There is such a friendly and communal feel amongst the team members of both publications, and I will really miss being a part of these teams. Another highlight at QM for me was the social badminton sessions I attended in my second and third years. They were brilliant because I was able to pursue a sport I loved, have some great matches, and meet some lovely people who I hope to stay in contact with beyond my time at QM.

How has your course at Queen Mary helped you to progress into the world outside? What’s next?

I have studied a variety of literature, which has broadened my reading tastes and that leaves the field very open in terms of publishing jobs that I can (and would like to) apply for. Some publishing jobs are for specific genres of novels, and I feel that I am in a good position to apply for them because of my course. My course has improved my confidence in suggesting ideas in seminars, which were “safe spaces” in which no idea or perspective was wrong, and no question was irrelevant or deemed stupid. In addition, my course has enhanced my public speaking skills as I had to articulate my thoughts in a clear manner, and some assignments were presentations or leading seminars.

Aside from course content what have been your favourite elements of the experience of studying here as a whole?

Getting involved with the student media outlets CUB Magazine and The Print have been thoroughly enjoyable. They were run by some fantastic editors who were very friendly, and were always open to suggestions and new ideas for articles. There was a lovely communal feel amongst the team members of these publications, and I really felt like I was part of a little family. The social sessions of badminton were such fun! I had some really competitive matches with some great people who I hope to stay in contact with beyond my time at QM.

Tell us about your life outside Queen Mary including any projects you work on, ambitions you have or jobs.

In the summer between my second and third years, I obtained a publishing internship, which has equipped me with invaluable experience with which to apply for publishing jobs. I was given good grounding in the end-to-end publishing process and some office admin experience, which is always useful to put on your CV.

What could be improved to enhance future students’ experience at Queen Mary?

Changing the timetable in such a way that would make 1 day per week available for people to pursue other interests, such as sports and society activities. Some of these events took place when students had classes, meaning they could not take part in a sports club or society activity.

Find out more about our English degree here

June Opportunities Digest

Jobs and Work Experience

Brandbassador

Opportunities with leading social media company recommended by graduate Rima Rashid who has worked there.

Pitch: Our Stories – Work with Sky

Are you a committed, motivated and talented young person 18+?

Pitch is proud to be partnering with Sky Marketing Group on an exciting project offering opportunities to talented young people looking to take their first steps into the creative industry. 

Pitch are looking for a diverse mix of original creative ideas people, confident organised people, lovers of technology people, to apply for live vacancies, internship placements or apprenticeship schemes in Sky Marketing and Sky Creative Agency. No qualifications needed, training will be given and all opportunities are paid.

The application process is super simple: all you need to do to apply is to share your story (life journey so far) as either a written 250-word biography, a 5-minute mobile-phone filmed piece or a 5-minute interview Podcast interview. Please also include your longer-term aspirations and career goals.

Successful talent will be invited to the Pitch Our Stories Open Day on July 4th 2019 at Sky HQ in Osterley, where you will learn more about Sky Marketing and Sky Creative Agency and get the chance to apply for a variety of roles at our open day.

Please submit your story at the link below by Monday 24th of June 2019

MORE INFORMATION

Young Foodies Graduate Scheme

Download the information presentation here: http://www.blogs.sed.qmul.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/YF-Grad-Programme-19-Grads.pdf

Register and apply here: https://grads.youngfoodies.co.uk/grad-programme/

Courses and Training

DIY LIFE SKILLS

1-2-1 CAREER PLANNING MEETINGS: Your BIG chance to make a plan if you don’t have one – 25-26 June

Book a 1-2-1 appointment to get a bespoke plan for your next steps.

CONFIDENCE BOOSTER: Presentations, Verbal Communication Skills & Your Elevator pitch – 17 June

Hate speaking in public? Build your confidence with this interactive workshop aiming to enhance your communication competence with Andrea Cox from Careers team.

How to freelance, get paid and pay tax (And avoid fines!) – 3 July

The most boring subjects imaginable live and in 3D. But seriously, tax can be complicated so come and get this guide for beginners to the world of work.

ANDROGYNY!  – Apply by 20 June

A weekend of dance and discussion for anyone interested in thinking about gender through dancing.

Frankenstein (How to make a monster): BAC Beatbox Academy Workshop

A beatbox workshop for young people with Conrad Murray (Artistic Director of BAC Beatbox Academy) using Frankenstein as a stimulus.

Opportunities

Take part in a large-scale outdoor show on Roman Road!

Ever wondered what it’s like to work with an international street theatre company? Well here’s your chance! To take part you must be available to attend the following: Rehearsal Fri 28 June 6pm-10pm and Show Sat 29 June 7pm (for a 9:30pm start). No previous experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in! Interested? Contact Elizabeth on 07899 893935 / Elizabeth@festival.org to sign up!

Student of the month: Ndumiso Peter Ndlovu – BA (Hons) Drama

Next in our series of meeting our students we meet Ndumiso Peter known as Dee who sums up themselves with this:

Sometimes I write, other times I direct, and most times I am thinking about “who the hell are we?”.

Tell us about your time at QMUL. What have been your highlights?

I have enjoyed my time at QMUL. A few highlights have been learning about the things that would never cross your mind like the poetics of archives, and also, spaces within spaces within gallery spaces.

How has your course at Queen Mary helped you to progress into the world outside? What’s next?

The BA Drama course has equipped me with a great research foundation, and what’s next is an MA in Theatre and Performance because somebody has to think about ‘scratch’.

Aside from course content what have been your favourite elements of the experience of studying here as a whole?

QMTC. Though I never joined, I have enjoyed watching shows come together in incredibly tight circumstances.

Tell us about your life outside Queen Mary including any projects, ambitions or jobs you’ve had.

Outside of QM I have written three plays (SALT, 42 Hollow Knocks, and Communion). I have started a creative writing circle called ‘The Moon and Her Daughters. What else have I done? Oh, I have worked at a cafe the entirety of my degree. How fun! Currently working on staging one of my players at one of London’s many stages.

What could be improved to enhance future students’ experience at Queen Mary?

A de-colonialised curriculum.

Find out more about our Drama course here.

Dr Duckie and a string of alternative performance coming up from our grads at performance legend, Duckie’s club night

PhD candidate Ben Walters has recently hosted an event called Dr. Duckie at Royal Vauxhall Tavern to explain his work around the legendary performance company and his theory around the power of queer fun.

read all about it on ben’s blog here

In addition to Ben’s research project we are excited to see the following students performing at the night…

  • Saturday 25 May: Rodent Decay
  • Saturday 8 June: Jo Hauge
  • Saturday 31 August: Joseph Schofield
  • Saturday 21 September: Alex Legge
  • Saturday 9 November: Figs in Wigs
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SATURDAY CLUB PROGRAMME

Love Hay Festival? Come and study your Master’s in English Literature with us

Hay Festival our very own Jerry Brotton will be in conversation with Germaine Greer on 27 May. If you’re getting inspired by the festival why not extend your knowledge in literature and culture with our MA in English Literature.

sign up for bespoke master’s information
see the hay festival line up

About Jerry Brotton’s event at Hay

Jerry Brotton, Hannah Critchlow, Catherine Fletcher and Germaine Greer, Leonardo 500 | Monday 27 May 2019, 4pm Venue: Baillie Gifford Stage

We celebrate the 500th anniversary of the death of the incomparable Renaissance man – artist, scientist, inventor and lover. Brotton and Fletcher are Renaissance historians, Critchlow is a neuroscientist and Greer is a scholar and art historian. Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most inspiring figures of European history.