Things I wish I’d known when I started at Queen Mary

People are always willing and happy to help; you just have to ask.

Starting uni can be nerve-racking and no doubt you’ll have questions- don’t be afraid to ask them! Whether it’s something small like asking for directions or even asking a tutor or classmate for help with an assignment, everyone is super friendly and wants to help. Instead of walking around campus for 15 minutes and ending up late for a lecture, just ask someone to point you in the correct direction and voila!

I never realised how often I was hungry, until I noticed how much I was spending on food.

Yes, it’s enjoyable to eat out, but no, it’s not feasible to do so every day. I found myself constantly popping back and forth between the library and Sainsbury’s, across the road, for snacks. But I realised if I just woke up a little earlier every day, I could pack myself a good enough lunch which would mean I wouldn’t have to buy food during the day, saving myself a good £6-7 a day; it really does add up.

Tutors have office hours, but if you can’t make them it doesn’t mean you can’t see them.

When I started uni, sometimes I’d want to see a lecturer or my advisor about something but I would find I was busy during their 1-2 office hours of the week. Instead of emailing them about it I would wait weeks until I happened to be free during that narrow time slot. But eventually I realised, if I just popped them an email letting them know I couldn’t make it, they were more than happy to rearrange a meeting at a time convenient for us both. Everyone here is super accommodating and is here to make your time at university the best it can be.

The Careers Service is a gem.

The Careers Service can help you in finding a job or any kind of work experience, whether it be a part-time retail job or an internship at a big firm. What’s also great about them is that you can book appointments with relatively short notice where they’ll review your CV for you, pointing out where it can be improved, so it stands out amongst the many other applications employers receive. They also offer interview practice; in combination, all these aspects add up to an increased likelihood of securing competitive jobs.

Welcome to New Students 2017

Welcome to the School of English and Drama at Queen Mary University of London.

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Welcome Week

View a schedule of Welcome Week events here

If you’re starting a joint degree, check the website of your other School for information about their Welcome Week events:

congratulations

Summer Preparation

For suggestions about some reading you can do before you join us (and if you need to buy any books) please click your subject area below:

Some modules will also have free module packs that you can collect when you start.

 

Term Dates and Provisional Timetable

Welcome Week runs from Monday 18 September to Friday 22 September 2017.
Teaching begins on the week commencing Monday 25 September 2017.

Semester 1

  • 18 September – 15 December 2017
  • Teaching starts 25 September 2017

Semester 2

  • 8 January – 29 March 2018
  • Bank holidays: 30 March and 2 April 2018

Semester 3 – revision week

  • 23 April – 27 April 2018

Semester 3 – examination period

  • 30 April – 8 June 2018
  • Bank holidays: 7 and 28 May 2018

 

What and When is Reading Week?

There’s a Reading Week in Semester 1 and Semester 2. It’s a chance for you to catch up on your reading and assignments. In 2017-2018, Reading Weeks are as follows:

Semester 1: 6 November – 10 November 2017
Semester 2: 19 February – 23 February 2018

 

Teaching Timetable

You’ll be able to get your timetable online once you’ve enrolled.

Module Choices

If you’re starting one of the following degrees you can choose an optional module in your first year. To select which one you want to take, complete this form by Monday 11 September.

  • QV31 English and History
  • QQ13 English Literature and Linguistics
  • QW36 English and Film Studies
  • English and a language (French, German, Hispanic Studies, Russian)

If you’re starting one of the following degrees, all your first year English or Drama modules are compulsory:

  • Q300 English
  • QW11 English with Creative Writing
  • QW34 English and Drama

If you’re starting any of the following, all your Drama modules are compulsory:

  • W400 Drama
  • WW46 Film Studies and Drama
  • Drama and a language (French, German, Hispanic Studies, Russian)

Make sure you visit the website of your other Department or School: School of History, School of Languages, Linguistics and Film about optional modules in your other subject and how to select them.

 

Can we help?

If you have any questions about starting your degree in the School of English and Drama, please do get in touch:

Visit us: School of English and Drama Main Office, 3rd floor, ArtsOne Building, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End, London E4 (map link)
Email the team: sed-information@qmul.ac.uk
Tweet: @QMULsed

New Videos: English and Drama at Queen Mary

We’re excited to premiere these new videos about life studying Drama and English with us at Queen Mary.

We’re very proud of all of our graduates and would like to thank all of those who took part in the interviews at graduation this year.

Drama at QMUL

English at QMUL

 

Let us know your thoughts on the videos on Twitter @qmulsed or why not record your own memory for our #SEDstories competition here.