Overview

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, formerly known as EuroLearn, offers semester and year abroad programs at Queen Mary, University of London.

Queen Mary is one of the largest colleges of the internationally renowned University of London. The College has a student population of over 16,000 students, around 20% of whom are from overseas, contributing to a truly cosmopolitan environment that is extremely welcoming to students from all over the world.

Queen Mary is one of London and the UK's leading research-focused higher education institutions. Queen Mary's 3,000 staff deliver world class degree programmes and research across a wide range of subjects in Humanities, Social Sciences and Laws, in Medicine and Dentistry and in Science and Engineering.

The results of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, published in December 2008, confirmed Queen Mary’s place in the very top group of research-led universities.

Overall, the Times Higher Education, ranked Queen Mary 13th in the country for the quality of its research and the Guardian even higher, placing Queen Mary 11th in the UK.

 
Queen Mary is a campus based university and all Study Abroad students are offered housing on campus giving every opportunity for participants to fully integrate with other Queen Mary students. Studying and living on the Queen Mary campus gives all the benefits of a campus community as well as the limitless opportunities of living in London. The fast developing 2012 Olympics site is also just one mile east of the College campus and the Olympic stadium and other buildings can already be seen from the campus.

Queen Mary has been a popular destination for US students studying abroad for more than thirty years and the College has a wealth of experience in meeting the academic and social needs of this group of students.
 

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Location

Mile End Campus

Queen Mary’s Mile End campus is a distinguishing feature of the College. The campus provides a secure and friendly environment only a few yards from the bustle of the Mile End Road and the East End of London. It is a compact urban campus bringing together all the facilities our students need: a modern library, cafes, restaurants and bars, bookshop and bank and the Students Union building which houses “Q-motion” - a state of the art fitness centre which includes cardio and weight machines, free weights, fitness studios, team sports hall and a squash/racquetball court. Although the Queen Mary campus is very much in an urban area there are a number of landscaped squares and green areas on campus and the adjacent Mile End and Victoria parks give additional green spaces for sports and relaxation.
 

Public Transportation

The campus is well served by public transport with underground stations at either end of campus and bus routes running directly outside the campus. The journey time to the main downtown shopping areas of London is around 15 to 20 minutes.

 

London's East End

The Queen Mary campus is located in the East End, one of the oldest and most socially and ethnically diverse areas of the capital. The East End has a long history of immigration, integration and shifting population that reveals itself in the changing architecture, culture, religion, commerce and industry of the area: synagogues converted to mosques; warehouses transformed into expensive riverside flats; pubs becoming wine bars. The religious, cultural and ethnic mix displays itself in a huge variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and markets that would be hard to match anywhere else in the UK.

The area is less expensive than many others in London, both for accommodation, living costs and social activities. Shopping in the district’s street markets means a huge variety of produce from all over the world is available at good prices.
 

2012 Olympics

The campus is located between the two financial districts of London: ‘The City’ to the west and Docklands to the south. The fast developing 2012 Olympics site is also just one mile east of the College campus and the Olympic stadium and other buildings can already be seen from the campus. 
 

Students  share what it's like being in Europe while studying at Queen Mary

Around the University

Queen Mary at Mile End

The Queen Mary campus is located at Mile End, part of London’s historic East End district. The campus is served by two underground stations - Mile End and Stepney Green – allowing our students to get around all parts of the city quickly and easily. Surrounding the campus are many vibrant neighbourhoods rich in history and today some of the most interesting and fashionable areas to visit in London.
 

Brick Lane

A short walk from campus is Brick Lane, also known as Banglatown and the heart of London’s Bangladeshi community, renowned for its markets, art galleries and many restaurants serving wonderful Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine. Brick Lane is lined with restaurants serving delicious and cheap food; it also has some excellent bars and nightlife, making Brick Lane a favourite destination for students from Queen Mary and Londoners in general looking for an exciting and (relatively) cheap night out. Near Brick lane is Spitalfields market, one of the oldest in London.

Whitechapel

Another historic neighbourhood a short walk from campus is Whitechapel. Dating back to Roman times the area was a route into the City of London with many pubs & coaching houses along the route. In 1881 the area became infamous because of the Whitechapel Murders, some of which were committed by the legendary serial killer known as 'Jack the Ripper'. Walking tours are a popular way of exploring the area and learning more about the history. London Walks is a popular one.

Writers including Dickens have written about Whitechapel. Whitechapel features in Charles Dickens's Pickqick Papers where it is characterised by Sam Weller "as not a very nice neighbourhood". Today the area has become more gentrified and is a thriving east London neighbourhood, as with Brick Lane it is home to a sizable Bangladeshi community.

Since at least the 1970s, Whitechapel and other nearby parts of East London have figured prominently in London's art scene. Probably the area's most prominent art venue is the Whitechapel Art Gallery, founded in 1901. Near Whitechapel are the areas of Hoxton and Shoreditch, known to Londoners as cool and alternative areas of the city with numerous fashionable bars and clubs, it is a popular alternative to nights out in the more traditional areas in the West End of London.

Docklands

East London is home to the Docklands which is a large business and entertainment area. The area is home to the tallest building in the UK, Canary Wharf and is one of the fastest growing areas of London. The area has a large shopping centre, cinemas, restaurants & bars. Narrow Street is popular with Queen Mary students as the street overlooks the river and has many trendy pubs and restaurants, including a gastro pub owned by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.

2012 Olympics - London

Today East London is preparing for the 2012 Olympics. We have the advantage of being the London research-focused university closest to the site of the 2012 Olympic Games. The 2012 Olympics will take place in a host of new venues as well as using existing and historic facilities. Many of the new facilities will be reused and the plans are part of the regeneration of Stratford and Lower Lea Valley in east London.

This will be the third time London has hosted the games having also done so in 1908 and 1948.

Many students find it interesting to visit the areas around the Olympic site, such as Stratford to view the area and sites being built for the games.
 

Students will definitely have a lot to explore when studying at Queen Mary!

Academic Highlights

Highly Ranked

In the government’s last Research Assessment Exercise (2008) the College excelled, ranking in the top 12 overall and with many departments, particularly in the humanities sector, among the leading departments in the country.
 

Academic Overview

Queen Mary offers the opportunity to study for a full academic year or for the fall or spring semester. A full academic load is normally four classes, or "modules," in a semester. All subject areas, except medicine and dentistry, are open to Study Abroad students and students can choose to concentrate in one area or choose modules from up to four different subject areas. Queen Mary operates a pre-arrival module registration system, and there is rarely any problem in getting into any required classes. As well as having access to all the colleges teaching and learning facilities, study abroad students are also supported by dedicated advisers in each academic department to assist with module selection and other academic issues.

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Housing

Guaranteed Housing

All study abroad participants are guaranteed housing, usually in the recently completed, award-winning on-campus student village. Students are offered single rooms, mostly with private bathrooms. Rooms have ample storage space, study facilities, internet connections and fridges. Rooms are arranged in flats of between 5 and 10 students with shared cooking facilities. There is no meal plan so students either cook for themselves or eat on a pay-as-you-go basis in the catering outlets on campus or in the surrounding area.

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University Services

Study Abroad Office

Study abroad students are supported by a dedicated Study Abroad Office who provide a thorough orientation and are available to assist and support students throughout their time at Queen Mary. Students also have access to all other campus services including: 

• Advice and Counselling Service - Immigration queries, finance and general advice and guidance, professional counseling service.
• Health center - Students can see a doctor on campus during the week and get information about access to other health services such as dentists and opticians.
• Multi-faith chaplaincy center - for students and staff of all faiths or none. St Benet’s, the College chaplaincy, is a weekday workplace church on the Mile End campus.
• Library – The facilities available to you in the library range from book and DVD loan to group and individual study space. The library collections of all other University of London colleges are also available to you via Inter-Library Loan, as is the Senate House Library
• Q Motion sports centre - state-of-the-art Health and Fitness Centre
• Internet and Computers - There is an extensive computer network throughout the College. These computers (including PCs and Macs) are used for class teaching but are also available to students for general academic use.
• Student Support – Students will be provided with a dedicated academic advisor who can answer questions throughout the programme
• Volunteering Scheme - The Students' Union operate the ‘Provide’ volunteering programme.
• Miscellaneous - ATM's, a bookstore, cafes, laundry facilities & student union are all located on campus

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Orientation and Excursions

In addition to the GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Bridging Cultures Program, all students will participate in a university specific orientation. 

The Queen Mary study abroad office organizes a detailed orientation program at the start of each semester. Queen Mary welcomes students with a free airport collection service from Heathrow airport during suggested arrival days. Over the following days the orientation program usually covers:

• A welcome by the Vice President
• Introduction to the program
• Health & Advice services at Queen Mary
• Introduction to St Benet's, the College chaplaincy
• Advice and Counselling Centre - staff from the Centre will give a presentation on the services they offer
• 'All about London' - study abroad staff will present on the local area and transport system in London 
• Introduction to the Students' Union and sporting facilities
• Academic Procedures

They also run social activities which usually include an optional bus tour of London and a Thames river cruise for a small additional fee.
 

Excursions

Optional visits and events are offered during the semester, usually including a trip to a match at one of London’s football stadiums. Additional trips around London and the UK are also organized by the College and the Residences, meaning there are plenty of events and trips students can participate in.

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Scholarships Available

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad strives to offer the most reasonable abroad fees to Europe.  To further enhance the affordability of the semester/year study abroad programs, we encourage you to apply for scholarships through all available scholarship sources.  Learn more about our scholarship opportunities. 

Get Involved Abroad

Extracurricular Activities

As a GlobaLinks Learning Abroad participant, you will be directly enrolled as a student in the university abroad. This allows you to take advantage of every opportunity to be culturally integrated in the campus environment and culture by participating in university activities with resident students. There are plenty of ways to get involved in campus life once you arrive at Queen Mary. From socializing in one of the cafes, bars, and food outlets on campus to joining one of the many clubs and societies or playing for one of their sports teams: all enable you to make new friends and add another dimension to your study abroad experience. The campus environment will give you every opportunity to become a fully integrated member of the Queen Mary student body. The Students' Union is run by and for Queen Mary students and you will automatically be a member, allowing you to use their excellent range of facilities and services. The Students' Union runs numerous sports clubs and special interest group societies, ranging from rowing and football to belly dancing and Politics.

Community Involvement

Getting involved abroad can enable you to meet local students, make a meaningful connection with your campus and community, and enhance your study abroad experience. Your coordinator will connect you with local resources if you wish to volunteer for community projects through your host university. It is important for you to find the right combination of academic, cultural, and leisure activities in order to take full advantage of international learning and cultural immersion.

All students are encouraged to participate in volunteer activities at or near their campus, where permitted under host-country immigration regulations. Service learning is an integral piece of a well-rounded education, and we support students’ efforts to integrate into the local culture through volunteer activities. Students are provided with information on volunteer opportunities on campus or within the community during the orientation and preparation process.

Example of how you can get involved in the community:

Provide Student Volunteering Program

The Students’ Union also operates the Provide volunteering program. Through Provide you can find volunteering opportunities working with a wide variety of organizations and charities in the local area and all over London. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people in the wider community and can greatly enrich your experience of London life.

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Enhance Your Experience Online

Global Citizen Development

The new Global Citizen Development modules are online learning components designed to help you explore your study abroad destination and experience at a whole new level. These modules are not mandatory; however, we strongly encourage your participation as they will introduce you to the opportunities and challenges you may encounter when participating in a study abroad program, as well as expose you to cultural insights and knowledge about your host country to help make your program abroad even more successful and fulfilling. Through the 3 modules, you will refine your skills in cross-cultural observation, adaptation, and communication.  

Course Catalog

If you have any questions about course availability, please contact studyabroad@globalinksabroad.org.  

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Photo Slideshow

Watch a short slideshow of photos of the Queen Mary, University of London campus and the city of London 

Ask an Alumni

Ever wonder what it's like to live in Europe? Are you having trouble finding the right university for you? Speak to students that were already there! They are truly experts on their universities and cities, and want to help you go abroad too.

Email studyabroad@globalinksabroad.org with your name, email, and your specific program of interest and we'll email you with the contact details for one of our 20,000 alumni!

Please don't hesitate to contact us as well with any questions.

Fees

Fee Includes

All fees are quoted in US Dollars unless otherwise specifically stated. Program Fees include tuition for full-time semester status, university and program administrative fees, membership in the student union (where applicable), health insurance, ISIC card, and the Bridging Cultures Program. Tuition fees are based on the arts and social science tuition charged by this university. There may be higher tuition associated with certain disciplines. Where applicable, this difference in tuition will be added to the total Program Fees. Fees include all pre-departure services such as: orientation materials, visa-processing support (excluding the visa fee), housing placements, personal advising, subject selections, liaise with your home university, credit transfer assistance, and financial aid services. As a study abroad student, you will be required to enroll as a full time student. Your semester is equivalent to 12-16 U.S. credits. Additional tuition and/or fees may apply in some subject areas not limited to the following: science, engineering, fine arts, and journalism. Students who undertake subjects where the university requires additional fees will be billed by the host university. Housing Fees are not included in the Program Fee and will be billed separately depending on the specific accommodations placement. A housing deposit is not included in this fee. Where required to reserve accommodations in advance the student will make direct payment for the refundable housing deposit. Students who select “personal apartment living arranged upon arrival by the student” will only be charged the Program Fees, and housing costs will be paid on arrival by the student.

Fee Advice

Dates

Entry Requirements

Programs in Europe Coordinator

Name: Katiana Brenner Title: Senior Coordinator, Outreach and Student Services Department: BIO: As an outreach and student services coordinator for the GlobaLinks Learning Abroad European programs, Katiana handles enrollment and returned student services for programs in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Katiana graduated with a BA in French from the University of Northern Colorado. She spent a year studying abroad in Dakar, Senegal and has also spent some time in the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Ireland.