Queen Mary Students’ Union represents the interests of over 36,000 students at Queen Mary University of London, largely based across sites at Mile End, Whitechapel, and Barbican. Many of our students come from our local community, 75% are BAME, and many are the first in their families to go to university.
Queen Mary was recognised as the most inclusive Russell Group university in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021. The authors noted: “Queen Mary continues to prove that social inclusion and academic success are not mutually exclusive.” In 2021, a Sutton Trust report named us as the best university for social mobility in the country. The Students’ Union plays a key role in this work, by providing social, cultural, recreational, and sporting opportunities for our students. We help them to develop the skills they need to succeed in life after university.
As a democratic, membersip-led organisation, the Students' Union supports six full-time elected student officers and over 50 volunteer part-time officers, who represent our members within the University, run welfare and liberation campaigns, and organise circa 350 student-led groups (including societies, sports clubs, volunteering groups and student media). We also recruit and train around 450 academic course representatives each year, and provide an independant academic advice and representation service. Through our wholly owned trading subsidiary, we provide a range of services including recreational and social spaces, bars, cafes, shops, and a health and fitness centre. Our trading services provide employment and development opportunities for our members and trading profits are gift-aided back to the Union.
