Everyone is deeply concerned by the horrifying impact on innocent civilians due to the events unfolding in the Middle East, including the terrorist attacks on Israel, the taking of civilian hostages, the military response by Israeli forces, the airstrikes and siege of Gaza, and the resulting humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Many students and staff within our Queen Mary community are deeply and personally affected, and are suffering, in grief and shock, and in fear of what might happen next. We ask everyone within our diverse and inclusive Queen Mary community to continue to come together to support each other, with compassion, understanding and empathy for others’ pain.
[Updated 16 October* and 18 October 2023**]
The ongoing conflict and its consequences are hugely distressing for all, particularly those within our community who have family or personal links to the region.
There is support available for our students and staff, and we are working directly with student societies and others to ensure our Palestinian and Israeli students and staff, and people of all faiths and none, feel safe and welcome on our campuses.
Universities are precisely the places where difficult and complex issues should be debated. We should all feel able to discuss the conflict and express our views within the law.
We will not tolerate racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, abuse, incitement or harassment of any kind. If you experience or witness anything like this, please report it immediately through Report + Support.
We recognise that Hamas is a proscribed organisation under the UK Terrorism Act 2000, which means it is illegal in the UK to be a member of, or invite support for, the group.
Support for students is available through our Student Wellbeing Hub.
Support for staff is available through our Staff Wellbeing Hub.
[*This statement was updated on 16 October 2023 to include reference, in the opening paragraph, to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
**This statement was updated on 18 October 2023 to reflect the unfolding events of the conflict, and the impact on our staff and students, since 9 October]
Read our statement on the removal of posters on permanent display from University premises:
Statement on the removal of posters from University premises: 26 February 2024 [PDF 92KB]
Read our statement in response to The Times article 02.12.23:
Statement in response to the article in The Times_4 December 2023 [PDF 125KB]
We highlight below aspects of our support that may be most immediately required at this time. This, along with all other forms of support, is available through our Student Wellbeing Hub.
To support students impacted by these events we have amended our Extenuating Circumstances policy, to assist with assessment completion and submission. Claims for Extenuating Circumstances related to the ongoing situation will be accepted for affected students. This applies to all assessments due to take place this semester, i.e. from 18 September to 15 December 2023.
To make the process as straightforward as possible, we will treat this like a self-certified claim for Extenuating Circumstances, i.e. not requiring supporting documentary evidence. However, please do not submit your claim as self-certified but rather include, as your evidence, a simple statement that you have been affected by these events. This will ensure that this unforeseeable situation does not count as one of your three permitted self-certified claims for the year.
Your academic School or Institute will review the claim before approval with your student record. If you have a recorded link to Israel or Palestine in your record, the claim will be approved. In other cases your School/Institute may contact you for some additional details, but will keep this minimal. (If you would like to include any additional details within your claim, please do so.)
General information on Extenuating Circumstances, including how to submit a claim, is available on our dedicated webpage.
We understand the emotional impact these events may have on our students, and our Advice and Counselling Service is available to provide all our students with emotional support.
Our Advice and Counselling Service offers in-person and online appointments with one of our counsellors. To request an appointment, please complete the self-referral form which is available through MySIS (click on the Student Services/SEC Online tab at the top and select ‘Submit a request for counselling or mental health advice’). A member of the team will respond as soon as possible.
Students can also read the Counselling blog which contains information about looking after your mental health amid distressing world events.
The Welfare and International Student Advisers in the Advice and Counselling Service can provide specialist advice on a range of practical issues including money and student immigration permission. To access practical support at any time during your studies, please complete this contact form.
Support is available day and night through our 24/7 Student Wellbeing Helpline staffed by trained counsellors.
Also, our Chaplaincy is open to all students and staff at Queen Mary, of all faiths and none.
There are external organisations providing advice and support to those affected by the conflict, including:
Solutions not Sides: https://solutionsnotsides.co.uk
Community Security Trust: https://cst.org.uk 0800 032 3263
UJS Welfare hotline: 020 7424 3288
TellMAMA: https://tellmamauk.org 0800 456 1226