Support for students affected by war, conflict and disaster
Queen Mary is a truly global university with students, staff and alumni from over 170 countries.
Throughout their time at Queen Mary, some members of our community might be affected by global events including war, conflict and disasters.
We know that the impact of these events can be incredibly difficult and distressing for everyone. There is support available for all our students. Please see details below about the range of services available.
The services below, along with all other forms of support, are available through our Student Wellbeing Hub.
Do reach out and ask for support if you need it.
Respect for others
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.
Universities are precisely the places where difficult and complex issues should be debated. We should all feel able to 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 Queen Mary’s Report + Support hub.
Please reach out for support
Support available if you have any concerns about your course or academic work
If you need support regarding your studies, your course, or a change in circumstances, you should contact the student support officers within your academic department in the first instance. We realise that during difficult times it can be hard to concentrate on your studies so do reach out if you need help.
Extenuating Circumstances
If you feel your preparation for assessments is being impacted, then you should consider submitting Extenuating Circumstances (EC).
Learn more about Extenuating Circumstances, including how to submit a claim.
If you were directly impacted then please state this in your EC submission.
Emotional support
We understand the emotional impact these events may have on members of our community. Our Advice and Counselling Service is here to provide confidential support to all students, including counselling, mental health advice and wellbeing advice.
To request an appointment:
- Log into AskQM
- Click on the Home tab at the top of the page followed by New enquiry
- Select Advice and Counselling Service as the enquiry category, then choose Self-refer for Wellbeing Support
- Complete the questions to submit your referral.
If you are currently living outside the UK, we can offer wellbeing checks and support calls via MS Teams. Please provide an emergency contact within your country.
You can also visit our counselling blog for information about looking after your mental health when current events are overwhelming.
Queen Mary works in partnership with an organisation called Howden to provide our students with a free 24/7 wellbeing helpline when our in-house services are closed. Howden provide emotional support and ‘practical guidance’ through professionally qualified staff (typically counsellors). The 24/7 Wellbeing Helpline is available to all Queen Mary students, (including those overseas) – their phone number is 0800 028 3766.
For other support when the University is closed, visit the Student Wellbeing Hub.
Practical advice
Our Welfare and International Student Advisers can provide specialist advice to Queen Mary students and applicants on a range of practical issues including money and student immigration permission.
To access support:
- Log into AskQM
- Click on the Home tab at the top of the page followed by New enquiry
- Select Advice and Counselling Service as the enquiry category, then select the relevant subcategory
- Complete the questions and free text box.
External resources
There are external organisations providing advice and support to those affected by conflict, including:
Solutions not Sides: solutionsnotsides.co.uk
Community Security Trust: cst.org.uk 0800 032 3263
UJS Welfare hotline: 020 7424 3288
TellMAMA: tellmamauk.org 0800 456 1226
Victim Support: victimsupport.org.uk
Travel guidance
**Travel outside the UK (international students) - April 2026: Read our guidance for students holding Student immigration permission who may be planning to travel outside the UK in the coming weeks.**
There is guidance on international travel on the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website. Do speak to your student support officer in the first instance.
Currently overseas
Student visa expiring
If your Student visa is due to expire imminently, and you had planned to leave the UK but are now unable to leave, you can contact the Advice and Counselling Service for guidance and signposting to specialist immigration advice.
Organising events on campus
Please follow guidance regarding the processes you need to follow should you wish to host an event or activity on campus for your Student Group.
Further information is available in Queen Mary’s Policy and Code of Practice on the Conduct of Events.
Safety on and around campus
Queen Mary has 24/7 security at all of our campuses. Security support can be reached on 0207 882 5000. More information about how we ensure the security of our community can be found on our dedicated webpages.
If in an emergency, call 999 and ask for the appropriate service. Any hate crime can be reported to the police.
Students' Union advice and support
The Students' Union has a range of support available to you as well. Please do not hesitate to reach out for support should you feel you need it at this difficult time.