General Induction Information & Support

Covid 19 FAQs for new applicants

Whilst we encourage students to attend their induction, we understand that sometimes this might not be possible. If you have missed any of your sessions, please click here to view our Induction Checklist.

QMU Student Smartcard

Student Smartcards are used for security, ID purposes and for taking books out of the library.

Once you have completed online matriculation, a link to the Photo Upload System will appear on the Student Portal. You can us this link to submit your photo.  A Smartcard will then be posted to you. 

If you have any questions about your Smartcard or unable to submit your photo, please email registry@qmu.ac.uk 

University Welcome Talk

The University Welcome Talk aims to provide information for students who are starting their studies at QMU this September. This session has input from a senior member of academic staff who will talk about studying at QMU; the Head of Student Services who will explain the support services available to students a representative from the Students’ Union who will detail the support that they offer and how to get involved in university life.

Discover Library Essentials

Using the Learning Resource Centre (LRC/Library) effectively is crucial to getting good grades in your assessments. This session will show you how to get started with the Learning Resource Centre with links to key information on how to find information in books and journals and to help you use our systems.

Find out more about the LRC.

Programme Talk

In this session your Programme (Course) Leader will welcome you, introduce themselves, advise how they can be contacted, provide a brief outline of activities taking place during induction week and provide any other relevant information/guidance.

During this session the Programme Leader (and other staff as appropriate) will discuss course specific matters such as the course structure, activities across the year, placements, attendance requirements, course specific regulations and any other matters that you wish to discuss.

This session may take place either on campus or online. Please check your induction schedule for more information

Please click here to access advice on Housing including what to look out for when dealing with landlords and letting agencies. 

In order to receive your student card you must present the following items to the International Office at Induction (venue, dates and times to be confirmed):

International students:   All international fee paying students must show the data page of their passport, and if relevant, the visa/immigration documents showing permission to studying in the UK.

Students with Dual Nationality: Students with dual nationality, where one or both nationalities are outside of the UK, must show the data page of their passport, and if relevant, the visa/immigration documents showing permission to studying in the UK.

Students with Student Visa: Students on a Student Visa must show the data page of their passport and the vignette showing initial entry to the UK. If you have not received a UK entry stamp, please retain evidence of your UK date of entry. Student visa holders will also be required to go to a pre indicated Post Office to collect their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within ten days of arrival in the UK. Although students will be able to matriculate without showing the University their BRP, they will be required to present the BRP to the International Office by Friday 30 September 2022. If you need more time to show your BRP you must email International@qmu.ac.uk to explain the situation and request a deadline extension.

If you have received an eVisa rather than a BRP, please request a proof of settlement status on the government website, and select the option “other” purposes. Please email your visa status to International@qmu.ac.uk. You will still be required to present your passport data page to the International Office in person.

EU Students: Students who hold EU Settlement status will be required to submit evidence of either Pre-Settled, or Settled status. Please request a proof of settlement status on the government website and select the option “other” purposes. If you have made an application to the EU Settlement Scheme, but do not yet have a decision, you should send a Certificate of Application. Evidence should be sent to International@qmu.ac.uk.

Upon receipt of your immigration documents we will allow you to collect your student card, or post it to your term time address upon receipt from the printers.

Students who fail to show their immigration documents by Friday, 30 September will have their IT access restricted.  If you are unable to present documents to the International Office in time, please email the reason and date you expect to meet the requirement to request an extension to International@qmu.ac.uk.

Information to help you with your transition to QMU can be found in our International Student Handbook.

All International Students on a Student visa are required to attend the International Student Induction as follows:

Monday, 5 September - 4.00pm-5.00pm - Halle Lecture Theatre on Level 3

If you have any questions for the International Office, please join one of these sessions which will run every Tuesday until induction week 1.00pm-2.00pm on Teams.

Information to help you with your transition to QMU can be found in our International Student Handbook.

Exchange and Study Abroad students spending a semester or academic year at Queen Margaret University are invited to attend an induction session as follows:

Monday, 5 September - 10.00am-11.00am – Venue to be confirmed closer to induction

PALS (Peer Assisted Learning) operates in several different subject areas at QMU. If you are studying one of these subject areas there will be a PALS Session for you:

- BA (Hons) Business Management
- BA (Hons) Events & Festival Management
- BA (Hons) International Hospitality & Tourism Management
- BSc (Hons) Psychology
- BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology

- BSc (Hons) Public Sociology
- BA (Hons) Education Studies (Primary)
- BA (Hons) Education Studies
- BA (Hons) Film & Media

- BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

- BSc (Hons) Sports Rehabilitation

- MPhys Physiotherapy

What is PALS?

PALS Sessions are student led learning sessions. They are a relaxed, fun and informal way to receive support for your learning at QMU. You can use a session either to help you understand something you were struggling with, or perhaps to consolidate and develop the learning you have already completed. We also run revision sessions so you can brush up on your knowledge in the run-up to your exams.

The students who run them are known as PALS Leaders and they have all been where you are now and want to support you by sharing their experience.

PALS sessions run on a regular basis throughout term, and you will be notified by email, HUB announcements and your lecturers about upcoming sessions. Some sessions are also advertised on Student Central.

The sessions are not mandatory – some people just pop along to a session when they have a particular area of study they are struggling with, while others attend every session because they appreciate the extra support and the experience of the PALS Leaders.

Find out more about PALS and how it works.

You can also watch this video for more information about PALS. 

Want to get involved?

If you would like to attend a session, contact us or keep an eye out for information in your QMU inbox/HUB page about sessions coming up and join us! You will also find information about upcoming sessions on Student Central.

If you would like to be a Leader, please contact us – we look forward to welcoming you to the PALS Team!

Personalised Timetables

Once the timetable has been published, you will be able to access your personalised timetable via the Student Portal and via the MyQMU app which will display up-to-date time and room information. Please note you will need to complete online matriculation in order to view your timetable. Information on matriculation will be emailed to you in August. More general Module and Group timetables will be available on our timetables page.

Information Technology / Digital Learning Technologies

Before you can access QMU IT facilities - such as the Hub, webmail and wireless access in the halls of residence, you must have completed the online matriculation process. Registry will contact you once we are ready for you to complete the process.

You can learn more about IT and Technology via Getting Started guide via our website

IT will also be running some online sessions to assist you with any queries you may have. Further details to follow.

Our short video about the Effective Learning Service explains the vital work the team do and how they can assist you with your learning experience at QMU.

As a student at Queen Margaret University you are automatically a member of the Students’ Union whether you are part-time, full-time, distance learning, undergraduate or postgraduate. 

The Students’ Union is a student led organisation, rated best in Edinburgh, specialising in enhancing the student experience. We offer advice and support services, representation, extra-curricular activities through sports and societies, volunteering opportunities, events and a student focused café and bar. 

More information and how to get involved or join our Freshers’ 2022 Facebook Group to keep up to date with welcome activities and events. 

All students are advised to register with a Medical Practice within the area they are living when they arrive at QMU Registration with a GP (General Practitioner/ Doctor) healthcare and prescriptions are free and delivered by the NHS in Scotland. 

QMU are working in partnership with the Riverside Medical practice and students living on campus or in Musselburgh are encouraged to register with this practice. You can register with the practice online.

If you are not resident on the QMU Campus, you can seek out your nearest practice on the NHS inform website.

Student Services

Support is at the heart of making your experience at QMU a positive one, and our services for students play an important role in supporting you from application to graduation. Our staff within the services, and throughout the University, aim to help you make the most of your time at University, and to reinforce your learning, your well-being and your personal development.

Student Services are here to support students at QMU and our services play an important role in supporting you throughout your time at QMU. We have a range of services for you to access such as careers and employability, disability services, student funding services, wellbeing and counselling services. All of our support services for are available both through in person appointments and online appointments over the coming academic year.

Our services are bookable through Student Central in the first instance but if you struggle to access you can email student services and we can make an appointment for you. 

Please click on the link below to access the Student A-Z

Access the Student A-Z

Proof of Tuition Fee Funding: If you are sponsored by SAAS or Student Finance NI / England / Wales you do not need to bring your sponsor letter with you to induction. If you are being sponsored by your employer or other external organisation then please email this information to registry@qmu.ac.uk or submit this information during matriculation (online registration).

You can also view information on tuition fees and funding via the following links:

Tuition Fees

Student Funding

If you are a full time student with a term-time address in the City of Edinburgh Council or East Lothian Council catchment areas then we will pass on confirmation of your enrolment at the University, term-time address and official term dates to the Council.

Those students living in the Edinburgh Catchment Area should also register via the following link every year for the duration of their studies

Edinburgh Council Tax Registration Form

For Undergraduate students these dates will run from 12th September 2022 until 28th April 2023 and for Postgraduate students from 12th September 2022 until 25th August 2023.

Module Selection

If you are studying part time, please inform the Academic Administration about the modules who will be studying this academic year. Please do this by emailing Academic Administration

If you have any queries about any aspect of your induction or studies at QMU please see our Contacts Page for details of staff at QMU who will be happy to help.