The experience of a real Queen Mary student

The bedroom

The bedroom was a comfortable size for a student living alone. It had a large study table and a pinboard, which were very useful for organising notes, reminders, and memory pictures. The double bed provided plenty of space and made the room feel more comfortable. Storage was sufficient for my needs, with both cupboard space and additional open shelves that were useful for keeping everyday items such as food, toiletries, makeup and other essentials.

The room was well lit, with a room headlight, a desk lamp, and a good-sized window that allowed natural light and fresh air into the room. I also did not experience any significant noise issues, so it was a quiet and suitable environment for studying and resting.

What size was the bed? Double

Did you have an ensuite? No

What was the shared bathroom like?

The shared bathroom facilities were generally clean and well-maintained. In our flat, there were two bathrooms: one with a toilet, washbasin, and shower, and another with a toilet and washbasin. A dustbin was provided in the bathroom.

At the beginning of the year, items such as hand soap and toilet roll were provided, but later residents needed to purchase these themselves. Cleaning products were not required because the bathrooms were cleaned regularly by Queen Mary staff, which was a significant advantage of having a shared bathroom, as residents did not need to manage the cleaning themselves.

The kitchen

How many people lived in your flat? 6

The kitchen was quite spacious, with plenty of room to move around and enough counter space for cooking. There were two large fridges with freezer compartments shared between six people, which provided sufficient space for everyone’s food. Each person also had two cupboards, which were enough for storing groceries, crockery, and other kitchen items.

The kitchen was equipped with a hob, microwave, kettle, and toaster. It also had two sinks, which made it convenient for more than one person to wash dishes at the same time. A dining table with six chairs allowed everyone in the flat to sit and eat together.

The kitchen was cleaned regularly by Queen Mary staff. However, as a flat we also tried to clean up after cooking, usually using our own kitchen rolls. One of the biggest advantages of the kitchen was its size and the large windows, which brought in plenty of natural light and made the space feel bright and open.

Laundry

I used the common laundry room on the Mile End campus in France House, which was about a one-minute walk from my accommodation. There was no laundry facility in my building itself, but the shared laundry room nearby was convenient and had multiple washing machines available for students to use.

Social spaces

There are no social spaces inside of the building.

QM Social was a nearby social space where students could relax, chat with friends, or take a break. It was about a 2–3 minute walk from my accommodation, which made it very convenient to visit. The space had a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, making it a nice place to hang out. There were also vending machines for coffee and snacks, and board games available, which made it fun to spend time there with friends.

Most students used the space to socialise, relax, or study with friends. It was common to see groups chatting, playing board games, or working together on assignments or presentations. Because it was one of the main social areas near the accommodation, it was usually quite busy, especially in the evenings.

The overall vibe was lively and welcoming. It felt like a comfortable place where students could easily meet others, take a break from studying, or spend time with their flatmates and friends. The atmosphere was friendly, which made it a popular spot for residents to gather.

Where did you and your flatmates usually hang out?

My friends and I often preferred going out in London to spend time together. We would usually go out for dinner or try different restaurants around the area. We also enjoyed going for karaoke at a nearby place called Cherry, which was a fun way to relax and do something different together. Being in London made it easy to explore new places and activities when we wanted to hang out.

Location

Lindop House is on the Mile End campus.

What were the transport links like?

The transport links were very convenient. The nearest bus stop was about a five-minute walk from the accommodation, and the nearest tube station was around a ten-minute walk away. This made it easy to access public transport whenever needed. From my front door it usually took less than 30 minutes to reach Central London, which made travelling around the city very convenient.

What were the best parts of your hall's location?

One of the best parts of the hall’s location was it being close to everything on campus. All the Queen Mary schools were within a 5–10 minute walk, and the School of Law was especially close, only about three minutes away. This made it very convenient to get to classes, libraries, and other university facilities.

The accommodation also offered all the benefits of the student village. The cafeteria was about a one-minute walk away, which made it easy to grab meals or coffee between classes. There was also a nearby village shop that was very convenient for everyday needs, whether it was groceries or quick snacks when craving something. Overall, the location made student life very comfortable and accessible.

Along with living in the student village, I was also able to experience the city life as everything was so well-connected using transport. I was able to reach lively places so quickly.

What were the worst parts of your hall's location?

There were no major downsides related to the location itself. However, one aspect some students might consider a limitation is that the accommodation is single-gender. In my case, the building was women-only, which may feel more restrictive for students who prefer mixed accommodation.

Community

I really enjoyed the sense of community in my hall. People were friendly and it was easy to get to know others, not just within my own flat but also from different flats in the building. It was quite common to run into people in shared spaces like the lift or common areas and have a quick chat, which made the environment feel welcoming and social. Overall, it felt like a supportive and friendly place to live.

In conclusion...

Looking back on my time in this hall, I feel very happy that I chose to live there. It was a really positive experience overall. My flatmates were very kind and supportive, and I was able to build some great friendships during my time there.

Living in the hall was also very comfortable and convenient. The facilities met all my needs, and everything on campus was easily accessible, which made daily student life much easier. Overall, it was a memorable and enjoyable experience, and I’m very glad I had the opportunity to live there.