Queen Mary in Mile End, London - what is the area like?

[Ozzie9523]

Hi we’re looking at unis for our DS for next year, he wants to study Computer Science. We live around an hour from London and I know nothing about the Mile End/East End area where Queen Mary uni is. Is it a nice/safe part of London? Are there lots of options for year 2 and 3 accommodation? Any advice/experiences welcome, thank you

I have no experience of Queen Mary so don’t know where the students would live but it isn’t a nice area around there. There are much nicer parts of including some of east London.

DS went to QM and had a great time. Yes he lived in some (to me) grotty rentals with his friends but never had any issues. But he was pretty streetwise before he went and his social life centred around the uni rugby team so had plenty of beefy mates around on nights out. It was a revelation to us when we visited occasionally- we got to experience places that we'd probably never have visited on London trips otherwise. The campus itself did have the air of a bit of an 'oasis' compared to outside.

Oh forgot to mention- probably stating the obvious but off campus rentals aren't cheap.

DD is starring at QM later this month.
We actually have a visit tomorrow afternoon, happy to report back, she is not leaving home though.

I would imagine how you feel will also depend on how familiar you are with London. We are only 40 mins away and so DD is familiar with London and the East End.

Both mine have been - dd just starting 2nd year. She is staying at cass and claredale which is student accommodation but not affiliated with just queen mary university. It's in Bethnal Green so about 25 mins walk away. The flat in halls for first year was good too. Approx £160 pw

We have just done the walk from mile end station to the Uni and the area is fine.

It's a main road with bus routes, 5 minute walk to QM. Lots of places to eat drink on the way, Starbucks, Nandos, Subway, Costa. Yes there's some rubbish chicken shops and graffiti but hey it's London.

I would not worry about DD walking about on her own in the slightest.

It's a mixed area. Some parts of it are gorgeous - lovely walks along the canal through Mile End Park from Victoria Park right down to Canary Wharf. Victoria Park is lovely and holds music festivals and outdoor cinemas. And you're not far from Spitalfields for trendy bars and cafes, Brick Lane for dirt cheap curries and all night bagels - good for students.

It's a bit grim around the hospital and mosque area - grubby built up London but loads of green space near Mile End itself - and Olympic Park just 5 mins up the road too. Personally I love it around there. It's one of my favourite places in the world, let alone London but it is a bit of an acquired taste.

I attended there for the last 2 years. Its a typical London borough to be honest. very diverse (QM is the most diverse Uni in the Uk, with 60% non white entrance). This may be why people say "its a rough area".

But i never felt unsafe walking to/from campus from the tubes when dark (nearly 50 something lady)

It’s a very diverse area, certainly not what you’d call naice, but it’s definitely not dangerous. The campus is very modern, the student village is next to the canal, the front runs along the main road which is very busy as the tube station is right there and it has several 24 hour bus routes. You get the whole of London for nights out. Loads of accommodation options for years 2 and 3, it can be expensive but I used to do temping in Canary Wharf during the holidays which paid a lot better than your typical student job.

I went there many moons ago and before gentrification, when it was “proper rough”. I lived in Bow, Stratford and Stepney, plus a short stay on the Isle of Dogs, and apart from the latter there was no issue with walking around at night or day. Isle of Dogs was essentially a wasteland in many parts then, before the yuppie apartments sprung up, so it was a little scary in some parts. There was some guy attacked with an axe in a pub in Stratford but it was a gangland thing (think Krays) and “civilians” were not bothered.

It was a area with tons of diversity even then and a real community feel, now that it’s gone upmarket and expensive I wouldn’t have thought it is worse now than it was then?

The tour today was fabulous the campus is a real mix of old and new. Had a really nice feel to it and DD was really impressed.

There was an option to see accommodation but as DD doesn't need it we didn't join that part. Would recommend booking on a tour, took just over an hour and really informative.

I lived in that area for years and absolutely loved it - nice parks, easy access to town, close to good nightlife etc. Never felt unsafe there. No it's not posh or particularly pretty (apart from the Tredegar conservation area) but it's got everything you need.

Plenty of time between now and January for your DS to get himself up to London for a poke around the area to see for himself, though? Is QMUL running in person open days this autumn?

Thanks everyone, that’s all really helpful. Yes we’re booked to go to an open day in October. I work in the City so am happy at the thought of DS going there as I’ll still be able to see him regularly (hopefully) :) A friend sort of put me off the idea of him going to a London uni, saying there were much nicer places for him to go for 3 years. I guess we need to see it for ourself.

Watching with interest. Ds1 is interested in Uni for 2022.

I lived in Bow, Victoria Park and Bethnal Green for several years and ds is off to QMUL tomorrow! The area is absolutely fine; no it's not 'MN-naice' but it's vibrant, interesting, diverse and no dodgier than any other part of London. I used to walk back from nights out on my own at 4am with no bother, and there is so much to do around and about.

I really liked the QMUL campus when we visited briefly a few weeks ago - as a pp says it's a little oasis in the heart of the city, right on the canal and within a very short walk of some lovely green spaces. And then the whole of London on your doorstep! Best of both worlds imo.

I'm dropping DS off at QMUL tomorrow. We lived in East London when he was small and loved it.
He's very excited to be moving back.

@StiggyZardust hope he gets on OK, DD is staying at home and commuting.

She is so nervous.

Dropped ds off yesterday, he is the first one in his flat so it was all a bit quiet! He's definitely nervous about meeting people but I'm sure it will all be ok. Such a big change for them all though.

What is your ds studying, @StiggyZardust?

There seems to be so much going on next week I'm sure they will be fine, fingers crossed.

DD is doing English and the WhatsApp group has been great and they had their first meet up a couple of weeks ago.

He's studying material science engineering. Dropped him off today. Lovely five bedroom accommodation overlooking the canal. Only one other person moved in today.

It should be fine. My children specifically did not want London universities because we live in outer London and it can be a slightly different student experience in London but that can be exactly what some other want.