Shape St Mary's: Your Campus Life

Improved facilities

This year we have invested in the student heart project to give you a modern flexible social study space, whether you live on site, in the local area or commute from further afield.

An area for commuters

The commuter lounge is a new well-equipped space for commuting students to make friends, eat and relax between lectures with lockers, kitchen facilities including a microwave, comfy sofas, PC s and printers.

Interfaith week

We believe our diversity makes us stronger. To celebrate this, we host an annual Interfaith Week to help you share your beliefs and culture with students and staff from all faiths and none

More students to represent you

• There are more student reps, interest groups and campaigns on topics you care about and the At Home Together programme of events and activities for you to have fun and stay in touch during lockdown.
• The Student Union Sabbatical Officer roles have been redesigned to reflect the different elements of the student journey and more effectively and flexibly respond to traditionally disadvantaged and under-represented student groups
• You can get in touch with your new Faculty/Institute Reps working with Academic Course Reps to ensure your feedback is given to the Programme Director and acted upon. New Inclusion and Widening Participation Reps have also been introduced to look at inclusivity of programmes and to share your feedback.
• You can also talk to a Library rep or Residents Rep or your Student Senior Resident about your accommodation

More campus parking

Now you have 170 student car parking spaces with a new flexible payment app and more bike racks to make your journey in less stressful.

Speakers to inspire you

You can now hear from a range of current and former students and external speakers as part of our new series of Values talks which launched in 2020.

Improved student induction and enrolment experience

New students are now able to find out about living and socialising here via the new Student Life talks and about key services and how they support you via the new Student Essentials talks. You could access all content online this year with new videos which meant more of you were able to join in and get involved. You can now enrol and complete a number of tasks online to make it an easier experience.

Better accommodation booking experience

You can now book your accommodation via a new online system. It is great to know that you have welcomed this improvement as the university was a finalist at the National Student Housing 2020 Awards – Best Booking Experience.

More drinking water

You can help reduce plastic waste and fill up your water bottles at the new water fountains and water coolers located across campus, including the 24 hour study hub in the Library.

Broaden your mind

You now have new Human Rights and Social Justice focused books, thanks to the SU, to help broaden your education beyond your course.

More modernised facilities

Now you can enjoy a range of modernised facilities around campus - the toilets in the Shannon Corridor and behind main reception, showers, Drama and TV Studios, six teaching rooms and Registry reception (J block, 1st floor) have all been refurbished. There is new flooring in Shannon Corridor, more accessible bathrooms for disabled students and two lifts have been refurbished to improve reliability and access for disabled students in K and J blocks.

More social spaces and improved campus experience

You can now relax in the new social space in the Library and chill out or have small group study sessions/meetings in the SU lounge which has new lights. Commuters can also enjoy their new well equipped lounge.