Alumni blog

Alumni profile - Professor Iria Giuffrida

(English and European Law LLB, 2001; Law PhD, 2009)

Some people are very clear from early on that they are going to be lawyers – I was not one of them. Law was a means to an end; I like structure, and I’ve always liked solving problems, although I would be lying if I said I was aware of it at the time. It just felt like the kind of degree that trains you for ‘the real world’. Whether you want to be a lawyer or not, studying Law teaches you a rigorous way of thinking, of questioning things, of trying to build logical arguments, which can serve you well whatever career you pursue.

Image: End of year message to alumni from the President and Principal

Professor Colin Bailey CBE, President and Principal of Queen Mary University of London, highlights some of the University's key achievements in 2024 and thanks our alumni community for their ongoing support. Watch his message to alumni.

Student Story: Rani Muktar

Rani is a Medical Genetics student at Queen Mary University of London. Rani was awarded an Annual Fund Scholarship and shared how the award will support her through University.

Diana is a first-year Politics and International Relations student at Queen Mary University of London. Diana Hysenaj, Annual Fund recipient (2020-2022)

Student Story: Veronica

Veronica is a third year Medicine student in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary University of London. Veronica was awarded a Scholarship for Excellence and shared how this recognition has increased her confidence and enabled her to engage in other aspects of university life.  

Blog: Alumni Remembered - Professor Derek Crowther (1937-2024)

An appreciation for the late Professor Derek Crowther FRCP FRCR (Medicine MBBChir, 1963), Professor Emeritus in the School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, who passed away on 5 February 2024.

Student Story: Alice Agostinelli

Alice is in her second year studying Medicine at Queen Mary University of London. Alice was awarded a Scholarship for Excellence in recognition of her hard work and outstanding results. 

Congratulations to members of our alumni community who have been recognised in the latest King’s Birthday Honours List. The focus of the 2024 List, which was published in June as part of the King’s Official Birthday celebrations, is on individuals who are making a significant impact on the lives of people across the UK and their local communities.

Alumni profile - Kana Alam

(Environmental Science BSc, 2016)

I loved the people on my course – some of them have become my best friends and we are still in touch with one another. There was something really comforting and inspiring about being friends with people who care about the same stuff as you, and at the time, climate change wasn’t as mainstream as it is now. It also somehow seemed like Queen Mary just brought the nicest people together, and that made the whole experience so enjoyable.

Alumni profile - Heidi Cheng

(Applied Linguistics for English Teaching MA, 2018)

I grew up in a city that puts a lot of emphasis on English and where there is a great demand for English teachers. When I visited London for the first time as a tourist at 16, I was hosted by a local British family. Being able to be understood by native English speakers was such a cool feeling and it really fueled my interest in English learning and teaching further.