FAQs
General
The Local Community
Sustainability
Green Travel
GENERAL
Why did QMU move to a new campus?
The buildings at the old Queen Margaret University campus at Corstorphine were nearing the end of their natural lives. They were inflexible and unsuitable for modern teaching and learning. Following a full option appraisal, the Governing Body agreed that a new site should be sought and that both Corstorphine and Leith campuses should be sold. Following an extensive property survey of the Gateway Theatre in 2005, the decision was made to relocate the School of Drama and Creative Industries along with the rest of Queen Margaret.
Why Craighall?
Four sites were considered in 2001 and were rated against a set of agreed criteria in a process involving staff and students. The criteria included accessibility, profile, cost effectiveness and timeliness. The site at Craighall came well ahead of each of the other options.
Why couldn’t Queen Margaret University re-build on its existing campuses?
Staying at Corstorphine and rebuilding on the existing Corstorphine site was considered. There would, however, be no capital receipt from the sale of the land to build a new campus, therefore students and staff would have to live on a building site for at least ten years. In addition, students and staff, as well as builders, would find the site difficult to access.
What has happened to Queen Margaret University’s existing sites in Edinburgh?
All staff and students have transferred to the new campus. Property developers, Persimmon, are developing the Corstorphine site for residential use. The Leith and Gateway Theatre campuses have also been sold.
What does the campus look like?
The photographs on the ‘new campus’ section of the Queen Margaret University website show how the campus looks, at http://www.qmu.ac.uk/the_university/new_campus.htm
What facilities are on campus?
A high-tech learning resource centre at the heart of the campus featuring a variety of learning spaces. As well as classroom-type teaching spaces (all fitted out with electronic whiteboards), there are specialist facilities including laboratories, clinics, a TV studio, a video-conferencing suite, and a studio theatre. There is also a Students’ Union, indoor sports facilities and all weather surfaces, a food court, a shop, and landscaped gardens with a range of environmental features.
What facilities are there in the local area?
Musselburgh, which has a wide range of shops, cafés, bars and leisure facilities, is a short walk away. Also within easy walking distance is the Fort Kinnaird shopping complex, which includes Borders Books & Music and numerous other retail outlets.
How many residences are there?
There are 800 student rooms on site with the potential for another 700 on the site. Additional rooms will be built as and when business demands and hopefully by 2020. Accommodation takes the form of en-suite bedrooms in self contained flats for three to six students, all with internet access. Tariffs for accommodation are now published on our website at http://www.qmu.ac.uk/services/student_accommodation.htm
What sports facilities are on site?
Facilities include a sports hall, which is the size of four badminton courts, a fitness suite, an aerobic/dance studio and an all weather sports pitch. These are all adjacent to the Students’ Union and very close to the residences. There is also a trim track running through the grounds. The public are welcome to use the sports facilities. For more information, call the Sports Centre Manager, Tony McHenry on 0131 474 0000
What sort of retail outlets are there on campus?
There is an on-campus shop, and a post box . In the near future, there will be a cash point.
What security arrangements are there on campus?
A team of security staff are centrally located and, through a combination of CCTV cameras and physical patrols, ensure the safety of staff and students. In addition, the design of the campus is intended to keep people as visible as possible, and avoids hidden areas. Entry to parts of the campus is restricted by smart card.
What provision has been made for disabled access?
New buildings must comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. The campus has appropriate access to both residences and academic buildings for disabled staff and students. The university’s Equal Opportunities Committee is monitoring this aspect of the design.
How have the local community being involved in the campus development?
Queen Margaret University is committed to working closely with the community. The site plans were drawn up following consultation with the community, involving East Lothian Council, Community Councils, and individuals. In particular, green issues have been considered. A community forum, which meets each quarter, has been running for a number of years, and QMU has been building on this programme of consultancy and communication including distribution of updating newsletters locally, which can be viewed at http://www.qmu.ac.uk/the_university/newsletter.htm. A programme of campus tours has been running for local people, and a community open day ran in spring 08. If you are interested in going on a tour, email jthomson@qmu.ac.uk.
How will the campus benefit the local economy?
It is estimated that Queen Margaret University will bring a £32 million boost to the local community.
Has the campus created job opportunities for the local community?
Yes. Employment attributable to Queen Margaret University is around 1200.
What courses are on offer at the campus?
Queen Margaret University provides professionally relevant courses in the fields of: business and enterprise; health studies (nursing and the professions allied to health); social sciences, media and communication; and in drama and the creative industries.
What facilities at the campus are available to the local community?
The public can use the high-tech learning resource centre, and access books and journals whilst in the LRC, as well as computer facilities (subject to certain licensing and copyright restrictions) (for more information, call the LRC on 0131 474 0000). Local people are also welcome to use sports facilities (for more information, call the Sports Centre on 0131 474 0000) There is plenty of green space for all to enjoy, including biodiversity gardens, ponds, walks and a trim track. The public can also make use of sports facilities, shop, cafés, and unlicensed areas of the Students’ Union. There is also a studio theatre with the potential for public performances. Rooms may be available for hire (for more information, contact Accommodation Services on 0131 474 0000). All visitors need to sign in at reception before using facilities. Finally, local people can join the Campus Film Society. For further information, see http://mcs.qmu.ac.uk/CampusCinema/
What learning opportunities are available to the local community?
QMU is committed to providing lifelong learning opportunities for all. For information on course modules open to the public, see http://www.qmu.ac.uk/prospective_students/cpd/ILA.htm
What café facilities are on campus?
The main catering outlet is situated in the main building adjacent to the learning resource centre in a food court. The food provided ranges from snacks to full meals including counters serving pasta and pizzas, jacket potatoes, soup, salad, deli, stir-fry and traditional. Vending machines are also placed throughout the buildings. The Students’ Union also has a café, right at the entrance to the campus. Café facilities are open to members of the local community, once they have signed in as a visitor.
How many people are based at the campus?
In total, there are around 4500 students, including 800 living on campus. There are also around 500 staff. Actual numbers on campus at any one time are significantly lower because of timetabling, work placements etc.
How has the new campus affected transport in the area?
The relevant bus and rail authorities have enhanced services to the area, and the university continues to work closely with them. Lothian Buses service number 30 runs directly into the campus as well as FirstBus service 140/141. Queen Margaret University is implementing a green travel plan, monitored by the East Lothian Council, to encourage the use of public transport and discourage care usage. As part of the planning process, a full Transport Impact Assessment was carried out and was approved by the planning authorities.
Staff and students are greatly discouraged from parking outside the campus. In addition, QMU and East Lothian Council have been consulting with the local community on the possible implementation of a residents’ parking scheme to avoid staff and students parking in the immediate area of the campus. Transport consultants have been monitoring parking patterns in the local area before and after the relocation.
How do cars access the campus?
Cars access the campus via the A1. Only buses and pedestrians can access the campus from Musselburgh.
What has happened to the cycle route through Mucklets?
Mucklets Road forms the perimeter of the site.
SUSTAINABILITY
In what way have green issues been considered?
Sustainability is at the heart of the campus development. See below for more information.
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is concerned with meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. As an institution concerned with meeting the needs of society, sustainability is a high priority for Queen Margaret University.
How is the new campus sustainable?
The new campus is designed to exceed current environmental standards and to set a new benchmark in sustainable design. A number of leading environmental technologies are being employed at the site including biomass heating, thin-client computer technology and a sustainable urban drainage. The campus design maximises energy efficiency and the landscape design encourages biodiversity. The Academic and Sports/Students’ Union buildings are regarded as amongst Scotland’s most sustainable – having gained a BREEAM rating of “excellent” (and Queen Margaret University has the highest BREEAM score of any university in the UK). Queen Margaret University has implemented a green travel plan ( http://www.qmu.ac.uk/travel/gtp_Craighall.htm.), monitored by the East Lothian Council, to encourage the use of public transport and discourage care usage.
What is biomass?
Biomass is generally considered to be any kind of plant material, vegetation, or agricultural waste used as a fuel or energy source. At the new campus, a woodchip boiler generates heat for distribution around the campus, with a projected 75% reduction in carbon dioxide emission compared with traditional gas fired heating. This means that the campus' carbon emission – its carbon 'footprint' - is expected to be the lowest of any higher education institution in the UK.
What is thin-client computer technology?
Instead of running applications locally on PCs, applications run centrally with only keyboard, video and mouse updates transmitted across the network. There is no hard drive at the desktop - instead, only a screen, keyboard and mouse. Not only do thin client devices consume far less electricity than traditional computers, they also generate much less heat, reducing the need for artificial ventilation.
What is BREEAM?
For over a decade, the Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) has been used to assess the environmental performance of both new and existing buildings. It is regarded by the UK's construction and property sectors as the measure of best practice in environmental design and management.
What is the sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS)?
The SUDS pond is a key feature of the design, to capture rainwater draining off roofs and paved areas, holding it back on site rather than contributing to downstream flooding. As well as providing a solution to the problem of excess surface water, the pond is an attractive feature of the campus, and will provide an excellent habitat for wildlife.
GREEN TRAVEL
How long does it take to reach the campus by public transport?
The campus is a 30 minute bus-ride from Princes Street. Lothian Bus no 30 goes direct to the campus, running every 10 minutes. Other Lothian Buses with routes to Musselburgh include numbers 26 and 44. FirstBus Route 140/141 will also go to the campus. Negotiations are ongoing with bus companies to enhance services to the campus. The rail service from Edinburgh Waverley takes only 6 minutes to Musselburgh station which is on the site and there are now extra train services to Musselburgh in the mornings and evenings.
How does the university’s green travel plan affect students and staff?
Every development of this size must put in place a Green Travel Plan. This encourages the use of public transport and discourages car usage. QMU's green travel plan can be viewed at http://www.qmu.ac.uk/travel/gtp_Craighall.htm. The car parking spaces on site will be limited and the policy for allocating these is available on the QMU intranet.
Who can park at the new campus?
Every development of this size must put in place a green travel plan. This encourages the use of sustainable transport choices and discourages car usage. The car parking spaces on site are limited and restrictions are in place from 7am to 6.30 pm. Permits are allocated fairly, based on need and staff and students are being treated the same. Staff and students are greatly discouraged from parking in the local area, and the local council is looking into the establishment of a “residents only” parking scheme in the local area. First Scotrail have given permission for parking at the Newcraighall Park & Ride, which is about 15 – 20 minutes walk from the new campus. There is a small charge for this.
How is car-parking prioritised?
Permits are allocated fairly based on need. Priority is being given to disabled drivers (blue badge holders) and car share. The cost of the permits are scaled to vehicle’s carbon profile. Permit costs for car-share groups are heavily discounted. It should be noted that residents on campus are not allowed to bring cars.
Who is responsible for green travel planning?
The university employs a Green Travel Plan Coordinator, who negotiates with partners and promote green travel. The appointment of a GTP Coordinator was a key part of the GTP we agreed with East Lothian Council in order to get planning permission.
Are car-sharing facilities being promoted?
Yes, a number of car-sharing schemes already run successfully. To find out about lift sharing, visit TripshareEdinburgh.com at http://www.liftshare.org/default.asp?sub=748
What facilities are there for cyclists?
The National Cycle Route 1 runs through the campus and there is secure bicycle parking facilities including stands on site plus changing and showering facilities, including secure lockers. The existing cycle path will have proper lighting, and we are progressing the development of an additional path, along the old railway.
We hope these FAQs answer your key questions about Queen Margaret University's new campus. If you think we should add any further FAQs, please email your suggestions to Joanna Murray at jmurray1@qmu.ac.uk or call her on 0131 474 0000.
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