University of Westminster

The University of Westminster was founded as Britain's first polytechnic in 1838. Since then it has developed into a university that combines both metropolitan and cosmopolitan dimensions, and which is closely involved in business, professional and academic life within London, as well as overseas.

The University has always been, and continues to be, imaginative in recognising new needs and developing appropriate offerings for its many target markets. The University also has a strong and historic commitment to promoting equality and embracing diversity. As a place to work or to study, we strive to strengthen our reputation as a welcoming and inclusive organisation.

Westminster has a reputation for excellence in professionally relevant teaching and learning and for high quality research. Offering over 300 degree courses, we place particular emphasis on providing international opportunities for Westminster students in order to ensure that we provide an environment where students can develop skills, competences and knowledge required by the global economy.

• Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment

  The University of Westminster is one of the UK's leading centres for the study of Architecture and the Built Environment inspiring more than 2,000 students at its teaching base at Marylebone, in central London.

  The Faculty aims to explore the core subject areas that address the future shape of our cities and encourage the dynamic thinking that makes our courses the envy of others.

  The undergraduate programmes are based on strong links with industry professions, and our acclaimed postgraduate programmes offer a range of specialised courses underpinned by our strong research base.

  Our research quality was recognised in the recent Research Assessment Exercise. Twenty per cent of the research in Architecture and the Built Environment was judged as ‘world-leading’ with 45 per cent judged as ‘internationally excellent’.

  A range of high-level consultancy activities complements this research, and brings our knowledge directly to bear in the outside world.

• Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design

  With one of the most varied portfolios in Europe, Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design prepares students not just to enter the creative industries, but to shape and lead them. Our strong reputation for professional and practice-based education is matched by a distinguished record in academic teaching and research, encouraging the development of reflective critical practitioners.

  In our industry standard studios, workshops and laboratories we can provide you with an experience that matches as closely as possible the workplaces you will be entering. Surrounded by artists, producers, journalists, designers and musicians, all intent on producing their work to the highest possible standards, you will have the chance to collaborate with colleagues in group projects and team work.

• Faculty of Science and Technology

  The Faculty of Science and Technology is located in the heart of London, and provides a supportive and enriching educational environment for all students, enabling you to reach your full potential and to prepare you for professional life. The Faculty offers a broad range of courses across the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects, and is divided into five academic departments – Biomedical Sciences, Computing, Engineering, Life Sciences and Psychology – each staffed by supportive and experienced academics.

  Our high-quality teaching is informed by our internationally recognised research, which encompasses a wide range of disciplines. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise a proportion of the research outputs in all subject areas were judged to be at world-leading and internationally excellent levels.

  Our teaching is also underpinned by our wide-ranging links to industry and professional bodies, with most of our courses offering some form of professional recognition which may lead to professional membership on graduation.
  The range of bodies which accredit or recognise our courses includes: Association for Nutrition; British Acupuncture Council; British Computer Society; British Psychological Society; Engineering Council; European Herbal and Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association; Health and Care Professions Council; Institute of Biomedical Sciences; Institution of Engineering and Technology.

  Our diversity and multi-disciplinary culture gives students exposure to a wide-reaching science community, creating a friendly and inspiring place to study. All of our departments are based at Cavendish Campus which has undergone an extensive multi-million pound programme of renovation, and continuous investment in our facilities means we can offer all students access to state-of-the-art laboratories.
  These facilities will equip you with the technical know-how for your future career, and all our courses have a strong emphasis on developing and using your practical skills. 

  Significant numbers of our students also continue into further study.

• Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

  The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities is based at our Regent Street Campus in the heart of London.

  For administrative purposes, the faculty is divided into five departments and one school:

  • English, Linguistics and Cultural Studies
  • Modern Languages and Cultures
  • Politics and International Relations
  • History, Sociology and Criminology
  • Westminster Professional Language Centre
  • Westminster Law School

• Westminster Business School

  Westminster Business School has a long history of providing business education for undergraduates and management education for practitioners and professionals. Our vision is to be London’s leading professionally-focused and research-informed business school.

  The School was founded in 1997, but our origins go back even further to the 1970s. Westminster Business School is now embarking on an exciting new phase of development. In 2009 we combined with the former Harrow Business School and now provide higher education for 4,000 students, a quarter of whom are studying for postgraduate degrees.

  We draw a sizeable proportion of our students from overseas, while at the same time focusing upon providing business and management education for UK students entering the business professions and also for those returning to undertake postgraduate study to further their careers.

  We hold a number of international and professional accreditations from bodies such as the Association of MBAs, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (we are one of their 11 national Centres of Excellence), ACCA and the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

  In line with our vision we are engaged in applied research that is internationally recognised and was awarded a 2* classification in the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise.

  We also have three flagship research centres and a strong group of PhD students. Our work in business development and knowledge transfer is also growing, and we have built up a strong reputation for providing corporate education and consultancy to the public sector.

  Overall our turnover is now in excess of £30 million, and we have nearly 200 full time staff and 150 visiting lecturers, putting us among the largest UK University business schools.

• Westminster Law School

  Westminster Law School provides legal education in the heart of London. Our modern facilities, including a recently refurbished law library and lecture theatre, are based at the University of Westminster's Little Titchfield Street campus.

  Taught Courses

  We offer taught courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as professional and short courses. We also offer highly respected conversion courses for non-law graduates wishing to embark upon a career in law.

  Research

  • Centre on the Legal Profession
  • Centre for Law, Gender and Sexuality
  • Centre for Law, Society and Popular Culture
  • International Law at Westminster
  • Westminster Law and Theory Lab

  Westminster Law School offers both MPhil and PhD research degrees in law and law-related topics.

  Career Success

  60% of our 2013 graduates obtained a 2:1 or above and Westminster Law School scored 72 out of 100 in the Complete University Guide (CUG) for graduate prospects. It was ranked sixth place out of all London law schools both for graduate prospects and within the overall CUG ranking.

  Our graduates go on to very successful careers as barristers and advocates, solicitors, clerks and officers of court, legal executives and paralegals. They have gone on to work for some of the UK’s leading legal services providers including Allen & Overy, Berwin Leighton Paisner, Addleshaw Goddard, Hodge Jones & Allen, Weightmans and Ropes & Gray. Our graduates also pursue careers in accountancy, the Civil Service, education and government.

The University of Westminster boasts a rich history and has been providing students with academic excellence, cultural engagement and personal enrichment since its inception as The Polytechnic Institution in 1838. 

The Westminster story began in 1838, when Sir George Cayley opened the Polytechnic Institution at 309 Regent Street in London. In 1881, philanthropist Quintin Hogg, bought the Royal Polytechnic Institution building and moved his Young Men’s Christian Institute into 309 Regent Street, which soon became the publicly funded Regent Street Polytechnic.

• First polytechnic in the UK
• Home to the 1st public moving picture show in the UK and the birthplace of British cinema. This will be celebrated when the Regent Street Cinema will reopen in its former glory this spring, evoking its 19th century heritage.
• Our University was the original blueprint for the sought after model of collaboration with industry and practice.

Rankings

• The recognition in the latest THE (Times Higher Education) rankings that we are among the top 100 most international universities in the world.
• In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, Westminster was ranked 2nd for Communications, Cultural and Media Studies research, 6th for Art and Design research, in addition to the university performing strongly in Architecture and the Built Environment, and Geography and Environmental studies. Almost 80% of the university's submitted research across 20 subject areas was judged to be of international quality. The university achieved world leading and internationally excellent status for most of their work in Media and Communication; Art and Design; and Architecture and the Built Environment. In Law; Life and Health Sciences; Computing; Business and Management; Town and Country Planning; Environmental Studies, the majority of their submissions were found to be of internationally recognised quality.
• In 2013, the QS World University Rankings ranked Media, Communications, and Journalism 1st (UK), 2nd (EU), 19th (World). The QS rankings are based on reputation among academics and employers and citations to published works. Westminster was also ranked joint second in the UK by the Architects’ Journal in their "AJ Top 100" special issue (9. May 2013).
• The Complete University Guide (CUG) ranked Art & Design within the top ten in the UK (6th) for 2014. The CUG also ranked Westminster up by 4 places in 2012. Overall, rising up by 21 places since 2011.
• Research Excellence Framework 2014 ranked Westminster 28 out of 89 schools for English Language and Literature, 22nd out of 45 in Architecture, 3rd out of 84 in Art and Design, 5 out of 67 in Communications, Cultural and Media Studies.

Acreditation

We hold a number of accreditations, recognitions and validations from professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Tourism Management Institute.

"Westminster Extra"

"Westminster Extra" is the name we've given to the broad range of extra-curricular opportunities available to you at the University.

All of our extra-curricular opportunities aim to help you develop the skills and experience needed to succeed in your studies and beyond. Last year, over 2,500 students participated and benefited from these opportunities.

There are opportunities for paid employment through the Talent Bank and Student Ambassador scheme. You can also take part in paid internships or can apply to be mentored.

You can prove and develop your skills through volunteering and can be a mentor to other students by becoming a ‘Friend of Arriving New Students’. Our Westminster Associates Scheme provides training and school placements if you're interested in embarking on a teacher training course or becoming a teacher.

General advice and help

For a full list of teams and staff who can help you with a range of issues, visit our contacts directory.

Our Students' Union plays a key role in representing students and there is a Students' Union welfare adviser on each campus. Their advisers can offer guidance and support independent of the University and can support you in pursuing appeals, complaints and disciplinary matters. For more information and contact details, Visit the Students' Union website.

Thainings and Study Skills

Get the best from your studies with sessions to help you improve your IT, academic writing and study and research skills. These training and study skills sessions can help you with your coursework and exams as well as give you valuable skills for the workplace when you graduate.

From finding out how to make the most of our libraries, to gaining qualifications in Adobe software, our sessions can help you with every aspect of your studies.

Training and study skills sessions are led by the Academic Learning Development, IT Trainingand Academic Liaison Librarian teams. They are open to all students free of charge, and take place at all our campuses.

Student Advice

The Student Advisers give specialist advice and support on a range of issues including:

• student finance for undergraduate UK and EU students (funding eligibility, delays with your funding, funding for when you have to repeat any year/s, implications of previous study on funding and of withdrawing from or suspending your course) See our Fees and funding pagesfor more information.
• Funding for postgraduate students, See the Postgraduate funding page.
• Information for International students, including advice on immigration and Visas. For full Visa information visit our Student Visas page. 
• fee status queries. Information about your fee status can be found in our Fees FAQ
• Social Security benefits if you are a parent or have a disability. You may be eligible for benefits during your studies, find out more on our Benefits page.
• money management
• Council Tax liability. Remember, your Council Tax Exemption Certificate is issued by your Faculty Registry Office. Take a look at our Council Tax page for more details.
• advice and support for care leavers. Our Care Leavers leaflet (PDF) explains how we can help and support you.

We can advise you about your entitlements, visa options and applications and, if necessary liaise on your behalf with the relevant body such as Student Finance England, the Benefit department or the Home Office.

Help with managing your money

If you need help organising your finances, the service's Financial Capability Adviser can offer support and guidance.

Immigration and visas

The Student Advisers are the only members of staff in the University who are authorised to give immigration and visa advice.

We can give you advice on:

• applying for an extension of your student visa
• what work you are allowed to do during your course
• visas for working after your course ends
• visas for dependants.

The Tier 4 student visa rules are complicated. If you need to extend your visa, your application must be completely correct, otherwise it may be rejected or refused by the UK Border Agency. It is very important to have your application checked before you send it.

Whether you’re studying, playing sports or enjoying the arts, our facilities make the University of Westminster an exceptional place to learn, live and work.

From the £20m investment in new, state-of-the-art facilities at our Marylebone Campus, to the fully-equipped sports facilities at Regent and Chiswick and our specialist resources, such as the purpose-built Financial Markets Suite, our world-class facilities are there to support your professional and personal development.

Sport

The University of Westminster provides a wide range of sport and fitness facilities as well as activities for students. The University’s excellent facilities include a major sports ground at Chiswick, as well as a sports hall and two gyms.

Our extensive grounds accommodate a number of different sports on both natural and floodlit surfaces. Our grounds include:

• Full-size football pitches
• Five-a-side football pitches
• Hockey pitches
• A rugby pitch
• A good-quality cricket pitch
• Tennis courts
• Netball courts
• Lacrosse

The University of Westminster Students’ Union also offers a range of sports clubs known as the UWSU Dragons. We have a range of sports clubs – from team sports such as football and netball, to sports like karate and swimming.

Career Development Center

We're here to help you find the right job, choose a fruitful career or enhance your employability while at the University of Westminster.

Ambika P3

A vast gallery space for contemporary art and architecture developed from a former concrete construction hall.

London Gallery West

Dynamic, challenging and relevant, London Gallery West is a contemporary space based at the heart of our Harrow Campus.

Gallery Cafe

Located at our Regent Street Campus, The Gallery Cafe is open to students, staff and the general public.

Archive Services

Archive Services collects, preserves, and provides access to records of the University and its predecessors.

Library services

We have four extensive libraries located at Cavendish, Marylebone, Harrow and Regent.

We have a distinguished 175-year history and are known as a university of firsts including:

• First polytechnic in the UK
• Home to the 1st public moving picture show in the UK and the birthplace of British cinema. This will be celebrated when the Regent Street Cinema will reopen in its former glory this spring, evoking its 19th century heritage.
• Our University was the original blueprint for the sought after model of collaboration with industry and practice.

• INTERNATIONAL POSTGRADUATE PART FEE SCHOLARSHIP
• WESTMINSTER POSTGRADUATE PART-TIME PART TUITION FEE SCHOLARSHIP