University of Westminster

The University of Westminster initially started as the first Polytechnic Institution in London and in the UK (1838). Ever since it has been providing students with academic excellence, cultural engagement, and personal enrichment. By 1992, it had gained university status. It hit the 175 years major milestone in 2013 and is considered world-class in its research facilities, pioneering teaching, and providing education for all regardless of their financial status or cultural background. The University consists of four campuses across London. It has a range of attractive facilities like its cinema, gallery spaces, and sports facilities. London is famous for being one of the most exciting cities in the world so students get the chance to explore the city, shop in bustling streets, walk around tranquil parks and squares or visit renowned archives, libraries, and museums. The University pays detailed attention to the kind of education it provides. The academic programs offered by the University begin with an optional foundation course which offers a varied number of subjects like Art and Design, Biomedical Sciences, Biosciences, Business and Management, Business Information Systems, Computer, and Network Engineering, Computer Science and Software Engineering, Criminology, Digital Media and Games Computing, English, History, Languages, Law, Linguistics, Nutrition, Photography, Politics, International Relations and Development, Property and Construction, Psychology, Sociology, Television, Film, and Moving Image. After the foundation programs, students can proceed to take up the undergraduate courses, postgraduate courses, degree apprenticeships, research degrees, or even short-term courses.

•  The University is set in the capital city of the UK. Its campuses are equipped with excellent facilities that include 24-hour libraries, state-of-the-art science laboratories, advanced IT services, online learning resources, art, design, and TV studios, world-class audio recording studios, galleries, sports and recreational facilities, and one of the few Blomberg Financial Markets Suites. This gives limitless opportunities to students besides their academic life.
• The University has global connections with over 190 partner institutions across 56 countries. Students with a passion to study, research, work, or volunteer abroad can take this opportunity for a truly global learning experience and build an expansive network all around the world. Moreover, the University itself supports UK and EU students and staff that wish to pursue an international move.
• The University is proud of its teaching that is thoroughly based on in-depth and quality research. Their researchers have received grants of more than £6 million. They have led the way in the fight against a number of health issues and diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, malaria, and the Ebola virus.
• The university provides courses that ensure that students graduate as professionally trained graduates that ready for the workforce. The courses are taught by leading practitioners and this makes their programs gain professional accreditations. Students are sure to achieve a rich learning experience in this University.
• The University provides students with scholarships schemes helping students fund their education. It makes an investment into their future with more than 700 students today benefitting from scholarships every year.

Career Services:

The University of Westminster has a Careers and Employability Service section that offers a range of services, guidance, and advice on career-related issues. They help a student look for jobs, including part-time work on campus, finding work experience and placements, attending career fairs, networking sessions, and other events. They also help with writing CVs and drafting job applications, preparing for interviews and giving psychometric tests, finding volunteering opportunities, getting mentored, and choosing a career path.

Success Rate:

According to The Guardian’s News Datablog, Employment statistics of students who graduated from the University of Westminster stand at 81.7%.

Notable Alumni:

Some notable alumni of the University include:

• Alexander Fleming: Biologist, Pharmacologist who discovered Penicillin.
• Charlie Brooker: Critic, Humourist, and Screenwriter.
• Dame Vivienne Westwood: British Fashion Designer.
• Georgia Toffolo: Reality Star.
• Ron Jonson: Journalist, writer, Screenwriter, Documentary.

Students Services:

The Student Centre provides valuable advice and guidance services to make a real difference to the student life and well-being. The centre is easily approachable and can provide help, information and advice about a diverse range of services. The centre can also assist students with booking appointments across different services online via Engage.

Library:

The University facilitates The Library and Archives Service for use by students to borrow books and research for self-usage. There are four individual libraries where library facilities may be availed on the campus, The Cavendish Library, Harrow Library, Marylebone Library, Regent Library. All of these libraries provide a click and collect service and postal loans to enable users to access physical resources. They also offer access to a broad range of electronic resources, which is constantly growing.

Arts and Culture:

The University has unique and specialist resources and facilities for students.

These are available according to the course of study and include:

• Art, design, photography, film and TV studios

• World-class audio recording studios

• State-of-the-art scientific laboratories

• Dedicated architecture studios

• Specialist workshops for a range of media

It is also one of the few universities in the UK to have access to Bloomberg Financial Markets Suite and a new cutting-edge, digital Fabrication Laboratory that offers a range of 3D printers and laser cutters.

Accommodation:

The Student Accommodation Team offers help and advice on finding a suitable place to live. The University offers the following residences: Harrow Hall located in Harrow, Marylebone hall at Marylebone, Alexander Fleming Hall at Hoxton, and the iQ Raffles House located at Wembley Park. Furthermore, students may also avail facilities for a private rented accommodation the choices for which are plentiful.

Sports Facilities:

The University provides a wide range of sport and fitness facilities and activities for students. Fitness assessments, one-to-one personal training and exercise programmes are just some of the services offered at super affordable joining fees. The excellent facilities include the Harrow Sports Hall and Gym, The Regent Street Gym and the Chiswick Sports ground.

Medical Services:

The University provides a comprehensive health assessment service for all students in need of it. Some of the facilities available include the BodPod: Body Composition, Resting Metabolic rate. In addition, the University also provides Counseling Services and a Polyclinic, providing health services at low costs.

Clubs:

For those interested in extra-curricular activities, they can choose to be part of the University’s vibrant clubs and societies and can join the University of Westminster Students' Union (UWSU). The Union is run independently by students and for students. The Students' Union is there to represent student needs, protect their rights and make sure their voice is heard when key decisions are made at the University.