University of Westminster

• Location: London, United Kingdom,
• Year of foundation: 1838,
• Number of students: about 19,000,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of studying: mixed.

The University of Westminster is a leading public university that has been preparing professional specialists in linguistics, journalism, architecture, business, and natural sciences for over 180 years. The University of Westminster has been attended by heads of state, Nobel laureates in medicine, award-winning film directors and musicians, scientists and Olympic medalists. 

The University of Westminster was founded in 1838 as the UK's first polytechnic university. Later it became a multidisciplinary university, and today it is a progressive British university with high-quality programs in sought-after specialties. It was here that the country's first paid film screening was held, and the first European photo studio was opened. The University of Westminster boasts a wide range of academic programs, majors, and fields of study in the UK: many of the courses presented have virtually no analogues.

The University of Westminster is considered one of the most popular among international students. In 2016, it was named the most multinational university in Britain (Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2016): the total number of students reaches 19,000, of which about 6,000 are foreign students representing 169 world countries.

It is worth noting that the University of Westminster maintains close partnerships with many leading industrial companies, banks and financial organizations, and trading firms. This gives students the opportunity to complete valuable internships during their studies, and adapt to the real world market. The so-called "sandwich courses" are very popular: in addition to the bachelor's degree program in the chosen field, they include a one-year paid internship: students graduate not only with qualified, but also with experienced workers who are in demand in the global labor market.

Valentina Nikitina

Senior Marketing and Recruitment Manager at Kaplan Pathways with a focus on students from Russia and the CIS.

When choosing a university, what should be prioritized? Employer satisfaction, employment rates post-graduation, or research opportunities?

There's no straightforward answer as all these factors are important. It's crucial to thoroughly research using various sources, including official websites and government data. Look into regional salaries, fast-growing professional fields, and the cost of living to gain a comprehensive view of not just your education but also potential future life.

The University of Westminster consists of several specialized faculties:

• Architecture and Construction Industry,
• Biological Sciences,
• Law,
• Faculty of Social Sciences, Humanities and Foreign Languages,
• Media Industry and Design,
• Healthcare,
• Electronic Devices and Computer Engineering,
• Harrow School of Computer Technologies,
• Westminster Business School.

• Media and Communications,
• Architecture, Design, Art,
• Geography,
• Culture,
• Journalism, Publishing and Public Relations,
• Cinematography,
• Fashion and Clothing Design,
• Hospitality.

Research activities have been a significant part of the life of the University of Westminster for many years. The university has established four research centers, each of which is involved in organizing projects and writing scientific papers in the following areas:

• Art, communication and culture

This community explores how technological changes in the environment and communications are transforming social, cultural, and political issues around the world. The community seeks to understand and protect the cultural heritage of various communities, supporting engagement with the past.

• Diversity and Inclusion

This community focuses on research exploring what inclusivity truly means. It aims to understand the challenges that may enable or hinder certain groups from fully participating in society as citizens of a global world, employees, students, family members, and community members.

• Innovations in healthcare and well-being

Develops solutions for more effective disease management and prevention, helping the population stay healthier at home, in healthcare facilities, and in the workplace. Focus is on digital health data technologies, innovations in healthcare delivery including patient data, healthcare systems, processes, and security.

• Sustainable cities and urban environment

Aims to develop and provide new ways of moving people and goods within and between megacities. Digital technologies and data usage approaches are designed to transform communications, transportation, supply chain management, and impact education and employment practices. The main focus is on ensuring that urban planning provides a sustainable and low-energy future, with active study of the environmental and social consequences of population concentration, economic activity in cities and regions.

International students are accommodated in one of the university residences.

Alexander Fleming Hall is located in a lively area of East London, adjacent to numerous bars, cafes, restaurants and shops. These are three separate low-rise blocks offering individual rooms with their own entrance door and lobby. Each unit has four, six or eight single rooms with washbasins, a modern and well-equipped kitchen for self-catering, and 2-3 shared bathrooms. The kitchens are equipped with a stove, fridge/freezer, microwave, kettle and toaster. The dining area has a TV and ironing facilities, and there is a coin-operated laundry nearby.,

Harrow Hall is a small village on a hill with a beautiful view of London. Public transport runs to the city center, busy streets and public places. The residential complex is designed to combine with the environment, offering comfortable living conditions: self-contained apartments located in small blocks surrounded by shrubs and green lawns. Each unit has its own entrance door, lobby and six standard single bedrooms with private bathrooms, shared living rooms with TV, kitchens, laundry room and restaurant at the residence. The campus has been specially designed to provide easy access for people with disabilities, and some rooms are equipped with facilities for use by students in wheelchairs.,

Marylebone Hall is located opposite the famous Madame Museum, it will be a great place to explore a variety of leisure places and shops in the West End. Regent's Park, famous for its green spaces, flower areas, football and tennis courts, and a zoo, is a five-minute walk from the residential building, and Hyde Park is only a few minutes away by bus. This modern 21-storey building adjacent to the Marylebone campus, one of the main educational institutions of the University of Westminster, offers students standard rooms with private bathrooms equipped with shared kitchens for six residents. There is also a large living room with a TV and a billiard table, a university restaurant, and a laundry room.

Students are responsible for the meal plan themselves: several university dining halls and cafes, equipped kitchens in the residences allow them to taste national cuisine, plan meals and live an independent life.

Subject list: Accounting, administration, animation, Architecture, Art, Artificial Intelligence, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, building, business, Business and management, Civil engineering, Cognitive sciences, communications, cultural studies, Database, design, Digital science, economics, English literature, Filmmaking, finance, Financial investments, foreign language, genetics, geodesy, globalization, Health care, Health management, history, Human Resource Management, Information Technology, International Business, international relations, journalism, law, letter, linguistics, logistics, marketing, massotherapy, media, Medicine, Mobile and wireless technologies, Modern Arabic and culture, music, Nutritional biology, Pharmacology, photography, physiology, politics, Production of radio programs, Protection from cyber threats, Psychology, Public Relations, Public relations and PR, Real Estate, Retail, sociology, software, Software engineering, tourism, Trade and diplomacy, Translation
Activity list: badminton, basketball, boxing, cricket, dancing, field hockey, football, golf, handball, horseback riding, karate, mountaineering, netball, rowing, rugby, Sports running, volleyball, yoga

The University offers its students ample opportunities to develop their interests, personal qualities, and strengths. Collective events are regularly held on campus: from evening talks, barbecues and movie watching to large-scale sports competitions, gallery exhibitions, and volunteer activities.

Charity as a whole occupies an important place in the life of the University of Westminster. Students can take part in various charity events: assistance in shelters, nursing homes, fundraising or support — all activities are celebrated by the university and society, helps to develop the best human qualities. The University of Westminster sports infrastructure allows you to realize your abilities in team and individual sports. Outdoor playgrounds, gyms and specialized halls are places for daily meetings of students who are in love with sports. Under the guidance of qualified coaches, university teams compete with local and regional universities in many activities: from football, handball and tennis to athletics, chess and cycling.

Creativity is also encouraged with pleasure: theater, fine arts, needlework and many other types of it are embodied in specialized leisure clubs that reflect the main interests of students, allowing them to be among like-minded people and achieve progress in their favorite business. Communities are affected not only by art, but also by more narrow-profile areas: religion, love for a particular genre of literature and cinema, history, languages, psychology and sociology, computer games, and others.

• Recently renovated academic buildings, which were equipped with more than 60,000,000 pounds,
• Excellent career opportunities upon graduation: 8 out of 10 graduates are employed by large international companies,
• "The most multinational university in the country" in 2016,
• Academic programs occupy leading positions in the rankings, for example, "Media and Communications" — No. 6 in the list of QS World University Rankings 2018.

The University of Westminster has four academic territories, three of which are located in central London, and the fourth in Harrow, in the north—west of the capital and a 30-minute drive from its center.

• Cavendish Campus is located within a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road. This campus is home to biological and biomedical sciences, computer science and engineering, and psychology.,
• Harrow Campus is located in north-west London, just a 30-minute tube ride from the city centre. Specializations such as art and design, fashion, film and television are taught on the campus.,
• Marylebone Campus is located in central London, within walking distance of Regent's Park and Marylebone High Street. Specialties taught here include accounting and finance, business and management, construction management, and urban planning.,
• The Regent Campus consists of two facilities in central London, within walking distance of Oxford Street.

Students study English and creative writing, languages and history at 309 Regent Street, and law at Little Tichfield Street. The academic buildings are equipped with the latest technology, providing students with the best conditions for academic success and extracurricular personal development. Specialized laboratories, spacious classrooms, dining halls, libraries and many other infrastructure are available to students of all courses most of the day, some of the rooms are open even on weekends. It is especially worth noting:

• A student polyclinic employed by qualified medical staff: staff monitor the health of students with special needs, provide first aid and help coordinate with hospitals and clinics,
• A Prayer room: open to all faiths and those students who would like to relax and be quiet,
• Several libraries storing hundreds of thousands of volumes of scientific and leisure information. literature in different languages,
• Gyms staffed by highly qualified trainers,
• Computer classrooms for homework and projects,
• Student lounge rooms for relaxation: they are equipped with upholstered furniture, televisions, board games and bookshelves.

The university also owns some special places in the city:

• The historic Regent Street Cinema is the birthplace of British cinema in 1896. It is located next to the university's headquarters and hosts screenings of films of various genres, from film classics and blockbusters to arthouse and international films. Westminster students and staff receive exclusive discounts when buying tickets at the box office,
• Ambika P3 and London Gallery West are two unique gallery spaces that regularly host exhibitions of contemporary art.

The academic year at the University of Westminster lasts from September to July for three semesters.:

• Autumn: September-December,
• Spring: January-April,
• Summer: May-July.

Depending on the chosen level of education in the program, the duration of study may vary. Academic classes are mainly held on weekdays, and rest is provided on weekends, national and international holidays, and vacations. Each semester ends with an examination session aimed at verifying the acquired knowledge.

An approximate list of additional expenses include:

• Accommodation and meals,
• External exams,
• Individual support,
• Additional classes: both in studies and extracurricular activities,
• Medical insurance,
• EAL language support,
• Pocket expenses.

Future students will need to go through several registration stages. When submitting an application, the applicant fills out a questionnaire and provides the required documents, pays the registration fee. The admissions committee will respond to candidates within a few business days if the application is received during active recruitment. After receiving a positive response to the application, the student must pass entrance tests, interviews, and pay part of the program cost to reserve a place on the course. The next step will be applying for a visa, if it has not been obtained in advance — employees will help resolve this issue quickly. After obtaining a visa, the student will be able to arrive on campus to settle into the residence hall and prepare for the start of classes.

Admission of new students is open subject to availability on programs. Applicants must strictly meet the admission criteria for their application to be considered.

Thanks to thorough preparation and high-quality modern knowledge, graduates of University of Westminster achieve excellent results after completing their studies: they either continue to further education or begin their careers in leading specialized companies. In recent years, for example, graduates have been employed by the following companies:

• Arcadia Group,
• Charles Dickens Museum,
• IBM,
• Intel,
• London Marathon Events,
• National Health Service (NHS),
• The British Society for Rheumatology (BSR),
• The Spanish Education Office,
• Victim Support,
• Westminster Mind.

Applications are accepted in late spring and until the middle of summer. Prospective students entering the University of Westminster from other countries must provide:

• Personal documents: passport, medical insurance, visa or residence permit,
• School graduation certificate / Bachelor's Degree — depending on the degree of education the candidate is applying for.,
• Assessment reports, exam results,
• English Proficiency test results: IELTS from 6.0 with each component from 5.5,
• A motivation letter in which the applicant will tell you about their goals, existing achievements, and individual abilities.,
• Letters of recommendation from teachers of mathematics and English.

The university offers good scholarships to international students who meet three criteria:

• High academic performance
• Development potential
• Difficult financial situation.

Students are highly competitive and not all receive financial aid. Examples of scholarships:

• Westminster Undergraduate Full Scholarship (full tuition fees)
• Westminster International Postgraduate Full Scholarship
• Chevening Scholarships - UK Government Scholarship
• Windle Trust International Scholarships
• Brian Large Bursary Fund
• Westheimer Health and Social Care Scholarship.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision