| Location | London, United Kingdom | Funding Type | Public |
|---|---|---|---|
| No of Students | 19000 | Establishment | University |
| Founded In | 1838 | Estimated Cost of Living | 17796 GBP |
| Address | 309 Regent Street London W1B 2HW |
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.
Since then, our education institution has secured a reputation as a place for firsts. These include:
Timeline
1837–1881: Royal Polytechnic Institution
The Royal Polytechnic Institution was built by William Mountford Nurse in 1837[10] and opened at 309 Regent Street on 6 August 1838 to provide (in the words of its prospectus of 1837) “an institution where the Public, at little expense, may acquire practical knowledge of the various arts and branches of science connected with manufacturers, mining operations and rural economy.”
1881–1970: Polytechnic Regent Street
In September 1881, the Royal Polytechnic Institution closed, marking a transition to new ownership and a new era of educational development. Christian philanthropist Quintin Hogg (1845–1903) acquired the lease to the building in December 1881 for £15,000,[15] and the premises re-opened on 25 September 1882. About 6,000 members and students – three times the anticipated number – attended during the first 1882/3 session. The institute gradually adopted the name the Polytechnic Young Men's Christian Institute, or simply, the Polytechnic, for short.
From 1882 an expanded program of classes began, including science, engineering and art classes held in conjunction with the Science and Art Department (of the Board of Trade), and a scheme of technical and trade education, related to the City and Guilds of London Institute of Technical Instruction and to the London Trades Council. The building housed classrooms, a swimming bath, a gymnasium, and a refreshment room. Activities included daily chapels, Parliamentary debating, a Reading Circle, music and drama societies, and several sports clubs.
1970–1992: Polytechnic of Central London
In 1960 the London County Council announced a plan to turn Regent Street into a tri-partite federal college by adding a new College of Architecture and Advanced Building Technology (CAABT) and also a College of Engineering and Science (CES). The existing commercial subjects would remain centered on no 309 Regent Street.
1992–present: University of Westminster
The PCL was re-designated as the University of Westminster following the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, which created a single funding council, the Higher Education Funding Council, for England and abolished the remaining distinctions between polytechnics (degrees award nationally) and universities (degrees awarded by the individual university). The newly established university was re-dedicated at Westminster Abbey on 1 December 1992. As a university, Westminster gained the power to grant its own degrees.
Why Westminster?
London is our campus
From business and finance to fashion, art, music, cinema and sport, London is where things tend to happen first. Studying at Westminster means that your classroom goes well beyond the walls of the university and everything that London has to offer is on your doorstep. London really will be your campus and is also an ideal place from which to explore the rest of the UK and Europe.
Professional focus
Our courses are designed to provide a professionally orientated education. We use our central London location to great effect and have strong links with businesses and professional organisations in London and across the UK. The majority of our courses have professional accreditations and programmes are taught by leading practitioners. Our Careers and Employability Service works with an ever-growing network of over 3,000 companies to provide you with work placement opportunities and professionally relevant skills for a successful career.
Excellence in research
We are proud of our record of excellence in research that really makes a difference. Much of the teaching you receive is underpinned by our research work and our research and teaching in areas such as art and design, media and communications, law, events and tourism management, English and architecture have been highly rated in independent evaluations. Our researchers have received grants of more than £6 million and have also 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.
Global connections
Westminster was recently named one of the top 100 most international universities in the world. With students from 169 nations, we have the most diverse student community in the UK. And with over 190 partner institutions across 56 countries, at Westminster, you can expand your personal and professional horizons by taking part in one of the many opportunities to study, work or volunteer abroad. You will get truly global learning and build a network from all around the world.
Vibrant, state-of-the-art campuses
We have three campuses in the heart of London and one in the leafy borough of Harrow in North West London. Our excellent facilities include 24-hour libraries, state-of-the-art science laboratories, advanced IT services, online learning resources, art, design, film and TV studios, world-class audio recording studios, galleries, sports and recreational facilities, as well as one of the few Bloomberg Financial Markets Suites in the UK. Our dedicated architecture, art and design spaces include specialist workshops for wood, metal, moulding, casting, photography and ceramics, and a new cutting-edge digital Fabrication Laboratory that offers a suite of 3D printers and laser cutters.
Great student experience
Studying at Westminster will be a life-changing experience, both personally and professionally. You will further your academic development, make friends with students from around the world and have the chance to enjoy a whole new range of social, sporting and cultural activities. To ensure you feel at home from wherever you come from, we have a friendly and experienced international student support team, English language support, an international student welcome programme and a wide range of additional activities to help you develop during your studies.
Student scholarships
Your degree is an important investment in your future, and we know that funding your studies can be challenging. The University of Westminster offers a wide range of scholarships to help students pay for their studies. More than 700 students benefit from our scholarships every year thanks to one of the UK’s largest university scholarship schemes.
Global alumni community
Upon graduating all our students automatically become members of the 180,000-strong global alumni community in over 180 countries.
Our alumni are entitled to a number of benefits and services including discounts on further study, dedicated careers support, invitations to exclusive networking events in the UK and overseas, and lifelong access to the campuses.
Studying with us will enable you to develop friendships with fellow students from around the world and those experiences and connections can continue to thrive after you graduate.
A place for pioneers
From Quintin Hogg, Sir George Cayley and Alexander Fleming to Vivienne Westwood, members of Pink Floyd Roger Waters and Nick Mason, and Burberry CCO Christopher Bailey, at the University of Westminster we have been associated with pioneers throughout our distinguished history since 1838.
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