Welcome to our University of Westminster guide, made to help you decide whether this university is right for you. You will receive information on its history, courses, student life, important events, accommodation, and more.

With so many universities in the United Kingdom, choosing the one that suits you can be challenging. But having all data on a specific university compiled in one place can significantly speed up the process. So, make yourself comfortable and dive into the insights we’ve prepared for our complete university guide on Westminster school of higher education.

Find out more about Westminster University.

Overview of the University of Westminster

The UK University of Westminster has a long history of research, teaching, and producing employable graduates with expert knowledge in their chosen fields. Its research power is second to none, with its experts receiving grants of more than £6 million to help them make breakthrough discoveries.

The institution frequently finds itself included in rankings and lists, recently having been placed among the top 100 most international universities in the world. That’s hardly surprising considering its superb location and innovative curriculum, which make it an attractive choice for both UK and non-UK residents.

Whether you are just beginning your bachelor studies or looking for a place to finish your postgraduate research in the UK, the University of Westminster will surely offer you its services and complete support.

History of Westminster University

The University of Westminster was initially known as the Polytechnic Institution, founded by a forward-thinking scientist, Sir George Cayley, in 1838. Sir Cayley aimed to introduce new technologies to the public, quickly making the Polytechnic Institution at 309 Regent Street a huge attraction. Among the innovations presented at the Institution were a public photographic portrait studio and a moving picture display — the primitive version of modern videos.

In 1881, when the Institution closed, a young businessman named Quintin Hogg bought the building on Regent Street and moved his Young Men’s Christian Institute there, essentially becoming a co-founder of the future university. Ten years later, the Institute became publicly funded and changed its name to Regent Street Polytechnic.

Since then, Regent Street Polytechnic has kept developing as an institution of higher education and academic research, introducing new courses and accepting more students. In the 60s, it merged with Holborn College of Law and Commerce and became known as the Polytechnic of Central London.

In 1992, the Polytechnic of Central London officially became a university and gained the right to award degrees. Soon after, it changed its name to the University of Westminster, entering an era of expansion and growth and ranking highly on many global university ranking lists.

What is the address of the University of Westminster?

The University of Westminster’s official address is:

309 Regent Street

London W1B 2HW

United Kingdom

Map of the University of Westminster

Below you will find a map of the University of Westminster:

How to get to the University of Westminster

Thanks to its central location in London, travelling to the University of Westminster is fairly easy. You should keep in mind that the institution has four campuses, so your itinerary will depend on where exactly you want to go.

For now, we will show you how to get to the university’s headquarters on Regent Street.

  • By underground: The university is accessible by three major lines — Piccadilly, Central, and Bakerloo.
  • By train: The closest train station is Charing Cross, which has direct links to the university via the tube.
  • By air: As the most connected city in Europe, London is served by six main airports. Those include Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City Airport, and Southend. Each has underground, bus, or train services that will help you quickly get to the university site.
  • By tram: Trams are a popular method of transport in London. Several pass through Westminster as well.

Hotels near The University of Westminster

The University of Westminster’s halls of residence is only available to students of this institution. So, if you are only visiting for a day or two, you won’t be able to use these accommodations. Instead, you’ll need to search for private lodgings for your stay.

Luckily, that’s something London certainly doesn’t lack. As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, the capital of the United Kingdom has hotels, motels, AirBnBs, and other private accommodations at every step. You will easily find many of these options if you explore the map or check out offers on sites such as Booking.com and TripAdvisor.


Booking.com


If you want to stay at a traditional hotel near Westminster, here are a few recommendations:

Ultimately, we advise you to shop around and compare different offers and prices before you settle on one accommodation. London is a city of options, so you’re sure to find something that suits your needs and budget.

What are the top courses at Westminster University?

The University of Westminster may have started as a school focused on technology and engineering, but now it offers excellent undergraduate courses and postgraduate programmes that can easily compete with other prestigious universities. The following areas are where the university particularly shines:

  • Accounting and Finance
  • Art, Design and Architecture
  • Built Environment
  • Business, Management and Economics
  • Life Sciences
  • Construction, Surveying and Real Estate
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • English, Creative Writing, and Foreign Languages
  • Humanities (including Sociology, History, and Psychology)
  • Law
  • Media and Communication
  • Fashion, Film, and Music
  • Tourism

In addition, the University of Westminster offers short evening, weekend, and summer courses. Some of these, particularly language courses, are open to the public and not exclusive to the university’s students. But since the requirements aren’t the same for all, it’s a good idea to read the details on the official site before trying to apply. Alternatively, ask a faculty member in charge for more information.

Where is the Westminster Students’ Union?

The University of Westminster Students’ Union can be found at 35 Marylebone Road in London, but it also has offices on all four campuses of this UK higher education institution. It was founded to help students make the most of their university experience, whether by organising events, advocating for social change, or providing support to those who need it. Be sure to visit the Union’s site and see what else it can offer.

What are the best Westminster student nights?

London is one of the most exciting and cosmopolitan cities in the world, known for its unparalleled nightlife with options to suit all tastes. On top of that, Westminster University’s campuses are in a prime location in central London, meaning that most of the best venues are only a few minutes away.

If you’re specifically interested in student-friendly clubs where you can let your hair down after a hard day of studying, let us help you in your search:

What are the best student pubs in Westminster?

If you prefer a relaxed night out in pleasant company and a cosy atmosphere, a pub might be a better choice. Luckily, the Westminster area is full of smaller haunts, many of which are regularly frequented by students in search of a good time. Meet your peers and enjoy some craft beer at any of the following locations:

Where are the best places to eat for students in Westminster?

When you live in central London, one thing is certain — you won’t go hungry. The area is teeming with diners, restaurants, pubs and bars with food menus, street joints, and fast food places. Not to mention, you don’t have to search far to enjoy a cuisine that suits your palate, be it Japanese, Italian, Korean, or Indian.

Unfortunately, not all restaurants offer meals at student-friendly prices. To help you out, we’ve done some research and compiled affordable options in the Westminster area.

  • Gallery Cafe — at the same site as the university, affordable food and drinks and vegetarian options, available gallery spaces for exhibitions
  • The Rajdoot — Indian restaurant and takeaway
  • Honest Burgers — great burgers, available vegan and vegetarian options
  • The Real Greek — authentic souvlaki wraps

Ultimately, the best way to discover excellent dining places is to go into the city and search for one. Don’t be afraid to try new foods — student experience is all about experimentation, after all.

What are the Halls of Residence for the University of Westminster?

The University of Westminster has five halls of residence, all offering perfect environments for student development. These dorms include Harrow Hall, Marylebone Hall, Alexander Fleming Hall, Olympic Way, and Arch View House. They all welcome UK undergraduates and postgraduates, while choice is slightly more limited for international students.

After a successful application to one of the halls of residence, you will have to pay weekly rent, so consider that when deciding where to stay during your studies. Remember, though, that living in a dorm comes with full access to all amenities and facilities within the building, as well as a supportive community of staff and students.

What famous people went to the University of Westminster?

When you graduate from the University of Westminster, you’ll join the ranks of famous alumni with links to various fields. Here are a few that significantly contributed to the world in one way or another:

  • Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Rick Wright, members of Pink Floyd
  • Charlie Watts, member of The Rolling Stones
  • Sir Alexander Fleming, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine
  • Perry Ravindranathan, former Managing Director of Bloomberg Media
  • Peter Ramrayka earned an MBA from Westminster, a founding member of Guycon Health
  • Vivienne Westwood, fashion designer
  • Margery Allingham, author
  • Eileen Aldridge, illustrator and painter

These few examples show that the University of Westminster gives its students an excellent academic foundation and freedom to explore and express themselves. Then, such students become confident, capable, and forward-thinking adults who develop innovative ideas. In other words, Westminster’s alumni are people who change the world.

Top Westminster Students Discounts

Popular Questions about the University of Westminster

Even after reading our complete university guide, you may have a few questions. Therefore, we’ve decided to address a few of the most frequently asked ones and clear up any confusion you have left.

What are the top undergraduate courses at the University of Westminster?

The University of Westminster offers 156 full-time and 38 part-time undergraduate courses, as well as one online course. Some of the most popular courses include:

  • Accounting and Business Management
  • Media and Communication Course
  • Fine Art Course
  • Social Sciences and Humanities (Sociology, Psychology, History, and more)
  • Engineering Course
  • Data Science
  • Law
  • Life Sciences
  • Architecture, Design, and Built Environment Course
  • Politics
  • Software Engineering
  • Tourism Course
  • Languages and Translation Course

How many campuses does the University of Westminster have?

Courses taught at the University of Westminster are spread across four campuses, three of which are in central London. These campuses include Cavendish Campus (life sciences), Harrow School (arts), Marylebone Campus (business), and Regent Campus (law and social sciences). Harrow is the only one situated in north west London, a 30-minute tube ride from central London.

Is Westminster Law School in central London?

Yes, it is. Westminster Law School is part of the Regent Campus and, thus, only a few minutes away from Oxford Street. Search for its precise location on Little Titchfield Street — all law courses are taught here.

How do I get to Westminster Business School?

Westminster Business School is located on Marylebone Campus, where students learn Accounting and Finance, Urban Planning, Construction Management, Business. and Architecture and pursue their MBA degrees. Marylebone Campus is in central London and easy to reach from Regent Street.

What is the acceptance rate of the University of Westminster?

With an acceptance rate of 18%, the University of Westminster is very selective, with some programmes more competitive than others. To enrol, you need a GCE with two A-Level passes and additional three passes in GSCE subjects. Alternatively, you can apply if you passed three GCE A-Levels and one GSCE subject.

However, good grades aren’t enough for a successful application. You will also need to submit a personal statement explaining why you’re interested in this UK university, which faculty you’d like to attend, and why you should be admitted. International students are required to show proof of their English level as well.

Is the University of Westminster suitable for international students?

Every student is welcome at the University of Westminster, whether from the United Kingdom or not. The faculty staff and community support all international students, answering all their questions and helping them integrate into their new environment.

In addition, Westminster is among the most multicultural universities in the world. As a result, every student can find a piece of their home here, no matter how far away it actually is.

What facilities are available at the University of Westminster?

Aside from modern lecture halls and comfortable dorms, the University of Westminster offers:

  • Four libraries — one for each campus
  • Cafes and coffee shops
  • Indoor and outdoor sports facilities
  • Prayer rooms
  • Student Advice that helps with a range of issues
  • Cinema
  • Construction laboratories for architecture students
  • Gallery spaces
  • Research labs
  • IT laboratories

What are the University of Westminster’s rankings?

International ranking agencies rate the University of Westminster highly. Here are some of the university’s standout rankings:

  • 1st in the UK ranking for international student diversity
  • 27th on THE Young University Rankings for the UK (a young university is one established within the last fifty years)
  • 701st on QS World Ranking
  • 23rd on THE University Impact Rankings for the UK (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
  • 9th on THE University Impact Ranking for the UK (Gender Equality)
  • 42nd on RUR Research Performance Ranking for the UK
  • 29th on global THE University Impact Rankings (Reducing Inequalities)
  • 45th on THE World University Rankings by Subject in the UK (Arts and Humanities)
  • 14th on global subject rankings for Arts Visual & Performing

Summary of the University of Westminster

Whether your interests lie in art, architecture, finance, media, or life sciences, the University of Westminster will help you explore them and gain deeper insights into these and other fields. Ranking as one of the best universities in the United Kingdom and the world, this university guides its students towards excellent postgraduate programmes and successful careers in the industry of their choice. UK students, as well as those coming from different parts of the world, recognise that and gladly enrol at the beginning of each academic year.

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