University of Westminster
Encyclopedia
The University of Westminster (informally Westminster) is a public
research university located in London
, United Kingdom
. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.
The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent Street
in the Westminster
area of Central London
, with additional campuses in the Fitzrovia
, Marylebone
and Harrow
areas of London. The university also operates the Westminster International University in Tashkent
in Uzbekistan
and a satellite campus in Paris
, France
through the Diplomatic Academy of London
.
Westminster currently serves more than 20,000 students from 150 countries and offers more than 500 courses and a broad range of research study options. These range from more than 150 Bachelor's degree
combinations, and one-year intensively taught Master's degrees. MPhil and PhD
degrees are also available in every academic department. Westminster had a total income of £171.25 million in 2009/10, of which £7.99 million was from research grants and contracts.
Westminster is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities
, the Association of MBAs
, EQUIS
, the European University Association
and Universities UK
.
, under whose patronage the name changed in 1841 to the Royal Polytechnic Institution.
Professor Pepper, who became a director in the early 1850s, helped to establish a series of evening classes in educational and trade subjects. The Polytechnic organised an educational programme around the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the combination of education and entertainment captured the Victorian imagination.
The building at 309 Regent Street was rebuilt in 1910-12 to reflect the needs of a growing institution whose student members exceeded 15,000. Pioneering work in emerging professional and commercial disciplines, alongside general interest subjects was the hallmark of the institution. Alfred Waterhouse
, who designed the Natural History Museum
, was president of the School of Architecture and Sir Charles Parsons
of the School of Engineering.
After the First World War, the polytechnic offered degrees conferred by the University of London
and its focus on the educational and social life of working people in London remained largely unchanged until the Second World War.
In 1924 a new school of management opened following the Industrial League and Council presenting a series of lectures on management and industry. Courses in journalism began in 1922 and the teaching of planning started in 1934. In the 1950s the institution became known nationally and internationally as the “Regent Street Polytechnic” and became a model for applied technological education.
In June 1992 the Privy Council formally conferred university status with degree-awarding powers for taught courses and research degrees on the Polytechnic, whose name was changed to the University of Westminster. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II agreed to continue as the Patron of the University of Westminster.
In recent years the university has established Westminster Business School
, the institute for Modern and Contemporary Culture, the Centre for the Study of Democracy and the Policy Studies Institute
. The university operates a satellite campus in Paris through the Diplomatic Academy of London
and in 2002 established the Westminster International University in Tashkent
at the invitation of the government of Uzbekistan
.
In recent years the university has attracted controversy for offering science degrees in subjects not widely considered as scientific. The university's Department of Herbal Medicine and Nutritional Therapy and the Department of Chinese and Complementary Therapies, both of which were based in the School of Life Sciences, offered courses in alternative medicine
, and naturopathy which were criticised in the journal Nature
for providing science degrees "without the science". These departments closed in 2009 and the associated courses were taken on by the Department of Complementary Medicines. The number of courses offered in these subjects has gradually been reduced, but as of 2012 the university still offers degrees in traditional chinese medicine
, acupuncture
and herbal medicine.
: Regent Street, New Cavendish Street and Marylebone and the fourth in Harrow
.
The university's headquarters is at 309 Regent Street
in the West End of London
where it has served as a centre for public education for over 170 years. First realised on the 14 December 1837 by Charles Payne and William Mountford Nurse, it was opened to the public in August 1838 and is known for opening the first photographic studio in Europe, and being the first to show moving pictures to a paying British public. The Regent Street campus comprises a group of buildings clustered around the historic headquarters of 309 Regent Street. These include the Wells Street buildings and the Little Titchfield Street building which houses the library for the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages and the School of Law.
The Marylebone campus is a striking white building on Marylebone Road directly opposite Madame Tussaud's and Baker Street
underground station. Built in the 1960’s it is home to the School of Architecture and the Built Environment, Westminster Business School
, the Institute for Modern and Contemporary Culture, the Students’ Union and Inter:mission bar; as well as the P3 exhibition area. P3 is a 14000 sq ft (1,300.6 m²) space constructed in 2008 from the vast former concrete construction hall at the Marylebone campus and hosts major events and exhibitions including London Fashion Week 2009, the Topshop Unique catwalk 2009 and the Diesel: U Music World Tour Party. The location of the Marylebone Campus is accessible by public transport and is adjacent to Paddington Gardens and a few minutes' walk from Regent's Park.
The Cavendish campus is a modern glass and steel building in New Cavendish Street (Fitzrovia) and adjacent to the BT Tower. It houses science, engineering and computer laboratories and the Policy Studies Institute
. It is close to Warren Street, Great Portland Street and Goodge Street underground stations and is a short walk away from UCL
and SOAS.
The Harrow Campus includes a Business School and a Media School. It is also home to London Gallery West which exhibits a broad, exciting and controversial mix of contemporary media, art and design work. The nearest Tube
station to the Harrow campus is Northwick Park
on the Metropolitan Line
which takes 18 minutes from Baker Street
.
At year end Westminster had reserves and endowments of £30.04 million (2008/09 - £28.80 million) and total net assets excluding pensions liabilities of £144.76 million (2008/09 - £146.02 million).
, the portcullis is the symbol of Westminster whilst the open book symbolises learning. The Queen, as a patron, is represented by the Tudor rose, one of the royal emblems. And the motto of the university, heavily influenced by Quintin Hogg and his Young Men’s Christian Institute remains as “The Lord is our Strength.”
The University of Westminster Students' Union provides a range of activities for its members. It is based at the Marylebone
site, next to Baker Street
tube station, where Inter:Mission, a social venue costing £750,000, was launched in 2006. The union also operates another bar, The Undercroft, and a night club, Area 51, located on the university's Harrow
site.
The union was founded in 1966 as The Polytechnic Students' Union. Its first President was Owen Spencer-Thomas
(1966–1967),
The union has hosted to numerous musical events and gigs including Fleetwood Mac
, and most notably the first and only encounter between Cream and Eric Clapton
and Jimi Hendrix
.
Smoke Radio is a student-run radio station at the university. The station broadcasts online, from a studio located in the Media Arts and Design campus of the university, located in Harrow. Smoke Radio is a member of the Student Radio Association.
Smoke Radio
was established in 2004 and by September 2005 the station took to running a 24 hour playout system and began a broadcasting a schedule of live programmes during the week.
In 2006 Smoke Radio had won awards at the Student Radio Awards
, including the Gold Award for "Best Journalistic Programming" and two Bronze Awards for "Best Marketing and Station Sound" and "Best Station 2006". At the 2008 Student Radio Awards
, Smoke Radio also picked up a Bronze Award for "Best Interview", for an interview with British humorist, Danny Wallace
; and the Gold Award for "Best Newcomer" was awarded to the first-year work of Dan Roberts.
In 2007 Smoke Radio won the Silver Award for "Best Station 2007" at the Student Radio Awards, and then won the award again in 2008, making Smoke Radio the UK's second best Student Radio Station for two consecutive years.
At the 2009 Student Radio Awards Smoke Radio won two Gold Awards for "Best Marketing and Branding" and "Best Outside Broadcast".
The Smoke Newspaper is the official newspaper of the University of Westminster's Students' Union. It was originally printed in 1992 as a magazine. In 2006, The Smoke was switched to a newspaper format, initially being published fortnightly during term time. The newspaper currently features News, Comment, Politics, Media Business, Film, Music, Arts and Culture, Fashion, Sports, Science and Technology, Listings and Comic Strips.
and as of September 2005 there are two based at the Harrow campus. A UNITE accommodation, named Beaumont Court has been built near Euston
however it is not exclusive to students at Westminster. Some students are also selected to live in International Students House, London
.
From 1898, the polytechnic awarded the Studd Trophy
, an annual trophy for the best sports performance. Over the years, the award was given to sportsmen from various disciplines, such as swimming
, boxing
and cycling
, but the majority of awards have been given to athlete
s.
Noted award holders include:
Willie Applegarth (1912/13), Olympic
medallist sprinters
Albert Hill (1919/20), Olympic gold medallist and middle-distance runner
Harry Edward
(1922), Olympic sprint bronze medallist
Alan Pascoe
(1971/72/73/74/75), hurdler
The university has grounds in Chiswick
on the Thames (hired by the BBC
to capture the end of The Boat Race
), with boat house, tennis courts, athletics track and about 12 pitches. There are sports pitches and a sports hall at the Harrow campus whilst the Regent Campus has a gym, badminton courts and offers sports, martial arts and yoga classes.
The other sports with which the university has a strong association are football, rugby
, cycling
and water polo
.
Public university
A public university is a university that is predominantly funded by public means through a national or subnational government, as opposed to private universities. A national university may or may not be considered a public university, depending on regions...
research university located in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.
The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent Street
Regent Street
Regent Street is one of the major shopping streets in London's West End, well known to tourists and Londoners alike, and famous for its Christmas illuminations...
in the Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
area of Central London
Central London
Central London is the innermost part of London, England. There is no official or commonly accepted definition of its area, but its characteristics are understood to include a high density built environment, high land values, an elevated daytime population and a concentration of regionally,...
, with additional campuses in the Fitzrovia
Fitzrovia
Fitzrovia is a neighbourhood in central London, near London's West End lying partly in the London Borough of Camden and partly in the City of Westminster ; and situated between Marylebone and Bloomsbury and north of Soho. It is characterised by its mixed-use of residential, business, retail,...
, Marylebone
Marylebone
Marylebone is an affluent inner-city area of central London, located within the City of Westminster. It is sometimes written as St. Marylebone or Mary-le-bone....
and Harrow
Harrow, London
Harrow is an area in the London Borough of Harrow, northwest London, United Kingdom. It is a suburban area and is situated 12.2 miles northwest of Charing Cross...
areas of London. The university also operates the Westminster International University in Tashkent
Westminster International University in Tashkent
Westminster International University in Tashkent is Uzbekistan's first international university. The university is the first in Central Asia to offer a Western education, with UK qualifications...
in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
and a satellite campus in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
through the Diplomatic Academy of London
Diplomatic Academy of London
The Diplomatic Academy of London is the longest established British institution that provides MA, MPhil & PhD Degrees and training programmes in Diplomatic Studies and International Relations....
.
Westminster currently serves more than 20,000 students from 150 countries and offers more than 500 courses and a broad range of research study options. These range from more than 150 Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
combinations, and one-year intensively taught Master's degrees. MPhil and PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
degrees are also available in every academic department. Westminster had a total income of £171.25 million in 2009/10, of which £7.99 million was from research grants and contracts.
Westminster is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities
Association of Commonwealth Universities
The Association of Commonwealth Universities represents over 480 universities from Commonwealth countries.- History :In 1912, the University of London took the initiative to assemble 53 representatives of universities in London to hold a Congress of Universities of the Empire...
, the Association of MBAs
Association of MBAs
The Association of MBAs is a London-based international organization that accredits postgraduate business programs at business schools worldwide. The Association is one of the three main global accreditation bodies in business education and styles itself "the world's impartial authority on...
, EQUIS
Equis
Equis may refer to:*European Quality Improvement System an international system of assessment and accreditation of higher education institutions in management and business administration run by the European Foundation for Management Development....
, the European University Association
European University Association
The European University Association represents and supports more than 850 institutions of higher education in 46 countries, providing them with a forum for cooperation and exchange of information on higher education and research policies...
and Universities UK
Universities UK
Universities UK began life as the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the United Kingdom in the nineteenth century when there were informal meetings involving Vice-Chancellors of a number of universities and Principals of university colleges...
.
Establishment
The Royal Polytechnic Institution opened in 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”. Sir George Cayley (1773–1857) the father of aeronautical engineering was the first chairman and, over the coming decades, the institution made a major contribution to the development of technical and scientific education. The Institution formally receiving its Royal charter in August 1839 housed a large exhibition hall, lecture theatre, and laboratories. Public attractions included exhibitions, working machines and models, scientific lectures, rides in a diving bell and, from 1839, demonstrations of photography. Early visitors included Prince AlbertPrince Albert
Prince Albert was the husband and consort of Queen Victoria.Prince Albert may also refer to:-Royalty:*Prince Albert Edward or Edward VII of the United Kingdom , son of Albert and Victoria...
, under whose patronage the name changed in 1841 to the Royal Polytechnic Institution.
Professor Pepper, who became a director in the early 1850s, helped to establish a series of evening classes in educational and trade subjects. The Polytechnic organised an educational programme around the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the combination of education and entertainment captured the Victorian imagination.
Early Years
Quintin Hogg acquired the building at 309 Regent Street in 1881. His vision of 'The Polytechnic' which reopened the following year, was to educate "mind, body and spirit". He expanded the established role in applied science and engineering to encompass arts and humanities in a full social mission. As a result, the Polytechnic developed an international reputation and became a model for technical and engineering education as the model was replicated as a network of polytechnics across London and later the UK.The building at 309 Regent Street was rebuilt in 1910-12 to reflect the needs of a growing institution whose student members exceeded 15,000. Pioneering work in emerging professional and commercial disciplines, alongside general interest subjects was the hallmark of the institution. Alfred Waterhouse
Alfred Waterhouse
Alfred Waterhouse was a British architect, particularly associated with the Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. He is perhaps best known for his design for the Natural History Museum in London, and Manchester Town Hall, although he also built a wide variety of other buildings throughout the...
, who designed the Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
, was president of the School of Architecture and Sir Charles Parsons
Charles Algernon Parsons
Sir Charles Algernon Parsons OM KCB FRS was an Anglo-Irish engineer, best known for his invention of the steam turbine. He worked as an engineer on dynamo and turbine design, and power generation, with great influence on the naval and electrical engineering fields...
of the School of Engineering.
After the First World War, the polytechnic offered degrees conferred by the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
and its focus on the educational and social life of working people in London remained largely unchanged until the Second World War.
In 1924 a new school of management opened following the Industrial League and Council presenting a series of lectures on management and industry. Courses in journalism began in 1922 and the teaching of planning started in 1934. In the 1950s the institution became known nationally and internationally as the “Regent Street Polytechnic” and became a model for applied technological education.
Modern History
The polytechnic was the flagship of the post-war polytechnic movement and in 1970 amalgamated with the Holborn College of Law, Languages and Commerce to form the Polytechnic of Central London, followed in 1990 by integration with the Harrow College of Higher Education and its programmes in the creative arts and design. Degree-awarding authority resided with the UK council for national academic awards CNAA.In June 1992 the Privy Council formally conferred university status with degree-awarding powers for taught courses and research degrees on the Polytechnic, whose name was changed to the University of Westminster. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II agreed to continue as the Patron of the University of Westminster.
In recent years the university has established Westminster Business School
Westminster Business School
The Westminster Business School is the business school of the University of Westminster. It is located at the Marylebone campus of the University in Central London, opposite Baker Street station and Madame Tussaud's...
, the institute for Modern and Contemporary Culture, the Centre for the Study of Democracy and the Policy Studies Institute
Policy Studies Institute
The Policy Studies Institute is a British think-tank. It was formed in 1978 through the merger of the former Centre for the Study of Social Policy and Political and Economic Planning. Since 1998 it has been an independent subsidiary of the University of Westminster...
. The university operates a satellite campus in Paris through the Diplomatic Academy of London
Diplomatic Academy of London
The Diplomatic Academy of London is the longest established British institution that provides MA, MPhil & PhD Degrees and training programmes in Diplomatic Studies and International Relations....
and in 2002 established the Westminster International University in Tashkent
Westminster International University in Tashkent
Westminster International University in Tashkent is Uzbekistan's first international university. The university is the first in Central Asia to offer a Western education, with UK qualifications...
at the invitation of the government of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
.
In recent years the university has attracted controversy for offering science degrees in subjects not widely considered as scientific. The university's Department of Herbal Medicine and Nutritional Therapy and the Department of Chinese and Complementary Therapies, both of which were based in the School of Life Sciences, offered courses in alternative medicine
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
, and naturopathy which were criticised in the journal Nature
Nature (journal)
Nature, first published on 4 November 1869, is ranked the world's most cited interdisciplinary scientific journal by the Science Edition of the 2010 Journal Citation Reports...
for providing science degrees "without the science". These departments closed in 2009 and the associated courses were taken on by the Department of Complementary Medicines. The number of courses offered in these subjects has gradually been reduced, but as of 2012 the university still offers degrees in traditional chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to a broad range of medicine practices sharing common theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage , exercise , and dietary therapy...
, acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of solid, generally thin needles in the body....
and herbal medicine.
Campuses
Westminster has four main campuses, three in central LondonCentral London
Central London is the innermost part of London, England. There is no official or commonly accepted definition of its area, but its characteristics are understood to include a high density built environment, high land values, an elevated daytime population and a concentration of regionally,...
: Regent Street, New Cavendish Street and Marylebone and the fourth in Harrow
Harrow, London
Harrow is an area in the London Borough of Harrow, northwest London, United Kingdom. It is a suburban area and is situated 12.2 miles northwest of Charing Cross...
.
The university's headquarters is at 309 Regent Street
Regent Street
Regent Street is one of the major shopping streets in London's West End, well known to tourists and Londoners alike, and famous for its Christmas illuminations...
in the West End of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
where it has served as a centre for public education for over 170 years. First realised on the 14 December 1837 by Charles Payne and William Mountford Nurse, it was opened to the public in August 1838 and is known for opening the first photographic studio in Europe, and being the first to show moving pictures to a paying British public. The Regent Street campus comprises a group of buildings clustered around the historic headquarters of 309 Regent Street. These include the Wells Street buildings and the Little Titchfield Street building which houses the library for the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages and the School of Law.
The Marylebone campus is a striking white building on Marylebone Road directly opposite Madame Tussaud's and Baker Street
Baker Street tube station
Baker Street tube station is a station on the London Underground at the junction of Baker Street and the Marylebone Road. The station lies in Travelcard Zone 1 and is served by five different lines...
underground station. Built in the 1960’s it is home to the School of Architecture and the Built Environment, Westminster Business School
Westminster Business School
The Westminster Business School is the business school of the University of Westminster. It is located at the Marylebone campus of the University in Central London, opposite Baker Street station and Madame Tussaud's...
, the Institute for Modern and Contemporary Culture, the Students’ Union and Inter:mission bar; as well as the P3 exhibition area. P3 is a 14000 sq ft (1,300.6 m²) space constructed in 2008 from the vast former concrete construction hall at the Marylebone campus and hosts major events and exhibitions including London Fashion Week 2009, the Topshop Unique catwalk 2009 and the Diesel: U Music World Tour Party. The location of the Marylebone Campus is accessible by public transport and is adjacent to Paddington Gardens and a few minutes' walk from Regent's Park.
The Cavendish campus is a modern glass and steel building in New Cavendish Street (Fitzrovia) and adjacent to the BT Tower. It houses science, engineering and computer laboratories and the Policy Studies Institute
Policy Studies Institute
The Policy Studies Institute is a British think-tank. It was formed in 1978 through the merger of the former Centre for the Study of Social Policy and Political and Economic Planning. Since 1998 it has been an independent subsidiary of the University of Westminster...
. It is close to Warren Street, Great Portland Street and Goodge Street underground stations and is a short walk away from UCL
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
and SOAS.
The Harrow Campus includes a Business School and a Media School. It is also home to London Gallery West which exhibits a broad, exciting and controversial mix of contemporary media, art and design work. The nearest Tube
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
station to the Harrow campus is Northwick Park
Northwick Park tube station
Northwick Park is a London Underground station on the Metropolitan Line. It is in Zone 4, and lies between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Preston Road.It is served by 'slow' trains...
on the Metropolitan Line
Metropolitan Line
The Metropolitan line is part of the London Underground. It is coloured in Transport for London's Corporate Magenta on the Tube map and in other branding. It was the first underground railway in the world, opening as the Metropolitan Railway on 10 January 1863...
which takes 18 minutes from Baker Street
Baker Street tube station
Baker Street tube station is a station on the London Underground at the junction of Baker Street and the Marylebone Road. The station lies in Travelcard Zone 1 and is served by five different lines...
.
Finances
In the financial year ended 31 July 2010, Westminster had a total income (including share of joint ventures) of £171.25 million (2008/09 - £167.55 million) and total expenditure of £174.69 million (2008/09 - £163.87 million). Key sources of income included £70.22 million from funding council grants (2008/09 - £69.08 million), £71.54 million from tuition fees and support grants (2008/09 - £65.14 million), £7.99 million from research grants and contracts (2008/09 - £6.86 million), £516,000 from endowment and investment income (2008/09 - £1.19 million) and £20.99 million from other income (2008/09 - £25.27 million). During the 2009/10 financial year Westminster had a capital expenditure of £2.33 million (2008/09 - £1.66 million).At year end Westminster had reserves and endowments of £30.04 million (2008/09 - £28.80 million) and total net assets excluding pensions liabilities of £144.76 million (2008/09 - £146.02 million).
Coat of Arms
The university’s heritage is reflected in its coat of armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
, the portcullis is the symbol of Westminster whilst the open book symbolises learning. The Queen, as a patron, is represented by the Tudor rose, one of the royal emblems. And the motto of the university, heavily influenced by Quintin Hogg and his Young Men’s Christian Institute remains as “The Lord is our Strength.”
Schools
The university offers a broad range of study options tailored to its mission of “educating for professional life”. It has 44 departments and 65 research centres across seven schools which form the hub of its academic activity:- The School of Architecture and the Built Environment
- The School of Electronics and Computer Science
- The School of Law
- The School of Life Sciences
- The School of Media, Arts and Design which houses the Journalism Department and China Media CentreChina Media CentreThe China Media Centre is a research centre located at the University of Westminster and Europe’s only organisation specializing in the world’s largest media system...
- The School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages
- Westminster Business SchoolWestminster Business SchoolThe Westminster Business School is the business school of the University of Westminster. It is located at the Marylebone campus of the University in Central London, opposite Baker Street station and Madame Tussaud's...
Rankings
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 equally strong in Architecture and the Built Environment, and Geography and Environmental studies.Students' Union
]The University of Westminster Students' Union provides a range of activities for its members. It is based at the Marylebone
Marylebone
Marylebone is an affluent inner-city area of central London, located within the City of Westminster. It is sometimes written as St. Marylebone or Mary-le-bone....
site, next to Baker Street
Baker Street
Baker Street is a street in the Marylebone district of the City of Westminster in London. It is named after builder William Baker, who laid the street out in the 18th century. The street is most famous for its connection to the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, who lived at a fictional 221B...
tube station, where Inter:Mission, a social venue costing £750,000, was launched in 2006. The union also operates another bar, The Undercroft, and a night club, Area 51, located on the university's Harrow
Harrow, London
Harrow is an area in the London Borough of Harrow, northwest London, United Kingdom. It is a suburban area and is situated 12.2 miles northwest of Charing Cross...
site.
The union was founded in 1966 as The Polytechnic Students' Union. Its first President was Owen Spencer-Thomas
Owen Spencer-Thomas
Owen Robert Spencer-Thomas MBE is perhaps best known as a television and radio news journalist over three decades, but he has also undertaken a wide range of philanthropric work as volunteer charity fundraiser, pioneer and campaigner for people with autism and other disabilities...
(1966–1967),
The union has hosted to numerous musical events and gigs including Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
, and most notably the first and only encounter between Cream and Eric Clapton
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
and Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
.
Smoke Radio is a student-run radio station at the university. The station broadcasts online, from a studio located in the Media Arts and Design campus of the university, located in Harrow. Smoke Radio is a member of the Student Radio Association.
Smoke Radio
Smoke Radio
Smoke Radio is a student-run radio station at the University of Westminster. The station broadcasts online, from a studio located in the Media Arts and Design campus of the university, located in Harrow...
was established in 2004 and by September 2005 the station took to running a 24 hour playout system and began a broadcasting a schedule of live programmes during the week.
In 2006 Smoke Radio had won awards at the Student Radio Awards
Student Radio Awards
The Student Radio Awards is a UK awards scheme celebrating talent within the UK student radio industry, held annually since 1996 by the Student Radio Association and supported by BBC Radio 1....
, including the Gold Award for "Best Journalistic Programming" and two Bronze Awards for "Best Marketing and Station Sound" and "Best Station 2006". At the 2008 Student Radio Awards
Student Radio Awards
The Student Radio Awards is a UK awards scheme celebrating talent within the UK student radio industry, held annually since 1996 by the Student Radio Association and supported by BBC Radio 1....
, Smoke Radio also picked up a Bronze Award for "Best Interview", for an interview with British humorist, Danny Wallace
Danny Wallace (humourist)
Daniel Frederick Wallace is a British filmmaker, comedian, writer, actor, and presenter of radio and television. His notable works include the books Join Me, Yes Man, and the TV series How to Start Your Own Country.He lives in London, with his wife, an Australian publicist...
; and the Gold Award for "Best Newcomer" was awarded to the first-year work of Dan Roberts.
In 2007 Smoke Radio won the Silver Award for "Best Station 2007" at the Student Radio Awards, and then won the award again in 2008, making Smoke Radio the UK's second best Student Radio Station for two consecutive years.
At the 2009 Student Radio Awards Smoke Radio won two Gold Awards for "Best Marketing and Branding" and "Best Outside Broadcast".
The Smoke Newspaper is the official newspaper of the University of Westminster's Students' Union. It was originally printed in 1992 as a magazine. In 2006, The Smoke was switched to a newspaper format, initially being published fortnightly during term time. The newspaper currently features News, Comment, Politics, Media Business, Film, Music, Arts and Culture, Fashion, Sports, Science and Technology, Listings and Comic Strips.
Student housing
Westminster has several halls of residence throughout London, including Alexander Fleming House near Old Street, Furnival House in Highgate; one hall is based at the Marylebone campus, Wigram House in VictoriaVictoria, London
Victoria is a commercial and residential area of inner city London, lying wholly within the City of Westminster, and named after Queen Victoria....
and as of September 2005 there are two based at the Harrow campus. A UNITE accommodation, named Beaumont Court has been built near Euston
Euston railway station
Euston railway station, also known as London Euston, is a central London railway terminus in the London Borough of Camden. It is the sixth busiest rail terminal in London . It is one of 18 railway stations managed by Network Rail, and is the southern terminus of the West Coast Main Line...
however it is not exclusive to students at Westminster. Some students are also selected to live in International Students House, London
International Students House, London
International Students House, London is a residence for 700 British and overseas students, interns and trainees whilst staying in London. It is located in Central London close to London's West End at the south side of Regents Park and operates as a financially self supporting charity under a board...
.
Sport
Sport has always played an important part of life at the university. The athletic club, the Harriers, was established in 1883 and was for many years the largest athletics club in the country. In 1908, the polytechnic organized the opening and closing ceremonies of the London Olympic Games.From 1898, the polytechnic awarded the Studd Trophy
Studd Trophy
The Studd Challenge Trophy was presented annually from 1898 for the best performance by aRoyal Polytechnic Institution athlete during the previous year.-History:...
, an annual trophy for the best sports performance. Over the years, the award was given to sportsmen from various disciplines, such as swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
, boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
and cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
, but the majority of awards have been given to athlete
Athletics (track and field)
Athletics is an exclusive collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking...
s.
Noted award holders include:
Willie Applegarth (1912/13), Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
medallist sprinters
Albert Hill (1919/20), Olympic gold medallist and middle-distance runner
Harry Edward
Harry Edward
Harry Francis Vincent Edward was a runner from Great Britain who won the bronze medal in both the 100m and 200m sprint race at the 1920 Summer Olympics. Edward posted times of 11.0 seconds for the 100m, and 22.2 seconds for the 200m.-External links:**...
(1922), Olympic sprint bronze medallist
Alan Pascoe
Alan Pascoe
Alan Peter Pascoe, MBE was a British athlete who gained success in hurdles. After his athletics career, he has been successful in events marketing and consulting.-Early life and education:...
(1971/72/73/74/75), hurdler
The university has grounds in Chiswick
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
on the Thames (hired by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
to capture the end of The Boat Race
The Boat Race
The event generally known as "The Boat Race" is a rowing race in England between the Oxford University Boat Club and the Cambridge University Boat Club, rowed between competing eights each spring on the River Thames in London. It takes place generally on the last Saturday of March or the first...
), with boat house, tennis courts, athletics track and about 12 pitches. There are sports pitches and a sports hall at the Harrow campus whilst the Regent Campus has a gym, badminton courts and offers sports, martial arts and yoga classes.
The other sports with which the university has a strong association are football, rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
, cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
and water polo
Water polo
Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
.
Notable faculty and staff
- Nabil AyadNabil AyadNabil Ayad is a professor at the . He is the founder and director of the Diplomatic Academy of London, which is composed of student diplomats from more than 84 countries. He is also a Professor of Diplomatic Studies at ....
, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of LondonDiplomatic Academy of LondonThe Diplomatic Academy of London is the longest established British institution that provides MA, MPhil & PhD Degrees and training programmes in Diplomatic Studies and International Relations.... - Philip BagwellPhilip BagwellPhilip Bagwell was a prolific and widely-respected British labour and transport historian.Born in Ventnor, on the Isle of Wight, he grew up in a radical tradition...
, Labour and Transport Historian - Richard BarbrookRichard BarbrookRichard Barbrook is an academic in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages at the University of Westminster.-Education:Barbrook studied for a BA in Social & Political Science at Downing College, University of Cambridge, a MA in Political Behaviour at University of Essex and a...
, Political Simulations and Gaming - Cherie BlairCherie BlairCherie Blair , known professionally as Cherie Booth QC, is a British barrister working in the legal system of England and Wales. She is married to the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair; the couple have three sons and one daughter...
, Senior barrister, wife of Tony BlairTony BlairAnthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007... - Derek BryanDerek BryanHerman Derek Bryan OBE was a consular official, diplomat, sinologist, lecturer, writer, translator and editor.-Education:...
, Diplomat and Lecturer in Chinese - Hugo de BurghHugo de BurghHugo de Burgh is a British media theorist and academic. Professor de Burgh is Director of the China Media Centre at the University of Westminster, which he set up in January 2005 and is unique in Europe for its focus on studying the world's largest media system...
, Director of the China Media Centre - Richard BurtonRichard Burton (journalist)Richard Burton is currently a visiting lecturer at the University of Westminster and managing editor of the Jewish Chronicle. He was formerly the Editor of the website of the British newspapers the Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Telegraph....
, Journalist - Nina FishmanNina FishmanNina Fishman was an American-born English labour movement historian and political activist.Fishman was born in San Francisco. Her father, Leslie Fishman, was an economist at the University of California, Berkeley...
, industrial and labour historian - Nicholas GarnhamNicholas GarnhamNicholas Garnham is Emeritus Professor at the University of Westminster in the academic field of Media Studies. Garnham attended Winchester College from 1950 to 1955 where the major influence on his thinking was British socialist historian R.H.Tawney...
, EmeritusEmeritusEmeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
ProfessorProfessorA professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
in the field of Media Studies - Andrew GrovesAndrew GrovesAndrew Groves is a London-based English fashion designer specialising in womenswear, menswear and prints. He is currently Course Director for BA Fashion Design at the University of Westminster, where he has lectured since 2001. He also works as a creative director, stylist and writer.Groves is...
, Fashion designer - Mayer HillmanMayer HillmanMayer Hillman is a Senior Fellow Emeritus since 1992 at the Policy Studies Institute, University of Westminster.A qualified architect and town planner, he completed a doctoral thesis on transport, planning and environmental issues in 1970 at the University of Edinburgh.Hillman co-authored a 1990...
, Senior Fellow EmeritusEmeritusEmeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
at the Policy Studies InstitutePolicy Studies InstituteThe Policy Studies Institute is a British think-tank. It was formed in 1978 through the merger of the former Centre for the Study of Social Policy and Political and Economic Planning. Since 1998 it has been an independent subsidiary of the University of Westminster... - Peter H MillardPeter H MillardPeter Millard FRCP is Emeritus Professor of Geriatrics, St George's, University of London and President of the UK Nosokinetics Group.Visiting Professor, University of Westminster. Editor of Nosokinetics News. President of the UK Nosokinetics Group...
, President of the UK NosokineticsNosokineticsNosokinetics is the science/subject of measuring and modelling the process of care in health and social care systems. Nosokinetics brings together the Greek words for noso: disease and kinetics: movement....
Group - Chantal MouffeChantal MouffeChantal Mouffe is a Belgian political theorist.-Work:Chantal Mouffe studied at Louvain, Paris and Essex and has worked in many universities throughout the world . She has also held visiting positions at Harvard, Cornell, Princeton and the CNRS...
, Political theorist - Walter NurnbergWalter NurnbergWalter Nurnberg was born on April 18, 1907 and died on 19 October 1991. He was one of post-war Britain's outstanding industrial photographers-Life before the Second World War:...
, Industrial photographer - Charles ParsonsCharles Algernon ParsonsSir Charles Algernon Parsons OM KCB FRS was an Anglo-Irish engineer, best known for his invention of the steam turbine. He worked as an engineer on dynamo and turbine design, and power generation, with great influence on the naval and electrical engineering fields...
Inventor of the steam turbineSteam turbineA steam turbine is a mechanical device that extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam, and converts it into rotary motion. Its modern manifestation was invented by Sir Charles Parsons in 1884.... - Ezra PoundEzra PoundEzra Weston Loomis Pound was an American expatriate poet and critic and a major figure in the early modernist movement in poetry...
, Poet - Martin RowsonMartin RowsonMartin George Edmund Rowson is a British cartoonist and novelist. His genre is political satire and his style is scathing and graphic. His work frequently appears in The Guardian and The Independent...
, Political cartoonist and novelist - Jean SeatonJean SeatonJean Seaton is Professor of media history at the University of Westminster.She is the official historian of the BBC, who is continuing Asa Briggs multi-volume account of the Corporation's history with the next volume The BBC Under Siege in preparation. Her other books include Power Without...
, Professor of Media History - Mitra TabrizianMitra TabrizianMitra Tabrizian is a British-Iranian photographer and film director. She is also a professor of photography at the University of Westminster, London, England....
, Photographer - Edmund de WaalEdmund de WaalEdmund Arthur Lowndes de Waal OBE is a British ceramic artist, and author of The Hare with Amber Eyes . He has worked as a curator, lecturer, art critic and art historian and is a Professor of Ceramics at the University of Westminster. He has received several awards and honours for his...
, Ceramic artist - Alfred WaterhouseAlfred WaterhouseAlfred Waterhouse was a British architect, particularly associated with the Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. He is perhaps best known for his design for the Natural History Museum in London, and Manchester Town Hall, although he also built a wide variety of other buildings throughout the...
, Architect and designer of the Natural History MuseumNatural History MuseumThe Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road... - Brian WinstonBrian WinstonBrian Winston was the first Lincoln Chair of Communications at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom. He was a Pro Vice Chancellor for 2005-2006 and the former dean of communications....
, Emmy award winning documentary script writer
Notable alumni
The university has produced several notable alumni including government ministers, ambassadors, judges, a Nobel Prize winner, and leaders who have been influential in the fields of science, literature, music, sport, architecture and the visual arts.Further reading
- The Education of the Eye: History of the Royal Polytechnic Institution 1838-1881 Granta Editions (November 2008) ISBN 1-857-57097-9
- The History of the University of Westminster 1882-1992 Granta Editions (forthcoming)