University of Westminster
The University of Westminster was founded by distinguished scientist and aeronautics pioneer Sir George Cayley as The Polytechnic Institution and secured an established reputation as the Royal Polytechnic Institution from 1840 promoting innovation in science and the arts. The Polytechnic was re-founded by the philanthropist Quintin Hogg in 1882 as the model for institutes of applied research and learning. The Queen continues to support the University as Patron. Lord Paul of Marylebone is the University?s Chancellor. The University has more than 20,000 students from 150 countries, and hosts the largest Study Abroad programme in London. The balance of Bachelors to postgraduate courses is 75 per cent:25 per cent. Across 20 subject areas peer reviewed in RAE2008 over 80 per cent were deemed to be of significance internationally and nationally. Westminster is ranked first in the UK for Media, Journalism and Communications by the QS Worldwide Rankings. Westminster plays an influential role at the heart of London, through strategic themes which span disciplines and professional practice: business education; human resource management; legal education; electronic systems engineering; ICT; architecture; construction management; transport planning; sustainable tourism; language development and intercultural skills; politics and international relations; health and life sciences; the creative and digital media industries, art and design.
Westminster aspires to become England?s leading practice-informed teaching and research university, serving the needs of diverse communities. Internationalism, employability and green-thinking are embedded in all activities, and Westminster remains dedicated to its mission of shaping the future of professional life. The renewed focus on the University of Westminster as a diverse, vibrant and inspirational learning community accords with the founding principles of the institution. From its foundation in 1838 in London?s Regent Street, a portfolio of studies in engineering, science, languages and commerce, architecture and the creative visual arts, and law has been offered. Following its re-establishment in 1882 by the philanthropist Quintin Hogg it was known simply as The Polytechnic. As such it was the first exponent of an institution of further and higher applied learning subsequently adopted nationally and internationally. Hogg?s mission of providing access to learning for those who could benefit, irrespective of social class or income, is a core principle still honoured by staff and governors of the University. The dominant ethos at Westminster is that students are independent and they are expected to take active responsibility for their own studies and development as lifelong learners. Today the University is respected as a diverse, dynamic, professional learning community which fosters innovation and creativity. Its distinctive features encompass: ? a strong commitment to the breadth of taught courses and their professional accreditation ? enhancement of its reputation for research that informs its curricula ? development of interdisciplinarity in research as well as learning and teaching ? articulation of the student voice, in partnership with the Students? Union. The University?s quality assurance and enhancement processes for both research and taught courses benefit from an enduring commitment to peer review.
Foundation year:1992
Short name:Westminster
Type:Public
Students:16990
Faculty:930
Faculty/Students Ratio:18:1
Region:Europe
Location:London
