Hello Westminster | Issue 5

CONTENTS

1 WELCOME A quick hello from our Students’ Union team.

2 A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF Rhiannon and Afshan tell us about a typical week as Westminster students.

6 MANAGING YOUR MONEY Get some advice on managing your money at university.

8 HOME AWAY FROM HOME A look into the different accommodation options we have.

10 HOW TO BE A SUSTAINABLE STUDENT Sustainability is important to us. Find out where you can start.

12 WESTMINSTER’S FIVE WAYS TO WELLBEING A guide to looking after your mental health at uni.

16 TOP TIPS FOR THE TRANSITION TO UNI LIFE

Read our students’ top tips for transitioning to uni.

18 FIVE FAVOURITE SPOTS IN LONDON

Check out our students’ favourite places to visit around the city.

20 GET INVOLVED WITH THE SU See what sports and societies you can get involved with.

22 OPPORTUNITIES AT WESTMINSTER

From learning a language to working overseas, find out about all the opportunities available to you.

24 WORK EXPERIENCE

Sumaya, Filippo and Francesca tell us about their work experience highlights.

26 VOLUNTEERING

Discover how you can enhance your CV by volunteering.

28 SPOTLIGHT: REGENT STREET CINEMA

Discover our cinema and its history!

30 OUR GRADUATES

Check out what some of our graduates are up to now.

32 NEXT STEPS

You’ve received your offer –what’s next?

Our cover was designed by one of our illustration graduates – Roberta Shavenko. See more of her work here: instagram.com/shavenko

HELLO ALL!

WE ARE THE STUDENTS' UNION

We hope you’re excited to start your journey with us here at Westminster. This magazine gives you an overview of student life here, with tips on things to do and ways you can get involved during your time at university (in between classes, of course!).

London is an amazing place to be a student, with so much to do and see. As a students’ union, we’re here to support and represent the needs of all of you. That means we offer plenty of opportunities for students to participate in events and activities across all campuses and around London, join a

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sports or society group, connect with students, and help build your skills and experience through various volunteering and employment offers.

Follow us on social media to stay updated on all things UWSU! #WeAreWestminster

We hope you enjoy this magazine and look forward to welcoming you soon.

ZAHRA BUTT President

POURUSH DIXIT Vice President of Postgraduate Education

NANDINI AGGARWAL Vice President of Undergraduate Education

TARUNA BANGIA Vice President of Welfare

DHRUV BAMRARA Vice President of Activities

RHIANNON DAVIS TELEVISION PRODUCTION BA, SECOND YEAR

MONDAY

Monday marked the start of the final push towards my first assessed production of the year. Over the past six weeks, my coursemates and I have worked on a multicamera live television programme – a satirical news show, ironically titled The Morning News at 7PM. I started the day with a phone call from one of our actors. For the show, we were expected to create pre-recorded content, or ‘VT’ to cut away to during the broadcast. Our VT was to be a satirical take on sports commentary, where the clueless commentator never truly lets us in on what sport he is commentating on. Our actor, Michael, rang me with worries about his memorisation of the script and the fact he knows nothing about sports. This really made me chuckle, as this would make him perfect for the role.

A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF

MONDAY

My Monday starts with waking up at 8am. I take my time getting ready in the morning as I really enjoy the ritual of dressing up. I am usually ready to catch my 9am train to get to my first lecture in an hour. Throughout the day, I have back-to-back seminars and lectures until 5pm. During this busy day I get a one-hour break, which is usually spent at my favourite café, located on the ground floor of the Waterstones near my campus (Regent). I sit down and spend my time there reading one of their books while enjoying a cup of their infamous hot chocolate. My day ends with me coming home in the afternoon to a home-cooked meal and my family sat by the TV, as Mondays are ‘movie night’ in my household!

AFSHAN KHAN SOCIOLOGY AND CRIMINOLOGY BA, SECOND YEAR

WEDNESDAY

Things are feeling very real now. Wednesday was our ‘get-in’ day, where we bring all the props into the studio and get the set constructed. While the designers got to work finalising our lovely studio set, I headed off to make some last-minute props, a set of comically awkward picture cards to be presented in our satirical financial news item. Once that was done, I opened Photoshop to produce some graphics for the show; these are the names of the presenters or guests that fade in and out in the bottom left or right of the screen, indicating who we are looking at.

TUESDAY

Tuesday afternoon saw the recording of Michael's ‘sports commentary VT’, a shoot which I was unable to attend due to a mountain of pre-production paperwork. I kept rechecking our shared Google Drive for the rushes (unedited material) from the shoot. They were so good, I even found myself laughing out loud at the recording while in the Harrow library. I dropped an email to Jess, our VT co-ordinator, saying, “Wasn’t he fabulous?!” And then a big thank-you to Milly, our Head of Casting, for finding and auditioning such a great fit for the role. It really helps pull all your preparation for the show together when you see your script so expertly realised.

TUESDAY

My timetable for Tuesday is almost identical to the day before. My first set of lectures and seminars begin at 10am. My day at university usually finishes around 5pm and much like the day before, I am given a break in between my sessions for the day. I choose to spend it exploring local bookstores. Over the past year at university, I have curated a list of my favourite ones to visit: Foyles, Waterstones and The Second Shelf. During my ventures, I tend to look out for works by an illustrator called Junji Ito as I am developing an ever-growing collection of his books.

WEDNESDAY

I don’t have any lectures or seminars on a Wednesday, so I stay home as a means of revising, practising for exams and catching up on any academic work. I do this for about five hours with consistent breaks in between, to avoid burnout. For the remainder of my afternoon, I simply lounge in the living room with my family. I sometimes use this free time to email my counsellor as I believe very strongly in looking after both your mental and physical wellbeing. I have noticed that when I neglect looking after these aspects, things such as my mood and academic performance are the first to be affected negatively. I end my day with a quick workout and shower then head straight for bed around 11pm.

THURSDAY

Pre-record day! As well as the pre-recorded VT content we were also allowed to pre-record one studio item. Today was the day that finally saw me exercise my producing skills live in the studio environment, as opposed to remotely, co-ordinating various departments throughout pre-production. I was very satisfied with our pre-record which we achieved to a high standard and on time. I must admit I did have to step out for a breather at one point – the live environment can be very stressful.

FRIDAY

My lecturer for this module says that if you could bottle the feeling you get from making live TV and sell it, you’d make millions. I totally agree. The live studio environment can be hectic at times, but when things are running smoothly there really is no feeling like it. I get a real buzz from marching around the studio while seeing everyone completely focused on their roles. The cast performed brilliantly and the crew were committed and admirable. It’s a strange feeling when six weeks’ worth of solid work comes to an end. The feeling of freedom is always mixed in with the “What if I’d done this?” and “If only I could change that…” but the fact that I can say that The Morning News at 7PM is a fully realised product is very satisfying.

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

I don’t have any lectures assigned on Thursdays either, so I like to try to spend the day wisely. At Westminster there are so many fun and interesting opportunities. One that I’m involved in is the Student Ambassador scheme. As a Student Ambassador I work a range of shifts including Open Days, school visits and other University events. Today’s shift involved supporting Westminster’s Enrolment Team; I helped with enrolling new students to the University and, in the process, made some new friendships during work.

I have an online lecture from 9 to 11am, which I attend from the comfort of home. This is usually followed by three hours of independent study in my room. On days like this I try to book meetings with my personal tutor and module leaders to discuss any upcoming assessments and I tend to ask for a review on the quality of my work.

SATURDAY

Saturday gave me the break I was waiting for and I was able to properly unwind with my friends. One of my close friends was in London for the weekend, so we headed out to Ballie Ballerson, a bar with a ball pit in Shoreditch. I commit a lot to the projects I undertake in my degree but my university experience really is made in days like these, good mindless fun with my best friends.

SATURDAY

I like to sleep in on Saturday mornings, so I begin my day very late. I skip breakfast altogether and instead have some brunch at around 1pm. This is followed by five hours of study time and then I take my little siblings on an afternoon walk. On our travels, if we come across any dessert parlours or bubble tea shops, we almost always make a purchase. I’m the Vice President of Westminster’s Bubble Tea Society, so I consider such purchases as my duty!

SUNDAY

Sunday tends to be my day off where I don’t work out or study. Instead I just relax. I choose to have a lie-in, catch up on some TV shows, and work on my new hobby, sewing! Sunday dinners are always my responsibility, and I usually prepare all sorts of South Asian dishes for me and the entire family to enjoy on our Sunday evenings together. This week’s menu was Butter Chicken.

MANAGING YOUR MONEY

EARN MONEY ALONGSIDE YOUR STUDIES

SECURE YOUR FUNDING

If you’re intending to apply for a student loan from Student Finance England, whether it’s to pay your fees, a maintenance loan or both, make sure you submit your application as soon as possible. You can apply before you have your results and know for sure which university you’re going to; it’s better to apply as early as possible to guarantee your funding arrives in time at the start of the academic year. Don’t forget to explore other funding opportunities too. At Westminster, we offer a number of scholarships for students holding an offer for a place on a degree course with us, so be sure to check the scholarships page on the website in case there’s something you could be eligible for.

Getting a part-time job alongside your studies can be a great way to boost your finances while gaining valuable work experience at the same time. Our Careers and Employability Service offers job fairs and the online Engage portal where you can find parttime roles. There are also plenty of opportunities for work on campus, whether that be working in one of the Students’ Union bars or shops, the campus gyms and libraries or becoming a Student Ambassador and supporting recruitment events like Open Days and school visits.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF STUDENT DISCOUNTS

One of the perks of being a university student is the number of discount opportunities available to you. Once you have enrolled on your course you can apply for a Student Oyster card, saving you 30 percent on adult-rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets. You can save extra on off-peak fares by adding a 16–25 Railcard or 26–30 Railcard to your 18+ Student Oyster photocard to travel on the Tube, London Overground, Elizabeth line and most National Rail services. To save money when shopping, be sure to sign up to a student discount service like UniDays, Student Beans or TOTUM. Not sure where to start? Our Students’ Union will have plenty of information about the various student discount schemes available during arrivals!

FOR MANY PEOPLE, STUDYING AT UNIVERSITY IS THE FIRST TIME THEY MANAGE THEIR OWN MONEY. WE'VE PUT TOGETHER SOME HANDY ADVICE TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD HANDLE ON MANAGING FEES AND FUNDING AND HELP WITH THE CHALLENGES OF THE CURRENT COST OF LIVING CRISIS.

SET UP A STUDENT BANK ACCOUNT

Once you’ve secured your funding you’ll need somewhere to put it. Most banks offer student bank accounts that come with lower interest rates and often guaranteed fee-free overdrafts and a range of extra incentives. The Money Saving Expert website has a whole section dedicated to students, including tips on how to identify the best student bank account for you.

DON’T FORGET TO ASK FOR ADVICE

Our Student Advice Team are available to assist you with a variety of areas related to funding. Our advisers can help you determine exactly what financial support you could be eligible for, and what level of tuition fees you should be paying. They also provide help with putting together a budget plan or finding ways to save money.

SET A BUDGET

It’s a good idea to set yourself a budget per month or week once you have an idea of your funding and expenses, so you can see what you have left over for everything else once you’ve paid for food and bills. UCAS has a handy budget calculator to help you figure this out.

FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION westminster.ac.uk/funding-2023

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

FOR MANY STUDENTS, LIVING IN HALLS OF RESIDENCE IS THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE OF LIVING AWAY FROM HOME. IT MAY FEEL DAUNTING, BUT IT’S A GREAT WAY TO SOCIALISE WITH FELLOW STUDENTS AND FEEL AT HOME.

OLYMPIC WAY

Living at Olympic Way means you are just a five-minute walk from Wembley Park Tube station, so you can be in central London in just 20 minutes, but you also have so much to do right on your doorstep. Wembley Park is home to plenty of shops and restaurants at the London Designer Outlet, the iconic Wembley Stadium and SSE Arena. Olympic Way is also right opposite BoxPark Wembley, where you can enjoy a drink, street food and the various events they host.

You’ll live in an en-suite bedroom, sharing a communal kitchen and living area, and also have access to TV rooms, a games area and two separate study spaces. There’s a garden terrace on the second floor, and you can enjoy epic views from the 17th-floor terraces.

HARROW HALL

If you’ll be studying at our Harrow Campus, you can apply to live in Harrow Hall. Students at our Central London campuses can apply for a place in Olympic Way, managed by our partners Unite Students. Living on-site at Harrow campus means you have just a short walk to your lectures, the library and studio spaces and are a 20-minute Tube journey from central London. Harrow Hall consists of self-contained units arranged in small, purpose-built, low-rise blocks, all surrounded by green space. You’ll have your own ensuite room and a shared kitchen, as well as access to our common room with pool tables, games consoles and plenty of space to hang out with your friends.

ALTERNATIVES

If you don’t choose to live in one of our main halls of residence, we work in partnership with a number of private accommodation providers throughout London, so there are plenty of options if you wish to live closer to the West End campuses. Our Student Accommodation team can also provide you with a list of student landlords and provide guidance and advice if you’re finding your own private accommodation.

FIND OUT MORE

Find out more about our accommodation: westminster.ac.uk/ accomm-2023

HOW TO BE A SUSTAINABLE STUDENT

MOST OF US WANT TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE. BUT WHERE DO YOU START? OUR SUSTAINABILITY TEAM HIGHLIGHTS THREE KEY AREAS WHERE YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE: CLOTHING, FOOD AND DRINK!

CLOTHING: WHAT CAN I DO?

BUY SECOND-HAND AND RECYCLE UNWANTED CLOTHES

In an attempt to reduce waste, people are increasingly ditching fast fashion in favour of second-hand clothes, and there are now more options than ever for buying and selling pre-loved garments. London has plenty of charity shops where you can donate old clothes and pick up a bargain. You could also visit one of the many incredible markets such as Brick Lane, Spitalfields or Greenwich. Want to make some extra cash selling unwanted clothes? Why not try out apps like Depop and Vinted? These are great places to sell old clothes or even pick up a bargain for yourself.

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

We have a permanently based British Heart Foundation collection bank at our Harrow Campus, where clothing, homeware and books can be donated. When the time comes for students to leave halls at the end of the year, many students have items they no longer need but are still in good condition, so we also provide drop-off points to make donating these items easy.

FOOD AND DRINK: WHAT CAN I DO?

SHARING IS CARING

Combining food shops is a great way to minimise your food waste while limiting your use of single use plastic (by buying fewer individually wrapped items!). Why not buy staple items – such as rice, pasta and tinned foods – in bulk? If you batch-cook for your housemates, you’re also less likely to throw out leftovers, plus, your money will go further – who doesn’t enjoy spending less and getting more?

BAG YOURSELF A TASTY BARGAIN

Apps such as Too Good To Go and OLIO, which are designed to help tackle the vast amount of food that is thrown out by food retailers every day, make leftover goods easily accessible to you. Simply download, see what options are available close to you, and pick up a bag of food for a fraction of the full price.

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

In a bid to reduce our carbon footprint by reducing our meat consumption, we’ve created a new vegan menu in our on-site canteens. Students can get every fifth vegan or vegetarian meal on campus for free with our canteen loyalty programme. You can also get a discount on hot drinks at our oncampus coffee shops by bringing your own reusable cup.

Did you know we have a dedicated sustainability team?

Find out more on their blog:

WESTMINSTER’S FIVE WAYS TO WELLBEING

We know how important it is to discuss mental health and we want to ensure that our students feel supported. After all, our students aren’t just students. They have jobs, family responsibilities, and a whole range of other things going on outside of university.

1CONNECT

When it comes to wellbeing, other people matter. Evidence shows that good relationships with family, friends and even the wider community are all important for our mental wellbeing.

Alongside our existing relationships, making new ones can be incredibly rewarding and can help build your confidence –and starting at university is a great opportunity to meet new people!

WAYS TO CONNECT

From the moment you arrive at Westminster, we aim to make it easy for you to connect with likeminded people. Whether through a club, society or social event, we’re sure that there will be something that suits you. If you are an international student, we offer New to the UK sessions, where you will be able to meet other new students and learn about London.

Research by the New Economics Foundation shows that there are a few simple things we can do as part of our daily lives to improve our mental health and wellbeing. These are called the ‘Five ways to wellbeing’. So, what are the five ways?

WESTMINSTER’S FIVE WAYS TO WELLBEING

3BE ACTIVE

There is so much evidence telling us that exercise is good for overall wellbeing. It improves physical and mental health, helps us sleep, and means that we feel more energetic during the day. Exercising in a group gives people a sense of motivation that extends to other areas of their life, strengthens feelings of belonging and connectedness, and can just be fun! Don’t worry though – you don’t need to go to extreme levels to feel the benefits.

WAYS TO BE ACTIVE

Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. Our Students’ Union has a range of clubs you can join, from netball and football to Muay Thai and climbing. If you want something more casual, there’s also Dragons Active, a programme of social sport, games and fitness classes open to all abilities.

2TAKE

NOTICE of the world around you. It’s easy for our minds to be anywhere but the present – worrying about the future, mulling over the past or wishing we were elsewhere as we scroll through Instagram – but paying attention to the present moment can improve our mental wellbeing.

WAYS TO TAKE NOTICE

There are lots of steps you can take to become more mindful. Why not try to find some time in your day when you aren't distracted by technology?

Our Faith and Spirituality team offer a Student Mindfulness Programme, or you could try something as simple as listening to your favourite song or sitting down with a meal and no other distractions. See what thoughts come up and try to observe them.

Aside from noticing what’s going on in your mind, it’s good to notice the beauty around us. Why not take a trip to a park or check out a local art gallery? There are plenty of parks a short walk from our campuses, not to mention the nearby galleries and museums.

You can also make small changes to increase your daily physical activity. Why not try walking instead of getting the Tube or bus for shorter journeys? Not only will being outside help you get some headspace but you’ll save money on transport too!

TIP

Apps like Headspace and Calm offer free trials of their mindfulness content, or why not check YouTube for an array of free videos!

4GIVE

Feeling like you have made a positive difference to someone else’s life feels incredibly satisfying. In fact, helping, sharing, giving and team-oriented behaviours are likely to be associated with an increased sense of self-worth and positive feelings. Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy.

WAYS TO GIVE

Check out our Volunteering article on page 26 for a guide to the opportunities available at Westminster.

5KEEP LEARNING

You’re already taking steps towards this one! A university degree gives you a structure for learning and a space to discuss your interests with others. There are also plenty of other ways to learn alongside university. With the amount of information available online, selfled learning is more accessible than ever!

WAYS TO KEEP LEARNING

There are countless opportunities to pick up new skills and learn

through experiences. If you're interested in learning a new language or developing one of your current languages, have a look at our programme Polylang. It's open to all students and covers all levels from beginner to advanced.

You can also challenge your perspectives by embarking on a study abroad opportunity while at university. We have international exchange agreements with a range of universities worldwide, in countries such as the USA, China, Canada, France, Spain and Australia.

See how our Wellbeing Team can support you during your studies: westminster.ac.uk/wellbeing-2023

TOP TIPS FOR THE TRANSITION TO UNI LIFE

The transition to university after studying at sixth form or college might feel a bit daunting, but we’re here to make the process as easy and enjoyable as possible. We’ve put together some of our top tips to support you to settle into uni life and help you get the best out of your experience at Westminster.

LOOK AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Your mental health and wellbeing is just as important as your physical health. Regular breaks and staying active can help, but there are also ways to support your wellbeing online and through apps, plus plenty of University resources and support. If you have any academic concerns or are finding things difficult, you can speak to your personal tutor as well as meet student support specialists who are here for you and can listen to you in a safe and supportive environment. We also offer selfhelp resources and wellbeing tools that you can access at any time to help you look after your mental health. Check out our Five Ways to Wellbeing article on page 12 for more tips.

STRUCTURE YOUR DAY

University requires a lot more independent study outside of your timetable, which you may not be used to. It can be easy to lose structure, so we’d recommend splitting your day into 90-minute or two-hour blocks. This means you’re more likely to stay on task and be motivated because you know by the end of that 90 minutes you’ll be due a well-earned break. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by all the topics you need to study, so it’s important to make time for things other than just work. Take a short break to get a drink or snack, read a few pages from a book, or catch up on your favourite TV series!

PREPARE FOR THE WORLD OF WORK

While you focus on your studies, it’s also important to start thinking about your future career and what will come next after graduation. At Westminster you’ll have access to a range of tools to help you stand out to employers and enhance your CV. Take part in the Westminster Employability Award to get experience and develop key skills that employers want you to have, while earning recognition for your extra-curricular experience. You can use our Engage platform to find temporary and part-time jobs, plus book workshops, events and careers fairs where you can meet potential employers and get advice about graduate opportunities. Our Westminster Working Cultures programme can give you an insight into working life in the UK or abroad and even the chance to see parts of the world you've never visited before.

GET YOURSELF A STUDY BUDDY

Finding yourself a study buddy or pairing up with someone from your course can make learning easier and a lot more fun. It’s best to pair up with someone who you will be able to work well with, so you can bounce ideas off each other and share resources. Don’t forget, if you need any help or support with your studies, you can also reach out to your academic lecturers or personal tutor.

ENGAGE WITH THE SUPPORT ON OFFER

We have a range of tools and resources on offer to help you achieve the best possible grades. All students are assigned a personal tutor to help you fulfil your academic and personal potential; they’ll help you plan and select the best modules for you and can help to signpost any opportunities or support you might benefit from. There are also plenty of resources to enhance your study skills, ranging from workshops and appointments with academics or librarians, to dissertation writing workshops and online guides and courses to help you develop your skills.

FIVE FAVOURITE SPOTS IN LONDON

LONDON IS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING CITIES IN THE WORLD. FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH HISTORY, CULTURE AND AN ABUNDANCE OF NEW PLACES TO DISCOVER, IT CAN BE HARD TO IMAGINE HOW YOU’LL HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO EXPLORE IT ALL! TO HELP YOU KNOW WHERE TO START, WE ASKED OUR STUDENTS WHAT THEIR FAVOURITE THINGS ARE TO DO AROUND LONDON. HERE’S WHAT THEY SAID…

LITTLE VENICE

Maha Javed

Smart Computer Systems BEng, Third Year

Little Venice is one of London’s many hidden gems. Just a few stops on the Tube from our Marylebone Campus, Little Venice is best known for its picturesque canals. Why not enjoy a quiet walk to unwind after a day of studying, watch a show on the Puppet Theatre Barge, or stop at one of the many pubs and cafés along the way?

REGENT'S PARK AND PRIMROSE HILL

Ash Khan

Sociology and Criminology BA, First Year

Despite being a huge city, London still has plenty of green space for you to take in a little nature when you want to relax. Why not take a trip to Regent's Park after your lectures or head to Primrose Hill for amazing views of the city skyline? In the summer, make the most of the long days with an evening picnic, and in winter, wrap up warm and take a flask of tea.

Check out our top tips for exploring London on a student budget!

CAMDEN MARKET

Mariam Mumtaz Biological Sciences BSc, Third Year

If you’re a foodie, Camden Market is definitely a place to add to your list, with endless food stalls selling a diverse range of dishes from around the world. It’s also home to an eclectic mix of shops and stalls selling everything from vintage clothes and jewellery to quirky artwork and books, making Camden Market a hit among our students.

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CHINATOWN

Salma Abdi, Psychology and Counselling BSc, Third Year

Chinatown is my favourite place to head for food and drinks. There's always something exciting to try, from bubble tea to cakes and dim sum.

Sanchali Srivastava Psychology BSc, Second Year

Notting Hill is my favourite place in London to go vintage shopping. You can pick up some bargains, whether it's clothes, accessories or homeware. My favourite thing to buy is vintage jewellery, and it's fun to check out the famous bookshop from the movie Notting Hill, too.

GET INVOLVED WITH THE SU

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER IS MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO STUDY – YOUR UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT! WITH OVER 80 SOCIETIES AND 25 SPORTS TEAMS, THERE IS SO MUCH TO GET INVOLVED WITH. OUR STUDENTS’ UNION (UWSU) IS THE PLACE TO FIND OUT ABOUT ALL OF THESE CLUBS AND SOCIETIES, AS WELL AS THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO ENJOY THE WIDE RANGE OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES ON OFFER.

CULTURAL

The Westminster community is one of the most internationally diverse in the UK, with our students coming from over 160 countries around the world, and that’s reflected in our many cultural and spiritual societies. You will have plenty of opportunities to find friends from a similar background or faith.

Get involved in everything media related. Whether you’re interested in becoming a host for Smoke Radio, a writer for Smoke Mag or a presenter for Smoke TV, there’s something for everyone.

Find

DRAGONS

The UWSU Dragons are a team like no other at the University of Westminster. The Dragons community currently competes in more than 25 different sports. The men’s basketball programme has risen to become one of the premier teams over the years.

HOBBIES

Whatever your hobby or passion –singing, debating, Pokémon, dance, environmental sustainability, film or photography –there's likely to be a society for it at Westminster. But if the society for you doesn't exist yet, why not start it?

OPPORTUNITIES AT WESTMINSTER

THERE ARE LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN NEW SKILLS, ENJOY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES AND BOOST YOUR CAREER PROSPECTS. 1

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THE WESTMINSTER EMPLOYABILITY AWARD

Stand out from the crowd and beat the competition! Take part in the Westminster Employability Award – designed to help you develop skills and gain experience during your time at university. Find out more about yourself, explore different options, gain more experience and get job-ready. Complete different activities and collect points to qualify for a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.

BECOME A STUDENT AMBASSADOR

Being a Student Ambassador is a great way to gain valuable work experience while earning from flexible, part-time work. Our Student Ambassadors help with Open Days, attend higher education fairs, and deliver presentations at local schools and colleges. International students enrolled on a full-time course will be able to work for up to 20 hours per week during term time.

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LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE

If you would like to learn a new language or develop a current language, you might be interested in taking part in the University’s open language programme, Polylang. Enhance your employability skills and improve communication while taking part in a module that contributes towards your degree. Languages taught include Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Russian.

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STUDY OR WORK OVERSEAS

As part of your degree, you may be able to study or work overseas. Studying or working abroad is an amazing opportunity to live and learn in another country, while gaining global skills to improve your career prospects. We have student exchange partnerships with institutions in Asia, Europe, the Americas and Australasia, giving our students the chance to spend time studying abroad. You could also be eligible for funding to support you while you’re overseas.

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GAIN VALUABLE CAREERS ADVICE

Our Careers and Employability Service offers help with career planning, finding internships and work placements, along with CV skills, interview advice, coaching and mentoring, to support you throughout your studies and after graduation.

Find out how we can support you: westminster.ac.uk/ support-2023

At Westminster, we can help you with financial, emotional and academic support.

DISABILITY LEARNING SUPPORT

Get advice and support if you have a learning difficulty or disability.

ACADEMIC LEARNING DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

We can help improve your essay writing and presentation skills; simply book a one-to-one appointment or academic skills workshop with us.

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE

Our nurse practitioners provide advice on health and wellbeing.

FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY

We offer spiritual support and guidance to students from all faiths, plus pastoral care and counsel in times of difficulty.

COUNSELLING

You can talk confidentially to a professionally trained counsellor about any issues worrying you.

LGBTI+ STUDENTS

Our LGBTI+ Society provides a safe space for LGBTI-identifying people. We hold regular events and promote awareness of LGBTI+ issues among students.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVICE AND SUPPORT

We provide visa and immigration advice and practical information on adjusting to life in the UK.

STUDENT FUNDING

We offer advice and guidance on possible funding options available to UK and international students.

“ Being an ambassador has been a really fulfilling experience. Meeting new people and talking about the University to potential students has helped my confidence and public speaking. The flexibility of it has also allowed me to get a bit of extra cash while fitting it around my studies.”

PATRiCk JENkiNS, STUdENT AmbASSAdOR

WORK EXPERIENCE

opportunity to gain work experience in Argyle Primary School in Camden. My main role was to support the learning of year four students by listening to them read, supporting them throughout group activities and helping students that needed extra support. I was also given the opportunity to accompany the students on trips, support them with their end of term assessments and work 1:1 with children with special educational needs and disabilities and English as an additional language.

AISHA NADEEM ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS BA, THIRD YEAR

During my second year, I applied to join the ExploreTeaching scheme, which provided me with an

NAGA PUTCHA ACCOUNTING BSC, FOURTH YEAR

I had the opportunity to pursue my placement with the NHS as a Management Accountant in the Finance Department. I looked after the monthly accounts of the Integrated Medicine Division, along with forecasting the trends for the future months and budgeting accordingly, to facilitate the needs. I was also responsible for the yearly budget setting for my department and supporting the department with financial year ends and audit queries.

This placement opportunity provided me with the chance to transfer the theory I’ve learnt at university into practice, as well as

I learnt how to organise my time better and work well with children and teachers. This opportunity also allowed me to improve skills such as communication, gain

grow professionally. I gained skills like communication, negotiating, presenting, team working and working to tight deadlines.

the confidence to effectively communicate with both staff and students, and volunteer to help with activities that were outside of my comfort zone.

It gave me the ability to experience different roles while on a rotation and helped me focus on a career I enjoy and look forward to pursuing. This placement has definitely boosted my confidence and allowed me to learn a lot about the world of work. If you’re considering a placement, the skills you learn

and experience you gain will really help you – it’s worth all the hard work.

"This work experience gives me a head start to my career and helped me decide on what role to choose after graduation. "

"My placement gave me a better insight into what teaching entails and how to work with children of a younger age group and has solidified my decision to join the teaching profession after graduation. I feel confident in working towards my PGCE after graduation due to my placement experience."

KORNELIJA BUDAITE TOURISM AND EVENTS MANAGEMENT BA, THIRD YEAR

I used the University’s online job platform, Engage, to find a yearlong internship as a social media manager at Fitcredibles, a wellness and fitness services company.

I wanted to gain a competitive edge and make my CV stand out from others and felt that the earlier I start getting ready for my future career the easier it will be for me to find a job after I graduate.

The whole internship was a great experience for me because my managers were super supportive, and I was happy to work with a motivated and very friendly team that believed in me and my abilities. At Fitcredibles my main role was to manage the social media platforms, generate content ideas and grow the company’s audience. My daily tasks included searching for and collaborating with influencers, responding to comments and messages, uploading content and developing strategies to increase

followers. Most of the time I worked with TikTok, and thanks to this I got a very good insight into this social media platform, an understanding of how it works and emerging trends.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY SERVICE

We offer a range of tools and dedicated careers support to help your personal and professional development.

CAREERS GUIDANCE APPOINTMENTS

Get career advice and feedback on your CV, application forms and interviews.

CAREERS FAIRS

A great opportunity for you to meet employers on campus.

VACANCIES AND EVENTS PORTAL

Our online service helps you look for part-time placements, voluntary work, and graduate opportunities.

EMPLOYER EVENTS

Employers regularly host events and company presentations – perfect for networking opportunities.

TALENT BANK

I have learnt a lot about social media management and influencer marketing and this has helped me realise that in the future I want to connect my tourism and events management degree together with social media management and marketing.

We help you to find paid, part-time and temporary jobs at the University and with local businesses.

MENTORING

Develop your skills and gain experience of the working world by taking part in a mentoring scheme.

INFORMATION RESOURCES

We have lots of online material covering jobs, employers, volunteering, working and studying overseas, further study and training.

DROP-INS

These are perfect opportunities to meet face-to-face with employers on campus and find out about part-time jobs.

"This internship helped me to become a more creative, confident and organised person."

VOLUNTEERING

LOOKING TO GAIN VALUABLE SKILLS FOR YOUR CHOSEN CAREER? VOLUNTEERING COULD BE THE PERFECT PLACE TO START.

Volunteering is a great way to make a difference in the community while enhancing your CV, gaining confidence and learning new skills. At the University of Westminster, we’re truly committed to bettering our society and environment, with hundreds of our students volunteering each year. Here are some examples of what you can get involved with...

TYPES OF VOLUNTEERING

REGULAR VOLUNTEERING:

There are a number of charities you can assist on a regular basis. Our Volunteering Service has links with more than 300 charities, and over 700 of our students found volunteer roles last year through our Engage platform. Although roles often involve assisting charities, they may also involve volunteering at public and community initiatives such as local schools.

STUDENT-LED OR LIVE PROJECTS:

Have your own ideas for a socially beneficial project of some kind? We’d love to help you get this off the ground. There are also plenty of shorter-term live projects that will allow you to get involved with existing initiatives, for example building apps for a local charity.

ONE-OFF VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES:

Have a busy schedule but still want to volunteer your time? There are plenty of options to spend a few hours or a couple of days working at events with charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Shelter and WaterAid. There are always one-off events around the University that need support, too.

VOLUNTEERING OVERSEAS:

Volunteering overseas is a great way to expand your global network and gain intercultural awareness while making a positive impact on those you help. We work with several partners offering ethical volunteering opportunities for our students overseas, and a dedicated team who will help you to take part in these.

KHADIZA SIDDIKA

BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES BSC

STUDENT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

2021–22

I volunteered at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. My role involved helping patients find their way around the hospital, helping staff to carry out temperature checks for arriving patients and keeping patients company when they had to come to appointments alone. I also delivered parcels from outside visitors to wards and kept patients on the ward company, as well as completing patient care surveys to ensure the hospital received feedback.

This experience helped to build my confidence as I engaged with patients and all staff members around the hospital. I was able to think critically and be proactive as a volunteer. I took initiative by putting myself forward to help with various tasks.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

After you’ve enrolled on your chosen course, you’ll be able to access Engage, our online platform that lists opportunities for volunteering. Our volunteering team also offers weekly appointments to help you with any questions you may have.

Students completing at least 25 hours of volunteering, either on or off campus, will also be eligible to apply for recognition of this through our Westminster Employability Award.

To any student thinking about volunteering, I would say it’s a valuable way to spend some free time to learn about new environments and gain skills. I noticed myself growing more confident and I have a better understanding of what the working environment will be like.

To find out more about our exciting volunteering opportunities, visit: westminster.ac.uk/ volunteering-2023

"This role has allowed me to grow and challenge myself in an environment that was new to me."

SPOTLIGHT ON:

DID YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE OUR OWN CINEMA ON CAMPUS?

HISTORY

In 1896, the Regent Street Cinema was the venue for the first ever performance of a film to a paying audience in the UK, when the Lumière brothers demonstrated their Cinématographe machine presenting their short films.

BIRTHPLACE OF CINEMA

We’re proud of the cinema’s place in history as the birthplace of cinema in the UK. The cinema now hosts a number of events, such as international film festivals, special Q&A film screenings and the degree shows of our very own students. Of course, there’s also the exciting programme of films being shown, ranging from the latest blockbuster releases to independent and world cinema and double features of classics. Even better, students benefit from discounted tickets too!

FIND OUT MORE

To find out more about the cinema, visit regentstreetcinema.com

PREVIOUS SCREENINGS HAVE

INCLUDED:

• Don’t Worry Darling

• Blade Runner

• National Theatre Live: The Seagull

• WALL-E

• Amy

• Funny Face

• Avatar: The Way of Water

• Meet Me in St Louis

• Encanto

• Creature from the Black Lagoon

• My Policeman

• Elvis

OUR GRADUATES

SEE WHAT SOME OF OUR GRADUATES ARE UP TO NOW MONIQUE NOEL BROWN

SPANiSH

ANd GlObAl COmmUNiCATiON bA

After graduation, Monique undertook an internship with BT Enterprise as an Internal Communications intern. As part of the role, she created the BT-wide slogan #WeAreDifferentTogether which is used to promote all diversity and inclusion activity and agendas across BT. Monique also volunteered her time to educate 14,000 Enterprise colleagues on the concept of Colourism through their Black History Month podcast, which helped to increase the level of belonging and inclusion colleagues felt as part of BT Enterprise. Since finishing her internship, Monique has secured a new PR position with Amazon Web Services in London, where she is setting up a DEI Interns Committee.

She has spoken on University panels for Humanities and Westminster Working Cultures, while joining other D&I podcasts based on inclusion in the communications sector. Monique also has been running an informal careers advice and CV service for recent graduates.

MAX BOENDER

COmPUTER NETWORk SECURiTY bSC

Max has always been curious about how products are made, the route they take to get to us and the environmental impact of this process. He used his spare time and the early COVID-19 lockdowns to develop an integrated hardware- and software-based solution that makes it easy for businesses to track the flow of goods into and out of their business on the blockchain.

The solution can also be used to monitor, record and compensate for the emissions generated within the lifecycle of a product, enabling businesses to become netzero instantaneously, while remaining incentivised to reduce actual carbon emissions as they can now prove this decrease to their shareholders. Since starting Myneral Labs at Westminster with another student, he has raised two rounds of funding valuing the business at £750,000 and now employs four full-time members of staff.

Read about more of our grads at: westminster.ac.uk/ our-grads

TREVOR GOMES

bUSiNESS mANAGEmENT bA

After graduating, Trevor joined BT and currently works in digital marketing. Alongside this, in 2019 he launched his own youth mentoring programme called ELEVATE.

The aim of ELEVATE is to provide young people on the programme, many of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds, with the skills, knowledge and experiences needed for the world of work and higher education. As well as a programme of career

skills content, students on the core programme receive one-toone mentoring from a volunteer mentor at BT.

ELEVATE started as a face-to-face programme at the sixth form where Trevor studied, before moving online during the pandemic and partnering with new schools. The programme currently has a reach of more than 10,000 young people despite receiving no funding, and has been supported by a range of talent and business leaders.

NEXT STEPS

YOU’VE GOT YOUR OFFER – WHAT’S NEXT?

1

ATTEND AN OPEN DAY OR EXPERIENCE DAY

If you haven't already, book your place for an Open Day to learn more about your chosen course.

Open Days are the perfect opportunity to find out everything you need to know about studying at the University of Westminster. Ask questions, meet current students and academics, and get a feel for student life at Westminster. westminster.ac.uk/open-days-2023

Depending on when you applied for your course, you might also be able to visit us for an Experience Day. We tend to run these between February and March each year, so keep an eye out for your invite.

2

ACCEPT YOUR OFFER

You can view and accept your offer by logging on to UCAS Track where you will also find your deadline to reply.

3

FIND OUT ABOUT FEES AND FUNDING

See what funding is available to you as an undergraduate student. westminster.ac.uk/funding-2023

4

CHECK IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

We offer a range of scholarships to students. Check the scholarships section of our website to see what you could be entitled to. westminster.ac.uk/ scholarships-2023

5

FIND ACCOMMODATION

Whether you want to apply for halls of residence or live in private housing, we can help find the right accommodation for you. westminster.ac.uk/ accommodation-2023

6

CONTACT ADMISSIONS AND APPLICANT SUPPORT

Keep in touch with any questions you may have by contacting our admissions team.

UGAdmissions@westminster.ac.uk

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT?

If you're joining as an international student, find out more about visas and how we can support you during your studies: westminster.ac.uk/international

A GLOBAL UNIVERSITY WITH LONDON ENERGY westminster.ac.uk