As the first institution in the UK to specialise in modern spoken Chinese, the University of Westminster has a long history of welcoming students and staff from East Asia and delivering teaching about the region. Partnership activity in East Asia remains a core aspect of the University’s Global Engagement strategy, which focusses on establishing a strong position in the region as well as increasing our collective understanding of the rich and diverse culture.
The University currently has partnership links with 25 universities across the region, including:
- Guangdong University of Foreign Studies
- Communication University of China
- Beijing Foreign Studies University
- Donghua University
- Tianjin Foreign Studies University
- Hong Kong Design Institute
- National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
Research and other activity
Research and activity related to East Asia exists across all three Colleges through a number of Centres and groups including:
- Contemporary China Centre
A vibrant interdisciplinary hub for China-related research based within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The Centre builds on Westminster’s long-term commitment to Chinese Studies. - Centre for Urban Infrastructure
The centre builds on the particular expertise of its researchers in freight and logistics, air, rail and bus transport, cycle movements, infrastructure development, planning and development, housing and urban design, as well as public policy analysis in the UK and abroad. The Centre has developed close links with two universities: College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University in Shanghai and College of Urban and Environmental Sciences at Peking University in Beijing.
All research outputs from the University of Westminster’s academic community can be viewed on the online repository WestminsterResearch.
Alumni and Westminster Working Cultures
Our long history working in the East Asia region means that we have a strong and active alumni network, many of whom support the University in organising social and professional networking events locally. Following graduation from Westminster, students have gone on to establish careers with government bodies, within global translation firms and within the film and media industries.
The Westminster Working Cultures (WWC) programme launched in June 2017 in Hong Kong, as an initiative designed to provide existing students the opportunity to travel abroad and experience the professional environment and culture in cities globally. It allows students to enhance their employability and develop valuable skills through work shadowing, seminars and workshops offered by Westminster alumni and partner institutions. WWC is open to full-time undergraduate students and has recently been extended to include Shanghai as a destination.
Alumni testimonials
Zhenzhen Liang, Media Management MA
“I am working as the Director of International Affairs of China Film Producers' Association. My job is to connect [the] China film industry and the rest of the world, facilitate cooperation between film festivals, film companies, to promote Chinese films to the world, and to help make great coproduction films. Being a student in London [means you] can get involved with the most amazing events and people from all around the world.”
Local presence
We have a dedicated team supporting prospective students, alumni and our partners in East Asia, in London and through our regional representation in Beijing and Guangzhou. The team regularly travel across the region attending education fairs, school and networking events, and can be contacted directly at [email protected].
Information for students
If you are an international student looking to study at the University of Westminster, please visit the relevant country page where you will find further information and advice. If you are currently studying with one of our partner institutions and would like to study at Westminster, in the first instance please contact the international office or student support team at your institution.