About
In 2002 the University of Westminster founded the Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) in collaboration with the Foundation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Our partnership is now more than 20 years old and comprises various strands of collaboration.
Uzbekistan has a rich history and was for centuries part of the ancient Great Silk Road where different cultures, traditions and ideas converged. Tashkent is a beautiful capital city, boasting an eclectic combination of ancient and modern, providing an inspiring learning environment for students.
The University of Westminster is proud to have been part of establishing the first international university in Uzbekistan fully accredited to provide UK degrees through a unique model of Transnational Education (TNE). WIUT is an excellent example of a responsible, sustainable and scalable British‐Uzbek partnership that is making a difference to the development of Uzbekistan through the provision of world‐class UK Higher Education.
From left to right: Dr Komiljon Karimov, His Excellency Ambassador Ravshan Usmanov, Professor Peter Bonfield
In May 2024, The University of Westminster and Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) jointly-organised the inaugural Global Uzbekistan Festival. We were delighted to welcome a delegation of over thirty students and colleagues who had travelled from WIUT. The Festival encompassed a range of research, academic, sporting, cultural and social events across our London campuses. The week-long programme saw the close involvement of the British Council – Uzbekistan and the Uzbekistan Embassy to the UK. A celebratory reception was hosted by our Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Peter Bonfield and the Rector of WIUT, Dr Komiljon Karimov. At the reception, we received representatives from government, academia and the wider community, including the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the UK. His Excellency Ravshan Usmanov.
Teaching
WIUT students are taught by an academic team with significant international experience using a dynamic, student-centred teaching and learning philosophy. From the first cohort of 120 students in 2002, WIUT now hosts around 5,000 students. The expansion has been supported by major local investment and development in the campus, which offers state of the art equipment and facilities. WIUT faculty and students share their ideas and knowledge through regular research seminars and workshops
Research
Research events and collaborative projects with private and public sectors in Uzbekistan establish WIUT as a leading institution, able to generate innovative ideas and lead the development and production of evidence-based research.
WIUT and the University of Westminster regularly hold joint international research conferences, workshops and seminars. The Forum for Uzbek and Silk Road Studies (FUSRs) – a group designed to bring together academics from both institutions, to celebrate their work, and help develop an enhanced understanding of the region’s strategic importance. This academic year's projects can be found on the Projects section of the FUSRS webpage. Another key research initiative is the Westminster Development Policy Network (WDPN), an economics-focussed development policy research seminar series, created in partnership with Westminster Business School and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), based in Washington DC and WIUT.
The second Uzbek-UK Education Forum was held from 4-5 March 2024 at Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), Uzbekistan. The Forum is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the British Council in Uzbekistan, the University of Westminster, and Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT). The conference once again brought together key senior stakeholders and actors operating thr in Uzbek-UK Transnational Education (TNE) environment with the overall aim being to boost UK-Uzbek TNE collaboration and built on the success of the inaugural Forum held at WIUT in March 2023.
Collaboration and future development
WIUT and the University of Westminster are keen to grow activities, including increasing programme provision, research links, mobility, CPD/short courses and other KE activities. Both institutions are also looking to develop new collaborative opportunities for student and staff interaction, including virtual activities via employer engagement/enterprise projects.
Courses
WIUT provides internationally recognised programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Courses offered at WIUT are designed and validated in partnership with the University of Westminster, and are subject to the same quality assurance and control regulations as those taught in the UK. Classes are taught in English, with entry requirements and degree certificates meeting international standards. WIUT provides an opportunity for students to be introduced to the UK higher education culture, whilst the increasing number of international students at WIUT generates a global diversity within the classroom and teaching environment. Graduates from WIUT now play an important role in the development of Uzbek society and Central Asian communities as a whole. Westminster validated courses at WIUT include:
Undergraduate courses:
- Certificate of International Foundation Studies
- BA (Honours) Business Management with two pathways Marketing/Finance
- BA (Honours) International Commercial Law
- BSc (Honours) Economics with Finance
- BSc (Honours) Finance
- BSc (Honours) Business Information Systems
Postgraduate courses:
- MSc Business Intelligence and Analytics
- MSc Applied Economics
- MSc in Public Health Science
- MSc Research Methods
- MA Human Resource Management and Talent Development
- MA International Business Management (and pathways)
- MA Learning and Teaching (and pathways)
- LLM in International Commercial Law
- Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning
The University of Westminster also offers the opportunity for colleagues at WIUT to study for a PhD, and we currently have five colleagues studying with us.
Information for prospective students
If you are considering studying at Westminster International University in Tashkent, you will need to apply directly to the University by following the application process detailed on the relevant course pages of the WIUT website.
Information for current students
If you are currently studying at WIUT and would like to enquire about continuing your studies at the University of Westminster (UoW) in London, please contact WIUT Head of Student Services (Shoira Mirzakhidova) via email: smirzakhidova@wiut.uz or the International Partnerships Team in London. You can also request an e-copy of the WIUT/UoW Student Application Guide by emailing internationalpartnerships@westminster.ac.uk. This guide includes detailed information about courses and levels at UoW that permit transfer of studies from WIUT, the application process and the FAQs students may have.
As a WIUT student, you will be also eligible for a 15% student fee discount for each year of your studies at the University of Westminster in London which will be applied upon enrolment.
For information or enquiries about student exchanges, please visit the relevant pages on our website or contact the Education Abroad team at educationabroad@westminster.ac.uk.
Please note that not all courses permit transfer of studies, therefore applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students will need to fulfil relevant academic entry requirements for a selected level and course at UoW before an offer can be made, as well as satisfying applicable UK visa requirements.