About us
Where better to study the human condition than a cultural hotspot, global centre for financial services, media and creative industries, and heart of UK criminal justice? We explore the biological, cultural, legal, political and social aspects of humanity past and present, while our world-class research, knowledge exchange, student and graduate talent shape the future.
Comprising the Schools of Humanities, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, and the Westminster Law School, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is making a difference. Multicultural and multidisciplinary, we prepare our students critically, creatively and professionally: you can learn a language, study abroad, engage with the public at our Difference Festival and gain practical experience via the Legal Advice Clinic or Democratic Education Network.
Why choose us
With London as our campus, we offer the chance to explore a modern multifaceted society and centre of government first-hand, relating learning to real life through field trips, visits, placements, live projects and guest lectures. Placements and visits have previously included the Central Criminal Court, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Imperial War Museum, Metropolitan Police, Tate, V&A, and more.
Our courses embrace bioscience, health, humanities, languages, social sciences and law. Many are professionally accredited and draw insight from our cutting-edge research into the big issues of our time – health and wellbeing, the structure of society, international understanding and the place of humanity in the world.
Nationalities
Ranked top 20 in the world for the percentage of international students (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021).
Language learners
Learn a range of languages free on our Polylang programme, from Arabic to Spanish, French to Chinese and more.
Community
Of around 5,000 undergraduate students, over 1,000 postgraduate students, and 420 staff.
Study with us
Our practitioners, leading academics and active researchers will help you realise your full potential, preparing you to contribute to a healthier and happier society as responsible global citizens.
Courses are grouped into the subject areas listed below, delivered by four specialist Academic Schools: Humanities; Life Sciences; Social Sciences; and Westminster Law School.
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Our professionally oriented courses are highly practical. You can experiment in our state-of-the-art laboratories, learn about bioinformatics or practise skills in our APOLLO Patient Care Simulator. Accreditations include the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Royal Society of Biology. Our BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences offers potential transfer to the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MD) degree at the University of Malta.
Courses cover: Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Medical Science, Pharmacology, and Physiology.
Criminology and Sociology
Exploring pressing social issues around power, equality and justice, we make the most of our extensive industry links within the community, criminal justice and forensic psychology. These include local Magistrates' Courts, the Central Criminal Court, High Courts of Justice, Broadmoor Hospital, prisons and police, providing opportunities for visits, guest lectures and work placements. You can analyse the impact of social class, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality and other factors with researchers who are helping to set the global sociological agenda.
Courses cover: Criminology, Psychology, and Sociology.
Art, Design and Visual Culture
Close links with Tate Britain, the Museum of London, V&A and a wide range of creative organisations provide unique opportunities to explore contemporary social and cultural life. Creative classroom activities, film screenings, external speakers, street-based explorations and visits to museums, festivals and galleries enable you to bring real-life context to studies, examining aesthetic, critical, literary and experiential perspectives of modern and contemporary culture.
Courses cover: Museums, Galleries and Contemporary Culture, Cultural and Critical Studies.
English and Creative Writing
Language plays a fundamental role in our understanding and enjoyment of the world and those around us. Study and be inspired by our tutors, many of whom are practising poets, dramatists or novelists. Through visits and guest speakers, we engage with professionals across the creative industries. London, as a historic literary city and home to some of the world's most celebrated writers, provides access to publishing houses, film production companies, theatre and poetry networks, and more.
Courses cover: Creative Writing, English Language, Literature, Linguistics.
History
Our courses provide opportunities to study European, American and imperial history and politics, benefiting from our expertise in the history of London. Exploring cultural and political institutions on our doorstep, with field trips in the UK and abroad, you will see history and politics in action. Previous students have also enjoyed internships at Bishopsgate Institute, Imperial War Museum, Kew Botanical Gardens Archive, National Gallery, National Theatre Archive and Royal College of Physicians Archive.
Courses cover: History and Politics.
Languages
With over 300 languages spoken, London is one of the world's most linguistically diverse cities. Here, our cross-cultural teaching will take your language or translation skills to the next level. Through a wide range of optional modules and combinations, you can explore business, politics and culture, while language clinics let you practise with a native speaker. We are a Higher Education Language Partner of the Chartered Institute of Linguists and member of the Association of Programmes in Translation and Interpreting Studies.
Courses cover: Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, Translation and International Communication.
Law
Our courses are accepted by a range of professional bodies such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Bar Standards Board and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. We have strong links with the legal profession and organise the Law Society’s annual London Law Fair. We focus on developing practical legal skills and work experience via our Legal Skills Academy, professional mentoring and Legal Advice Clinic.
Courses cover: European Legal Studies, Law with French, and Law LLB.
Nutrition and Public Health
Benefit from state-of-the-art labs and a suite of biochemical test facilities for nutritional analysis, whole-body metabolism and determination of body composition. Your learning will be informed by close industry engagement and our cutting-edge research into key issues, such as local/global food security, lifestyle interventions for disease prevention, and how to change nutritional behaviour through technology. The Students as Co-Creators initiative even offers the chance to participate in our research.
Courses cover: Human Nutrition, Public Health, and Sport Nutrition.
Politics and International Relations
The Centre for the Study of Democracy’s international reputation and our location in a global political hub provide the perfect platform to explore the world and hear from policy makers, officials and activists. Our award-winning Democratic Education Network (DEN) promotes social action and student engagement through projects, study trips and conferences. Past placements have included the Greek Ombudsman, Bulgarian Embassy, Jesuit Refugee Service, Justice Africa and Green Party.
Courses cover: International Relations, International Development, Politics.
Psychology
Embracing biological and behavioural perspectives, our courses are designed to help you think creatively and critically, developing problem-solving skills. You will be taught by qualified and practising counsellors, psychologists and psychotherapists, who will share their skills and their experience and knowledge of therapy. Our general, cognitive, clinical and health Psychology degrees are accredited by the British Psychological Society.
Courses cover: Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Psychology, and Counselling.
Accreditations and awards
Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by leading professional bodies, including the Association for Nutrition (AfN), Bar Standards Board, Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx), Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), British Psychological Society (BPS), Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Making a difference
Making a difference to the people and society around us lies at the heart of the work we do across our hugely diverse range of disciplines. Building on our founding ethos from 1838, public engagement is key to our College’s identity. For two centuries our campus has been a place where members of the public can enjoy evening lectures or classes, see a show at the birthplace of British cinema, or witness demonstrations of seemingly magic new technologies. Today, we showcase the difference our work makes through weekly blogposts, our own podcast series, and in our annual Difference Festival, a week-long public celebration in lectures, films, performance, exhibitions and discussions.
Short courses
We run a large range of short courses to enhance your professional development, some of which carry professional accreditation.
Our Law short courses cover different aspects of legal practice, while various subjects in Biomedical Sciences and Nutrition are ideally suited to scientists, clinicians and other health and social care professionals. Our popular Evening Languages Programme, which currently features 20 different languages, including translation, is taught by experienced teachers who are native speakers of the language or equivalent.
Our research
Our research explores all aspects of human life, present and past, as individuals, organisations and nations, to improve our understanding of the world around us and how it works. Whether we are highlighting important social issues like poverty, hunger and malnutrition, or developing new ways to combat disease, injury or illness, our goal is always to make a difference. Representing vulnerable, disadvantaged and minority groups, we influence policy areas as diverse as gender, equality, racism, crime and social justice. We question and examine how different social structures, norms and governance affect living, leisure, work, justice, health and wellbeing. Here are a few examples of our work.
China
Our Contemporary China centre focuses on interdisciplinary research on China and the Sinophone world which is grounded in cultural studies.
Culture
Studying culture and creativity in society, the Institute for Modern and Contemporary Culture brings together academics, architects, artists, authors, curators and consultants.
Democracy
The Centre for the Study of Democracy undertakes research across a range of critical social and political challenges including gender and sexuality, governance, security and justice.
Law, society and culture
The Centre for Law, Society, and Popular Culture examines and demystifies aspects of law covering areas as diverse as music, sport, film and the media.
Law and theory
The Westminster Law and Theory Lab studies transnational, regional or international law and includes spatial justice such as, for example, colonialism and apartheid in South Africa.
Migration, exile, languages and spaces
HOMELandS is an innovative research hub with a focus on the intersection between mobilities, languages and spaces in global context.
Neuroscience
The Cognitive Clinical Neuroscience Research Group investigates perceptual and cognitive processes, such as visual awareness, memory, motor function and nervous system.
Nutraceuticals
Optimal health
The Research Centre for Optimal Health studies the lifestyle-induced accelerated ageing process and uses this knowledge to deliver practical solutions to achieve optimal health.
For Westminster Alumni
Our alumni community is here to support and connect graduates who have shared the Westminster experience.
As one of our alumni, you can register with Westminster Connect to stay in touch with the University and gain access to exclusive discounts, events, and a range of professional development opportunities.
You can also find out how to get involved in mentoring and sharing your career experience with our current students.
Contact us
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