Student charter

A joint message from the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Education, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global Engagement and Employability:

"When you join our University you become a part of the Westminster community and we are delighted to have you. Our Student Charter sets out how we want to work together in partnership. It will help you understand what to expect and what is expected of you. It lays out our obligations. This new Charter was developed jointly by colleagues and students in the University and Student Union. It is informed by our University’s commitment to be responsible, compassionate and progressive, and by our key priorities of wellbeing, inclusion and sustainability. It sets out students’ and colleagues’ shared commitment to respect and take care of each other, and to ensure that the education and experiences we offer are empowering, transformative, inclusive, and contribute to making a difference to individuals, communities and societies locally and around the world."

A message from Divanshu Airan, President of the Students’ Union:

"The University of Westminster is an inclusive, sustainable, and compassionate environment, where we focus on authentic learning and lifelong education. This is because we believe University should be a place where students can become who they want to be, and where students feel they belong. When you join the University, you become a part of our diverse community that has the student experience at the heart of its function. Our learning and teaching community focuses on engaging students to be critical co-creators of their higher education experience and wider society. As a student, you can benefit from support and skills development provided by employability services, interdisciplinary learning, and extensive community building opportunities. Playing an active role in the Westminster community helps you on your journey to feel more confident and actively engaged in the world.”

This Charter outlines our resolve to work together to create and sustain an inclusive and supportive environment for our diverse community of students and colleagues.

At Westminster, students and colleagues agree to

• Recognise the value of education in transforming the lives of individuals, communities, and wider societies
• Cherish diversity in all its forms and commit to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome, respected, and represented. This includes being active in challenging discrimination and engaging in conversations and interactions that foster understanding, empathy, and open-mindedness
• Actively participate in efforts to promote responsible and sustainable practices
• Champion Westminster’s progressive, compassionate, and responsible values, seeking to demonstrate these in actions and behaviours
• Nurture the University environment as a globally and socially engaged place of study and work
• Conduct themselves in a manner that is considerate, courteous and respectful of others and of the pursuits of the University and to act responsibly in all their behaviour, in accordance with relevant policies and Codes of Conduct

At Westminster, colleagues agree to

• Contribute to the development of a high-quality teaching and learning environment that is engaging, transformative, and relevant to the course objectives
• Encourage authentic learning that prepares students to engage with the world of work, community, and society
• Promote employability skills, critical thinking, and social responsibility
• Decolonize and diversify our curriculum and teaching practices
• Support students to bring their whole selves to study
• Engage with curiosity and participate in our University community
• Proactively engage with or signpost support services put in place to support effective experience for all
• Treat each other with mutual respect and courtesy to maintain an inclusive, empowering environment
• Place mutual respect and courtesy to be at the heart of everything we do to ensure an inclusive and empowering environment
• Embrace the diverse learning styles and backgrounds of our students to ensure that our teaching and support services are accessible to all
• Seek and value feedback from students and use it to continuously improve all we do

At Westminster, students agree to the following

• Join in on learning activities individually as well as collaboratively
• Pursue their academic responsibilities, including attending classes, participating in discussions, and submitting assignments on time
• Engage with curiosity in our University community, taking part in discussions and contributing to opportunities available
• Actively participate in and develop decision-making and feedback opportunities, such as academic representation
• Make the most of their university experience, seek help when needed, and engage in self-directed learning
• Familiarise yourself with what support services are put in place
• Engage positively with the University and local community, treat others with respect, and speak up for what is fair and right
• Foster positive and constructive communication to ensure an enhanced working and learning environment