Top 10 highlights of 2023-24 academic year at the University of Westminster

1. Celebrating and supporting diversity across the University 

As the summer term rolled around, 60 students and colleagues from the University of Westminster joined together, adorned in rainbows and glitter, to take part in the London Pride Parade on 28 June. 

A few months before that, Westminster hosted National Student Pride for the tenth time. The three days of celebration, music, awards and parties were made for students by students and aimed to improve the queer student experience across the UK. Guests and performances included Joe Lycett in conversation with Comedian and Writer Suzi Ruffell, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies and British Ru Paul Drag Race star Tia Kofi. Attendees also had access to a party at G-A-Y Heaven and panels focused on LGBTQIA + issues, including a Queer Question Time event with a panel of politicians. 

Towards the end of the year the University also held a Neurodiversity Pride Day in collaboration with the Neurodiversity Foundation to celebrate all the different and unique ways of processing the world. The event included a panel talk with an open Q&A to discuss what steps can be taken going forward to create inclusive events. This was followed by a performance from the choirs Sing Out! and Everyone's a Singer, who joined together to share pieces from their repertoire.

2. Winning the triple at National Enterprise Educator Awards 

The University of Westminster won the Enterprise Catalyst, Inclusive Enterprise Education and People’s Choice awards at this year’s National Enterprise Educator Awards. This recognition is a result of successful collaborations across the Business Engagement Directorate between the WeNetwork and Alumni Relations teams who have made enterprise accessible to the whole Westminster community. 

3. Westminster students embarking on international trips through Westminster Working Cultures 

WWC trip to Mumbai

In the 2023-24 academic year 165 students took part in nine WWC International trips, where they had the chance to explore professional environments and learn from industry professionals from across the globe. They visited a variety of countries and cities including Washington DC, Berlin, Barcelona, Dubai, Hong Kong, Cairo, Mumbai and Singapore. 

4. Reaching top 20 in UK for international students in THE World University Rankings 2024 

The University of Westminster was recognised by the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings as one of the top UK universities for international students.  

The University was named in the top 20 in the UK and in the top 30 globally for international students, with 48% of Westminster students classed as international. With more than 6,800 international students from 156 countries, colleagues from across the globe and a highly international alumni community, Westminster embraces global engagement in all its forms. The University has a rich mix of international partnerships worldwide, and places particular emphasis on providing international opportunities for students. 

5. The Ignite Fund awarding nearly £70,000 to over 100 Westminster students 

The Ignite Fund grant has awarded almost £70,000 to 122 students studying at the University of Westminster to support their personal and professional development and help bring their ideas and projects to life.

The University’s Ignite Fund is designed to support students with innovative ideas and projects that can positively impact their personal and professional development. Support from the fund relieves the financial burden on students, allowing them to focus on their studies and pursue opportunities they may otherwise be unable to afford.

6. Westminster’s new sports hall drawing crowds for debut games 

On 24 January, Westminster’s Basketball and Volleyball teams battled it out against other universities for the first time in The Den, the University’s new sports hall at the University’s Harrow Campus.  

This was the very first opportunity for spectators to come and explore the new space, which includes a gym, facilities for court sports, including volleyball, basketball, netball and badminton, and a spectator area for up to 180 people. The sports hall is available to all students and colleagues to use and provides space for Westminster Dragons’ sports teams to further grow and flourish.  

The quality of the court has not gone unnoticed, with NBA star and champion Jordan Poole choosing to train at The Den during his trip to the UK due to the sport facility’s high standard features. 

7. Breaking ground at 29 Marylebone Road to construct UK’s most inclusive centre for employability and enterprise 

The University welcomed colleagues, supporters and industry professionals on 27 March to a Breaking the Ground ceremony to mark the start of construction at 29 Marylebone Road, the University’s new hub for enterprise and industry in the heart of London.

The nine-storey building is set to become the UK’s most inclusive centre for employability and enterprise, with accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability at its heart, bridging the gap between education and the business world. Located just across the road from the University’s Marylebone Campus, the new centre will provide students with access to inspirational employer-led events and activities as well as training and networking opportunities for employers and local organisations.

CEO of Vitabiotics, former BBC Dragon and Westminster alumnus Tej Lalvani has also recently visited the site. He said: “I’m very pleased with progress on site. Having now seen it in person, I’m even more excited by the great potential this centre will unlock for the University’s business students and future entrepreneurs.”

8. His Majesty, King Charles III becoming Patron of the University of Westminster 

Following a large review of Royal Patronages, King Charles III has become the University’s Royal Patron, continuing a long history of royal connections.

King Charles III has visited all the University’s campuses on several occasions. He first came to Westminster in June 1980 and since then has attended many events, including the opening of the Polyclinic, a ground-breaking teaching and research clinic for complementary medicines, and the Centre for Community Care and Public Health. 

9. Times Higher Education recognising the University of Westminster as global frontrunner against UN Sustainable Development Goals 

The University of Westminster was recognised as one of the top 15% out of over 1960 universities from around the world for its work on contributing to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the Times Higher Education (THE)’s Impact Rankings 2024. This is the fifth year in a row that the University has maintained its high overall ranking with notable achievements across several individual SDGs, contributing to the exceptional performance of the UK in the league table. 

10. Celebrating alumni’s BAFTA success 

From left to right: David Thompson and Jack Rooke

Two Westminster alumni have taken home BAFTAs at this year’s awards ceremonies. Journalism BA Honours alumnus Jack Rooke was awarded Best Comedy Writer at the BAFTA Television Craft Awards 2024 for his show Big Boys. As both writer and narrator, Rooke tells the story of two misfit guys becoming best friends at university and was inspired by his time at Westminster. The show explores grief, depression, identity, sexuality and friendship, and won the hearts of the masses with its humour and emotional depth. Rooke is passionate about raising awareness for the mental health struggles young people face daily and shows this not only through his writing but through his charity work as an ambassador for the suicide prevention charity CALM.  

Along with his BAFTA he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Westminster for his services to equality and mental health.

University of Westminster Film and Television Production BA Honours alumnus David Thompson also won a BAFTA this year. He won the award for best Single Documentary for his work as an Editor on Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family.  

The documentary reveals that the Paralympian is adopted and follows her journey to find her biological family. Simmonds is often seen in the pool winning medals for Team GB, collecting five Paralympic gold medals and eight World Championship gold medals in her career, but the documentary shows a whole new side of the athlete as she embarks on the emotional road to be reunited with her birth mother. 

Explore the top ten highlights for 2023 at the University of Westminster.