Westminster places fifth in the UK for International Outlook in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2021

Westminster is also first among UK institutions and 13th globally for International Students, with 49% of Westminster’s students classified as International.

The Young University Rankings list the world’s best universities that are 50 years old or younger. The 2021 rankings include 475 universities with 37 from the UK.

Universities are judged across all their core missions – teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook – to provide the most comprehensive and balanced comparisons available.

With more than 6,200 international students from 168 countries, staff from across the globe and a highly international alumni community, the University of Westminster embraces global engagement in all forms.

The University has a rich mix of international partnerships worldwide, and places particular emphasis on providing international opportunities for students.

Development of cross-cultural communication and understanding is promoted and supported through the Polylang language programme. Students can choose to study from diverse languages such as Spanish, Chinese and Arabic, and all levels are catered for.  

Undergraduate students also have the opportunity to undertake a study abroad semester or year at an international partner institution, plus many postgraduate and undergraduate courses include international field trips as part of their study experience, with notable past destinations such as Istanbul and Brussels.

Westminster Working Cultures (WWC) is also one of the programmes that reflects the University’s international outlook, through giving students the chance to experience the professional environment and culture from Westminster alumni and partners across the globe.

The WWC programme has recently expanded to create opportunities for hundreds of students annually, with two new innovative virtual iterations launched last September. WWC UK gives students the opportunity to hear from local alumni and partners as well as build their networks and gain insights from speakers abroad. WWC Professional supports international students by connecting them with graduates from their home country and region such as China, India, Latin America and Africa who share tips and advice about navigating the local labour market.

Commenting on the ranking, Professor Alexandra Hughes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability, said: “We are delighted to be recognised by the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings for our international outlook. At the University of Westminster we are proud to be a welcoming, diverse and inclusive organisation and throughout the pandemic our global engagement activity has remained a key part of that. Our overseas students, colleagues, partners and alumni are vital to who we are and what we do.”

Find out more about the University of Westminster’s global engagement and community.