University of West London

The University of West London (UWL) is a higher education institution offering over 100 undergraduate degrees, alongside 82 postgraduate taught courses and 32 research degrees. It has been named the UK's best university for student experience and teaching quality (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide , 2024).

The university has invested over GBP 150 million into the transformation of its teaching, study and leisure facilities. Furthermore, UWL's research is globally recognised, with 80 per cent of its research rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF, 2021).

The degrees offered by UWL are all career-focused and taught by industry experts. Courses enable students to broaden their knowledge and skillset, whilst also preparing them effectively for life after graduation. UWL has been ranked as Silver overall in the Teaching Excellence Framework (2023), receiving a Gold rating for student experience.

International students from over 100 countries form part of the student body, and students enjoy a diverse and friendly academic community. UWL offers an extensive range of support services covering areas including careers, immigration, study skills and health, and is the Daily Mail's University of the Year for Social Inclusion (2024).

UWL has campuses in Ealing and Brentford, both in west London. These locations give students easy access to vibrant local areas with parks, shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. Each site is close to train services that can reach the centre of London in less than 30 minutes.

As the UK's best university for student experience and teaching quality (TGUG, 2024), the University of West London boasts a number of accolades and achievements, and is co-led by Vice-Chancellor and President Peter John, who was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contribution to higher education.

Lecturers and teaching staff are all experts in their fields, and curricula are designed to meet industry standards, ensuring students graduate with all the skills needed to enter the competitive professional marketplace.

Students learn through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Depending on the specific course, they may also engage in laboratory work, group and individual project work, research projects, and industry placements.

Further evidencing the high calibre of its teaching, UWL's Claude Littner Business School was named Business School of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards (THE, 2019).

UWL also offers extensive academic and study support to its students, including:

• One-to-one support sessions
• Study skills workshops
• English and maths support
• Peer mentors
• Royal Literary Fellows writing support

Students can choose from an expansive range of courses at the University of West London, including undergraduate degrees, postgraduate taught and research degrees, degree apprenticeships and professional development courses.

Courses are taught through the university's 12 specialist schools and colleges:

• College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare
• Drama Studio London, offering a specialist conservatoire setting
• London College of Music, the UK's largest specialist performing arts and music institution
• London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism
• London School of Film, Media and Design
• School of Biomedical Sciences, the university's newest academic school with state-of-the-art laboratories
• School of Computing and Engineering
• School of Human and Social Sciences
• School of Law
• The Claude Littner Business School, 2019 winner of Business School of the Year (THE)

Students benefit from industry-standard facilities, with all schools and colleges boasting an extensive network of professional connections.

Subjects available to study at UWL include:

• Aviation, travel, and hospitality
• Biomedical sciences
• Business
• Computer science
• Design, fashion, film, and photography
• Education
• Engineering, mathematics, and statistics
• Food sciences
• Law, criminology, and forensic science
• Media, communications, English, and journalism
• Music and performance
• Nursing, midwifery, and healthcare
• Politics and sociology
• Psychological sciences

Many courses are accredited by the relevant professional bodies, further boosting employability.

International students must meet the University of West London's academic and English language entry requirements.

Academic requirements

Academic entry requirements at UWL vary considerably between courses, but as a minimum, students must hold:

Undergraduate

• A-Levels from a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points, or
• International Baccalaureate Diploma from a minimum of 25 points or IB Certificates (minimum x2 IB Higher Level required) which meet the UCAS tariff points requirement, or
• A recognised high school qualification from the student's country of residence

Postgraduate taught

• A degree equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree with second class honours (2:2 minimum), or
• An equivalent qualification

PhD

• A degree equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree with second class honours (2:1 minimum), and
• A degree equivalent to a master's degree with a merit or distinction

English language requirements

Most international students will need to provide proof of their English language proficiency. English language requirements may differ for specific courses, but generally speaking, the minimum IELTS requirements to enrol on a degree at UWL are:

• Undergraduate degrees: overall score of 6.0 (with no lower than 5.5 in any band)
• Postgraduate taught degrees: overall score of 6.5 (with no lower than 5.5 in any band)
• PhDs: overall score of 6.5 (with no lower than 6.0 in any band)

Other recognised language tests are accepted at an equivalent level, including TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, and Cambridge C1 Advanced.

In recent years, the University of West London has invested over GBP 200 million into its top-notch facilities, designed to enhance students' study experience and learning potential, including:

• Industry-standard course facilities such as recording studios, a training restaurant and a flight simulator
• State-of-the-art laboratories including an electronics lab, concrete testing lab, geotechnical lab, structural lab, biomedical sciences lab and a hydraulics lab
• One of the largest music studio complexes in Europe
• A mock courtroom, crime scene room and high-tech forensic tools
• Heathrow exhibition and archive, a permanent display of unique artefacts and history from the airport

The university's Paul Hamlyn Library provides students with access to an extensive range of books, journals, computer workstations, study spaces and other essential resources.

At both of UWL's west London sites, local facilities include cafes, parks, shopping centres, football pitches, cricket greens, restaurants, gyms, bars and purpose-built accommodation.

Accommodation

UWL has partnered with a number of purpose-built student accommodation providers to ensure students have an abundance of safe and comfortable residence options near to campus.

Students have plenty of options, with something for all lifestyles and budgets, and can choose from the university-managed UWL Student Village and Reynard Mills sites (suitable groups of friends living together), or one of eight partnered student residences. All residences are close to public transport.

The University of West London provides a number of scholarships and bursaries to its international students. These include department and course awards.

The value of the scholarships currently available ranges from GBP 200 to GBP 10,000.

Students need to apply directly to be considered. Many scholarships have specific eligibility criteria, for example academic excellence, or financial need.

International ambassador scholarships

International ambassador scholarships are worth up to GBP 1,000 and go towards the first year of tuition fees. Students must have an offer to study a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate programme to apply.

Students with the award become international ambassadors at the university. They help international students looking to study at UWL through open days, interviews and other activities.

Alumni discount

Eligible postgraduate students who hold a related undergraduate degree from UWL automatically receive a discount of GBP 500 – GBP 2,000 on their postgraduate course fees.

University rankings

UWL's recent notable rankings include:

• University of the Year for Social Inclusion, Daily Mail University Guide (2024)
• Best modern London university (non-specialist), CUG (2024)
• Number 1 London university (non-specialist), National Student Survey 2023
• In the top 30 percent of universities nationwide, Guardian University Guide (2024)
• Best university for student experience and teaching quality in the UK, TGUG (2024)
• 80 percent of research rated as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*), REF (2021)

Transformed support for international students from an international UWL graduate

New international students receive personalised support at UWL by someone who understands what they're going through.

Overseas graduate student, Andreea-Daniela Coroama, is UWL's first International student experience coordinator. Andreea studied her degree in business studies and marketing at UWL, and is now dedicated to helping international students have the best university experience possible.

She says: "I understand the challenges so many students face when they come to the UK. I learnt that the best way of enjoying my time at university was to get involved and take every opportunity to be part of this incredible community. This is the message I share with students as I want them to love their time here as much as I did.

"UWL has supported me throughout my journey, and I am so happy to be able to give that level of help back to others. This is what makes the university so special, and I am delighted to be a part of it and make a difference to our students."