Introduction
Established as The Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, the University of Westminster has a distinguished teaching history as the UK’s first polytechnic institution to educate the people of London, teaching emerging arts and technologies of the time including photography, and railway and aviation engineering. Nowadays, with more than 19,000 students, Westminster is one of the largest universities in the United Kingdom, where students learn in a vibrant, internationalized university. Students come from over 169 countries as well as every part of the UK, including London. The University of Westminster is known for being one of the most diverse and international universities in the UK and remains a leader in research and teaching new technologies. 

Located just blocks away from the BBC and the bustling Oxford Circus, Westminster is an excellent choice for independent students who want to live and learn in the heart of London. UM students take classes at the centrally located Regent Street campus in the Faculty of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages. Academic courses at the other University of Westminster campuses are not offered through this exchange program. 

Click here for a virtual campus tour.

Please note, students interested in applying for the University of Westminster must have a serious second choice, as exchange placements for this program are limited. If you are not selected for Westminster, you will be considered for your second-choice program--as we aim to help you achieve your goal to study abroad.

Academic Areas
Students may choose classes (modules) only at the Regent Street campus in Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, to include the following areas of study:

Prerequisites
Minimum 3.0 GPA. Please note that this is a competitive program due to high interest in London programs.

Education System
While the academic system in the U.K. is quite different from that of the United States, it is similar to the U.S. system, where teaching and assessment methods can vary from course to course. Generally, you will find that you will have fewer “contact” hours--or time spent in class--in your courses at Westminster than you normally do here. You will find that you have a significant amount of time during the day and in the evening when you do not have to attend classes, without a clear indication of how this time must be spent. This does not mean that your course load is lighter; rather, you are expected to spend more time in self-directed study preparing for classes, papers, and examinations. To succeed in your studies, you will need to develop a study schedule to manage your time, where this “free time” is used productively.

General Enrollment Information

• Courses taken abroad will count for a letter grade and toward your UM GPA as well as overall credits
• You must enroll in the equivalent of at least 12 UM credits while abroad

Grading System and Credit Conversion:

Credit Equivalency
Each 15 credit course at Westminster = 3.75 UM credits
Each 20 credit course at Westminster = 5 UM credits

Housing
University of Westminster housing facilities are located throughout London. The commute from student housing to the Regent Street campus can range from a 20 minute walk to 20-50 minutes via the Underground. Residence halls are generally single rooms with access to communal kitchens and bathrooms. The university's office of student housing services maintains updated lists of private housing available for rent for students wishing to rent a room in a private apartment ("flat").

If interested in university housing, students should apply immediately upon acceptance, as university housing is extremely limited and not guaranteed. Applications for exchange students are taken according to the date received. If you do not receive an assignment in the residence halls, refer to the University of Westminster's Pre-Arrival Information for Exchange Students for suggestions on arranging your own flat. Rent in London varies depending on size and location, and in general can be costly and complex to arrange. You should be prepared to pay a security deposit and the first month’s rent in advance. Students arranging accommodations on their own will be entirely responsible for all the necessary arrangements and costs involved. 

You Are a Guest
As an exchange student, you will have the opportunity to experience university life in a completely different way. For example, you might find that courses abroad are not equal to three UM credits. The format of assessment might be different, with great emphasis being placed on one big test versus smaller assignments throughout the semester. The amount of time spent in class can vary greatly from country to country as well as the amount of independent learning that is expected. Exchange students are guests of the host university and will not receive any services that the local, degree-seeking students do not receive. The university abroad may not provide the same amenities as the University of Miami and the level of customer service can vary.

Exchange programs open the door for students to have the experience of a university student in a different country. It is important to talk to your study abroad advisor about your level of comfort with the challenges that await you abroad. Your advisor may be able to suggest an exchange program that offers more of the services to which you have become accustomed, or can direct you to a semester on location program. Students who have chosen to embark on an exchange program have reported that by overcoming obstacles encountered abroad, they have gained independence and self-confidence, and were challenged to broaden their perspectives.

Dates
Fall: Mid-September to mid-December
Spring: Early January to early June