The University of Westminster (informally Westminster) is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Founded in 1838 as the Royal Polytechnic Institution, it is one of Britain's oldest higher education institutions and was the first polytechnic to open in the UK. In 1992University of Westminster was awarded university status.

The University's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent Street in the Westminster area of Central London, with additional campuses in the Fitzrovia, Marylebone and Harrow areas of London. The University also operates the Westminster International University in Tashkent in Uzbekistan and a satellite campus in Paris, France through the Diplomatic Academy of London.

The University of Westminster is a diverse and dynamic international education institution situated in Harrow and the heart of London, one of the world’s great cities. With a vibrant learning environment and a commitment to educating for professional life, the University has a distinguished 170-year history, and continues to attract more than 20,000 students from 150 different nations. A wide range of Westminster’s courses are independently rated as excellent, and the University’s research leads the way in many areas including art and design, electronic engineering, and media. Internationalisation, employability and sustainability are key elements of the University’s vision for the future.

Westminster currently serves more than 20,000 students from 150 countries and offers more than five hundred course offerings and a broad range of research study options. These range from more than 150 Bachelor's degree combinations, and one-year intensively taught Master's degrees. MPhil and PhD degrees are also available in every academic department. Westminster had a total income of £171.25 million in 2009/10, of which £7.99 million was from research grants and contracts. Westminster is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Association of MBAs, EQUIS, the European University Association and Universities UK.

The university has grounds in Chiswick on the Thames with boat house, tennis courts, athletics track and about 12 pitches. There are sports pitches and a sports hall at the Harrow campus whilst the Regent Campus has a gym, badminton courts and offers sports, martial arts and yoga classes.

Student housing

Westminster has several halls of residence throughout London, including Alexander Fleming House near Old Street, Furnival House in Highgate; one hall is based at the Marylebone campus, Wigram House in;Victoria;and as of September 2005 there are two based at the Harrow campus. A UNITE accommodation, named Beaumont Court has been built near;Euston;however it is not exclusive to students at Westminster. Some students are also selected to live in;International Students House, London. In 2012 a new hall of residence in Wembley, Student Court, was completed. It was purpose-built for first-year students.

Westminster has four main campuses, three in central London: Regent Street, New Cavendish Street and Marylebone and the fourth in Harrow.

The University headquarters is situated at 309 Regent Street in the West End of London where it has served as a center for public education for over 170 years. First realized on the 14 December 1837 by Charles Payne and William Mountford Nurse, it was opened to the public in August 1838 and is known for opening the first photographic studio in Europe, and being the first to show moving pictures to a paying British public. The Regent Street campus comprises a group of buildings clustered around the historic headquarters of 309 Regent Street. These include the Wells Street buildings and the Little Titchfield Street building which houses the library for the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages and the School of Law.

The Marylebone campus is a striking white building on Marylebone Road directly opposite Madame Tussaud's and Baker Street underground station. Built in the 1960’s it is home to Westminster Business School, the institute for Modern and Contemporary Culture, the Students’ Union and Inter:mission bar; as well as the P3 exhibition area. P3 is a 14,000 sq ft (1,300 m2) space constructed in 2008 from the vast former concrete construction hall at the Marylebone campus and hosts major events and exhibitions including London Fashion Week 2009, the Topshop Unique catwalk 2009 and the Diesel: U Music World Tour Party. The location of the Marylebone Campus is accessible by public transport and is adjacent to Paddington Gardens and a few minutes' walk from Regent's Park.

The Cavendish campus is a modern glass and steel building in New Cavendish Street (Fitzrovia) and situated adjacent to the BT Tower. It houses science, engineering and computer laboratories and is home to the Policy Studies Institute. It is close to Warren Street, Great Portland Street and Goodge Street underground stations and is a short walk away from UCL and SOAS.

The Harrow Campus includes a Business School and a Media School. It is also home to London Gallery West which exhibits a broad, exciting and controversial mix of contemporary media, art and design work. The nearest Tube station to the Harrow campus is Northwick Park on the Metropolitan Line which takes 18 minutes from Baker Street.

Living in London