Did you know that you can enroll in the prestigious
University of Westminster to study fashion? It's understandable to be surprised by this, especially since the school is among the most prominent educational institutions in the country. It's best known for its scientific research and business-related programs. But fashion? Well, why not? Though it's not your typical art school, the University of Westminster's fashion program can still go toe-to-toe with the other famous fashion schools in London. Its diverse range of courses is its strongest asset. From design and photography to business management and marketing, the sky's the limit to what you can learn about fashion here!
Source: University of Westminster Facebook Page
History of The University of Westminster
The prestigious University of Westminster started as the Royal Polytechnic Institution, established by William Mountford Nurse in 1837. Even back then, it was already one of the most prominent educational institutions in the country, especially as a public university in the British capital. It used to focus on science, engineering, and economics, but over time, it started to include more creative fields like art, literature, and of course, fashion. While the
top London university may not be known for its fashion program, it's nevertheless among the finest in the city. Even more so since it teaches various areas of the industry.
What Does The University of Westminster Look Like?
Located on Regent St., the University of Westminster takes up a lot of space in Central
London. The campus is a mixture of both classic buildings and modern structures—a testament to the institution's historic legacy and dedication to teaching new generations. With its expansive campus, the school has more than enough space for its complex fashion programs. The fashion design students get to work in its big ateliers while the fashion photography students study in roomy studios. As for the fashion business students, they're provided with ample references too.
Source: University of Westminster Facebook Page
The University of Westminster Student Body
The University of Westminster boasts one of the biggest student bodies in London. The school welcomes about 20,000 enrollees per year, including returning students who have yet to finish their multi-year programs. At the same time, a good percentage comprises of international students, but its number varies per year. Overall, the university welcomes enrollees from over 156 countries, making it one of the most global educational institutions in London. Such is the legacy of this centuries-old school, which has since expanded to include various fields of study over the years.
University of Westminster's Best Programs and Courses
What's great about the University of Westminster's fashion program is that it includes a flurry of courses related to different sectors of the industry. Naturally, there's the standard Fashion Design program, which comes in both Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees. The latter even offers a menswear variation for those who are interested in dabbling in this specific category. There are also business-related courses like Fashion Business Management and Fashion Marketing & Promotion, both training students to take on the corporate side of fashion with ease. And if you're interested in Fashion Photography, the school offers these courses too, albeit only as undergraduate programs.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
University of Westminster's Prerequisites
The University of Westminster has strict prerequisites, even for its creative programs like fashion. The basic Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design serves as a good example. In other
fashion schools in London, it's enough to have a high school diploma to get in. But for the University of Westminster, you need to show a minimum of a Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. Not to mention a Merit UAL Extended Diploma and Art & Design-based BTEC Extended Diploma, among many others. Since it's an international school, foreign students are also required to have passed the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with an overall score of 6.0.
How Much Does It Cost to Study at The University of Westminster?
Two things to learn about the University of Westminster's tuition fees are that they're expensive and differ between UK and international students. For the former, postgraduate courses tend to be priced higher compared to undergraduate programs, even when they differ from year to year. And for the latter, the fees for UK students tend to be lower compared to those for international students. The Bachelor of Arts degrees for UK students, for example, typically range from £9,250.00 to £10,300.00 per year. Meanwhile, the same degrees go for £17,000.00 to £21,000.00 per year for foreign applicants.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Where is The University of Westminster in The City?
The University of Westminster's main campus is located on Regent Street, a popular area in Central London. Not only is it at the heart of the city, specifically the City of Westminster, but it's also near many of the most popular
neighborhoods in London. The area is not too far from Marylebone, Covent Garden, and Paddington, among many others. It's the best place to stay in the city, even when you're here to study. Fortunately, the place is also great for finding the best
luxury apartments in London to rent. It's one of the most coveted addresses in the city.
The University of Westminster's Famous Graduates
The best proof of how great of a fashion school the University of Westminster is its notable alumni. Though not as many as the other finest fashion schools in London, the institution still boasts a handful of prominent graduates. Vivienne Westwood is one of them, one of the
best British fashion designers in history. She is best known as the “Queen of Punk” and revolutionized British fashion in the late 20th century. There's also Christopher Bailey, who's most notable for his prolific tenure in Burberry, the biggest British fashion brand.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
You'd be surprised to learn that the prestigious University of Westminster is also one of the best fashion schools in London. Though it's not entirely dedicated to the art, its fashion programs remain extensive and highly educational.
