The University of West London

Summary

History

The University of West London’s foundations can be traced back to the Lady Byron School in 1860. After a number of mergers, the university became the Polytechnic of West London, before gaining full university status by Royal Assent in 1992, when it became Thames Valley University. 

The University has since evolved through further mergers. 

In July 2010, the university rebranded with a focus on its Ealing and Brentford sites, and a shift away from its Reading site and formally changed its name to The University of West London. 

University Environment

UWL is based in the London Borough of Ealing, which has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and attractive surroundings. The area is great for cafés, restaurants and bars, parks and shopping. There are excellent local shops and high street names nearby – and for the serious shopper, Westfield Shopping Centre is just 20 minutes away on the tube. Central London is also only a short tube journey from the University’s main site. 

The University also has a site at Brentford and you may find yourself studying at both campuses. In addition, the University has a site in Reading and depending on which nursing course you choose, you may be based in Reading.

The University has embarked on a £50million redevelopment project, known as Future Campus, to enhance students’ social and learning experience, so new students will benefit from new spaces including a library, a new student radio station and centre, an auditorium, a refurbished Students’ Union, music studios, and restaurants and cafés.

Academics

Academic Schools & Colleges

• London School of Film, Media & Design
• The Claude Littner Business School
• School of Computing & Engineering
• London Geller College of Hospitality & Tourism
• School of Law & Criminology
• London College of Music
• College of Nursing, Midwifery & Healthcare
• School of Human & Social Sciences
• Academy of Professional Skills

International & Industrial Opportunities

The Erasmus+ Student Mobility programme enables UWL students to study at a partner institution within the EU (and some specified institutions outside the EU).

At UWL all students are given the chance to engage with employers with the help of the placements team. The placements service can offer you: details of placement opportunities; the ability to search for relevant placements through their online jobs portal; information about recruitment events and employer presentations at the University; and access to advice from the placement team.

Fees & Finance

Scholarships & Bursaries

The University offer a number of scholarships and bursaries for students studying in certain schools. 

‘Home’ students in financial difficulty may be able to apply for assistance from University Fund. This Fund is intended to help with living costs and is awarded at the discretion of the University.

The Discretionary Support Fund provides financial assistance to help students who: need additional financial support to meet certain costs not covered by statutory funding; meet unexpected financial emergencies; and may otherwise have to leave university as a result of financial difficulties.

Facilities

Learning Facilities

The Paul Hamlyn Library boasts three new floors of resources, including 780 study spaces, 150 PCs, a group study pavilion, three PC training labs and new self-service technology for checking books in and out. In addition to online databases and research tools, students have access to books and materials 24 hours a day. 

Blast FM, the official student station for the University of West London, broadcasts from two state-of-the-art radio studios that simulate the very latest in contemporary commercial radio operations. The teaching studio can comfortably accommodate 20 students, while an identical smaller suite means teaching and broadcasting can run parallel to each other.

There’s a state-of-the-art simulation centre of nursing and midwifery students and the a state-of-the-art performance centre for performing arts students, which includes a new stage, theatrical lighting and an advanced sound system. The space has been updated to include a wider range of LED theatre lighting, more sophisticated AV systems and a beautiful Steinway D grand piano.

FEAST is UWL’s student-run self-service restaurant. It is a specially designed educational environment where students can learn a range of culinary skills, supported by the University’s chefs and food and beverage lecturers. Pillars is the London College of Hospitality and Tourism’s training restaurant where students practice their professional food and beverage skills.

Ealing Law School’s new Mock Court Room opened in February 2015. It provides realistic surroundings for students to practice mooting, where students can gain experience of presenting legal issues.

Further facilities include  a concrete testing laboratory, architecture studio, Mac labs, print studios and dark room, geotechnic and engineering labs, music practice pods and three music recording studio. 

Sports Facilities

The small on-campus UWL gym in the students’ union building houses a cardio section with treadmills, cross trainers, rowers and bikes; a wide selection of resistance machines; and a free weight section. 

Ealing and Brentford also offer lots of facilities and ways to keep fit, including: several gyms across the boroughs; football, rugby and cricket pitches; free tennis courts across the boroughs; golf courses in Ealing; local running club Ealing Eagles; paddleboarding lessons at Brentford Lock; EDGE canoe and kayaking club in Brentford and Ealing Canoe Club; and several parks and green spaces for running, cycling and walking.

Students' Union

Students’ Union

The refurbished Students’ Union opened in September 2013 and features a modern bar, lounge, gym and café. Designed around students’ visions for their Union, the new Students’ Union delivers first-class facilities for a variety of recreational, social and academic activities, as well as being the definitive voice of students at UWL.

There are a wide range of clubs and societies including sport, art, music, culture for you to join.

Freddie’s Coffeehouse and Freddie’s Bar act as the beating heart of the students’ union. The coffeehouse is a great social space to get lunch and hang out with friends. The bar boasts a wide range of high quality food during the day, including burgers and pizzas, and in the evening it becomes the main venue for live music and club nights, as well as comedy and quiz nights.

UWL’s Volunteering Service helps you find volunteering opportunities that link with your course, your personal interests and your local area, helping you to develop your employability skills, make new friends and give something back to the local community.

The advice service is one of the many services offered by the students’ union to support students. The advice team offers a wide range of advice services including: mitigation, course-related issues, complaints, appeals, disciplinary interviews and hearing advice. They will signpost you to the right support service if they aren’t able to offer the support you require, and are confidential. 

Student Support

Career Facilities

UWL’s careers facilities can offer you: advice and guidance on a wide range of careers issues, including job hunting and assessment and selection procedures; careers workshops on topics like preparing your CV, interviews and job search; specific careers support for international students.

The Employment Service also offers you: job vacancy information from regional, national and international employers; direct notification of the latest part-time and graduate vacancies, tailored to your interests and subject areas; employment advice; and employer presentations on campus.

Religion & Spirituality

The University provides three rooms for prayer and meditation. They are available to people of all faiths or none for private prayer, and can also be booked for use by small groups. 

There are currently student societies for Christian and Muslim students and UWL’s Chaplain can support you in all matters relating to faith, spirituality and prayer during your studies. The Chaplain is a Christian, but offers support and respect whatever your faith, and can also connect you to someone of your own faith if you wish.

Specific support from the Chaplaincy includes a listening ear and coaching, a structured conversation to help you improve your motivation, get better at meeting deadlines, learn to manage your time more effectively, or address other aspects of your approach to work and study.

Health & Wellbeing

The Wellbeing Team provides a discreet, confidential service to UWL students with disabilities, including mental health or specific learning difficulties. Support for disabled students also extends to practical issues. These include funding adjustments, alternative exam arrangements, liaising with school members, arranging support workers such as note-takers, dyslexia tutors and diagnostic assessments. 

The Counselling Service is available for you to discuss any issues that may arise while you are at University of West London.

The Mentoring Service provides one-to-one support through drop-in sessions which are available daily during the week. The drop-ins are run by the mentoring service team who offer guidance and support to help with any aspect of a student’s experience that is causing concern or confusion. The Mentoring Service also provides on-going support by pairing students with peers who are working at a level above them on the same or a similar course. There is also graduate mentoring, where the mentor is a former student. Both the drop-ins and the mentor pairings aim to help students make the transition into UWL at the start and to adjust to each new level of study as they progress through their course.

Accommodation

Students commencing their studies can apply for a place at the Paragon Halls of Residence or Student Village Housing. The Paragon Halls of Residence in Brentford offers students convenience, comfort and quality of life. There are 810 single study bedrooms, organised in cluster flats of approximately eight study bedrooms, each with a well-equipped communal kitchen/ dining area. Every study bedroom has en-suite facilities and broadband. There are also 29 en-suite studios, with fitted kitchen areas and broadband. 

There are excellent public transport links within a short walking distance and there’s a free shuttle bus to and from the Ealing and Brentford sites every 20 minutes during the day.

Student Village Housing provides students with the opportunity to live in a recently refurbished exciting student community, positioned between the University’s Ealing site and Brentford site. Accommodation is offered fully furnished and consists of a range of properties including studio apartments, one-bed flats, two-bed flats, two-bed maisonettes, and three and four bedroom houses. 

International

English Language Requirements 

For undergraduate entry, applicants need an overall International EnglishLanguage Testing Systems (IELTS) score of 6.0 for the majority of undergraduate courses, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening) to meet the university entry requirements.

International Support

The University want to make it as easy as possible for you to settle in, make friends and improve your academic English and study skills while you are in the UK. 

Support for international students includes: a two-week international orientation programme, designed to include help with enrolment and social activities; advice on finances and opening bank accounts; information about international student organisations across the UK; and a three week University Preparation Course before full-time study begins, as well as on-going English language support.

The Chaplain’s social group for international students meet every Wednesday afternoon in term time between 2pm and 4pm at Ealing Green Church for free tea, cake and chat. They hold a range of social activities and outings during the course of the year including going bowling, to the cinema, and day trips to Cambridge and Brighton, among others things.

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