Skip to content / Skip to navigation

Part-time students

Why study at the University of Westminster?

As one of the largest universities in the country, the University offers students an exceptional range of subjects and has an outstanding track record in part-time education. Over half of our 22,000 students are studying part-time, and you will find libraries, computing facilities, refectories and bars open into the evening and at weekends.

What can you study?

In addition to many full-time programmes, the University offers a variety of options which allow you to study at the level and pace that suits your requirements and needs. Part-time options are available for all the different types and levels of course at the University, from undergraduate degree and Masters programmes to foundation and short courses including a part-time Modern Language Evening Programme, summer and winter schools.

Studying a part-time undergraduate degree

We offer part-time routes in almost every subject area. Some are designed to help you to top up an existing qualification or experience with a degree others are more general in approach and allow for greater personal choice. Most start in September, however some courses including BSc Honours Psychology and BA Honours Social Sciences allow for students to join in the second semester- which commences in January.

Flexible study

By choosing your course and your modules carefully, you can study in the day (often alongside full-time students) or evening or a mixture of both, at the West End or Harrow campuses.

Relevant administrative offices are often open into the evenings and the libraries open at weekends during term time. Achieving a degree part-time usually takes a minimum of four years on the basis of attending classes two evenings each week of the academic year, with an additional 6-12 hours each week in personal study time. If you have the support of your employer you may be able to take a degree by day release.

Previous experience is beneficial

Your previous experience, at work and in life generally, can not only qualify you for entry to a course but may also allow you some credit under the modular scheme, shortening your degree studies. For example, if you have worked in business, you may be able to gain credit to exempt you from business or administration modules in your first year. A previous qualification such as an HNC in a related area might help you shorten the length of your study. The minimum length of time to achieve a degree is still likely to be three years part-time or eighteen months full-time.

Exemption from particular modules

Students of any age can gain exemption from specific modules for previously acquired certificated learning, if it is at appropriate level such as Open University modules, BTEC awards or a professional examination. This is known as the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL).

If you are at least 21, you may be eligible for the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (AP(E)L) to gain exemption against specific modules for knowledge and skills which you have gained through life, work experience and study, but which have not been formally measured through any educational or professional certification. This might include editing, writing and reporting, or programming and computer use, or organising a cultural festival provided you can show that the prior learning is at undergraduate level. You will be required to submit a portfolio of other validated evidence of learning achieved.

Fees

As a part-time student, you will not be eligible to have your fees paid. If you are not sponsored by your employer, you will have to pay your fees yourself, unless (subject to conditions) you are unemployed and in receipt of benefit. The fees compare favourably to other institutions in London at about 140-180 per module. Information about Career Development Loans is available from your bank.

Studying for a part-time postgraduate or professional qualification

There are part-time routes in almost every subject area. Most start in September but in some courses including the MBA and the Diploma in Management Studies it is possible to begin in the second semester starting in January. Details of start dates are included in course listings.

By choosing your course and your modules carefully, you can study daytime (often alongside full-time students) or evening or a mixture of both, at the West End or Harrow campuses. In either case the University has shops, cafes and refectories so that there is usually somewhere to get a snack before starting classes.

As a part-time student, you can make full use of all facilities for sports, social life and study. Relevant administrative offices are often open into the evenings and the libraries open at evenings and weekends during term time.
 

Speeding up your degree

Achieving a postgraduate qualification part-time usually takes a minimum of one or two years studying two evenings each week of the academic year, with an additional 6-12 hours each week in personal study time. If you have the support of your employer you may be able to study by day release.
 
If your course is related to your previous study or experience (whether in paid work or a voluntary capacity) you may be able to make a case to gain exemptions from some modules by shortening the length of your study through either of two forms of assessment.
 
The Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) is the accreditation of previously acquired certificated learning such as Open University modules or in-company training, for example. The Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) recognises knowledge or skills acquired through life, work experience and study which has not been formally attested through any academic or professional certification. It might include, for example, computer programming, editing skills or organisational skills. The assessment of eligibility is made at the time of admission.

Professional accreditation

The University of Westminster provides courses leading to professional accreditation across relevant subject areas at Certificate and Diploma levels (lasting one or two years part-time) in many areas, ranging from marketing to housing. Details of those which are equivalent to undergraduate study can be found in the course sections.
 

Block mode of study

Some courses are offered in short intensive full-time study periods of 1-4 weeks, and this may include weekend as well as weekday study.
 

Skills development and updating

In many areas, postgraduate modules are also available as top-up short courses or in some cases in intensive block mode or (as in Applied Market and Social Research or International Business and Management) by distance learning. Fees for short courses range from around 200 for a ten-week evening language course to 750 for an intensive five-day course in advanced IT.

Entry qualifications

Details of entry requirements are to be found in the course listings.

Open days and information evenings

Term and semester dates
Fees information

Application and enrolment

After you have studied the course details, the next stage is to complete an application form. You can apply online for any part-time undergraduate, short course postgraduate or professional qualification. Online forms are on each courses webpage.