For parents and guardians
It’s to be expected that you want to be involved in your son or daughter’s decisions about university. And you’ll probably have concerns about their welfare while studying away from home. The University of Westminster has a variety of ways to support students, parents and carers at every point in their journey, from initial applications and help with fees and funding, to making the most of their time here.
Accommodation
Choosing where to live is a big decision. To help you and your son or daughter make the decision, here’s a quick look at the options available and the University of Westminster services that are here to help.
The Student Accommodation Team
For advice, information and support, contact the Student Accommodation Team. It provides a comprehensive service for full-time students and offers free guidance on finding somewhere to live in London.
It’s responsible for allocating rooms in Halls of Residence and can help you with the application process. The team also holds lists of landlords with rooms available for students if they choose to rent privately.
Appointments are available on a drop-in basis at the team’s Cavendish House office between 3 and 4pm Monday to Friday. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance at other times.
Contact the Student Accommodation Team
University of Westminster
Student Accommodation
Cavendish House
101 New Cavendish Street
London W1W 6XH
Tel: +44 (0)20 7911 5817
Fax: +44 (0)20 7911 5037
Email: studentaccommodation@westminster.ac.uk
Home or away?
Whether your son or daughter lives at home or moves away will depend on convenience, course choice and financial circumstances.Home
Choosing to live at home helps to keep accommodation costs down and avoids the upheaval of moving to a new town or city. However it often means more time travelling to and from university, increased travel costs and it can make it harder to meet fellow students.
Away
Students living away from home benefit from being closer to campus and living independently with other students. It increases personal responsibility but can be more expensive.
Halls of Residence
The University of Westminster has six centrally located Halls of Residence. There’s a range of rooms to suit all budgets, including ensuites, and facilities typically include a shared kitchen, common room, coin-operated laundry and CCTV.
Private renting
The majority of students studying in central London, like most people who live and work in London, commute from zones two or three - a journey of around 30-40 minutes. Rents vary greatly depending on area, however most students can expect to pay £100-£160 per week. The Student Accommodation Team can provide regularly updated lists of private landlords.
Follow the links below for information about:
Money
The cost of studying in London can be a major factor for concern. As fees and funding arrangements will change in 2012/13, parents, carers and students may feel confused about how much university will cost and what funding will be available. On these pages you’ll find information on fees and funding, and sources of help available within the University of Westminster.
Student Advice
Our Student Advice team is on hand to help you work out what funding you’re entitled to. The Student Advisers can help with bank accounts, funding applications, tuition fees, budgeting and debt advice and are an on-going support during your child’s studies. Practical advice on money management is also available from the Financial Capability Adviser.
| Student Advisers (West End) T: 020 7911 5000 Ext 66080 E: studentadvice@westminster.ac.uk First Floor, Cavendish House 101 New Cavendish Street London W1W 6XH |
Student Advisers (Harrow) |
Fees
All students have to pay tuition fees, however the amount will vary depending on the course and whether your son or daughter is a Home, EU or international student.
How we can help
Partial fee waivers are available on classroom and laboratory-based courses for some students. We also offer scholarships as part of the Government’s National Scholarship Programme (NSP), bursaries and University of Westminster scholarships to eligible students.
Support from the Government
The Government provides tuition fee and living cost loans to new, full-time undergraduates studying in higher education for the first time. Providing your home address is in England, you are a UK national and your child has not already completed a course of undergraduate study, they will be eligible for support.
Visit the Student Finance England website
Additional information
Wellbeing
When your son or daughter leaves for university, you’re bound to worry about their welfare. That’s why the University of Westminster ensures that there’s a strong support network available to every student, whether it’s academic guidance, practical assistance, or a helping hand adjusting to their new life as a student.
Health Services
From finding a GP, optician or dentist, to who to contact in an emergency, the University of Westminster’s Health Services can help to take care of your son or daughter’s physical wellbeing while studying. We also run our own nurse service, providing treatment and advice during term time.
Counselling
We offer a free of charge counselling service to students who are experiencing difficulties. Our team of professionally trained British Association for Counselling accredited counsellors have many years of experience in education and are happy to talk about any issue, whether it’s related to a their personal or academic life.
Visit our Counselling service page
Faith and Spirituality
The University of Westminster welcomes students from all religions and beliefs. We have Faith Advisers from the Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh traditions and links to the Catholic, Hindu and other communities. Faith Advisers offer pastoral care and spiritual guidance and can advise on faith-based societies’ events, activities, discussion groups and worshipping in London.
Visit Faith and Spirituality page
Disability Learning Support
We provide in-depth guidance and a range of services for students with disabilities. From access to buildings and help with living arrangements, to academic support and mental health mentoring, we aim to help your son or daughter feel comfortable and confident during their time with us.
International students
If you are the parent or carer of an international student, you may feel anxious about your son or daughter moving to a new country. Our International Student Adviser provides a range of services specifically designed to help overseas students settle in. We welcome students from over 140 countries around the world and understand the difficulties, cultural challenges and practicalities of moving to a new country. Our dedicated International Student Advisor is also available to discuss specific issues such as making the most of studying in London, accommodation and making new friends.
Visit International Student Advice
Frequently asked questions
Is London safe?
Like any major European city, it is important to be vigilant about safety at all times. Our students experience few problems if they take sensible precautions to protect their personal safety and property. The University of Westminster can offer advice and guidance to students on ways to stay safe in the capital and the majority of our Halls of Residence feature CCTV coverage for added security.
What if my son or daughter doesn’t get into Halls of Residence?
The Student Accommodation Office offers free housing advice and can help you find private rented accommodation in London. They hold lists of landlords and are on hand with guidance on tenancy agreements, rents and living costs.
How much money do students spend a week?
Your son or daughter’s weekly spend will vary greatly depending on the area they live, if they live in a student house or Halls of Residence and their travel costs. Additionally, some courses, such as Fashion, will require a greater expenditure on equipment. As a guide, a first year student in London can expect to spend around £250 per week on rent, travel, food, books and socialising.
Will my son or daughter be able to work part-time?
The majority of our students choose to work part-time to help fund their studies. Working is also an excellent way to boost independence and improve a student’s employability after graduation. There is a plentiful supply of interesting and CV enhancing jobs to be found in London and our annual Part Time Jobs Fair is a good place to start the search.
Will my son or daughter find a job after graduation?
Recent research shows that eight out of ten University of Westminster graduates find employment or go onto further study after graduation. Of this number, over half are employed in managerial or professional roles. For self employed graduates, the figure rises to nine out of ten, with many of these working in the creative industries including fashion design, digital and graphic design.
