Hosted by our Careers and Employability Service, the Westminster Employability Awards Celebration recognizes the outstanding achievements of our students and the valuable contribution made by our alumni, community partners and employers.

The evening is an opportunity to present awards to students who have successfully participated in employability initiatives and hear from speakers from our employability schemes, including the Westminster Employability Award, Mentoring, Explore Teaching, and more.  

Employer and Mentor Awards

We work closely with many employers and mentors who are key to the careers and employability initiatives we offer to our students. These awards are to recognise the continuous support and efforts from our key partners. The three categories for these awards are:

Employer of the Year: Large Organisation Award

Awarded to an organisation with more than 250 employees to recognise their dedication and contribution to improving University of Westminster students’ and graduates’ employability.

Employer of the Year: Small/Medium Enterprise Award

Awarded to an SME with less than 250 employees to recognise their support and contribution to improving University of Westminster students’ and graduates’ employability.

Mentor of the Year

The Mentor of the Year awards recognise mentors who have made an outstanding contribution and commitment to their mentoring relationship.

Student awards

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our students and reward them for their efforts in continuously improving their employability. Read more about our student employability initiatives:

View student employability awards

Westminster Employability Award

Our undergraduate and postgraduate prizes are awarded to students across the three colleges who can demonstrate evidence of personal development and commitment with attending sessions, being an active member of the community, and seeking support to help develop their employability.

In line with the University's values of championing inclusion and compassion, we are recognising those exceptional students who have overcome challenges to becoming more employable. New prize categories include personal development, outstanding contribution, sustainability champion and focus on work-based and placement learning.

Launched in 2018, the Westminster Employability Award is a career-enhancing initiative which provides a structured framework to allow students to develop their own employability. Based on the number of activities students complete, they can qualify for a Bronze, Silver or Gold Westminster Employability Award.

Placement Student Awards

Placement Student Awards recognise outstanding students who have participated in developing their professional experience and knowledge of an industry by taking on a short-term or long-term placement.

The Work Experience and Placement Team works with a range of organisations, including large corporates, SME’s, charities and schools. We also collaborate closely with academics across the three Colleges with many placements being embedded in our courses. We believe that our students and graduates can add value to your organisation and benefit from gaining commercial awareness and experience of real-life working practices in specific industries. Find out more about recruiting our students

Explore Teaching Awards

Awarded to students or graduates who have volunteered their time as teaching assistants within London schools and colleges and have made a significant contribution in raising motivation and attainment.

Explore Teaching is a small but high-quality scheme which provides London schools and colleges with undergraduate and postgraduate students who work as volunteer teaching assistants. The volunteers are carefully selected and trained in order to complete a 15-day placement. They are usually investigating teaching careers and wish to assist with lessons whilst gaining an introduction to teaching. Many proceed to initial teacher’s training and may become teachers at their placement school. 

Mentoring Scheme Awards

Mentoring Scheme Awards recognise students or graduates who have benefited significantly from the expertise and insight of their mentors and have grown personally and professionally as a result of their mentoring relationship.

Through our Mentoring scheme, we match students and recent graduates with a professional who has donated their time to mentor an individual as they make their transition to the world of work. As a facilitator of personal and professional growth, mentors can help to develop and improve employability through personalised support and providing unique opportunities. By sharing knowledge and insights, a mentee can build a solid foundation of skills to launch a variety of successful careers. Become a mentor and help steer and empower the next generation with as little as six hours of your time.

Student Ambassador Awards

The Student Ambassador Awards recognise students for their significant contribution to Student Recruitment work and an outstanding level of professionalism and initiative.

The student ambassador scheme is an opportunity for students to support the major recruitment and school outreach activities on behalf of their courses and their university. The ambassadors are trained in communication, leadership and safeguarding to help get the best out of working with school children and external partners. They are given the opportunity to develop skills and techniques that they will be able to carry forward into their future careers.

Student and graduate talent

The University of Westminster is home to over 18,000 students from 169 nationalities, speaking 150 languages. They are one of the most diverse, multicultural student bodies in the world, able to bring individual skills and talents to new employers. Our dedicated, collaborative and flexible Careers team is here to help you find the right student and graduate talent for your recruitment needs. For an informal discussion about how we could support you, contact a member of the Recruiter Engagement team at or +44 (0)20 3506 6366.

Sponsorship opportunities

We are seeking sponsorship to support this prestigious event, whilst giving you the opportunity to raise the profile of your brand to high achieving students and attract interest in your organisation for future employment.

Your organisation will be visible to students, partner organisations including large corporates and SMEs, and University of Westminster academic and professional services staff.

Sponsorship could include:

  •  Monetary prizes for top achievers
  •  Internships and project opportunities for our students
  •  Hospitality sponsorship

If you would like to ask any questions about the Vice-Chancellor’s Employability Awards or express your interest in sponsorship, please contact us via phone: 0203 5066465 or email: [email protected]

Images from previous Awards ceremonies