Tokyo

This trip has been generously funded by the Quintin Hogg Trust. This means most of your trip costs will be funded, including flights and accommodation.

Trip costs that are covered (and students will not have to pay for) include:

• flights
• accommodation
• internal transport
• meals that are part of the programme (ie breakfasts and  most lunches)

Trip costs that are not covered (and students will have to pay for):

• a non-refundable £100 contribution towards the trip*
• a visa and associated costs if you require one
• your own transport costs to and from London Heathrow airport
• costs associated with free time (ie food and entrance fees)

*We regret we are unable to refund contributions if a selected student is unable to attend the programme except in exceptional circumstances.

WWC Tokyo is a group trip. This means you will be travelling with a group of other students from various courses and backgrounds. You may not know anyone else on the trip beforehand, but through pre-departure briefings and room-sharing, you will get to know everyone during the trip. 

We are not able to create an individually tailored trip. If you prefer a different mode of travel or activities, you can view the range of working and studying abroad opportunities the University offers.

Flights will be to and from London Heathrow airport. Students are required to travel together as a group both to and from Tokyo. Please note: we are not able to make exceptions.

Accommodation will be in university-standard halls of residence or similar. You will be sharing a twin room with another student. Please note: we are not able to make exceptions.

The purpose of the trip is to enhance your awareness of professional environments and develop skills that will help you after graduation. You’ll visit several leading and diverse organisations in Tokyo and have a chance to reflect on your experience.

Please note: Students will have to walk a lot and use public transportation around Tokyo. To ensure students make the most of their time in Tokyo, the itinerary will include multiple visits and talks a day, which may be quite intense.

Sessions will have a professional focus from a range of sectors such as consulting, journalism and media, and may include:

• seminars, workshops and workplace tours with alumni and partners
• Q&A sessions with University of Westminster alumni

Your trip will also include activities to enhance your understanding and cultural knowledge of Tokyo.

Please note: this list may be subject to change.

Sessions

A full itinerary and list of organisations you’ll visit will be provided closer to the trip. Sectors will vary from media to technology to business. Please be prepared to research them in advance so you can make the most of your time. Sessions will generally run daily from 9am – 5pm with at least 2 visits or speakers a day.

Participation

All participants are expected to actively engage during the programme. This means:

• researching speakers and organisations in advance and preparing questions and topics for discussion
• engaging in every session (eg. taking notes, active listening and interacting with the speakers) 
• asking at least one question every day of the programme

This programme is designed by the Westminster Working Cultures team based in the University’s Alumni Relations Office. You will be joined throughout the programme by the WWC team and various members of University staff, which may include senior academics. The programme will be subject to normal University risk assessments and regulations, and all students will be covered by the University of Westminster travel insurance (free of charge to students).

You are required to attend all the programme activities as a representative of the University.

Participants complete the programme by attending and engaging in all sessions, completing their WWC reflective journal and sharing feedback about their experience.

Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will receive:

• 50 points toward the Westminster Employability Award at the gold level. WWC is an optional activity
• a digital badge that can be shared on social media
• access to a closed WWC LinkedIn group to maintain relationships and grow networks
• an exclusive opportunity to join the WWC team in a voluntary position as WWC Ambassador, a tailored employability role to enhance your professional development and experience

You must be enrolled as a full-time or part-time undergraduate student at the time of this trip (September 2025).

Agree to the ‘Expectations of trip participants’:

• Respect the programme’s values, other participants, speakers and staff.
• Be on time and participate in all activities and meetings*.
• Adhere to the no mobile phone policy during sessions.
• Follow the business casual dress code (eg no jeans, crop tops, tracksuits, short skirts or flip flops).
• Post on social media, submit photos, videos or write a blog post about your experience.
• Reflect on your experience through the Westminster Working Cultures reflective journal.
• Be aware that things may change during your time abroad; have an open mind and be flexible!

Students are required to maintain the highest standards of behaviour while abroad on a University of Westminster programme. Students overseas remain bound by the University of Westminster’s 'Student Code of Conduct'. Failure to comply may result in the cancellation of your place on the programme and/or a referral to the disciplinary procedure.

* Participation means: researching speakers and organisations in advance, preparing questions, engaging in every session (eg. taking notes, interacting with the speakers) and asking at least one question every day of the programme.

The University of Westminster often uses photographs and movies of people in its educational activities, including from Westminster Working Cultures. This material includes photos, videos, brochures, prospectuses, leaflets, posters and advertisements in local and national media as well as our website. By securing your place on the programme, you agree to us using any image that may be taken of you during the programme to promote Westminster Working Cultures initiatives.

We’re not looking for the ‘perfect’ response… we’re looking for your response.

Write a strong application for your chosen international programme by using the top tips below. The WWC team has put together some important guidance to help you write the best application possible. Our amazing WWC participants have also contributed their own advice and tips to support you in this process!

• Generative AI: If you use generative AI to complete your application, your application may look like every other application that uses generative AI and you will likely not be selected. Please make sure to personalise your answers to help you stand out! The shortlisting panel wants to get to know you and your motivations.
• Take your time: Rushed applications that are not tailored to the programme will be immediately obvious to the shortlisting panel and can give the impression that you haven’t spent time on your application. Ask someone to proofread for grammar and spelling.
• Do your research: Have you done your research on the destination? You can use your research within your answers to improve the strength of your application by answering the following questions:
  • How would this programme impact on your studies and future career?
  • What do you aim to achieve from being on the programme?
• Keep it relevant: You have 300 words to answer each question, so keep your answer specific and relevant to what we are asking. Although we need detail in your answers, make sure that what you are writing stays on point with the focus of the question.
• Expand on your points: If you state something which you feel is relevant and suitable for your application, expand on it and tell us more. If you feel participating in this international opportunity will help with your career or studies – tell us how and why! If there is an activity that is of keen interest to you – give us your reasons as to why it is. Developing employability attributes is one of the impacts this programme will have on students, but we want to know which ones you want to develop and how this programme will impact those.
• Write at least 100 words: Make sure you provide context and showcase your interests, motivations and personality when writing your application. Make an effort - the panel can tell if you don't!

Your application will be judged on the quality of your response to each question in the form, so make sure you carefully consider your responses and clearly communicate your interest in, and your motivations for, taking part in the WWC International programme.