If you're a postgraduate student, you can read our postgraduate student journey guide to find out about the services, resources and opportunities available to you during your studies. Please also log into our Blackboard module, My Westminster Journey which will help you make the most of your time at Westminster.
If you have a general query or you're not sure who to contact, get in touch with our friendly Student Centre Team online or in person. You can find contact details and other useful information on our Support and Services page.
Postgraduate students
Welcome to Westminster. As a postgraduate student, you may be continuing your studies at Westminster, or you may be new to the university. There is plenty of support on offer to help you complete your postgraduate studies successfully and start thinking about the academic and professional skills you can develop to enhance your career prospects after you graduate.
Meet your academic personal tutor – Your academic personal tutor will guide you on issues relating to your academic experiences, gaining new skills and your overall progression as well as help you with any matters that may affect you. You can find the contact details for your academic personal tutor by logging into your student record.
Contact your Academic Engagement Librarian – visit the Library Guides website to find out who your Academic Engagement Librarian is. They can help you with using Library Search, researching your assessments, referencing and plagiarism, using databases effectively and using your reading lists.
One of the areas which many students struggle with during their studies is how to manage their time and juggle competing priorities. The University has produced a helpful Time Management guide to help you with this.
Engagement and attendance – Being present at all of your classes is a significant factor of success while at university. Attending your lectures, seminars and workshops ensures you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully complete your course. Remember to use your student ID card to swipe into all your classes.
Module registration – During your course induction you will be informed of any option module selection for your course and when you will need to do this by. Module selection is normally only offered for option modules that run in Semester 2. Make sure to check the specific information for your course when registering.
Blackboard – Blackboard will be your primary source of handbooks, learning materials, reading lists and learning resources. Every course and module has a Blackboard site, and your tutors will explain how to use it at the start of your course.
Understand your assignment – On Blackboard, you’ll be provided with clear guidance on how to understand your assessment briefs, assessment criteria, word counts and how to seek clarification from tutors where needed. You’ll be able to find your module reading list in Blackboard and make sure you watch our YouTube channel for helpful videos on how to search successfully for information. You'll be expected to find information to support your coursework and assessments and properly reference this.
Find your core reading books – You'll have access to your copy of textbooks and core reading through your module reading list , which you can access from anywhere. Familiarise yourself with using the library search to find books and resources. You can search for print and electronic materials and access them from the library or home.
Use library search – Being able to source and find relevant reading materials will help you get the marks you deserve for your coursework and projects/dissertations. Library Search is the key to unlocking the library's print and online collections. Find out how to manage your library account, request and renew your books online using this guide.
Referencing - You’ll need to use academic referencing in your work to acknowledge the original source of words and ideas. Not getting this right can cost you marks, so it’s important to reference correctly. Check your course handbook to know the specific referencing requirements for your course. The University provides a referencing guide and also has access to Cite Them Right online site for step-by-step guidance on creating your references.
Manage your bibliography – Keeping track of what you have read is a vital part of getting a good grade. Try out some of our online tools to help you create and manage your bibliography.
Develop your academic skills – Unlock your full potential in your studies, coursework, and dissertation while picking up essential workplace skills for post-graduation success. Dive into our exciting range of workshops and online guides to help you master academic writing, time management, presentation skills, and more. Discover how you can easily access and use Grammarly to take your academic skills to the next level.
Your digital footprint – Develop your digital skills and make smart use of social media to benefit your studies, help you find employment, and enrich your personal and social life. Take a look at our Get Digital pages for more information.
Visit Zone29, our home of careers and enterprise – Our Zone29 website is the place to start your career journey. It's the gateway for all the work-related opportunities and resources on offer.
Meet with a careers consultant – During the year, you should book an appointment with a careers consultant. You can get feedback and advice on your CV, application forms and interview techniques, as well as assistance with understanding how to develop essential skills for the future. You can get advice on making plans for what you would like to do after you finish your studies. You can continue to use the career resources as a recent graduate if you need to.
Talent Bank – Need some extra cash? Register with Talent Bank for the best opportunities for paid temporary and part-time work across all campuses and various departments. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to develop transferable skills, gain valuable professional experience as well as earn some extra cash.
CareerZoneGo to the Engage website – A one-stop-shop of key resources to empower you to engage with your future career and improve your career prospects. Find out about employment-related opportunities and resources, including a jobs board for part-time, placement, volunteering and graduate opportunities.
Take part in mentoring – Develop skills and gain industry insight by taking part in one of our Future Ready Mentoring programmes. Find out more about the long- and short-term opportunities to be matched with a career professional in your chosen industry, who can support you towards your career goals.
Follow the Careers blog and other social media – Check out our lively and interesting articles to help you along your career journey. Read the posts on how to become more employable, how to prepare for interviews and tests, and learn about your employment rights. Follow us on InstagramGo to Careers Instagram page for the latest news and opportunities.
Volunteering – Volunteering is a great way to make new friends, discover new areas of London, improve or develop skills and experience, explore new areas of interest, have fun and above all support the less fortunate.
Work-Based and Placement Learning – As part of your studies during Level 4, you may be asked to complete some work-based learning activities – these activities link with the world of work and are designed to help prepare you for employment.
Attend Careers events and workshops – Choose events that will help you discover options, meet employers, and develop your skills. Check details on CareerZone.
Create an employer-friendly social media presence – Make sure your social media profile gives the best impression.
Learn how and why to network – Get tips and advice on how and why to develop your network.
Using library databases for job search – Use the Library Search tool to help find jobs, search companies, and keep up to date with industry trends.
Work or study abroad – These are great opportunities to immerse yourself in another country’s culture and make the most of your student experience. Many employers are increasingly seeking students with international skills.
Start investigating what opportunities and funding you can apply for to gain international experience. Does your School do an international Field trip? Are you interested in studying abroad on an exchange or an international work placement in your second year? You may also be able to add a third year abroad to your degree.
Look out for short-term international opportunities, including Westminster Working Cultures and International Summer Schools.
You can apply for funding through the Global Experience Bursary.
Every school has research knowledge exchange communities with events and seminars. Postgraduate students are welcome to join, ask your course leader for more information.
Your wellbeing – Being a student is hugely rewarding, but it can have its challenges. Check out our wellbeing pages for advice and tips on how to flourish while you are studying with us. The 24 hour Spectrum.Life digital platform offers a wide range of resources to help you maintain your mental, physical and emotional health throughout your time at university.
Our counselling and mental health team are here to help when things get tough. If you need to talk about anything that's bothering you – from relationship troubles to mental health – we encourage you to get in touch with our team.
Faith and spirituality – If you would like to explore spiritual, philosophical, religious or ethical questions, whether in times of ease or crisis, the Faith and Spirituality team welcomes you to get in touch. Our advisers, representing all faiths and none, are available for pastoral support.
Disability Learning Support – Our Disability Learning Support team provides a range of services and adjustments for students with Specific Learning Difficulties, disabilities and long-term health conditions that may impact your studies.
Student finance and financial hardship – If you have any questions about paying your course fees, or are looking for funding information or details of support that might be available to you, check our Student Finance pages for detailed information on all money matters or contact the Student Centre.
Other support and services – If you have a general query or you're not sure who to contact, please get in touch with our friendly Student Centre team online or in person. You can find contact details and other useful information on our Support and Services page.
Student Voice and Representation – There are various ways in which you’re represented in the University and your voices heard including Student Course and Community Representatives, Student Voice Forum, Students as Co-Creators Programme, Student Panel Advisers and the Student Experience and Opinion Panel. The University also has a Student Voice Platform called Unitu which enables students to share feedback, opinions and ideas on their course.
University of Westminster Students’ Union – When you enrol at the University, you automatically become a member of the University of Westminster Students’ Union (UWSU). This is independent of the University and is there to represent your needs as a students, protect your rights and make sure your voice is heard when key decisions are made. UWSU also offers a range of sports clubs and societies and runs a range of events throughout the year.
If you are nearing the end of your studies, our completing your studies page has a lot of useful information on what to do next, plus the many benefits you can expect once you graduate and become part of the Westminster alumni community.