Welcome to your course
Congratulations on being accepted onto our Foundation in Art and Design programme. You join us for a year of exploration across our creative disciplines, designed to build your skills and experience, and support progression onto your chosen degree course. We hope that your Foundation year will be inspiring, exciting, and fulfilling.
Our induction week schedule below will help you settle in and prepare for your time with us before you start formal teaching and learning. Over the week, you will be introduced to the Foundation programme, key staff, your fellow students, and our campus and community. You’ll also find some guidance on facilities, equipment, and materials. It is essential that you attend all your Induction events, to give you the best possible start to your time with us.
We are delighted to be working with you over your Foundation year.
Welcome to the Westminster School of Media and Communication
Welcome to the Westminster School of Media and Communication at the University of Westminster. We are thrilled to have you join our dynamic and inclusive community, dedicated to nurturing innovative, responsible, and impactful professionals in the ever-changing world of media.
Your studies here will not only deepen your subject knowledge but also develop vital transferable skills, such as teamwork, critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication, all of which are essential for a successful career. Our distinguished researchers, experienced practitioners, and industry guest lecturers will support you at every stage, ensuring your learning is academically rigorous and closely linked to real-world needs.
We pride ourselves on a progressive, research-led approach, with teaching shaped by the latest debates and methodologies, underpinned by our Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI). Our curriculum is forward-looking, embracing emerging trends and encouraging you to consider the social impact and ethical responsibilities of media work, including addressing bias, disinformation, and digital challenges.
Above all, we are committed to fostering informed, creative, and socially responsible practitioners and scholars who make a difference locally, nationally, and globally—promoting equality, justice, and democracy.
We encourage you to participate in induction week and begin building connections. Welcome to a community that values progress, compassion, and responsibility. We look forward to supporting your growth as future media and communication leaders.
See you on campus!
Dr Doug Specht
Head of School, School of Media and Communication, University of Westminster
Collecting your ID card and completing enrolment
As part of your induction and to complete your enrolment, you'll need to collect your student ID card.
Your time slot for collection is:
4pm, Tuesday 16 September
Marylebone Campus
For more information about enrolment, including related FAQs, visit our Enrolment for new students page.
Course induction schedule
Your course induction events may take place online or on campus – check the details for each event below.
The timing and venue for events may change, so double check this page closer to the date.
Welcome to the Foundation in Art and Design Programme
12–4pm (lunch 1-2pm)
Room ELG.03
Harrow Campus
- Getting to know other students and key staff
- Your timetable
- Health and safety
- Blackboard: your online learning platform
- Communicating with tutors
- Meeting your FANS (Friends of Arriving New Students)
- Campus tour
Collecting your ID card and completing enrolment
Optional event: Students' Union Welcome Fair
The fair will provide students with the opportunity to see what the student union and University has to offer them, outside their studies.
10am–4pm
Room P3, Marylebone Campus
For more information, please visit the University of Westminster Students' Union webpage
Optional: Q&A drop-in session with Foundation in Art and Design tutors
12–1pm
Room ELG.03
Harrow Campus
Join this session on campus to ask any questions you may have.
Head of School Welcome
3pm
Room LG.01 Auditorium
Harrow Campus
Optional event: Students' Union Welcome Fair
The fair will provide students with the opportunity to see what the student union and University has to offer them, outside their studies.
10am–4pm
Room P3, Marylebone Campus
For more information, please visit the University of Westminster Students' Union webpage
Optional event: College Social - Outdoor Film Screening
6.30–9.30pm
All students are invited to an outdoor cinema event at the Harrow Campus. The college will be providing one free drink and a choice of snack for the first 300 attendees, as well as a paid bar during the screening.
Reserve your free ticket for the Outdoor Film Screening
Course trip to Tate Modern
11am
Meet outside by the entrance to the Turbine Hall, Tate Modern
Full details to be provided on Monday 15 September.
All today's course events will be held at Harrow Campus
What you need to know
11am–12pm
Room ELG.03
Essential information about personal tutoring, university regulations, and student support services.
Meet your Personal Tutor
12–1pm
Room ELG.03
Your Personal Tutor will take an overview of you progress through your Foundation year, is a source of support and advice, and can help you access University Student Support services.
Meet your host Course Leader
Times and location will be confirmed Monday 15 September
Optional: Q&A drop-in session with Foundation in Art and Design tutors
3–4pm
Join this session online to ask any questions you may have.
Welcome Festival - Harrow Campus
Students' Union Welcome Fair, 11am-5pm.
Welcome Festival, 12–7pm - food, drinks, entertainment and music for students
Harrow Campus
For more information, please visit the University of Westminster Students' Union webpage
Course resources
Blackboard
Blackboard is our online learning platform, which you'll be able to log in to after you've set up your University email address and password.
Teaching timetables
Teaching starts in the week commencing Monday 22 September and you can check your teaching timetable to see when and where your classes are being held.
Course handbook
Full details on the course structure, modules and course team are included in the course handbook, which can be found on Blackboard.
Reading list
Your reading list can be found in the course handbook on Blackboard.
Equipment and materials
You will be introduced to our specialist facilities upon arrival via a tour. You will need inductions in many of our technical areas before using them, and some of these are scheduled within your Foundation year for all students - photography studios, equipment hire, and printmaking for example. Others will be available either on a sign-up basis, upon your request, or through inductions when you progress to your host course after your Foundation year.
Digital technology
While you can borrow laptops through the University for 24 hours, it's better to have your own. If you're not sure what to buy, our technical support team can advise you once you've enrolled.
You'll be eligible for a student discount on computer purchases.
A smart phone with a good camera function is very useful for recording your work and for online communication.
Art materials
For practical classwork we provide essential materials necessary to complete the set tasks including sketchbooks, paper and materials for drawing and painting. You may need to obtain further materials relevant to your specific practical projects, but we can advise you of the best (and most economical) sources for these as required. You do not need to purchase any materials before you arrive.
Support and services
Welcome to Westminster
Visit our Welcome to Westminster page for everything you need to get started at Westminster.
Student Centre
If you need help with enrolment or have any questions, please use the live chat.
Academic English
If you'd like to hone your academic English skills, watch our Academic English for Disciplinary Study Module video for starters and consider joining one of our Academic English Modules. If you have any questions, get in touch with the Academic English team at [email protected].