Welcome to your course
We are delighted to welcome you to the Illustration BA degree at Westminster School of Media and Communication.
The Induction activities scheduled below are designed to introduce you to the university, your course, your studios and your fellow course members before you begin your studies.
There will be current students guiding you through the week and beyond, and we, as your Course Leaders will be available to advise and support you.
We also invite you to bring a ‘favourite sketch book’. This will help you introduce yourself to your peers and tutors in your induction week.
Sketch book inspiration:-
11 artists discussing how they use their sketch books
Illustrator, Shaun Tan - sketching and sketch books - 3.37mins
It is essential that you attend all your Induction events, to give you the best possible start to your time with us.
We look forward to meeting you.
Emma Dodson
Course Leader
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 15 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.
All of today's events are at the Harrow Campus
Welcome and meet your Course Leaders Caroline Baruah and Emma Dodson
10.30am
Meet in the Forum, to be taken to the Room J1.43
Meet FANS* and welcome activity
11am–12.30pm
Room J1.43
*FANS (Friends of Arriving New Students)
Meet your personal tutors and lecturers
12.30-1.30pm
Room J1.43
Introduction to studio learning & creating your studio working manifesto
2.30-3.30pm
Room J1.43
Drop in time with tutors for any individual questions
3.30–4pm
Forum
All today's course induction activities will be at Harrow Campus.
Friends of Arriving New Students (FANS) activity
10.30–11am
Forum
Meet your course mates: fun creative activity
11am-12.30pm
Room J1.43
Fun creative activity, part 2
1.30pm
Room J1.43
Drop in time with tutors for any individual questions
2.30pm
Room J1.43
Collecting your ID card and completing enrolment
Students' Union Marylebone Welcome Fair (Optional)
10am–4pm, Ambika P3, Marylebone Campus
The fair will provide you with the opportunity to see what the Students' Union and University have to offer outside of your studies.
Please visit the UWSU Welcome website for full details.
All today's course induction activities will be at Harrow Campus.
Take a character around campus
10.30-11.45am
Room J1.43
Friends of Arriving New Students (FANS) tour: Harrow including fieldtrip
11.45am
Meet on campus (Forum)
Students' Union Marylebone Welcome Fair (Optional)
10am–4pm, Ambika P3, Marylebone Campus
The fair will provide you with the opportunity to see what the Students' Union and University have to offer outside of your studies.
Please visit the UWSU Welcome website for full details.
Outdoor Film Screening (Optional)
6.30–9.30pm
All new students are invited to an outdoor cinema event at Harrow Campus. The college will be providing one free drink and a choice of snack for the first 500 attendees, as well as a paid bar during the screening.
All of today's course events are online.
Friends of Arriving New Students (FANS) activity
10.30–11am
Join on MS Teams.
Navigating your virtual environment - 'Treasure Hunt'
11am–12.30pm
Join on MS Teams.
Notices for start of classes
12.30-1pm
Join on MS Teams.
Lunch and optional drop in time with tutors for any individual queries
1-1.30pm
Join on MS Teams.
Head of School welcome
12pm
Auditorium, Harrow Campus
Students' Union Harrow Welcome Fair (Optional)
10am–4pm, The Den, Harrow Campus
Your one stop shop to finding out about your Students' Union and everything that we have to offer to make your time at Westminster as enjoyable as possible.
Please visit the UWSU Welcome website for full details.
Welcome Festival (Optional)
11am–5pm, Harrow Field, Harrow Campus
Food, drinks, entertainment, and music for students – registration required.
Please visit the UWSU Welcome website for tickets and full details.
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 21 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 on Blackboard.
Equipment and materials
Digital technology
Please read before buying digital equipment.
You do not need to buy an expensive laptop, MacBook or iPad before starting the course.
Wait before buying a laptop, MacBook, iPad or tablet, expensive digital drawing devices or specialist software.
The university provides Mac desktops with the required specification for professional creative software, and Adobe Creative Cloud access once enrolled and you can loan laptops and digital devices/equipment.
Useful to have
- Smartphone or camera for documenting work
- Clearly labelled USB memory stick
- Basic art kit
You will learn to use industry-standard software, including Adobe Creative Cloud, on university devices. Mobile drawing apps can be useful, but they do not replace the professional digital training you will do on the course.
Once enrolled, you will receive advice about the minimum specifications needed if you want to run Adobe software on your own device. Please wait for this guidance before spending money.
Once enrolled, you will receive advice about the minimum specifications needed if you want to run Adobe software on your own device. Please wait for this guidance before spending money.
Digital storage
Please bring:
- USB memory stick/portable storage, 64GB minimum, 128GB preferred
- USB 3.0 or USB-C
- Label/keyring for USB stick. Your full name clearly attached, so you do not lose in studios/ computer rooms
Studio tools and materials
For classes we provide equipment and some media and materials for drawing, Painting and paper-based printmaking. Equipment for photography, animation, and digital printing is also available. You will also need to provide and maintain a basic art kit to have with you in all studio classes, field trips, and to use for your independent practice time:
- Sketchbooks - 3 sketchbooks in varied sizes.
- Drawing materials – Graphite pencils, 4H–4B; sharpener; erasers; fine liner pens.
- Painting materials – A small range of flat and round brushes
- Colour media – Watercolours, coloured pencils, markers or similar
- Other essentials - Scissors, scalpel, masking tape, glue, 15cm metal ruler. 30cm plastic ruler.
Some of these items can be bought on campus at the Media Stores or Student Union shop.
You may like to purchase art supplies from Cass Art. Students can also usually receive a discount at Cass Art.
The full basic kit should cost no more than approximately £50. Please ask us for advice after enrolment before buying expensive or specialist materials.
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].