April 2024

This programme has been generously funded by the Quintin Hogg Trust. This means most of your in-person activities costs will be funded, including lunch and most travel costs.  

The programme costs covered are: 

• Lunch on the days of in-person visits 
• Return train tickets to, and travel around Birmingham
• Exciting prizes for engagement and development during virtual sessions

Programme costs that are not covered (and participants will have to cover): 

• Lunch on virtual days on the programmes  
• Travel around London / to and from University campuses 

The purpose of the programme is to enhance your employability and develop skills that will help you after graduation, ensuring you are ready to enter the world of work. All sessions have an employability focus and speakers will share their professional journey, sector specific information and tips and advice that can help students from every background achieve their goals.

The itinerary is being organised and sessions may include:

• Seminars, workshops and workplace tours with alumni and partners
• Q&A sessions with University of Westminster alumni
• Day trip to Birmingham

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, topics for discussion
• Engaging in every session (eg. taking notes, interacting with the speakers)
• Asking at least one question every day of the programme

"I very much enjoyed that the speakers were so vulnerable with us and shared the personal experiences and hardships they've gone through in order to reach the point of their life that they are at now. It was such a refreshing opportunity to talk to very successful people and hear about them being in a place that I wouldn’t have expected them to be, which was a very humanising experience."

– Nadia Abatorab-Manikowska, Photography BA (WWC UK April 2021)

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. The programme will be subject to normal University risk assessments and regulations.

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

Participants complete the programme by attending 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 an undergraduate or postgraduate student from the University of Westminster at the time of the programme, or be a recent graduate.

You must agree to the ‘Expectations of programme participants’:

• be on time and participate* in all activities and meetings
• post on social media about your experience
• 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 the programme, have an open mind and be flexible!

Students are required to maintain the highest standards of behaviour whilst participating in a Westminster Working Cultures programme. Students remain bound by the University of Westminster’s 'Student Code of Conduct'.

*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.

Write a strong application for your chosen 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 programme? 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 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 being on this programme 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. If you write only one or two sentences, your application will not be considered. Make sure you provide context and showcase your interests, motivations and personality when writing your application

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 UK programme.

Watch this video for our WWC Ambassador’s top tips for writing a successful application.

Student advice

Our WWC participants have shared their advice for your application to WWC.

"Before filling out the application, start with writing down your characteristics and skills so that you know what you have to offer. Think about what motivates or inspires you to be a part of the programme. Note down your achievements and pull together all your best work experience examples. And, the last step will be to know what are your future goals and how will you make the most of the event to further contribute to your goals."
– Taruna, Designing Cities: Planning and Architecture BA

"Be honest. It is okay to say that you struggle with anxiety when speaking to new people. WWC is not about making judgements but helping you to develop personally in ways that will support your future employability. Ask yourself, “What do I find difficult, and how might this impact future possibilities?”  Then during the WWC programme, you can work on the things you have identified."
– Maya, Psychology and Counselling BSc

"Have an open mind and be inspired by this process. Be like a painter with a brush and start painting. You will never create a masterpiece until your brush touches the blank canvas: the application. Tackle this as you would tackle a job application or your exam. Take it seriously and take your time. Research the graduate attributes that the world of work is looking for and link your application to how the WWC programme would enable you to start developing those particular attributes."
– Aminul, Biomedical Sciences BSc