As the UK marks Social Mobility Day, here are six ways the University of Westminster is breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds.
1. Opening doors with scholarships
For many young people, financial barriers can limit access to higher education or create pressure to work long hours alongside their studies. Scholarships such as the Westminster Great Start Scholarship and Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship aim to take away these burdens and make higher education accessible to all. These scholarships prioritise those from low-income households, care-experienced backgrounds and first-generation university applicants, ensuring that talent and potential rather than family income determine success.
About his donor-funded scholarship Cyber Security and Forensics MSc student Semir Idris said: “Being a parent of four children has caused great financial pressure. Arriving at a pivotal point, the grant relieved my immediate financial obligations and gave my family and academic path fresh optimism. The scholarship's money has had quite an effect. They gave my family great relief and stability when I paid overdue tuition, obtained a deposit and rented a house. These gifts have helped me fulfil my academic goals and given my kids a safe and comfortable home. I cannot stress how much this has raised our standard of living and freed me to concentrate on my academics with a fresh will.”
Scholarships celebration event
2. Fuelling ambition with the Ignite Fund
The Ignite Fund is one of Westminster’s standout initiatives which gives all students the opportunity to apply for funding for projects and activities which help to ignite their employability and professional development. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and supporters, along with the Quintin Hogg Trust matching every donation pound-for-pound, the Ignite Fund supports students to make their dreams a reality.
The fund has distributed hundreds of microgrants to help students explore opportunities that will develop their professional and creative skills. Whether through funding equipment, supporting travel to internships or paying for industry accreditation, the Ignite Fund empowers students to seize life-changing opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible.
About how the Ignite Fund helped her career, Illustration BA Honours alumna Katie Russell said: “I am coming to the end of my studies which can be a daunting prospect, however the Ignite Fund has helped me to kick-start my path forwards into my dream role, giving me a valuable opportunity, I would not have had otherwise and making the future an exciting place rather than an uncertain one. Many thanks to the donors who made it possible!”
3. Creating networks, building confidence
Thanks to fundraising, Westminster has expanded its careers and enterprise support for students through initiatives like the Talent Bank, which offers students the opportunity to apply for part-time jobs across the University, and Westminster Working Cultures. These programmes connect students to a powerful alumni network, providing mentoring and insider access to sectors such as finance, law, media and technology.
Westminster Working Cultures (WWC) is a university-wide initiative designed to enhance students’ knowledge and awareness of the world of work. Utilising the support of Westminster’s global network of alumni and partners, WWC connects students with working professionals who share their insights and advice from a range of industries.
About his experience on WWC Business Management (Marketing) BA Honours student Samar Khan said: “This initiative, which leverages the support of the University of Westminster's global network of alumni and partners, has provided me with unique insights and skills that will undoubtedly impress potential employers. Engaging with the speakers has allowed me to expand my professional network significantly. These connections will be essential in the job search process and throughout my career, as they offer guidance, advice and potential job referrals.”
4. Building digital skills for the future
Westminster has partnered with world-leading technology and professional services company Cognizant to set up the Westminster Digital Upskilling Programme and help bridge the digital skills gap. Generously funded by Cognizant, the programme will award 60 final-year Westminster undergraduates and recent graduates each year with a fully funded, means-tested bursary to enrol in either the Digital Marketing Strategy or Data Analytics and Business Intelligence short courses at the University.
The courses will allow participants to develop critical digital skills, increasing their employability and access to highly skilled jobs. Participants will gain industry-recognised credentials and support from industry-experts at the university and Cognizant to build their skills for employment or entrepreneurship, helping to level the digital playing field.
A recent programme participant said: “This training helped me land a freelance analytics role while I was still studying. I’m now working full-time and supporting my family.”
5. Backing bold ideas with the Big Idea competition
The Westminster Big Idea competition is the University’s annual student and graduate business competition run in partnership with Santander Universities UK. The competition encourages and supports applicants to develop their entrepreneurial skills and build their businesses through workshops, specialist mentoringand the prize funding on offer.
About the competition Big Idea 2024 finalist and Film BA Honours alumna Lada Kopytova said: "The funding I received during the Big Idea semi-final really helped me upgrade my skills. It allowed me to get a new laptop, which is my main working tool, enabling me to take on more work and reduce the turnaround time for projects. It also covered my travel expenses, which allowed me to attend three festivals where I showcased my latest film. That experience was incredible for meeting people—producers, sales agents—and for building confidence in myself.”
Big Ideas 2024 finalists
6. Stepping up with Zone29
Set to open in 2026, Zone29 will be an innovative physical and digital space that connects Westminster’s diverse student talent with the world of business and its local community. Businesses and donors will be invited to the revived nine-storey building on Marylebone Road to connect with Westminster students, offering them opportunities to network and for mentorship and to explore their professional aspirations.
Through innovative training, facilities and career opportunities, Zone29 will inspire new jobs, enterprises and game-changing collaborations in Westminster, London and beyond, including partnerships such as the University’s free digital upskilling and business programmes with The Rebel School and Netcompany to empower underrepresented women from diverse backgrounds. The groundbreaking partnership between the university, an NGO, and a corporate organisation paves the way for future collaborations that will be made possible by the opening of Zone29.
About Zone29 Westminster’s Director of Business Engagement and Graduate Futures Linsey Cole said: “Zone29 is all about connecting students to the outside world and will enable us to take our collaborations with our local community and business to the next level. Through Zone29, our students will be able to build the connections and networks they need to secure a job or build their own successful business or freelance career. Our students provide organisations with the diverse talent they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.”
Powered by philanthropic support
From scholarships and microgrants to mentoring and digital upskilling, donations made by alumni, friends and partners of the University of Westminster help students from all backgrounds to dream bigger, go further and thrive.
Westminster’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Bonfield said: “Since our very beginnings some 180 years ago, we have helped support our wonderfully diverse community of students and colleagues wherever they come from, whatever their background, to feel welcomed in our Westminster community. Our educational programme helps each one of our learners to discover more about their strengths and how to overcome their uncertainties and vulnerabilities in ways that help them apply their knowledge in work after studying, doing so also in our unique, compassionate, inclusive, ineffable way which helps enable all of our students to become great global citizens and make a positive impact on the world. This is us, this is Westminster, and this is why we are very pleased to be celebrating Social Mobility Day.”
Simay Sali Sevik, Development Manager at the University of Westminster, added: “At the University of Westminster, social mobility is at the heart of everything we do. Through transformative scholarships, community outreach, mentorship programmes and partnerships with socially responsible organisations, the Development Team works to ensure that talented students — regardless of background — have the support, opportunities and networks they need to thrive. We are proud to drive forward initiatives that create real, lasting change in the lives of young people and their communities.”
Westminster's work towards social mobility contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education, 10: Reduced Inequalities and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about how philanthropic support changes Westminster students’ lives on the Development webpage.
To find out how individuals and organisations can collaborate with the University, contact Westminster’s Development Team.
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