Welcome to the University of Westminster
Bringing together an international community of educators, researchers and students to share ideas, develop collaborations and advance the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.
Located in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities, the University of Westminster provides a distinctive setting for EuroSoTL 2027.
With a history of innovation, international collaboration and practice-focused education, Westminster brings together a diverse academic community from across disciplines and around the world. Its central London campuses place delegates within easy reach of the capital’s cultural, academic and professional landmarks, providing an ideal setting for conversation, collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
Pioneers since 1838
Founded in 1838 as the Polytechnic Institution, the University of Westminster began with a mission to make education, science and new technologies accessible to the people of London. It was the first polytechnic in London and one of the first in the UK, and its history includes a number of notable firsts — from Europe’s first public photographic portrait studio to hosting the first public moving-picture screening in the UK.
Today, Westminster continues that tradition through teaching and research that are practical, contemporary and closely connected to the social, professional and cultural life of London.
A Global University in the Heart of London
The University of Westminster is home to more than 20,000 students drawn from over 160 nationalities, creating one of the UK’s most internationally diverse university communities. It also works with more than 190 partner institutions across 56 countries, reflecting a long-standing commitment to international collaboration and exchange.
With campuses at Regent Street, Marylebone, Cavendish and Harrow, Westminster combines a global outlook with an unmistakably London setting. Three of its campuses sit in central London, placing delegates within walking distance of many of the capital’s cultural, academic and professional landmarks.
A Place of Firsts
Westminster’s history has always been closely connected with experimentation and innovation. The institution opened Europe’s first public photographic portrait studio in 1841, hosted the Lumière brothers’ first public moving-picture show in Britain in 1896, and has pioneered teaching in areas ranging from photography and media to science, technology and the professions.
Westminster Law School
Famous Visits
Westminster has welcomed royalty, ministers, ambassadors and international leaders throughout its history. Its central London campuses continue to provide a meeting place for diplomacy, public policy and international exchange.
- Queen Victoria and Prince Albert — visited the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1855. Prince Albert had first visited in 1840 and subsequently became its patron.
- King Edward VII, while Prince of Wales — became patron after Prince Albert and visited the Polytechnic, including a documented visit in 1876.
- King George V and Queen Mary — formally reopened the rebuilt Regent Street Polytechnic in 1912, accompanied by the future King Edward VIII.
- Queen Elizabeth II — patron of Westminster and its predecessor institutions from 1952 until 2022; she visited Regent Street and Harrow, including officially opening the Harrow Campus in 1995.
- Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh — visited in 1958 and 1994.
- King Charles III — has visited Westminster on several occasions and across its campuses, beginning in 1980; he became the University's Royal Patron in 2024.
- King Letsie III of Lesotho — visited the University in 2024 for an event marking 200 years of the Kingdom of Lesotho. The event also brought together ambassadors and high commissioners from southern African states.
- Ravshan Usmanov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the UK — visited Westminster in 2024 and has longstanding links with the University through Westminster International University in Tashkent.
- Otabek Makhkamov, Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation — participated in the Uzbekistan–UK Education Forum hosted at Westminster.
- Sir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Minister's Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards — spoke at Westminster in 2026 at the launch of its Public Policy and Management MA.
- Westminster has also hosted international government ministers through the Education World Forum, including a ministerial delegation supported by then UK Universities Minister Michelle Donelan at Marylebone Campus in 2022.
Long before today's University of Westminster, the Regent Street Polytechnic has brought together some of the defining names in modern music.
- Jimi Hendrix — gave his first UK performance at the Polytechnic in 1966.
- Cream — played the Polytechnic, including the 1966 performance at which Hendrix joined them.
- Pink Floyd — Roger Waters and Nick Mason rehearsed an early incarnation of the band, Sigma 6, at Little Titchfield Street; Pink Floyd later played Portland Hall in 1967 and 1968.
- Fleetwood Mac — Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac performed at Portland Hall in 1968; a live recording from the venue was later released as Masters: London Live '68.
- Howlin’ Wolf — performed at Portland Hall during the Polytechnic's major period as a London music venue.
- Freddie King — another major American blues musician who performed there.
- The Animals — also played Portland Hall.
- New Order — played the Polytechnic in 1985; the recording has subsequently been used for one of Westminster's "Ghost Gig" events.
Marylebone Campus
The Soho Poly
A Home for Radical Theatre
Hidden beneath the University of Westminster’s Riding House Street building, the Soho Poly became one of London’s most important alternative theatre venues. Established there in 1972, it pioneered lunchtime theatre, making performance more accessible by bringing theatre into the working day.
From 1972, Westminster’s Soho Poly became one of London’s most influential alternative theatres. A pioneer of lunchtime theatre, it provided a platform for new and underrepresented voices and helped shape the careers of Caryl Churchill, Hanif Kureishi, Simon Callow, Bob Hoskins and many others.
Restored and reopened as a cultural venue, the Soho Poly remains part of the University of Westminster today — continuing a tradition of experimentation, creativity and making the arts accessible to wider audiences.
Harrow Campus