University of Westminster

London

is westminster a bad choice even with a full scholarship?

..curious..

Hi,

I got an offer for the MA in Marketing Management in Uni. of Westminster. I have a 3.54 GPA and Iam from Turkey. I really want to come to UK especially London. As far as I read about the university in the forum I saw that westminster is not good enough for a person with high GPA and I know I can get accepted to better universities. However I want to come to UK with a scholarship. I cannot afford the education otherwise.

What would you suggest me if I have a full scholarship (accomodaiton,tuition, living expenses and flights to and from London)?

Is westminster a bad choice even with a full scholarship?

Reply 1

Akkuz

If you can't afford any other forms of education, then studying for free at Westminster is good. Plus the business department is alright there. However you should try and look at some universities with better reputations to maybe see if you can get a better offer.

University of Westminster

London

Visit website

Reply 2

Imson

Westminster is a good Uni especially for business

Reply 3

..curious..

I have searched a lot but could not find any university which offers that much scholarship. most of them are partial discounts on tuition and it is still a huge amount. when I saw the comments in the forum about westminster, I was a little bit scared because of the bad reputation. I am still searching for other universities but it doesn't seem possible for now. :frown:

Reply 4

Jessimo

..curious..

Honestly, when I first read all the negative comments about Westminster I was pretty scared too, but after understanding how many people on here are obsessed with reputation and prestige, they were bound to insult it because it's an ex-poly. Westminster is a good university, excelling in research and perfect for oppertunities (being in London), don't let other people's elitist views change your opinions of it like I almost did. University is what you make of it. If you have a strong enough passion for the subject and are good enough at what you do, you'll succeed, no matter where you go.

Reply 5

..curious..

Thank you all especially Jessimo, the things you said really helped me calm down.
Contrary to the other comments about the university, those were much more positive :smile:

I really want to come to London&to have my master's degree&not to pay for it. And Westminster is my best choice under those circumstances and I think I am going to use this chance.

Reply 6

C_D_forever

..curious..

Thank you all especially Jessimo, the things you said really helped me calm down.
Contrary to the other comments about the university, those were much more positive :smile:

I really want to come to London&to have my master's degree&not to pay for it. And Westminster is my best choice under those circumstances and I think I am going to use this chance.

I think when you look at the complaints concerning Westminster - you'll find that they come from two types of people - the first have never been to Westminster or studied there and base all their criticism on the fact that in the UK there is still a snobbery about "old" and "new" universities (despite the fact that Westminster is around 170 years old and is older than some of the more "prestigious" universities).

The University of Westminster has always been at the forefront of technological change in the heart of London, providing educational programmes shaped by the changing needs of the capital. It has also contributed to the social and cultural life of London in some remarkable ways.

When the University’s predecessor, the Polytechnic Institution opened to the public in the newly fashionable Regent Street in August 1838, it was committed to the promotion of science. It achieved this aim by visual means, exploring innovative ways of demonstrating practical science and new technologies to a general audience. The Royal Polytechnic Institution became a major Victorian tourist attraction. Visitors could be submerged in the diving bell, have their photograph taken in Europe’s first photographic studio, see the new industrial machines in motion, or watch a spectacular lantern show in the Polytechnic Theatre.

http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-9782

These people rely on the private league tables which again are written by journalists that are being biased and misguided in how they calculate a rank order. You'll also find that in general these people will criticise any University that was a polytechnic in the past or has only just received "university" title in the past few years.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/27/highereducation.usa?gusrc=rss&feed=education

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/staff/faculty/oswald/leaguetablespmm.pdf

The second type [who criticise] are the weaker students that haven't taken responsibility for themselves and have been either excluded for failing exams or dropped out and decided to publicly criticise the place - Westminster has its fair share - you will never find any of the full scholarship students criticising because they take responsibility for themselves and are too busy being successful and moving on up.

Westminster is good - research wise it is one of the best "new" universities in the UK and is giving some of the old universities a run for their money. This is especially important if you are doing postgraduate work or research - though it is important for undergraduates as this knowledge informs their degree and what they are taught.

Below are some links that shows the different types of research Westminster is doing - where the graduates end up and you'll also notice that some of the research they do - they are usually awarded research grants that are usually picked up by the "old" universities - so you'll see that Westminster will be the only "ex-poly" in the group - example below:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-05/esr-guf050509.php

http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-18184

Global Uncertainties Fellowships announced

As the world seemingly becomes increasingly unstable, a University of Westminster academic is being funded to carry out groundbreaking research into what influences individuals, communities and nations to feel either secure or insecure.

Westminster’s Dr Abdelwahab El-Affendi is one of only 14 researchers in the UK to be awarded a fellowship to research a range of security issues - including looking at why some ideas and beliefs lead to conflict or violence - as part of a £5.5m national research investment that could have a significant impact on government policy and practice.

1. The successful applicants are:

* Dr M Bano, of University of Oxford, for 'Global uncertainties and support for Islamic militancy – female madrasas in Pakistan'. Awarded £416,641
* Professor LJ Cameron, Open University, for 'Living with Uncertainty: metaphor and the dynamics of empathy in discourse'. Awarded £446,476
* Dr K Cooper, University of Manchester, for 'Constantine's Dream: belonging, deviance and the problem of violence in early Christianity'. Awarded £601,104
* Dr A El-Affendi, University of Westminster, for 'Narratives of insecurity, democratisation and the justification of (mass) violence'. Awarded £313,691
* Professor T Farrell, King's College London, for 'Organisations, Innovation and Security in the 21st Century'. Awarded £438,678
* Professor Sir LD Freedman of King's College London, for 'Strategic scripts for the 21st Century. Awarded £650,793
* Professor RM Gleave of University of Exeter for 'Legitimate and illegitimate violence in Islamic thought'. Awarded £594,251
* Dr A Hammerstad of University of Kent, for 'The securitisation of forced migration: changing ideas and beliefs about displacement and their impact on security'. Awarded £242,866
* Dr PR Higate, University of Bristol, for 'Mercenary Masculinities' Imagine Security: the case of the private military contractor'. Awarded £306,974
* Professor DK Leonard, Institute of Development Studies, for 'Global Uncertainties: Security in an Africa of networked, multi-level governance'. Awarded £557,245
* Dr L McNamara, University of Reading, for 'Law, terrorism, and the right to know'. Awarded £309,103
* Dr C Rooney, University of Kent, for 'Radical Distrust, a cultural analysis of the emotional, psychological and linguistic formations of religious and political extremism'. Awarded £333,372
* Professor NJ Wheeler, Aberystwyth University, for 'The challenges to trust-building in a nuclear world'. Awarded £538,013
* Professor JR Wolffe, Open University, for 'Protestant-Catholic Conflict: historical legacies and contemporary realities'. Awarded £477,519

http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-18206

http://www.usnews.com/articles/science/2009/05/26/the-inner-worlds-of-conspiracy-believers.html

A team led by psychologist Viren Swami of the University of Westminster in London identified several traits associated with subscribing to 9/11 conspiracies, at least among British citizens. These characteristics consist of backing one or more conspiracy theories unrelated to 9/11, frequently talking about 9/11 conspiracy beliefs with likeminded friends and others, taking a cynical stance toward politics, mistrusting authority, endorsing democratic practices, feeling generally suspicious toward others and displaying an inquisitive, imaginative outlook.

http://www.journalism.co.uk/13/articles/534540.php

Sitting on a wall opposite Downing Street, postgraduate journalism student Laura-Jane Hawkins (pictured below) thought she'd missed her chance to get inside the Prime Minister's quarters and steal an interview with Joanna Lumley for her course documentary on the Nepalese Gurkhas.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/article-23698533-details/Teenage+talent+shares+Somerset+House+stage+with+Ms+Dynamite/article.do

Singer Ms Dynamite is spearheading a music project which will see London teenagers perform with her in a special concert at Somerset House.

Also involved are Bigga Fish, a social enterprise group for young people, and Rockschool — Westminster University's commercial music course.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/05/prweb2418914.htm

Celebrity-favourite Universal Contour Wrap® Classic has been put through its paces by Dr Adam Cunliffe of the Department of Human and Health Sciences at the University of Westminster, and his results attest that in 100% of cases an instant inch loss was achieved in just a single session.

Even more significantly the scientists were able to confirm that this inch loss remained after 30 days, backing Universal Contour Wrap's claims that the Classic treatment does not create the inch loss through dehydration and water loss alone. The independent tests carried out on female volunteers aged 28 - 55 years old showed 100% of participants demonstrated inch loss. Even more significantly the University scientists were able to confirm that inch loss remained after 30 days, putting paid to the theory that inch loss from this type of treatment is extremely temporary and cannot therefore be water loss alone.

http://www.journalism.co.uk/2/articles/534501.php

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/may/05/students-equality-bill

...Or will they take the lead from the University of Westminster and never arrange a test or exam between 1pm and 2pm on any day of the week, at the weekend, or in the late afternoon on a Friday, so that - for students and staff of most faiths - there can be no clashes with prayer times and the Sabbath?

http://www.journalism.co.uk/5/articles/534364.php

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/4371476.___Anyone_can_succeed____says_new_telly_boss/

http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/4367411.New_head_of_BBC___s_religious_programming/

As reported in The Bolton News yesterday, Mr Ahmed, aged 38, has been appointed as the BBC’s head of religious programming and will take up the position in July.

Mr Ahmed...completed an honours degree in photography, film and video at the University of Westminster.

http://webdiary.com.au/cms/?q=node/2828

http://www.independent.co.uk/student/career-planning/getting-job/merchandisers-are-the-brains-behind-the-shop-floor-but-what-exactly-do-they-do-1688344.html

Kathryn Mallery, 27, is the merchandiser for maternity and petite clothing for the online fashion retailer ASOS.com, having completed the BA fashion merchandise management degree at the University of Westminster in 2003.

Apologise for the massive post - but it seems a shame that you are being made to feel down and negative due to spurious claims that are unfounded which are being said about a particular place - when you should be feeling excited.

Another thread somewhere about Scholarships to Westminster has been started - you might be able to get further advice and info here. Some other thread links about Westminster can be found below:

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=18277573#post18277573

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=18932579#post18932579

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=17204702#post17204702

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=18742859#post18742859

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=18287299#post18287299

I hope this goes someway to helping you - click on different links and do your own research and look at things a bit more constructively. If you are successful with the full scholarship I think Westminster even offers enhanced support through CASE etc. and you should use everything they offer you.

http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-2705

http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-595

http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-17818

http://www.wmin.ac.uk/sshl/page-1675

I'm not sure if you are able to visit the place - but this is one of the things that is a really important thing to do - some people don't visit a place where they will be studying and absolutely hate it when they get there - no wonder some people aren't happy. But I hope everything works out for you and I wish you the best of luck.

Also if you do decide to go - add your name to this thread requesting a sub forum for Westminster.

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=852934

Good luck :smile:

Reply 7

butterflyaway

I submitted my scholarship application yesterday as I had had to wait for my exam results. Will it be accepted if it reaches the Scholarships Office on Monday (the deadline is 31st May)? Is there anyone who has also applying for the full scholarship?

Reply 8

..curious..

thank you for the information, I will continue to research..

aS for the scholarship application, I saw on the internet site that the documents needs to be received by the university until 31th. sending time is not important I guess.

But I hope they would consider your application bacause it is just 1day delay and 31th is sunday.

I have also sent mine a week ago and yaesterday they sent me a mail saying that they received my documents.

Also I learned that they announce the results in early JUly.

Reply 9

C_D_forever

To butterfly - I would contact them urgently to try and see if they would accept it a day late or if you could get it to them via other means. I think they are pretty strict with the deadlines - it would be a shame to miss out on being considered. Good luck.

Reply 10

butterflyaway

Thank you

, I've contacted them and have received a positive answer.

Reply 11

ooh_harry

Considering this is a masters, you probably need to pay particular attention to research and funding quality. On the basis, GIVEN you have other options, the university of westminister wont offer you anything too cutting edge or competitive

Reply 12

C_D_forever

ooh_harry

I'm not really sure if you fully comprehend what you are saying - seeing as my earlier post shows some of the research Westminster is putting out there, I think it will offer much that is cutting edge and competitive research wise (obviously) - plus its performance in the last RAE 2008 was very good.

If the OP has a better offer (especially concerning RAE 2008 performance - he can look these up for himself) that is going to give him a completely free education in relation to course fees and living costs (highly unlikely as Westminster has won awards for its scholarship provision), then he should consider these offers himself - though this shows how Westminster is committed to high quality in both its students and its learning and research - by rewarding certain people with a high amount of scholarship provision - some other establishments could be accused of being money grabbers and wouldn't necessarily provide the high quality they deserve.

http://submissions.rae.ac.uk/results/qualityProfile.aspx?id=82&type=hei

Just because it isn't a totally elitist establishment and tries to be as ethical as possible in relation to giving people the best possible chance (for whatever reason - money or life circumstances) when others wouldn't, doesn't mean it is poor or average - it's doing very well for itself and will most likely continue on this path.

http://www.wmin.ac.uk/page-17866

University doubles its research income

30 March 2009

The University of Westminster is set to receive a massive increase of more than 100 per cent in its research funding after its academics shone in the 2008 national assessment of research.

Westminster will now be one of the biggest recipients of research funding among comparable universities in London, following this week's announcement by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

Last December's Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), the official national rankings of research, rated the University's Communications, Cultural and Media Studies research as "world-leading". Research across a broad range of other subjects at Westminster – including Art and Design, Architecture and Biomedical Sciences — was also shown to be in the top 50 per cent in the UK.

Westminster's boost in research funding compares with an average increase of just under 8 per cent among other universities and takes the amount it will receive from HEFCE for research to £4.6 million for the period 2009-10.

Reply 13

OneWayOfLife?

Its not about the University its want you make of your education

Reply 14

flugestuge

ooh_harry

Good advice.

Reply 15

C_D_forever

flugestuge

Good advice.

Like I mentioned earlier to this particular poster - I'm not sure you fully comprehend - to make matters worse for him/her - the one person on TSR who doles out stupid/pointless/ill-advice (that'll be you flugestuge) - says it is "good".

I rest my case.