University of West London

The University of West London traces its history to 1860 and developed through a series of colleges and mergers before gaining university status in 1992 as Thames Valley University. It adopted its current name in 2010. The university describes itself as a professional and technical institution and is a member of University Alliance. Its main campuses are in Ealing and Brentford in West London, with a further campus in Reading, Berkshire.

The university has around 18,000 higher education students. Its academic units include the Claude Littner Business School, the College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare, the London College of Music, the London School of Film, Media and Design, the School of Medicine and Biosciences, Drama Studio London and the Institute for Policing Studies. Nursing and healthcare, music and performance, hospitality, and business are among its best-known areas. The university is recognised for high levels of student satisfaction in the National Student Survey, and 80 per cent of its research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework.

Information for International Students

The university has an international student community drawn from almost 100 countries. An International Recruitment Team, supported by regional offices in China, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, guides applicants through the admissions process, and offer holders receive step-by-step support with meeting offer conditions, requesting a CAS and applying for a Student visa. A Senior International Student Experience Officer provides pre-arrival guidance, and international meet-and-greet sessions cover visas, living arrangements and IT set-up. Offer holders can also take a free online course introducing UK academic culture and study skills.

English language requirements vary by course and country, typically IELTS 6.0 for undergraduate and 6.5 for postgraduate study. The university runs online pre-sessional English courses of 6, 10 and 15 weeks for students who have not yet reached the required level. Foundation Year options are available across a range of subjects for students who do not meet direct entry requirements. The Students' Union organises welcome events for new students. Graduates may be eligible for the Graduate Route.