Showing 2855 results

The Polytechnic of Central London (PCL) was redesignated as the University of Westminster following the Higher and Further Education Act (1992), which created a single funding council, the Higher Education Funding Council, for England and abolished the remaining distinctions between polytechnics and universities. As a university, Westminster gained the power to grant its own degrees. The name was changed from "Polytechnic of Central London" to "University of Westminster" by Special Resolution passed on 30 March 1993 with the consent of the Privy Council given on 16 June 1992. The objects of the Company (PCL had been incorporated in 1970) were altered by a Special Resolution on 17 May 1994. The redrafted Memorandum and Articles of Association defining the University's responsibilities and constitutional framework came into operation on 25 May 1994. (N.B. The 1992 presentation ceremony programme details that the University came into existence on 25 June 1992.)

The merger of Harrow College of Higher Education and PCL in 1990 was followed in 1991 by the commissioning of an Accommodation Strategy. This identified the legacy of the fragmented and widely dispersed estate, spread across more than 20 sites. The University has been consolidating onto its main sites in the West End, at Marylebone Road, and at Harrow. A major redevelopment of the Harrow site was completed in 1995 to house the School of Communication (now the School of Communication and Creative Industries). Little Titchfield Street was then refurbished to house the School of Law (completed in 1998), and its former site in Red Lion Square, acquired through the amalgamation with Holborn College of Law, Languagues and Commerce in 1970, sold.

In 1997/98 the University introduced a new devolved structure based on four campuses - Cavendish, Harrow, Marylebone and Regent - supported by a small core of central service units. In 1998 the University acquired the Policy Studies Institute and also the London School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and in the same year opened Polyclinic for the teaching and provision of complementary therapies.

Further information on the University is available on its website: http://www.westminster.ac.uk

Established 1997 - first meeting 28 Nov 1997.

This committees is now defunct, having been succeeded by the University Research Committee.

The University and PCL established itself as one of the leading UK academic institutions offering courses and training programmes for overseas government officials and groups nominated by various ministries.

In keeping with this tradition, a unique postgraduate course in Diplomatic Studies and Practice was introduced in 1980. It attracted members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Court of St James's as well as diplomats from various Ministries for Foreign Affairs and officials from overseas government departments. The course was offered by the Diplomatic Academy of London which was an integral part of the University's School of Social and Policy Sciences [later the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages].

The Diplomatic Academy ran a wide range of post-experience courses and training programmes leading to the award of an MA Degree in Diplomatic Studies and MPhil/PhD by further research. Courses offered by the Diplomatic Academy of London were valued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, overseas Ministries for Foreign Affairs, Diplomatic Missions in London, international and regional organisations, multinational corporations and individual students for their relevance and focus on career development.

The Diplomatic course was a blend of academic studies and professional training. The Schools of Law, Languages, Communication, Social and Policy Sciences, Economic and Business Studies and the London Management Centre contributed to the academic disciplines. The professional aspects were covered by career diplomats, journalists, lawyers, politicians and senior officials from various government departments.

c.2003 the Diplomatic Academy was considered the largest academic institution in Europe which ran a wide range of post-experience courses and training programmes. It was awarded the title of Associate Member of the London Diplomatic Association. In the 2002 QAA the University was rated as an excellent institution in the teaching of Politics (diplomacy and international relations).

c.2003 The Diplomatic Academy's MA in Diplomatic Studies was run in both London and Paris. Students attending the University of Westminster Paris Centre had the opportunity to spend one semester in London. Paris students were entitled to use all the facilities of the Faculte Libre de Droit d'Economie et de Gestion de Paris.

The Diplomatic Academy closed c.2012. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office opened their own Diplomatic Academy in 2015.