Intro

We draw on a heritage of over 150 years in teaching and professional education.

From the outset, the University has played, and continues to play, a significant role in the educational, cultural, and economic life of its region. Over the years, leading academic institutions, career-specific training providers, and industry specialists have come together to make us what we are today - a university dedicated to your career.

Our history

Students sitting on steps of UWL building - St mary's road SMR campus

2022 - The University founded the Institute for Policing Studies and opened the refurbished Century House and Cavendish House buildings.

2021 - Ruskin College, Oxford joined the University.

2019 - The University merged with Drama Studio London (DSL), an Ealing institution well-known in the acting world.

2018 - The University opened the West London Food Innovation Centre and became home to Heathrow Archives and Westmont Enterprise Hub.

Birds eye view of UWL's heartspace - a cafe in a high ceiling open space

2017 - We invested over £1 million in the development of the Paragon Annex studios and opened a brand new nursing Simulation Centre at Reading.

2016 - The University purchased the Brentford site (Paragon) allowing for flexibility to grow and thrive.

2015 - Our Ealing site underwent a £100 million transformation, with a new social area, library, students' union, auditorium, gym, restaurants and cafes, studios for the student radio station and music students, and teaching spaces.

Side entrance to UWL campus. A modern glass entrance with the UWL logo above the door

2011 - The University formally changed its name to The University of West London, following prior approval from The Privy Council. The University also celebrated the installation of Laurence Geller as its new Chancellor.

2010 - In July, the University completed the divestment of its site in King's Road, Reading (now known as Reading College).

2009 - The University was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for outstanding achievement and excellence in hospitality education from Her Majesty the Queen, in recognition of the quality of its teaching provision.

students walking in the park

2004 - The University merged with Reading College and Ealing School of Art and Design.

1995 - The University merged with Berkshire College of Nursing and Midwifery.

1994 - The University merged with Northwick Park School of Nursing, Riverside College of Nursing and the North West Thames Regional Health Authority's AIDS Unit.

An avenue of trees on a sunny day

1992 - The polytechnic became the Thames Valley University after being granted university status by royal assent. See the University’s statute document.

1991 - The Lady Byron school was renamed the Polytechnic of West London after merging with Ealing College of Higher Education, Thames Valley College of Higher Education, the London College of Music and Queen Charlotte’s College of Health Care Studies.

1860 - The Lady Byron School (later the University of West London) was founded.