West London College was an independent higher education institution with origins dating back to the 1930s. For a period, the College operated as an Associate Campus of Heriot-Watt University — at the time ranked among the top 20 universities in the UK — and delivered a range of Heriot-Watt bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes under licence. Students who studied these programmes received Heriot-Watt degrees and attended the same graduation ceremony in Edinburgh as on-campus students.
The College occupied several buildings around the Selfridges area in London’s West End, within walking distance of Bond Street, Baker Street and Marble Arch underground stations. Student accommodation was typically provided in hostel-style rooms, mainly located in the Queensway and Bayswater districts.
As a non-profit institution, the College aimed to offer comparatively modest tuition fees. Overseas students paid only slightly higher fees than UK/EU students, primarily to cover additional administrative and visa-related costs.
West London College was also a member of Study UK during this period.
The Teaching
Students who attended West London College were encouraged and supported to achieve strong academic outcomes. Teaching was delivered by experienced tutors, and learners had access to a wide range of specialist resources, including audio-visual technology and modern computer facilities.
Lecturers were selected not only for academic expertise but also for their ability to communicate effectively and engage students. In this environment, many students reported discovering renewed motivation, confidence, and enthusiasm for their studies.
The Student Facilities
Classrooms and computer laboratories were climate-controlled and equipped with digital projectors connected to the College network and virtual learning environment. Facilities included an extensive library with electronic links to university collections, a subsidised restaurant, student common rooms, a cinema, free Wi-Fi and printing, and a 50-station internet café with Skype access.
The College also hosted an integrated English language school, which received notable recognition in Europe, and organised regular social activities such as parties, fashion shows, discos and boat trips — with the annual Christmas celebration becoming particularly well-known among students.
The Students
At its peak, the College enrolled approximately 900 full-time students, most aged between 18 and 25 and representing many different countries. This created a distinctly international and multicultural learning community.
This material documents West London College as it operated historically. Programmes, facilities and affiliations described here are no longer current and are preserved solely for historical reference.