University of Westminster, Global Exchange

My name is Hayley, and I am studying law on exchange at the University of Westminster. I am doing three elective subjects, which are Elements of Human Rights: Idea, Law and Practice, Elements of Entertainment Law: Theory and Practice, and Elements of Law of Intellectual Property (‘IP’). So far, I am loving my host university and the subjects I am doing.

My host university has a variety of facilities I have fully taken advantage of, such as a free gym and library. There are regular events and many societies that are free to join. I recently went to a ‘Paint and Sip’ night where I was given materials and some time to paint and meet new students. I’ve also been to a few welcome events where I’ve found it easy to meet people. 

My professors have been engaging and knowledgeable. I would say there are fewer readings than at UTS, but there is a strong focus on class participation, and everyone is expected to regularly contribute and ask questions, even though class participation isn’t marked. Each elective has tutorials and seminars. The lectures are built into the seminars. In the tutorials, we get to practice applying what we learnt in the seminars.

These are the first law electives I have studied, and I like being able to focus on content that I’m particularly interested in. I love music and many of my loved ones are artists, so I appreciate being able to study it from a legal [point of view] through my electives. I think human rights are important for everyone to learn, especially law students who can advocate for human rights in their future careers.

I love that my host university is in the heart of central London and around a 20-minute train ride to Big Ben. There are many famous museums nearby, such as the British Museum and Tate Modern, which I have enjoyed exploring.

I am living off-campus in an area called Harlesden, and it takes about 45 minutes to get to my host university by tube. It’s a lively area with great Jamaican and Brazilian food options. Fun fact – Harlesden is in the London Borough of Brent which is where Bob Marley and the Wailers lived when they stayed in London. 

I recently went to Oxford with my boyfriend to visit family friends, which was only around an hour’s train away from the city. The history and architecture in the UK are incredible and something I am grateful to experience.

Overall, London is an amazing city, and I am very happy to be studying on exchange here. Everyone has been kind and welcoming, and there is always something to see and do. I would recommend trying to meet as many Londoners as possible as they can point you to the best spots to visit. Of course, making sure you visit all the tourist spots doesn’t hurt either. If you have the opportunity to go on exchange, definitely do it!

Hayley Dobbin
Bachelor of Information Technology Bachelor of Laws
University of Westminster
United Kingdom

For more information about the UTS Global Exchange program, visit: www.uts.edu.au/thinkglobal