History of the University

The University has had four different names during its long history:

• The Royal Polytechnic Institution (1838-1881)
• Regent Street Polytechnic (1881-1970)
• The Polytechnic of Central London - known as PCL (1970-1992)
• The University of Westminster (1992 to present)

If you would like to know more, these links will take you to:

• The University History Project, with details of our current project to deliver two publications on the history of sport and the Olympics and on the history of the University of Westminster 1882-1992

• A timeline outlining major dates and developments

• History of the Governing Body of the University and its predecessors

• Archive Services, for answers to historical enquiries and information about historical sources

• Online exhibitions

• Bibliography of publications about the history of the University and related subjects

• External websites containing information about the history of the University
  

If you have any queries about these pages, or want more information about the history of the University, please contact the University Archivist at archive@westminster.ac.uk