City of Westminster College has been working in partnership with Westminster Virtual Reality, part of Westminster City Council’s Integrated Gangs and Exploitation Unit (IGXU), to explore how virtual reality (VR) technology can support student wellbeing, engagement and learning.
The project is part of the wider Westminster Virtual Reality programme developed by IGXU, which reached over 3,600 people across Westminster last year, using immersive technology to engage communities and promote positive outcomes for those affected by youth violence and exploitation.
Our collaboration with IGXU first took off at a community Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz celebration held at the college. Here, VR was used as an immersive activity to ignite meaningful conversations between local communities and young people. We are always seeking ways to improve our processes and education for the development of our students. Therefore, following the event’s success, we explored how VR technology could be used more widely within a college environment, and quickly found use for it within wellbeing and curriculum areas.
Students studying multimedia, animation, graphics and coding, for example, have been able to use VR headsets to experience their physical and digital designs after they have been built. This provides learners with practical exposure to technologies that are increasingly shaping industries including gaming, engineering and architecture. According to staff, learners became fully engaged in projects while strengthening teamwork and creative-thinking capabilities.
What’s more, the VR programme has provided an additional platform for positive engagement with students, helping to strengthen peer-to-peer and staff relationships, encourage conversations and support wider community safety objectives.
Reflecting on the impact of the partnership, Misk Sharif Ali, Curriculum Manager for Computing at City of Westminster College, described the initiative as a “massive success”. “It made a massive difference to not only my teaching but also to the curriculum. We were able to adapt and improve our BTEC curriculum to make it more innovative in line with trends in the industry that our young people are working towards.”
Head to Westminster VR for more details on the programme.
“My experience at College of Northwest London, has been exciting, it has been thrilling and it has been full of opportunities, and we have the tutors that help us whenever we’re in need. We go on educational trips to get a feel for what university life is like. We have the careers advisors that help us on our path, our university path.”
“The facilities here are brilliant. You have range of courses you can study. My teachers in the Performing Arts department have got history in the industry, which is very useful. You get to ask them for advice and actual knowledge from the industry, and take that into your own work within the college also afterwards. ”
“At City of Westminster College, my experience has been the best of all the other colleges I’ve attended. The reason I like CWC is because the teachers make my journey easier with assessment and exams. I’m a Level Two Science student and I enjoy my lessons because most of them are practical, which are helpful for me. I love studying at CWC because you meet people from other countries – all over the world and from all different communities.”
“My favourite thing about studying here has definitely got to be the teachers. They’re really helpful, kind and in the industry, so it’s good.”
“The technical knowledge and hands-on experience gained during my apprenticeship at College of North West London have been invaluable, particularly in understanding site processes, health and safety requirements and the understanding of electrical systems.”
“My experience studying at City of Westminster College has been amazing. It’s been so welcoming; I enjoy it very much because of the staff members we have here. They’re very approachable and I could come to them with any question, and it will be answered straight away. And if I come early for a class, I can use the Learning Resources Centre, I can use the computers, the books, just to continue all my studies outside the classroom time.”
“The training process was seamless. I had good instructors who were very flexible, supporting people of all learning levels. On the last day after our exams, a security company came and did a presentation. We had the opportunity to have an interview afterwards. I told them about my experiences, and they said I would be a good fit. I formally applied for a role and started with the company soon after. Getting into security has opened doors for me. I hope I will continue to take steps up the career ladder.”
“Coming to study at the City of Westminster College was the best decision that I had ever made. The teachers are very accommodating – they help you learn things in a way that might be easier for you to learn. They are very supportive and I think that’s one of the best things about learning here.”
“I was so grateful to have won Apprentice of the Year at the West London Business Awards 2026, I could not have done it without the support my company Size Group and the College of North West London.”
