Welcome to your comprehensive guide to London universities. 

Whether you’re a prospective student exploring higher education options or are currently enrolled and considering a transfer, this article will give you the essential information to navigate university choices in London.

London is home to so many universities, each with its own unique characteristics, academic offerings and reputation. From world-renowned unis steeped in centuries of tradition to innovative institutions at the forefront of cutting-edge research, there’s something for everyone in this bustling metropolis.

To help you understand what’s on offer, we’ll take you through a complete list of London universities, as well as insights into tuition fees, rankings, size, reputation, and more. Whether you’re interested in arts and humanities, sciences, business or technology, you’ll find the perfect fit for your academic and personal goals in London.

Let’s dive in!

How many universities are there in London?

There are over 40 universities in London. This includes globally esteemed universities with long roots in the capital, such as University College London, The London School of Economics and King’s College London. There are also universities originally based elsewhere with major branches and campuses in London.

If you’re searching for your dream degree, here’s your complete London universities list.

Click on each university to head straight to their website for more information.

1. Anglia Ruskin University: ARU London
2. Birkbeck, University of London
3. Brunel University London
4. City, University of London
5. Coventry University: Coventry University London
6. Glasgow Caledonian University: GCU London
7. Goldsmiths, University of London
8. Imperial College London
9. King’s College London
10. Kingston University
11. London Metropolitan University
12. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
13. London South Bank University
14. Loughborough University: Loughborough University London
15. Middlesex University London
16. Newcastle University London
17. Nottingham Trent University: Confetti London
18. Queen Mary University of London
19. Ravensbourne University London
20. Regents University London
21. Royal Holloway, University of London
22. Sheffield Hallam University: Sheffield Hallam University in London (opening August 2026)
23. SOAS, University Of London
24. Staffordshire University: Staffordshire University London
25. St Mary’s University, Twickenham
26. St Georges, University of London
27. Sunderland University: University of Sunderland in London
28. Teesside University London
29. Ulster University London Campus
30. University College London (UCL)
31. University of East London
32. University of Greenwich
33. University of Northumbria: Northumbria University London
34. University of Roehampton
35. University of The Arts London
36. University of the West of Scotland London
37. University of Wales Trinity Saint David: UWTSD London
38. University of West London
39. University of Westminster
40. York St John University: London Campus

As well as these “generalised” universities, there are also many more specialist institutions in the capital. For instance, the Courtauld Institute of Art, the Architectural Association School of Architecture, Royal Academy of Art, Royal Academy of Dance and Royal Academy of Music are all registered Higher Education providers, but specialise in just one or two subjects. 

There’s a massive array of specialised higher education in London, including prestigious institutions such as the London School Of Hygiene And Tropical Medicine and the Royal Veterinary College as well as newer providers such as the London Film School, London Business School and the School of Advanced Study.

If you want to specialise in a single or niche subject area, it’s worth checking out national higher education rankings for the best institutions. You can sort by subject with both the Complete University Guide and the Guardian University Guide.

Which university is ranked 1 in London?

Out of all the universities we’ve listed above, there are three that stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to rankings.

These are the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Imperial College London and University College London (UCL).

The number one ranked university changes depending on which league table you look at. But for The Guardian and the Complete University Guide, LSE is the highest-ranked university in London. For The Times Higher Education Guide, Imperial College comes out on top.

Here are the top three ranked London universities for each league table.

The Guardian University Guide

• LSE: 4th
• Imperial: 5th
• UCL: 8th

The Complete University Guide

• LSE: 3rd
• Imperial: 6th
• UCL: 9th

The Times Higher Education Guide

• Imperial: 3rd
• UCL: 4th
• King’s College London: 6th

If you’re considering the best universities in London, don’t miss our UCL and LSE admissions guides as well as your ultimate LSE vs UCL comparison. We’ll also answer the debate “Is Kings or UCL better?” soon… so watch this space!

What is the largest university in London?

In the latest data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (going up to 2022), the London University with the most students is UCL. 

Over 46,800 full-time and part-time students are enrolled at the university, on a mix of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Here are the top ten largest universities in London.

1. University College London: 46,830 students
2. King’s College London: 41,490 students 
3. University of Greenwich: 26,610 students
4. Queen Mary University: 26,054 students
5. University of the Arts: 22,455 students 
6. Imperial College London: 21,470 students 
7. The University of Westminster: 20,915 students
8. City, University of London: 20,685
9. Kingston University: 19,920
10. University of East London: 19,550

These universities offer a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in many different subjects. To understand undergraduate degrees in more detail, explore our guides to BA Hons and BSc Hons qualifications.

We should also mention that if you include The University of London, this would be the largest university by far in terms of student enrolment. 

It’s actually a federation of 17 different institutions (including UCL, Birkbeck and SOAS), making it one of the largest university systems in the entire world. Each member institution operates independently and offers a wide range of programs and courses – which we’ll cover in the next section.

Is going to university in London expensive?

Going to university in London can be expensive. 

Fees and student accommodation costs will vary from university to university, but in general, yes, London is more expensive than the rest of the country.

Let’s break a few of the costs down.

For UK students, universities usually charge £9,250 (the maximum amount allowed) for each year of your studies. This tends to be the same whether you’re in London or not.

This means for a standard three-year course, you’ll need a student loan of nearly £30,000 to cover tuition costs alone.

For international students, these costs are even higher. Tuition fees at London universities for overseas students range anywhere from £11,000 to £35,000 or more per year. As a rule of thumb, humanities degrees cost the least, while scientific and clinical degrees tend to be the most expensive.

You should also factor in living costs, including accommodation, bills, transport costs, food and socialising. For London, this could easily reach £1,400 a month or more.

There’s a handy guide from the British Council which outlines these costs in more detail.

As tuition fees, accommodation costs and other expenses vary by course and university (and may change each year), it’s best to check with the university you’re applying to. They’ll also advise on any funding and scholarships available.

Which London university has the lowest fee?

For most UK students, annual tuition fees are £9,250, no matter which university you choose.

That said, the University of East London regularly tops lists for the most affordable university in London. Tuition fees for international students are at the lower end of the spectrum (usually just below £15,000) and their student accommodation is also relatively affordable. A room in their trendy waterside Docklands campus starts at £23.57 a night.

As we’ve already seen, university fees depend on factors such as the program of study, level of study, and whether you’re a domestic or international student. 

Some universities may offer lower tuition fees for certain programs (for instance, online learning courses) or provide scholarships and financial aid to eligible students. So always check with your specific university and their admissions department in the first instance, who’ll advise accordingly.

Which London university should I go to?

With over 40 esteemed higher education institutions in the capital… how can you choose between them!?

Well, your first step is researching league tables for your degree subject. Certain universities excel in particular areas, with a strong reputation in professional circles. 

If you’re considering a career in Law (for example), then you’ll naturally want to head to one of the best universities for Law! It doesn’t matter how good their biomedical laboratories are if you won’t use them after all…

Choosing a university with a good reputation in your chosen subject sends a positive message to future employers – helping you take those first steps on the career ladder.

In addition to subject league tables and academic reputation, it’s just as important you enjoy your time studying in London. So go on as many campus visits as possible. Get a feel for the environment you’ll live in, the social scene (are there any local clubs you’d enjoy?) as well as your fellow students and faculty. 

There’s nothing worse than the prospect of three (or more) years living somewhere you won’t be happy… so try and gather as much information as possible.

To understand others’ experiences, you can research the latest student satisfaction results from the National Student Survey. Search their website for an individual university, or take a look at the complete rankings compiled by the Guardian.

According to this data, Birkbeck is the highest-ranked university in London for student satisfaction. It’s followed by Royal Holloway and University College London.

The University of London: A quick guide

Before we round off our guide to London’s universities, it’s worth spending some time understanding the University of London.

If you’ve spent any time researching universities in the capital, you’ve probably come across it already. But what exactly is this institution? 

Technically speaking, the University of London isn’t a university itself. Instead, it’s a federation of 17 higher education members (all with an outstanding global reputation) as well as “prestigious central academic bodies” including the Careers Group, the School of Advanced Study and the Senate House Library.

This means you’ll apply directly with the member institution (say King’s College), rather than the University of London.

The University of London is a pioneering institution that champions distance learning, research excellence and widening access to education for all. Their founding ideals of “inclusivity, diversity and collaboration” feed into everything they do. 

Indeed, the University of London is the UK’s largest provider of “digital and blended distance education”. Although they’re proudly rooted in London, they provide courses to over 40,000 students in 190 countries around the world.

Is a University of London degree good?

Yes, a University of London degree is highly respected and recognised globally. 

Remember though, the University of London is a federation. Most institutions within the University of London have the power to award their own degrees. 

So even though they’re a member of the University of London, your degree will be from the individual institution (say, UCL for example).

Because the federation prides itself on high academic standards, broadening access to education and research excellence – no matter which individual institution you attend, you’ll know it’s a good degree.

Here are the 17 member universities with their 2024 Complete University Guide rankings (where featured). We’ve also noted which universities have the power to award their own degrees.

1. Birkbeck, University of London – awards own degrees
2. City, University of London (42nd) – awards own degrees
3. Courtauld Institute of Art (7th for Arts, Drama and Music)
4. Goldsmiths, University of London (74th) – awards own degrees
5. Institute of Cancer Research
6. King’s College London (24th) – awards own degrees
7. London Business School – awards own degrees
8. London School of Economics and Political Science (3rd) – awards own degrees
9. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine – awards own degrees
10. Queen Mary University of London (53rd) – awards own degrees
11. Royal Academy of Music (3rd for Arts, Drama and Music) – awards own degrees
12. Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (2nd for Arts, Drama and Music) – awards own degrees
13. Royal Holloway, University of London (37th) – awards own degrees
14. Royal Veterinary College (8th for Veterinary Medicine) – awards own degrees
15. SOAS, University of London (58th) – awards own degrees
16. St George’s, University of London (78th) – awards own degrees
17. University College London (9th) – awards own degrees

Is the University of London Russell Group?

No, the University of London isn’t a member of the Russell Group itself. However, some of its member universities are.

Russell Group institutions (that are also members of the University of London) include:

• King’s College London
• London School of Economics (LSE)
• Queen Mary University of London
• University College London (UCL)

The Russell Group is a self-selected association of 24 public research universities in the UK, known for their research excellence and selective admissions. To find out more about the Russell Group (and whether these universities really are better than their non-Russell Group counterparts), read our in-depth guide.

If you’re searching for other universities outside the capital, we’ve also written an introduction to the best non-Russell Group universities in the country.

Is the University of London difficult to get into?

Admissions criteria vary depending on the institution within the University of London and the program of study. 

But because all federation members are well-respected universities with the highest standards of teaching and research, you’ll need high grades to secure a place. 

Think A*s, As and Bs at AS Level and A Level (or the equivalent qualifications like BTECs).

Some programs and institutions may have highly competitive entry requirements, while others might be more accessible. So it’s worth checking individual course pages carefully.

Generally speaking though, admission to a University of London institution will require strong academic qualifications, relevant experience, and in some cases, proficiency in English language for international or distance-learning students. 

If you’re aiming for top A Level grades, don’t miss our guide to getting all A*s, ten tips for acing your exams as well as the benefits of taking four A Levels.

How much is the University of London?

The cost of studying at the University of London will vary depending on the institution, program of study and whether you’re opting for on-campus tuition or distance learning. 

Tuition fees for international students will also be higher than those for domestic students. As we’ve discussed above, there are other expenses to consider such as accommodation, living costs and study materials. 

With this in mind, prospective students should consult the website of the specific institution and program they’re interested in for the most up-to-date information on tuition fees and other expenses.

You can find more information on fees and funding on the University of London website.

If you’re hoping to get a taste of studying but don’t want to commit to full tuition fees just yet, why not try one of the University of London MOOCs? These are completely free online courses in a whole array of subjects. From Cybersecurity to English Common Law and Digital Marketing, there’s something for everyone.

Are you applying to university in London?

If you’re applying to one of the many fantastic universities in London, get in touch with our expert team of academic coaches. From study skills and exam strategies to help with personal statements and university applications, we’re here to help you achieve your academic goals.