Universities in London
Studying in London offers students the chance to combine world-class education with culture to get an all-round experience
Voted as the world's number one student city (QS Best Student Cities 2025), London is home to a host of prestigious universities.
There are ten institutions ranked in the global top 500 according to the QS World Rankings 2025, including Imperial College London, University College London (UCL) and London School of Economics and Political Science, which make the top 50.
With cutting-edge research, ultramodern facilities, top-tier faculty, and a diverse student body universities in London offer courses across a range of disciplines and levels, attracting students from all over the world.
Top universities in London
Explore these profiles from universities based in London and see what they have to offer...
Birkbeck University of London
Based in Bloomsbury, Birkbeck is one of the world's leading research universities. Specialising in flexible learning that fits around you, Birkbeck offers 240 postgraduate evening courses, some of which are available through distance learning.
Brunel University of London
Located in West London this leading technology university is renowned for its research and innovation. Brunel is a single campus meaning everything you could need is a short walk away.
City, University of London (City St Georges)
Divided into six academic schools, City offers 150 taught postgraduate courses, all of which have excellent industry connections. In keeping with it's close links to business, the institution is home to Bayes Business School, which is at the forefront of business education.
ESCP Business School
Founded over 200 years ago, ESCP is the world's first business school. With campuses in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin and Warsaw you’ll get to study in at least two different countries during your postgraduate degree. This structure means students are given a global view in international management issues.
Goldsmiths, University of London
With strong connections to the arts, culture, and media industries, Goldsmiths provides ample networking opportunities. Located in South East London, it offers postgraduate programmes in subjects covering the arts, humanities, social sciences, cultural studies, computing, and entrepreneurial business and management.
Imperial College London
Rated as one of the world’s top ten universities and spread across nine campuses, Imperial College London has an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. With a specialist focus on STEMB (science, technology, engineering, medicine and business) making them unique in the UK.
London Business School
With campuses in two of the world's most dynamic business hubs, London and Dubai, and a tight-knit community of more than 53,000 alumni spanning 160 countries and countless industries, you will be exposed to new opportunities, perspectives and experiences.
London School of Economics and Political Science
Offering cutting-edge research you'll have the opportunity to study the social sciences in an institution with a worldwide academic reputation. With a host of well-known alumni, including over 40 world leaders and heads of state and 20 Nobel Prize Winners, you will be in good company if you study at LSE.
Loughborough University London
Exclusively for postgraduate study, this research-focused institution is based in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. With business, technology, enterprise, media and design at its centre you'll have lectures and seminars delivered by expert academics, entrepreneurs and guest speakers.
Middlesex University London
A range of specialist postgraduate courses, strong links with employers, an award winning careers and employability service and revolutionary teaching facilities are just some of the reasons to consider studying here.
Northeastern University London
Part of Northeastern University’s global network, with other campuses in Boston, Charlotte, San Francisco, Seattle, Silicon Valley, Toronto and Vancouver, NU London is located in the bustling St Katherine Docks. Offering smaller class sizes, you'll combine humanities and science to study advanced experiential degrees. With real-world learning opportunities, personalised support, and extensive global connections, you'll gain a competitive edge.
Queen Mary University of London
Located in Mile End, this Russell Group university is one of the UK's leading research-focused higher education institutions. It focuses on a range of subjects including humanities, social sciences, law, medicine, science and engineering.
Royal College of Art
Ranked the world's number one art and design university in the QS World University subject rankings for ten consecutive years, the institution is home to the world's largest community of postgraduate-only art and design students.
SOAS University of London
Specialising in the study of Africa, Asia and the Near and Middle East, means you'll study in a diverse and multinational environment. Alongside it's on-campus, taught degrees SOAS also runs an extensive programme of online and distance learning qualifications.
St Georges, University of London
As the UK's specialist health university, St Georges offer an array of postgraduate courses across health, medicine and science. Based in Tooting, South West London you'll work in small close-knit teams of students, clinicians and researchers reflecting how things operate in the work place.
St Marys University, Twickenham
One of London's top-performing sports institutions with state-of-the-art facilities that are equipped to world-class standard. Based in Strawberry Hill, on a single campus, there are 50 postgraduate courses to choose from across three faculties - Business and Law, Sport, Technology and Health Sciences, and Education, Theology, and the Arts.
UCL
With over 700 postgraduate courses, renowned experts and world-leading research it's not difficult to see why UCL was ranked University of the Year 2024 (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024). Fun fact, UCL was the first university in England to welcome women, as well as students of any religion and social background.
University of East London
With a strong focus on employability, UEL provides excellent industry connections and hands-on opportunities. Split into six schools focusing on the arts, engineering, business and law, psychology, education and health and sport, the campus boasts modern facilities, including state-of-the-art labs, libraries, and student hubs.
University of Reading
A world leader in climate science, the University of Reading has won the Queen's Anniversary Prize and the THE Award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership. It's main Whiteknights campus has also received 14 consecutive Green Flag awards, recognising it as one of Britain's best green spaces.
University of Roehampton
Known for its high-quality teaching and excellent research, you'll get the best of both worlds - a traditional university campus with all the benefits of city living. With timetables designed around your wider commitments almost all courses are taught three days a week, with classes in the evening. This allows you to work part time, control your travel costs, and have time for personal commitments.
University of West London
Based in Ealing and Brentford, the University of West London combines academic excellence with strong industry connections and is ranked highly for student satisfaction and employability. Academic schools cover areas such as film, media and design, business, computing and engineering, law, hospitality and tourism, nursing and midwifery, social science, medicine, and policing.
University of Westminster
With flexible study options, scholarships, and a focus on employability, Westminster ensures graduates gain valuable skills and real-world experience. This is demonstrated by the university's close ties with over 183 industry partners, giving you access to connections and expertise that support you to become a work-ready graduate.
York St John University: London Campus
Hoping to educate and inspire the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and business leaders, the London campus of this renowned university is perfectly placed in East India Dock, close to London's international business hub Canary Wharf.
Find out more
- Take a look at university and department profiles.