Lots of cities around the UK have more than one university and London is no different. In fact, it has a lot of universities. If you’re thinking of studying there, here’s how many universities there are in London, including which ones are the best.
There are lots of reasons why you might want to go to university in the capital. It could be the pretty much 24/7 access to shops in the capital, the wide range of creative arts available, or it could just be where you grew up. Whatever your reason, deciding to study in there is just half the decision. The crucial part is deciding which of its many universities to study at. To make that decision, you’ll need to know how many there are.
How Many Universities Are In London?
According to TopUniversities, the capital has 18 universities. This is more than any other UK city and only includes those with the ‘University of London’ prefix.
- The University of Westminister
- Imperial College
- Goldsmiths
- University of Greenwich
- University of East London
- South Bank University
- Brunel University
- King’s College
- Queen Mary
- SOAS
- London Metropolitan University
- Middlesex University
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- Kingston University
- Birkbeck College
- Royal Holloway
- City University
- University College
The actual total is more than 50, but this includes various types of institutions and international universities.
The city has a huge student population with almost 370,00 full-time students studying there. Though it sounds ideal, it does come with a cost. The city can’t keep up with the growing student population, meaning accommodation is harder to get hold of. High demand for a shortage of properties means that rent prices are sky-high.
So, whilst studying in one of its 18 universities may be your dream, you might have to do some serious number crunching before moving there.
What Are The Best Universities In London?
Here are the top 10 universities in London. Imperial College ranks 7 in the world, with University College closely behind in joint 8 positions. In fact, all of the top 4 universities in the city rank in the top 50 in the world.
- Imperial College
- University College
- King’s College
- The London School of Economics and Political Science
- Queen Mary University
- University of London City
- University of London Birkbeck
- Royal Holloway
- Brunel University
- SOAS University
This list is composed by QS World Ranking and is the latest edition of their top universities. Any of the above institutions has a high number of applicants each year. If you’re planning on attending one then it’s time to tailor your application and get the best grades you can.
Is The Capital Good To Study In?
With there being so many universities in London, studying at any university there means you have a wide range or facilities on your doorstep. You’ll have plenty of state-of-the-art libraries, the most famous museums in the UK, as well as countless independent coffee shops to work out of.
There will always be something to do on your days off either with uni friends or visiting family. It could just be a simple walk or picnic in Hyde Park, or visiting one of the many landmarks spread across the city. You’ll never be bored studying in London.
One of the biggest perks of going to university in London is opportunity. Studying there will probably mean you’ve got plans to live nearby and have access to the large network of employers and jobs. Your access to graduate schemes and internships is likely to be above anywhere else in the country, as well as getting that London payslip at the end.
If you’re happy living amongst the hustle and bustle of London life, then it’s a great city to study in for lots of reasons.