Studying in London can open the door to unique opportunities around the world, and the chance to study abroad during your degree. The range of courses spread across over 40 higher education institutions, allowing you to study whatever your heart desires. If you have a dream of studying in London, here are top 5 universities in London according to QS world university ranking and other reputable rankings.
- University College London (UCL)
University College London (UCL) is the highest-ranked university in London this year, climbing two places to rank No. 8 in the world as per this year’s QS World University Rankings. As is the case with Imperial, the university is extremely popular with international students, who account for more than 31 percent of its student body. A multidisciplinary institute, it covers a broad spectrum of subjects (this is one of the main points of difference between UCL and Imperial) and has a high percentage of postgraduate students – around 53 percent.
Its faculties and teaching hospitals are all located in the heart of central London, close to the British Library and a cluster of other leading London universities – SOAS and Birkbeck are both close neighbors. The main Gower Street campus is also just a short walk from the party atmosphere of Soho and the shopping district centered on Oxford Circus.
- Imperial College London
Imperial College London is science and technology-focused institution is known for its leadership in engineering and natural sciences, as well as having a prestigious business school and one of the UK’s largest medical faculties.
Imperial College London is another top UK university with a strong global appeal, reflected in very high international student numbers (around 37 percent of the student population). Its main campus is in South Kensington, not far from the city center. Students will find themselves close to the huge green space of Hyde Park, the historic concert venue Royal Albert Hall, luxury superstore Harrods, and several of the city’s biggest museums.
- King’s College London
King’s College London is one of the largest and oldest colleges of the University of London collegiate and is ranked joint 33rd in the world this year. Again, this comprehensive research-led university is a popular choice for international students, who comprise more than 43 percent of the student body (including students from the rest of the EU), while postgraduates make up around 40 percent of its 31,300 enrolments.
It has a particularly good reputation for courses in the humanities, law and the sciences, including health sciences. Claiming to be “the most central university in London”, King’s College London has five London campuses, four of which are fairly close together by the River Thames, near iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge, the London Eye and Big Ben.
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
The UK’s only university specializing in the social sciences and it gets an even higher position in many of the individual subject rankings, reflecting its role as a world-leading pioneer in subjects such as anthropology, politics, sociology, law and accounting.
Another highly international institution, LSE boasts more than 100 languages spoken on campus. It also occupies a location close to the heart of the city in the Chancery Lane area, historically associated with the legal professions. Just to the north of the river, it’s within walking distance of the British Library, and close to the cultural institutions of Trafalgar Square and the nightlife and theaters of the West End.
- Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL)
Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL) offers teaching and research across a wide range of subjects, including medicine and dentistry at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Of QMUL’s 25,130 students, around 4,000 are completing joint programs overseas in China, Greece and France.
The university’s main campus is in Mile End, set along the Regent’s Canal and close to many of the recently regenerated and increasingly trendy parts of the East End – including the curry houses of Brick Lane, art galleries of Whitechapel and Hoxton, and hipster-filled bars and music venues of Shoreditch.
In August 2015, QMUL announced plans to launch a free business advice scheme for UK start-ups in the financial and technology industries, which is now available as the qLegal scheme.