10 Best Universities in London that You Must Know

London is home to 48 colleges and universities and every year, more than 110,000 overseas students decide to study in the city. The city puts profound influences on entertainment, business, finance, the arts, education, research and development, and numerous other educational fields.

Some of the best universities in London are University College London (UCL), Imperial College London, Brunel University London, Queen Mary University of London, King's College London, and more. The enviable standing of such colleges in London has been built on their cutting-edge curriculum, vigorous research programmes, and bright future employment prospects.

This article will walk you through the 10 best universities in London along with all the pertinent information you need to be knowledgeable about before selecting the educational facility that perfectly suits your educational objectives.

Is London a Good City for International Students?

London is renowned for a wide range of things, including job prospects, cultural offerings, and inclusion in addition to boasting some of the finest colleges in the world. Here are some compelling reasons why studying in London could turn out to be one of the best choices you ever make:

Free Access to the World’s Finest Resources: A variety of London's top research collections, libraries, and museums are open free of charge to the public and rank among the finest across the globe.

Academic Pre-eminence: The QS World University Rankings 2023 places Imperial and UCL, two of the most prominent institutions globally, at seventh and eighth ranks, respectively. Likewise, London is home to a broad spectrum of top-notch institutions.

Stupendous Historical Landmarks: Most of your time while residing in London will be spent taking a couple of sightseeing trips, making new friends, participating in cultural events, and so on.

Promising Career Prospects: There are lots of part-time job opportunities in the UK for international students which you can do while residing in London or any region of the country. Since London's wages tend to be heavier than those in other parts of the United Kingdom, you ought to have some extra money to indulge in the city's world-class dining and nightlife.

List of the Top 10 Best Universities in London

Every university in London that accepts international students has something special to lure the finest minds in the world. The following is a list of the top 10 best universities in London along with their respective acceptance rate, average tuition fees for international students, and popular academic programmes.

#1 University College London (UCL)

The #1 higher academic facility in London was established in 1826 and is known as University College London (UCL). With a global campus, this institution draws scholars spanning more than 150 different nations. UCL is renowned for its outstanding instruction in a variety of disciplines, including archaeology, architecture, life sciences, computer science, and medicine.

#2 Imperial College London (ICL)

The Imperial College London (ICL), regarded as one of the most prestigious institutions worldwide, was established in 1907. The university has received the Gold Teaching Excellence Framework award. In the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the institution is situated in the heart of London. The institution has 29 Nobel Prize winners among its alumni.

#3 King’s College London

One of the best universities in London and the top 25 institutions worldwide is King's College London. In the year 1829, the Duke of Wellington and King George IV commissioned it. Further, it is one of the oldest universities in the UK and is widely regarded for its revolutionary research possibilities and high standard of instruction. Nearly 12 Nobel Prize winners have graduated from and lectured at the university. 

#4 London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

One of the top universities in London and an international pioneer in the field of social science is the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). It is a centre for scholarly conversations/discussions around the world. About 16 Nobel Prize winners are among its distinguished former students.

#5 City University London

The City University of London is a renowned old university in London that was founded in the year 1894 and is one of the best universities in London to pursue an MBA in the UK. It is the right choice for you if you crave the ultimate experience of student life in the UK. The university has roughly 70 research centres.

#6 Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)

One of the most prominent institutions within the University of London, the Queen Mary University of London is a top-tier research-intensive institution. In its humanities and social sciences, medicine and dentistry, and science and engineering courses, over 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students get enrolled each year.

#7 Birkbeck, the University of London

Birkbeck, a member institution of the federal University of London, is nestled in the central area of London City. Birkbeck is an ideal choice for you if you want to study for a master's degree. With the adaptability of applying for an educational loan and a UK student visa for daytime schooling, it provides full-length academic degrees along with evening course batches.

#8 School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)

It is a specialised institution that provides a wide range of academic programmes aimed at the study of Near Eastern, Middle Eastern, African, and Asian cultures, spoken languages, and civilizations. Perhaps one of the best universities in London with a focus on the global community is the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), a publicly funded research university.

#9 University of East London (UEL)

The University of East London is a suburban-based public, non-profit institution of higher learning that was founded in the year 1992. Numerous academic and extracurricular facilities are offered by UEL, including a library, sports facilities, online courses, study abroad and exchange opportunities, distance learning opportunities, and more.

#10 Brunel University

Founded in 1966, Brunel University blends educational and research activities with a pragmatic and commercial orientation. West London is the geographic centre of campus-based Brunel University London. The educational institution is home to around 13,000 international students.

How to Choose the Best University in London?

There are a few types of highly regarded colleges in London, including Russell Group universities, historic universities, civic or Red Brick universities, etc., that strive to make sure that overseas students receive the highest calibre of education and exposure possible. When choosing the best university in London, you need to consider several things. The following are step-wise instructions for the same:

Step 1: Selecting the degree you wish to obtain is an initial phase in selecting the perfect college in London for you.

Step 2: Assuming you are aware of your preferred specialisations or fields of study, you are now ready to decide on an academic programme.

Step 3: Select a programme that interests and works for you from the universities you have shortlisted. You may check out the types of programmes each university provides by visiting the respective university's official website.

Step 4: Review the eligibility requirements for your preferred course/specialisation as well as scholarship opportunities in the UK for international students. Following that, start studying for the standardised exams you are planning to take and start gathering all the documents needed for the college application process.

London offers everything, whether you are seeking a specialised or interdisciplinary institution or an opportunity to incorporate an individualised study calendar with your job. You can take advantage of everything London has to provide without blowing over your budget if you plan and stick to your spending limit.