Best universities in London 2025

Find out all about London's top universities, and explore their world university ranking performance

October 19 2020
London

Are you considering making the move to study in the multicultural megalopolis that is London? You aren't alone. London is one of the world's great capital cities, from its rich cultural history, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations, to its bustling shopping areas and world-renowned financial district, England's capital has something to offer everyone.

If you are going to study in London, however, you will need to know which of its many universities is right for you. There are about 40 institutions in and around London, all with different strengths. Below, are the best universities in London based on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021

Top universities in London

1. Imperial College London 

Imperial College London is a leading research institute that established enduring teaching and research traditions in medicine, science and engineering. It was founded in 1907 after a merger between the Royal College of Science, the Royal School of Mines and the City & Guilds College. Imperial’s leading campus is located in central London in the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The university, which awards more than 6,000 degrees every year to students from more than 125 countries, aims to come up with different approaches for dealing with global challenges through focused interdisciplinary research, and by combining knowledge from academia and industry. Notable Imperial graduates include 29 Noble Prize winners, including the founding fathers of contemporary antibiotics Sir Alexander Fleming and Sir Ernst Boris Chain. 

2. UCL

Founded in 1826, UCL was the first higher education institution established in London. It is located in the heart of Bloomsbury in London’s West End, home of famous theatres, tourist attractions and government bodies. UCL calls itself "London’s global university" because its multicultural campus attracts students from more than 150 countries, and its partnerships with 300 foreign institutions. 

UCL boasts some 29 Noble Prize Laureates among its alma mater, including radioactivity pioneer Otto Hahn as well as English political economist John Stuart Mill. 


Explore more top universities

Best universities in the UK
Best universities in Scotland
Best universities in New York
Best universities in Europe
Best universities in Australia
Best universities in the United States


3. London School of Economics and Political Science 

As a world leader in social sciences since 1895, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a global hub of academic discussion. It regularly hosts lectures given by some of the most influential politicians of our time, including the German chancellor Angela Merkel and former Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev. 

Offering 36 undergraduate and over 140 postgraduate and doctorate degrees in 25 departments, LSE’s rich academic portfolio covers the whole spectrum of social sciences disciplines from anthropology and sociology to accounting and finance. LSE has students from about 140 countries all over the world, and can boast about 30 members of the House of Common, 40 members of the House of Lords and 16 Nobel Prize Laureates among its alumni. 

LSE’s academic facilities include over 200 research centres including the Centre for Economic Performance and the Centre for Women, Peace and Security. 


study in the UK, SI-UK, study advice, best universities in the UK


4. King's College London

Established in 1829 with a decree by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington, Kings College London remains among the most respected higher education institutions in the UK and worldwide. 

Its main campuses are situated on the Strand in the heart of London, a short walk from the Houses of Parliament, Waterloo Bridge and Guy’s Hospital. 

Students from all cultural backgrounds are among the 28,000 people who form the institution's student community. Notable graduates and faculty members of King’s include 12 Noble Prize recipients, such as virologist Max Theiler for developing a vaccine against the yellow fever, and biochemist Frederick Hopkins. 

5. Queen Mary, University of London 

Queen Mary, University of London can trace its roots back to 1785. The university was founded as a result of the gradual merger of four medical colleges: London School of Medicine and Dentistry, The Royal Hospital of St Bartholomew, Westfield college and Queen Mary College. 

Queen Mary’s main campus can be found in Mile End, in East London. It features affordable student accommodation, and is also located in close proximity to the areas landmarks - including Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market. 

Other branches of the university, including Charterhouse Square, Lincoln's Inn Fields, West Smithfield and Whitechapel can be found across central and east London. 

Queen Mary’s reputable alumni include chemist Michael Dewar and journalist John Rentoul.  


Student experience in London

A year in London: final reflections on my year studying abroad
Student life in London: culture and cuisine
Why I love studying in London
10 things every foreign student in London should know
International perspective: a Malaysian student in the UK


Best universities in London 2021

Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2021 results 

World University Rank 2021  London Rank 2021 University
 11  1 Imperial College London
 16  2 UCL
 27  3 London School of Economics and Political Science
 35  4 King’s College London
 110  5 Queen Mary University of London
 201–250  6 St George’s, University of London
 301–350  7 Royal Holloway, University of London
 351–400  =8 Birkbeck, University of London
 351–400  =8 Brunel University London
 351–400  =8 City, University of London
 401–500  =11 Goldsmiths, University of London
 401–500  =11 Middlesex University
 401–500  =11 Royal Veterinary College
 501–600  14 SOAS University of London
 601–800  15 University of Greenwich
 801–1000  =16 University of East London
 801–1000  =16 Kingston University
 801–1000  =16 University of Roehampton
 801–1000  =16 University of Westminster
 1001+  20 London South Bank University

Read more: Best universities in England

Have your say

Log in or register to post comments
ADVERTISEMENT

Study Business & Management in United Kingdom

Study Computer Science in United Kingdom

Study Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering in United Kingdom

Study Electrical & Electronic Engineering in United Kingdom

Study Accounting & Finance in United Kingdom

Study Biological Sciences in United Kingdom

ADVERTISEMENT