Best Universities in London 2024

A bustling metropolis with cultural pursuits, an economic hub, and a place of diversity, London is amongst the most preferred student cities in the UK along with the world. As a center of global academics and home to many prominent academic institutions, it offers international students immense global opportunities to step into. Famously known as the hub of the top universities in the UK, choosing a university to pursue one’s educational endeavors in a dreamy city like London can be a big deal. Through this blog, we will explore the best universities in London and their exemplary academic excellence and accomplishments.

Did you know? London is home to the largest railway network, the London Underground, better known as the Tube, which has over 270 stations! 

Why Study at the Best Universities in London? 

There are many reasons why you should choose to study abroad and apply to the best universities in London. The most important ones are mentioned below. 

• A large international community: Since students from all over the world come to study in London, there is an extremely diverse culture there. 
• Academic Hotspot: Out of all the cities to study in UK, London has the most number of universities. A total of four universities in London make it to the top 50 globally. 
• Greenery Everywhere: Almost 47% of the entire city of London comprises lush green parks. There is no dearth of a good shade of trees. So studying here means being in touch with nature. 
• Home to International Brands: Studying in London would also mean that you will be amidst the best international brands in the world where you can intern in some of the best companies like CNN, Amazon, KPMG & BDO where students can train and avail of the top career breakthroughs!

Cost of Studying in London 

Studying abroad means calculating the expenses which will be incurred. London is a little on the expensive side but the quality of education is outstanding, so it is worth spending the money.  The cost of studying in London must be kept in mind while deciding to study here. The average tuition fee for international students is US$ 21,200 (INR 15,39,994). If we are to look at the living expenses which will be incurred inclusive of eating, travelling, and accommodation, the amount comes close to US$ 1,470 – 1,740 (INR 1,06,800 – INR 1,26,416).

Let’s explore some of these prominent universities in London in further detail:

Must Read: Fun Facts about Living in London as a Student

Did you know? London is truly a land of scholars and academicians with more than 800 bookshops and over 325 public libraries!

20 Best Universities In London: Rankings 2024

Having been ranked at the foremost top of the QS Student Cities 2024, London is one of the great capital cities and the UK’s centre of academic excellence along with the hub of various industries from finance and business, to arts and culture, music and much more! Here are the best universities in London as the QS World University Rankings 2024 and University League Tables 2024:

University	QS World University Rankings 2024 Global Rank	QS World University Rankings 2024 by Region	University League Tables 2024
Imperial College London	6	3	6
University College London	9	4	9
London School of Economics and Political Science	45	8	3
King’s College London	40	7	24
Queen Mary University of London	=145	30	53
Royal Holloway University of London	=413	81	–
Birkbeck, University of London	374	88	–
SOAS University of London	=511	86	58
City University of London	=328	57	42
Brunel University London	343	64	95

Here are 10 more universities in London for international students

• University of Greenwich
• University of East London
• Middlesex University
• London South Bank University
• University of West London
• Royal College of Art
• Regent’s University London
• London Metropolitan University
• London South Bank University
• Ravensbourne University London
• University of Westminster

University College London

As the first university in the country which welcomed women to university admissions as well as students of all religions or social backgrounds, the University College London is home to around 18,000 international students from more than 150 countries. Its global vision lies in transforming the ways and perceptions through which the world is comprehended as well as the creation of knowledge and problem-solving. The university has a total of 11 faculties and offers more than 440 undergraduate and 670 postgraduate programs. Amongst the best universities in London, UCL focuses on world-impacting research, is home to an internationally acclaimed faculty and has 29 Nobel Laureates. The most popular programs at UCL include:

• MBA
• MSc Management
• BSc Medicine (MBBS)

King’s College London

Established in the year 1829, King’s College London is one of the oldest academic institutions in the country and is renowned for academic excellence and cutting-edge research opportunities. Ranked in the top 50 universities in the world in both QS and THE University Rankings 2020, King’s College London is also a member of the prestigious Russell Group Universities and has five campuses in the city. Featuring at the top of our list of best universities in London, KCL is an all-inclusive university and is home to students from across 150 countries in the world. Here are the major sought-after courses offered by King’s College London:

• BSc Business Management
• MSc International Management
• MPharm Hons.

Did you know? London is the world’s third busiest film production centre with over 14,000 ‘shooting days and has been in iconic movies like Harry Potter, A Clockwork Orange, James Bond, Sherlock Holmes and K3G!

Imperial College London 

A public research university, Imperial College London has consistently ranked among the top universities of the world. A fusion of education, culture and opportunities, it is an unrivalled place to pursue educational degrees. With its exclusive focus on Business, Medicine, Engineering and Science, ICL has some of the most diverse student communities in the country and is home to international students from more than 130 countries. Considered one of the best research universities in London, Imperial College London has also been honoured with the Gold Teaching Excellence Framework and some of the choicest programs are:

• Full-time MBA
• BSc Biotechnology
• MSc Computing (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning)
• MSc Business Analytics
• MSc Physics

London School of Economics and Political Science

As a specialist university offering academic programs in Social Sciences, the London School of Economics and Political Sciences is considered a pioneer in imparting university education in Economics, Anthropology and International Relations. It offers a new revolutionary approach to studying social sciences in a very real setting making it an engrossing and stimulating experience. With a student community from 140 countries, the school also provides specialised programs in statistics, environment, mathematics, philosophy, law, geography and more. Some of the prominent courses offered by LSE are:

• MSc Economics
• MSc Data Science
• BSc Management
• MSc Political Sociology

Did you know? There are over 192 museums like the British Museum, Museum of London, and Natural History Museum in London! 

School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) London

A public research university established in 1916, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) is amongst the top global universities in the UK and welcomes the brightest minds passionate about modern world issues. Another specialist university in our list of best universities in London, SOAS offers numerous courses specialising in the study of languages, cultures and societies of the Near and Middle East, Africa as well and Asia. Widening the horizon of its scholars, SOAS provides a world-centric curriculum which helps in creating ideas about places in Asia, Africa and other less explored places which often do not form a part of global education. Its engrossing courses attract students from all over the world making it an ideal place to explore the nuances of the globe. Here are the popular courses at SOAS London:

• MSc Finance and Financial Law
• BA Hons in African Studies and Development Studies
• BA Hons in Arabic and Islamic Studies

Birkbeck, University of London

One of the most diverse universities in the UK, Birkbeck, University of London is a research-based university and has also been awarded Silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework. It is one of the few universities in London which offers full-length degrees with evening courses along with visa and loan flexibility for daytime study. Take a look at the major courses offered by Birbeck, University of London:

• Bachelor of Information Systems and Management
• MSc in Management with International Business
• Master of Science in Data Analytics

Brunell University 

Established in 1966, Brunel University is located in Uxbridge. It is a non-profit higher education institution. It offers various degrees in bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate programs. The admission rate here is 60-70%. It can be said that it is a selective institution. Brunel University provides hostel facilities to international students. Moreover, the university has a host of subjects inclusive of Aerospace Engineering, Digital Media, Anthropology, Journalism, Law, etc. Some of the most popular courses taught here are: 

• MBA
• MEM
• BTech
• BSc

Did you know? London is one of the most diverse cities in the world, people from across the world live and speak over 300 languages!

Queen Mary University of London

A Russel Group university located in the heart of London, Queen Mary University of London is amongst the top-ranked universities in the world. Established back in 1887, the university offers students a unique experience of UK campus life in the heart of London city. QMUL is a leading research institute with 200 degree programmes, foundational courses as well as online courses like Data Science, Accounting and Management, Data Analytics, LLM specialisations, Law, Big Data and more. Some popular courses are

• MBA
• MSc
• LLM

Universities in London Without IELTS 

• University of Greenwich
• London South Bank University
• Brunel University
• Queen Mary University of London

Click here for the list of Universities in the UK without IELTS!

How to Choose the Right University in London?

When selecting the best university, you must consider a number of criteria. Here’s a step-by-step guide to doing it!

• The first step in selecting the finest institution for yourself is deciding on a subject of study.
• Once you’ve determined your desired subjects, you’re ready to select a program.
• Varied institutions have varied curriculums and modalities of instruction, so pick a program that matches your goals. London has a diversity of programs, so you may simply pick one that suits you best. You may use this list of the best universities in London to research the courses that each college provides.
• Then, review the eligibility requirements and scholarships, and start preparing for regular examinations and gathering the documentation needed for your college application.

Conclusion

London is one of the top study-abroad locations for students from a variety of fields. It is also noted for providing worldwide exposure and having a rich tradition. With numerous colleges having excellent QS rankings, candidates should consider attending one of the top universities. Consider the curriculum offered, research-based vs. taught programs, specializations, alumni success, and campus culture while selecting the university that is suitable for you.

FAQs

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Studying at some of the best universities in London gives students an edge to face the challenges lying ahead in the professional world. Unsure about which course and university to opt for? Leverage Edu experts are here to help you select an ideal course and university as well as throughout the admission process to ensure that you get successfully shortlisted.