History, Affiliations, and Rankings

Today's Royal Holloway is made up of two colleges created by Elizabeth Jesser Reid and Thomas Holloway, two social pioneers. They were among the first institutions in the United Kingdom to allow women to pursue higher education. Bedford College in London first opened its doors in 1849, and Queen Victoria erected Royal Holloway College's majestic Founder's Building in 1886, which is now the campus's centre point. The institutions were included in the University of London in 1900, and in 1985, they united to establish Royal Holloway. The university is also affiliated with the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Association of MBAs, European Universities Association and Universities UK. Globally, the QS World University Rankings, THE World University Rankings and US News and World Report Best Global Universities Rankings have ranked the Royal Holloway University Of London at #334, between #351-400 and #499, respectively for the year 2022.

Infrastructure, Campuses, and Courses

Royal Holloway has developed an atmosphere where a close-knit community thrives over the course of the university's 130-year history. With multiple teaching and study rooms, restaurants and cafés, high-quality housing, and sports facilities, the campus is one of the most attractive in the world. All of this takes place over 135 acres of beautiful parklands. The Founder's Building is one of the most magnificent university buildings in the world, and it houses our famed Picture Gallery, which houses Thomas Holloway's superb collection of Victorian paintings, as well as our lovely chapel. It has a dining hall and a library, as well as housing for 500 students. Many attractions, athletic and entertainment events are within easy reach of the university, which is only 40 minutes via rail from London and seven miles from Heathrow. The University is home to some of the world's finest authority in the Sciences, Arts, Business, Economics, and Law, as one of the UK's premier research-oriented universities. At all levels of study, Royal Holloway takes pride in the quality, depth, and range of courses, teaching, and research it provides. The university consists of 25 departments and 6 schools which include the School of Business and Management, School of Humanities, School of Engineering, Physical and Mathematical Sciences, School of Law and Social Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, and School of Performing and Digital Arts. 

Accomplishments and Alumni 

Interestingly, Royal Holloway University of London had an overall satisfaction rating of 88% in the independent National Student Survey, 4% points more than the sector average and higher than 21 of the 22 Russell Group universities. Music, Geography, and Creative Writing are among the top 10 Royal Holloway disciplines, while Psychology, English, and Drama are among the top 20 departments. The 2014 Research Excellence Framework ranks Royal Holloway among the top 25% of UK universities for research that is deemed "world-leading" or "internationally excellent." The university is also among the top 25 universities in the United Kingdom and the top 350 institutions worldwide. Royal Holloway is also privileged to be home to some of the world’s leading authorities in Science, the Arts, Management, Economics and Law. From the beginning, Royal Holloway has been a vital pillar, so it's no surprise that it has produced some notable alumni, including George Eliot (Novelist), David Bellamy OBE (Botanist and Broadcaster), Richmal Crompton (Novelist), Mark Strong (Actor), Emily Wilding Davison (Teacher), and others!

Student Diversity and Visiting Companies

In its hiring procedures and admissions choices, as well as in its teaching, learning, and research activities, Royal Holloway embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity for everyone. The university fosters a welcoming atmosphere that is free of bias, bullying, harassment, and unlawful discrimination. Individual distinctions and varied identities are recognised and celebrated in people and diverse communities. Having said that, Royal Holloway is proud to be one of the most international universities in the UK, with over a third of its students from outside the UK and alumni spread across 165 countries. At the Royal Holloway University of London, students have been placed at leading companies like Autilla, BGL Group, Cartesian, Data Reply, D4t4 Solutions, Disney, Foward3D, Gamesys, HACT, IMS Health, Rolls Royce, Shell, Thomas Cook and more!