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London ranks first in the “QS Best Student Cities in 2024”. The city maintains its top position due to its high-quality education and world-renowned universities. London hosts some of the globe’s leading academic institutions and boasts a vibrant cultural scene, a diverse population, and abundant opportunities for personal and professional development. Universities in London provide an extensive range of courses for higher education to international students. For years some of the best universities in the country and also the world have been in London. If you are someone who wants to get ahead in your studies and life, London is ‘the’ place. This blog will walk you through the top universities in London for international students.
| Universities In London Overview | |
| Total number of Universities in London | 48+ |
| Study in London popular locations | London, Middlesex, Newport, etc. |
| English language exams required | IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE/ Duolingo |
| Additional test required | GRE/ GMAT |
Best Universities In London For International Students In 2024!
Shifting to a different country, leaving behind everything we grew up with isn’t easy. Selecting the best-suited uni for you is even more complicated, especially in London where good universities are a dime a dozen. We are happy to help, here are some of the best universities in london.
| Top 10 Universities in London | QS Ranking 2024 | THE Ranking 2024 |
| Imperial College London | 6 | 8 |
| UCL (University College London) | 9 | 22 |
| King’s College London | 40 | 38 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | 45 | 46 |
| Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL) | 145 | 135 |
| City University London | 328 | 351-400 |
| Brunel University | 343 | 351-400 |
| Birkbeck College, University of London | 374 | 301-350 |
| Royal Holloway, University of London | 413 | 301-350 |
| School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London | 511 | NA |
Imperial College London
Established in 1851, it is truly a historic monument delivering high-quality education. 56% of its student body is non-UK/EU. It is undeniably one of the best unis in London since it comes in the top 10 of every ranking platform globally and nationally. The university hosts approximately 15,000 students and 8,000 staff, organised into four principal academic divisions: engineering, medicine, science, and business. Imperial College London provides undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across a range of disciplines.
Imperial College London Annual Tuition Fees
Imperial College London is a leading UK institution, dedicated exclusively to science, engineering, medicine, and business. It offers undergraduate programmes across 18 fields of study and provides over 100 graduate programmes for international students. Here are some of the top programmed offered at the college and their annual tuition fees:
| Top Programmes | Annual Tuition Fees (GBP) |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Business Analytics | GBP 41,000 |
| Executive Master of Business Administration [E.M.B.A] | GBP 76,500 |
| Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] | GBP 67,500 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Mathematics and Finance | GBP 38,600 |
| Master of Engineering [M.Eng], Mechanical Engineering | GBP 37,900 |
| Master of Engineering [M.Eng], Computing – Visual Computing and Robotics | GBP 37,900 |
| Master of Engineering [M.Eng], Biomedical Engineering with a Year in Industry | GBP 39,100 |
| Bachelor of Engineering [B.Eng], Mathematics and Computer Science | GBP 37,900 |
| Bachelor of Engineering [B.Eng], Electrical and Electronic Engineering | GBP 37,900 |
| Bachelor of Engineering [B.Eng], Computing | GBP 37,900 |
Things you should know:
- Accommodation- 1st-year undergrads are guaranteed a spot in the college halls and postgrads have an option to live in either halls or private housing. If you choose not to live in the university provided accommodation, here are a few student accommodation options to choose from: The Collective Old Oak London Nest, Fulham Palace Studio London Nest, AXO Islington London Nest, Sunlight Apartments.
- Transportation- Prince Consort Road is the nearest bus stop which is a 5-minute walk away, and South Kensington Station is the closest train station an 8-minute walk away.
- Nearby Popular Places- The Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, The Albert Memorial, Science Museum, Royal Albert Hall are within comfortable walking distance.
London School of Economics and Political Science
If you’re interested in economics, then you shouldn’t miss studying at LSE. The foundation stone of their Houghton main campus was laid by King George V. It has a majority of the international student population, 71% of its total student count. It is one of the best universities in London in regard to the proportion of world-leading research among research submitted by any British non-specialist university. It is amongst the top universities in London for economics.
LSE College Total Cost Of Attendance
The cost of studying at LSE varies depending on the programme and the student’s personal expenses, including travel and accommodation in the UK. However, an estimated cost for studying at LSE is provided below:
| Expenses | Amount Per Year (GBP) |
| General Course Tuition Fees | 25,272 |
| Residence | From 9,628 for 39 weeks |
| Food | 2,400 |
| Travel | 1,000 |
| Personal expenses | 2,400 |
| Total (Excluding Tuition) | 15,428 |
Things you should know
- Accommodation- The college offers luxury student accommodation London at a fee that depends on whether the rooms are catered or not, whether they are shared or not, how far are they from the campus. The students can choose between student halls, and houses. For students who opt-out of college provided best student accommodation in London, here are a few options. The Curve London Nest, Francis Gardner Apartments, AXO Camden London Nest and Liberty Plaza London Nest.
- Transportation- Temple Station and Holborn Station are both a 7-minute walk away. There are multiple bus stops within a 5-minute walking distance.
- Nearby Popular places- Royal Opera House, Sir John Soane’s Museum, National Gallery, Trafalgar Square are some of the attractions in London that are within walking distance.
King’s College London:
Established in 1862 by King George IV and Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. It is one of the oldest universities in England. The college has five departments including Theological, General Literature, and Science, Applied Sciences, Medical, and Military. It also looks after 300 other societies and groups in a wide range of activities. 44% of its student population are international students.
King’s College London Tuition Fee
King’s College London offers over 145 courses to international students. Students can enrol in study abroad programmes at King’s College London after completing one year of on-campus education. Some of the highest-ranked courses at King’s College London include:
| Programmes | Total Annual Fees |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Economics and Finance | INR 3680113 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Aerospace Medicine | INR 3947454 |
| Master of Engineering [M.Eng], Biomedical Engineering | INR 3285368 |
| Master of Engineering [M.Eng], Electronic Engineering | INR 3285368 |
| Master of Laws [L.L.M], International Business Law | INR 3357425 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Finance Analytics | INR 3916125 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Chemistry | INR 3285368 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Clinical Nursing | INR 1321040 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Computer Science | INR 3285368 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Data Science | INR 3269703 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], International Marketing | INR 3326096 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Medical Engineering and Physics | INR 4020764 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Physics | INR 3269703 |
Things you should know:
- Accommodation- The college provides accommodation to students at a cost, the students can choose between halls and houses. For those who opt-out of the college supplied student accommodation London, here are some examples of private PBSAs Hawley Crescent London Nest, Mannequin House, Bernard Myers House, The Hub.
- Transportation- Temple Station is a two-minute walk away. Savoy Street is the nearest bus stop a 7-minute walk away.
- Popular places- Historic Roman Bath, William Edward Forster Statue, Somerset house, Savoy Theatre, Waterloo Bridge are some of the attractions that are within walking distance.
Queen Mary’s College
It dates back to the foundation of London Hospital Medical College in 1785. The Mile End is the largest self-contained campus amongst all the best universities in London of the Russell Group. 43% of its student population are international students. Queen Mary University of London offers students 134 undergraduate programmes, 306 postgraduate taught programmes, and 33 postgraduate research programmes. Queen Mary provides degree programmes across a wide range of study areas, including some not available at other Russell Group institutions. For admission to Queen Mary University of London, students require a high school degree with an aggregate score of 75% or above.
Queen Mary University of London Courses & fees:
Queen Mary University of London offers nearly 500 full-time undergraduate and postgraduate programmes for international students. The university provides joint programmes in Science and Engineering with universities in China and degree apprenticeships in collaboration with global partners in fields such as Data Analytics, Software Engineering, Clinical Education, and Business Management. Some of the top programmes at Queen Mary University of London include:
| Programmes | Total Fee in GBP |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Accounting and Finance | GBP 28,950 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Advanced Mechanical Engineering | GBP 26,750 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Artificial Intelligence | GBP 28,950 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Astrophysics | GBP 26,750 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Big Data Science with Industrial Experience | GBP 26,750 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Biomedical Engineering | GBP 26,750 |
| Master of Science [M.Sc], Computer Science | GBP 26,750 |
Things You Should Know:
- Accommodation-There is a choice between en-suite and non-en-suite rooms within the uni campuses, they have a total of 2,866-bed spaces to offer to new applicants at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. For the student opting out of uni accommodation, here are a few options: One Penrhyn Road, The Hive, New Orient House, Central Studios Ealing.
- Transportation- Stepney Green and Mile End are the two nearest subway stops, which are an 8-minute walk away in either direction. Queen Mary University London stop D and stop E are both a stone throw away.
- Popular places- Clement Attlee Statue, Mile End Park, Mile End Leisure Centre, and Stadium, Tower Cemetery Hamlets Park are all a short walk away, and Columbia Road Flower Market, White Chapel Gallery and Dennis Severs’ House are all a short ride away.
St Georges, University of London
It is legally called as St George’s Hospital Medical School, informally St George’s or SGUL. It had its origins in 1733. This London University is the second university in England to give formal training courses for doctors. 21% of its total student population is international students.
St. George’s Cost of Attendance
In the following table, you will find information about the tuition fees for some of the programmes offered by St. George’s University of London:
| Programme | Tuition fee (in GBP) |
| B.Sc. in Biomedical Science Programme | 55,500 |
| MBBS | 185,000 |
| M. Sc. in Biomedical Science | 74,000 |
| MRes. Biomedical Science | 23,500 |
Things You Should Know:
- Accommodation- Horton Halls is the uni London student accommodation. It has 332 standard rooms (with a single bed) and 154 premium rooms (with a small double bed).
- Transportation- Tooting Broadway Station is the closest subway station an 8-minute walk away. Lambeth Cemetery is the nearest bus stop a 6-minute walk away. A local bus service, running every 20 minutes, serves the halls and drops off right outside the University’s main entrance.
- Popular places- Wandle Meadow Nature Park, Tooting Market, Tooting Common Lake, Streatham Cemetery are some of the nearest tourist attractions either a short walk or a short ride away.
Royal Holloway, University of London:
Ranked among the top 25 universities in the UK, Royal Holloway University of London is a trailblazer in higher education, delivering a world-class learning experience to students from 130 countries worldwide. The university accommodates a total of 11,124 students, comprising 9,223 undergraduates and 1,690 graduate students. Royal Holloway, University of London, boasts an enrollment of over 1,883 international students across its programmes.
Royal Holloway University Course Fees
Royal Holloway University of London provides 156 undergraduate programmes, 40 postgraduate programmes, and research programmes across six faculties: Business and Management, Engineering, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences, Humanities, Law and Social Sciences, Life Sciences and Environment, and Performing and Digital Arts. Here is a detailed description of the programmes offered by Royal Holloway University of London:
| Programme | Programme Fees in GBP |
| B.Sc. Computer Science | 21,400 |
| LLB | 17,700 |
| B.Sc. Accounting and Finance | 18,800 |
| M.Sc. Artificial Intelligence | 21,500 |
| M.Sc. Research Biological Sciences | 24,000 |
| Ph.D. Management | 17,800 |
Things You Should Know
- Accommodation- Halls are provided for both undergraduates as well as postgrads. There are options to choose from catered and self-catered. For students opting out of uni, accommodation can go for Hox Park Egham.
- Transportation- Goodge Train Station and Tottenham Road Court Station are the nearest train stations within walking distance. There are several bus stops in the vicinity.
- Popular places- The British Museum, Charles Dickens Museum, Russell Square, Cartoon Museum, School of Wandcraft are some of the attractions in the vicinity.
Top Universities For MBA In London
In the UK, MBA courses last one year. Therefore, MBA programmes in London are highly sought after by students. Compiled below is a list of London’s best educational institutions for MBA:
Admission Requirements In The Top Universities In London
For international applicants intending to study in London, meeting the entry requirements is essential for admission to the top universities. Below are the general entry requirements for undergraduate and graduate admissions at London universities:
Undergraduate Admission Requirements in London:
- Obtain a high school diploma from a recognised board with a minimum score of 60% or above (varies by programme).
- Fulfil the English language proficiency requirements.
- Provide additional test scores for ACT/SAT.
- Submit a personal statement.
Graduate Admission Requirements in London:
- Possess a valid bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or college with a qualifying GPA (varies by programme).
- Meet the English language proficiency requirements.
- Submit additional test scores of the GMAT/GRE.
- Provide letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.
- Have at least two years of experience in a relevant field (varies by programme).
Entrance Exams Accepted By Universities In London
London universities consider admission applications only from applicants who meet the programme requirements, including valid entrance exam scores. The following table provides a list of entrance exams accepted by universities in London:
| Entrance Exam Name | Count of Universities |
| GMAT | 6 |
| GRE | 5 |
Why Choose To Study in London?
London boasts globally renowned universities that attract international students with their exceptional education quality and progressive teaching approaches. Students can pursue their degrees at an affordable cost and avail themselves of scholarship opportunities from leading London universities, the UK government, and other sources. Below are some popular reasons why London stands out as an excellent choice for Indian students seeking to study in the UK:
- Enhanced employment prospects post-graduation
- Innovative teaching methodologies supported by experienced lecturers
- Opportunity to stay and work in the UK after completing studies (explore post-study work options in the UK)
- Access to top-notch career services for students in the UK
- Availability of short and flexible courses tailored for international students in the UK
FAQs
Q1. What is the number 1 university in London?
There are many top ranking universities in London which have been student’s number 1 choice for many years, which includes- Imperial College London, LSE College, UCL College, Birkbeck University, etc.
Q2. Is UCL top 10 universities?
Based on the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, UCL continues to rank among the top ten global universities in its subject areas.
Q3. What is the most beautiful university in London?
Royal Halloway university and Imperial College London are the most beautiful universities in London.
Q4. Which study is good in London?
There are a number of excellent courses available, including Business Studies, Computer Science and Software, Finance.
Q5. Which is better, UCL or LSE?
LSE ranks higher than UCL in the three main UK university league tables. Despite LSE often achieving higher overall rankings, UCL and LSE’s standings can differ. In terms of American Studies, UCL ranks number one in the country, offering many courses not available at LSE.
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