Overview
The University of London, headquartered at Senate House in central London, was established in 1836 and operates as a federation of 17 self-governing member institutions, including King's College London, the London School of Economics, Royal Holloway and UCL, each keeping its own identity while sharing central services and resources.
Across the federation there are more than 240,000 learners and around 50,000 staff. The University's own central offer, delivered directly rather than through the member colleges, teaches more than 40,000 students in around 190 countries, largely through distance and flexible learning routes plus a network of over 120 Recognised Teaching Centres worldwide, alongside an Institute in Paris.
It was the first university in the world to admit students without regard to gender, race or religion, and in 1878 became the first UK university to award degrees to women, a legacy that still shapes its focus on widening access to higher education. Central services include Senate House Library, Intercollegiate Halls, the School of Advanced Study and a shared careers service for students across the federation.
Location & Contact
Below are University of London's address, location, and primary contact channels.
Academic Details
Below are the institutional metrics for University of London: scale, staffing, and accreditation.
Academic Structures
University of London's faculties, schools, institutes, and constituent units are listed below.
Unit 22 items
- Birkbeck, University of London
- Courtauld Institute of Art
- Goldsmiths, University of London
- Heythrop College
- Institute of Cancer Research
- Institute of Education
- King's College London
- London Business School
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
- Queen Mary, University of London
- Royal Academy of Music
- Royal Holloway, University of London
- Royal Veterinary College
- School of Advanced Study
- School of Oriental and African Studies
- St George's, University of London
- The Central School of Speech and Drama
- The London School of Economics and Political Science
- The School of Pharmacy, University of London
- University College London
- University Marine Biological Station, Millport
- University of London External System
Degrees
Additional fields of study for following degrees : - Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas: Education, Art, History and Renaissance Culture; Cultural, Intellectual and Visual History; History of the Book - Master of Science/Master of Arts: History of the Book - Master: Understanding and Securing Human Rights; Curatorship and Renaissance Culture; Cultural, Intellectual and Visual History; Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies; History of the Book Master of Philosophy: Art, Cultural and Intellectual History; Classics; Digital Humanities - LLM (Master of Laws): Drafting Legislation, Regulation and Policy - MPhil/PhD Programme: Art, Cultural and Intellectual History; Classics and Digital Humanities. Some masters degrees are also available through online and blended learning
Bachelor's 10 programs
- Accountancy
- Finance
- Information Technology
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Law
- Management
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Social Sciences
- Statistics
Master's 25 programs
- Accountancy
- Art History
- Arts and Humanities
- Cultural Studies
- Earth Sciences
- Education
- English
- Finance
- Gender Studies
- Health Sciences
- History
- Human Rights
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Landscape Architecture
- Latin American Studies
- Law
- Library Science
- Management
- Marketing
- Modern Languages
- Social Sciences
- Teacher Training
- Veterinary Science
- Visual Arts
Doctoral 7 programs
- Art History
- English Studies
- History
- Human Rights
- Latin American Studies
- Law
- Modern Languages
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Privy Council.
Advanced Legal Studies (Institute) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Human Rights
- Law
Classical Studies (Institute) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Archaeology
- Arts and Humanities
- History
- Literature
- Philosophy
Commonwealth Studies (Institute) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- History
- Human Rights
- Political Sciences
English Studies (Institute) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- English
- Publishing and Book Trade
Historical Research (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- History
Languages, Cultures and Societies (Institute) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Caribbean Studies
- French
- German
- Hispanic American Studies
- Italian
Modern Languages Research (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Modern Languages
Philosophy (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Philosophy
Warburg (Institute) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Cultural Studies
- History
- Human Rights
- Visual Arts
Programs Offered
Every programme University of London currently runs, grouped by degree level and searchable.
38 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom
Honours Degree 17 programmes
Showing 10 of 17.
Master of Business Administration 1 programme
Master's Degree 15 programmes
Showing 10 of 15.
Postgraduate Certificate 2 programmes
Scholarships in United Kingdom
Funding options available to students studying in the United Kingdom, alongside University of London's costs.
How to apply to University of London
How to apply to University of London — a five-step structure.
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1
Find a programme that fits your goals
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. University of London runs 38 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
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2
Confirm you meet the requirements
Before applying to University of London, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for United Kingdom.
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3
Assemble your application package
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with University of London's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
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4
Submit your application
Route your application through UCAS (ucas.com) for undergraduate entry to University of London. For postgraduate entry, apply directly through University of London's own admissions portal at www.london.ac.uk.
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5
Contact admissions and follow up
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (20) 7862 8000. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of London
Frequently asked questions about University of London.
In what year was University of London established?
University of London was founded in 1836 (approximately 190 years ago).
Where can I find University of London?
The institution is located in London, United Kingdom.
Is University of London public or private?
University of London operates as a public institution.
How many students does University of London have?
The institution has a student body of 3,280.
What degrees does University of London offer?
University of London delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.
How is University of London organised academically?
University of London is organised into 22 academic units across its disciplines.
Is University of London officially recognised?
Yes, University of London is recognised by Privy Council.
Where can I learn more about University of London?
University of London's official website is www.london.ac.uk.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom
Top the United Kingdom universities often run international branch campuses. University of London's international footprint compared to this benchmark signals global engagement scale.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
Members of European University Association (EUA), alongside University of London.
Faculties at nearby universities
Below are universities in the same area as University of London.
Where Else to Study Humanities & Cultural Studies
Humanities & Cultural Studies is also taught at these universities in the United Kingdom.
Universities Compared with University of London
These universities are of a comparable scale to University of London.
Studying in United Kingdom: guides and resources
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