Top 10 Universities in London 2025
Talk to Expert
Although the cost of living and studying in London may be higher, students can apply for scholarships or education loans to pursue their higher education at some of the world's best institutes. For the third year continuously, the city has been named the best student city in the world as per QS Best Student Cities ranking 2025. Check out some of the Cheapest Accommodation in London for International Students here.
The article explains why London is a good option for international students and highlights the best universities in London along with related facts.
Read: Facts about studying in London
Top 10 Universities in London 2025
Check the rankings of the top universities in London, UK for the academic year 2025.
| Best Universities in London 2025-26 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Institute Name | QS World University Rankings 2025 | THE World University Rankings 2025 |
| Imperial College London | 2 | 9 |
| UCL | 9 | =22 |
| King's College London | =40 | =36 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | =50 | =50 |
| Queen Mary University of London | =120 | =141 |
| Brunel University London | =342 | 351-400 |
| City, University of London | 352 | 351-400 |
| Birkbeck, University of London | =408 | 301-350 |
| SOAS University of London | =508 | 401-500 |
| Goldsmiths, University of London | 681-690 | 501-600 |
Details on Top 5 Universities in London
Check out the details on some of the best universities in London below.
Imperial College of London
Established in 1907, the Imperial College of London is one of the world’s leading public research universities and the only university in the UK to focus exclusively on science, engineering, medicine, and business. The university is home to students and staff from over 125 countries making it one of the most internationally renowned universities in the world. Scholars who seek admission into the Imperial College of London are introduced to a vibrant campus with cafes, restaurants, student accommodations and a cinema and is surrounded by some of London’s famous attractions including the Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Palace, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, the Royal College of Art, the Royal College of Music, and the National Art Library. Other nearby attractions include the colleges are Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park which is equipped with the latest sports facilities.
Key Highlights
- The Imperial College of London is one of the top ten universities with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research
- The college has over 17,000 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies and 8,000 staff members
- Each year more than 6,700 degrees are awarded to students
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
University College London
Established in 1826, the University College London houses 11 faculties including Arts & Humanities, Bartlett (Built Environment), Brain Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Institute of Education, Laws, Life Sciences, Mathematical & Physical Sciences, Medical Sciences, Population Health Sciences, Social & Historical Sciences which comprises of around 100 institutes, research centers and departments. It is regarded as the first institution in London to provide admissions to students irrespective of their religion and the first university to admit women. Earlier called the London University, the alumni at University College London include stalwarts such as the representative of the Indian Independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi, Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the telephone and William Stanley who is the early pioneer of modern Economics among many others.
Key Highlights
- The university's research program revolves around four ‘Grand Challenges’ namely Sustainable Cities, Human Wellbeing, Global Health, and Intercultural Interaction
- University College London was the first university to admit Women students
- The University has over 300,000 alumni spread across 190 countries
King's College London
Founded by Arthur Wellesley and King George IV in 1829, King's College London or more commonly referred to as KLC or King's is one of the premier public research institutions for higher education. The university delves deep into departments including Theological, General Literature and Science, Applied Sciences, Medical, and Military and also looks after 300 other societies and groups in a wide range of activities. King's has over 33,000 students from around 150 countries worldwide. King's College London also maintains more than 50 sports clubs, societies, shops, eateries, and a fitness centre. KLC has over the years developed a worldwide status for top-notch teaching and avant-garde research.
Key Highlights
- The college has produced alumni such as Peter Higgs (Physics), Michael Levitt (Chemistry), Max Theiler (Medicine) and Sir Frederick Hopkins (Medicine)
- The college is also responsible for starting research that led to the invention of the radio, television, mobile phones, and even radar
- King's is considered a part of the 'golden triangle' (Cambridge, London, and Oxford) of English universities when it comes to research
-
It has obtained the 36th spot in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
Check: Top 50 UK Colleges for MBA: Shiksha Ranking
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Set up in 1895, the London School of Economics and Political Science has earned its name as a specialist social science university. It also became the first carbon-neutral verified university in the United Kingdom in the year 2021. The institute has distinct academic courses to offer, including UG and PG courses, language courses, executive education, summer school, study abroad, etc. The school has students representing 140 nations, with 40% of the staff members from abroad. A total of 516 Indian students got enrolled in 2021, out of which 123 opted for UG education and 393 opted for graduate studies. LSE has around 219,000 alumni residing in 212 nations worldwide.
Key Highlights
- Its social science and management subjects obtained a high rank in the QS World and Subject Rankings 2022
- The Complete University Guide placed it at the first spot in London for the 11th year
- 18 Nobel Prize recipients have been a part of LSE staff and ex-student population
Queen Mary University of London
A Russell Group University, Queen Mary University of London has a total of five campuses in London along with sites in Paris, China and Malta. Students have the option of studying various undergraduate, postgraduate taught courses as well as research programmes in distinct study areas, especially in subjects which a Russell Group University does not usually offer. It has staff members, alumni and students from more than 170 nations. Almost 41% of its students are from overseas.
Key Highlights
- Among its former staff members and students are 9 Nobel Prize recipients
- A total of 5,000 students from the university are pursuing joint programmes with partners in China
Read More: Check out the Top Universities in UK in 2025
This was all about the top 10 universities in London for Indian and international students. For admission related queries, sign up for free counselling at Shiksha Abroad Counselling and request a call back from our team of expert counsellors.
Top Universities in London FAQs
Q: Which is the no.1 university in the UK?
Q: Which are the best courses to study in London?
Some of the best courses to study in London include: Business Administration, Computer Science, Medicine, Law, Finance & Accounting, Architecture, Engineering, Fashion & Interior Design, Psychology, Data Science, and Business Analytics.
Q: Which is the no. 1 university in London?
Based on the QS World University rankings 2025, below are the top universities in London, UK.
| Top Universities in London 2025 | |
|---|---|
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
| Imperial College London | 2 |
| University College London (UCL) | 9 |
| King's College London | =40 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | =50 |
| Queen Mary University of London | =120 |
Q: How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: Is Hertfordshire University hard to get into?
With a 70% acceptance rate, the University of Hertfordshire is not hard to get into and follows easy selection criteria during admissions. This does not mean the university accepts all the students applying for different programs. The selection is based on academic performance, English language requirements, references, and many more. Some of the programs at Hertfordshire even demand an experience of 4-5 years. Students must fulfill the eligibility criteria to enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.
Priya Garg is a seasoned content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-date. H... Read Full Bio
Neha Nain Kuntal, a highly qualified professional, holds an MBA in International Business and Marketing, a Master’s in Commerce, a PG Diploma in International Business Operations, and a Bachelor’s in Education. With... Read Full Bio
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
While naming any one university as "no. 1" in the UK can be difficult as different rankings consider different parameters to rank universities in the UK. The best universities in the UK that remain among top positions in several university rankings are Imperial College London, University of Oxford and the universities2 of Cambridge.