Best universities in London

With over 400,000 university students from more than 200 different countries, London is a diverse and welcoming city. It’s a centre of excellence for education, full of institutions that provide high-quality learning experiences. Studying in England’s capital will help you gain new perspectives, challenge your preconceptions and ready yourself for a career in our globalised world. As well as providing you with strong business and industry links, London is full of exciting opportunities for entertainment, sport and cultural experiences. 

Using our sister site Complete University Guide's 2026 league tables, we've put together a list of the top unis in London for a range of different criteria. Whatever's most important to you, we've got you covered.

Universities in London

There are 21 unis in London, each offering a variety of subject areas and a different experience of studying in the capital city.

• London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

• Imperial College London

• UCL (University College London)

• King's College London, University of London

• Queen Mary University of London

• University of the Arts London

• City, University of London

• SOAS University of London

• St George’s, University of London

• Goldsmith’s, University of London

• University of West London

• University of Roehampton

• Kingston University

• Brunel University London

• University of Greenwich

• St Mary’s University Twickenham

• University of Westminster

• Middlesex University

• London South Bank University

• London Metropolitan University

• University of East London

NEXT: Student city guide to London: top 10 things to do

Best uni in London for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2026)

University of East London

The University of East London (UEL) is based in a particularly vibrant and diverse part of London, boasting two modern campuses located in London’s Docklands and Stratford. The Docklands campus sits on the waterfront with its own train station while in Stratford, the Olympic Park and Westfield shopping centre are right on its doorstep. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses, and is home to a diverse and dynamic population numbering 25,000 students, representing more than 140 countries worldwide.

NEXT: Read what students are saying about the University of East London.

Best uni in London for graduate outcomes (Complete University Guide 2026) 

Imperial College London

If you’re looking for excellent prospects as a graduate, Imperial College London is a university to strongly consider. It’s ranked top in the UK for graduate prospects and is internationally renowned for its teaching quality and research. The uni also provides students with a lot of support in their careers journey, offering advice at all stages of career planning and job hunting to support students no matter where they're at.

NEXT: Read what students are saying about Imperial College London.

Best uni in London for research quality (Complete University Guide 2026)

Imperial College London

Imperial College is a major research university with an excellent reputation – UK and international employers highly value Imperial degrees. While studying, you can apply for the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) and gain hands-on experience within a working research team at the university. Students can also access the Enterprise Lab, which offers training programmes and mentoring from industry experts.

Best uni in London overall (Complete University Guide 2026)

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

LSE has been a world leader in social sciences since 1895, and provides a unique opportunity to study directly in the heart of England’s capital. This central location is close to the Royal Courts of Justice, the financial district and the Houses of Parliament⁠ – especially stimulating for students in law, finance or politics. This is the only social sciences-focused UK university, with over 40 undergraduate degrees available, and a reputation for challenging students intellectually, socially, and personally. LSE offers ample resources and support through the LSE LIFE team in both academic and pastoral care, with an extensive library service and career guidance.

NEXT: Read what students are saying about the London School of Economics and Political Science.