Introduction to London as a university city

London, in line with its status as one of the largest cities in western Europe, is home to a wide range of universities, a number of which are world class.

London as a student city is one of the very largest in the world, with nearly half a million students attending university courses.

Being a student at university in London means a very dynamic and exciting experience, as you will study in an exceptionally cosmopolitan city which is a major centre of economic activity.  If you find the idea of studying in such a large city an inspiring idea, then you will want to take a serious look at the university offer in London.  If, on the other hand, you feel more inspired by the idea of studying in more tranquil surroundings in the UK, you may wish to look at a university in one of the UK's smaller cities, where you will have a very different sort of university experience.

One factor to consider when exploring whether London would be the best student city for you is the cost of student life, and life in general, in the UK's capital.  London is one of the world's most expensive cities, and the costs of living there are not always matched by the quality of what you pay for.  For example, public transport is exceptionally costly, but is often slow and unreliable, so living within London, but distant from where your teaching happens, can be a stressful and time-consuming factor in daily life.

For some UK-based students, the idea of university study in London is not necessarily a number-one attraction, as they may be aiming at a UK-based career starting in London once they graduate, and so the idea of university study in a different location feels a more attractive option.  For students who are coming to the UK from elsewhere, however, London may feel like the optimum option, as studying in London provides an opportunity to sample life in one of the world's most exciting and dynamic cities.

Whether or not you look seriously at applying to university in London is very much a matter of personal preference, depending on how you feel about experiencing London life.  Check out the video below for some more thoughts on this topic.

A recent 'top 10' league-table list of universities in London *

Eight highly renowned universities in or near London

• Brunel University London *

• City, University of London *

• Imperial College London * (Russell Group)

• King's College London * (Russell Group)

• The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) * (Russell Group)

• Queen Mary University of London * (Russell Group)

• Royal Holloway University of London *

• University College London (UCL) * (Russell Group)

Photo - Old Building, LSE, London.  Photo by James Harding