An Insider’s Guide to Best Universities in London for Indian Students

Why to Choose London for Higher Studies?

The UK capital, London is considered one of the hottest spots for students right now. Whatever your interest is, you can find a course to study in London. It has a lot to offer, from its busy city life to its famous higher education providers. London city is also known for being one of the world’s most diverse and cosmopolitan cities. Thus, to make you more clear below are some of the reasons that make London the top destination to study abroad. Let’s have a look:

1 Centre of Excellence for Education: London has the highest number of universities and colleges where you can get a world-class education. After completing your studies in London, it is a perfect city to start your career at a professional level. 

2 Networking Opportunities: Studying in London opens doors for students to meet new people from all around the world. In addition, universities in London give you the chance to meet professionals in various industries, within your course and beyond.

3 Home to International Brands: Earning a degree in London means that you will be interning in some of the best companies like CNN, Amazon, KPMG and BDO where students can avail the top career breakthroughs.

Overall, these reasons explain why London is a good option for international students. Having been ranked at the top, it is one of the great capital cities. Moreover, below in the table have a look at some of the best universities of London ranking.

University	QS World University Rankings 2024 (Global)	QS World University Rankings 2024 (UK)
Imperial College London	6	3
University College London	9	4
King’s College London	40	6
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	45	8
Queen Mary University of London	145	21
City, University of London	328	38
Brunel University of London	343	40
Birkbeck, University of London	374	41
Royal Holloway University of London	413	42
SOAS University of London	511	58

The above-given table shows the ranking of some of the universities in London by the QS World and in the UK itself. Now the next section of our blog covers a detailed explanation of the best London universities and their essential factors.

Top 10 Universities in London for Indian Students

London is one of the cities with the highest number of universities and institutions in the world. It has a population of more than 400,000 students from over 170 countries in the world. They have the best libraries for scholars in the world. Thus, this section talks about the top universities in London for Indian students. But first have a quick look at the image given below for better clarity.

Let’s now understand all the top 10 universities in detail.

Also Read: Top 5 Best Universities in UK

• Imperial College London

Established in 1907, the Imperial College of London is one of the world’s supreme public research universities, and the only university in the UK to focus majorly on science, technology, engineering, medicine, and business (STEMB). The degrees earned at Imperial College are highly valued by employers around the globe.

Category	Details
International Students	23,000
Popular Courses	AI, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Business and Management
Average Tuition Fees	£9,250-£29,000 per year

Interesting Fact: Imperial College London holds a Silver Athena Swam award which recognizes advancing women’s careers in science, technology, engineering, and medicine in academia.

• University College London

Among the London Universities, the University College London is the first institution to provide admissions to students irrespective of their religion. Also, the first one to admit women. UCL has an impressive academic track record and is ranked in the 2nd position in the UK for research power.

Category	Details
International Students	18,000
Popular Courses	Anthropology, Applied Medical Sciences, Archaeology, Ancient History, Law
Average Tuition Fees	£19,720- £28,610 per year

Interesting Fact: University College London is famous for the special historical collections, manuscripts, and other rare artifacts it has conserved. It has 9 museums, and because of this, it is one of the best colleges in London.

• King’s College London

King's College London is a globally well-known university, delivering exceptional education and world-class research dedicated to providing positive change in society. It has secured its place in the top 10 nationally in the ‘power’ ranking and research quality.

Category	Details
International Students	22,343
Popular Courses	General Literature and Science, Medical and Military, Health Practice, Nursing and Dentistry
Average Tuition Fees	£9,250- £28,600 per year

Interesting Fact: King’s College London was established by royal charter in 1829 under the patronage of King George IV and the Duke of Wellington.

• London School of Economics and Political Science

Set up in 1895, the London School of Economics and Political Science is considered one of the best university in London. It also became the first carbon-neutral verified institution in the United Kingdom in the year 2021. A total of 516 students enrolled in 2021, out of which 123 opted for UG and 393 opted for PG courses.

Category	Details
International Students	11,000
Popular Courses	Social Policy, Economic History, Philosophy of Science, Political Science, Law
Average Tuition Fees	£9,000- £25,000 per year

Interesting Fact: The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) organizes summer school every year. Each year, students from all over 115 countries visit the LSE campus to attend the summer school.

• Queen Mary University of London

The Queen Mary University of London is part of a Russell Group, that has a total of five campuses in London along with sites in Paris, China and Malta. With over 170 citizenships represented on its campuses alone, Queen Mary is a truly global university. It is the only campus-based Russell Group university in London.

Category	Details
International Students	32,000+
Popular Courses	Astrophysics, Accountancy, Biochemistry, Business with Law, Comparative Literature and Film
Average Tuition Fees	£9,000- £24,000 per year

Interesting Fact: Queen Mary astronomers led the international team of scientists who discovered a planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, the closest star to the solar system.

• City, University of London

Founded 130 years ago, this University is based in the heart of London. It has all the benefits students expect in a London university- strong links to big industries for career enhancement, and unbeatable opportunities in sport, culture, and entertainment. Hence, it is considered as the best unis in London.

Category	Details
International Students	20,000
Popular Courses	Accounting and Finance, Applied Nutrition, Behavioral Economics, Air Transport Management
Average Tuition Fees	£7545 per year

Interesting Fact: The City of, the University of London has its own government the oldest in the country with origins pre-dating Parliament), its own Lord Mayor, as well as an independent police force.

• Brunel, University of London

Founded in 1966, Brunel University London has a vibrant campus institution in Uxbridge, West London. As a campus-focused university, students enjoy convenient access to all the facilities, ensuring a well-connected and engaging academic experience.

Category	Details
International Students	13,000
Popular Courses	Advanced Clinical Practice, Anthropology, Ageing Studies, Civil Engineering, Clinical Education
Average Tuition Fees	£17000-£20,000 per year

Interesting Fact: The Brunel, University of London is named after the great Victorian engineer who blessed them with the Great Western Railway. They even have a statue memorial at the university.

• Birkbeck, University of London

Founded in 1823, Birkbeck, University of London is a premier institution for earning higher education. It is a research-based university and has been awarded with Silver in the teaching excellence framework. This is one of the few unis in London that offers visa and loan flexibility for daytime study. 

Category	Details
International Students	10,000+
Popular Courses	Bachelor of Information System and Management, MSc in Management with International Business, Master of Science in Data Analytics
Average Tuition Fees	£12,000-£13,000 per year

Interesting Fact: Birkbeck is the only university in London to stay open during the Biltz. On 19 July at 3:07 am a V1 rocket destroyed Birkbeck’s library and a large part of Bream's buildings.

• Royal Holloway University of London

Founded in 1879, Royal Holloway University of London enjoys an international reputation for the highest quality teaching and research in various sectors. It comes in  one of the best universities in London offering a world-class education with its impressive facilities. Also, it has a 57-pound million library.

Category	Details
International Students	12,195
Popular Courses	Financial Accounting, Ancient History, Marketing, International Business, New Media Art
Average Tuition Fees	£9,250 per year

Interesting Fact: Royal Holloway University of London was opened in 1886, by Queen Victoria as an all-women’s college. Male students were not permitted until 1965.

• SOAS University of London

SOAS University of London, situated in Bloomsbury, is a prominent institution well-known for its unique focus on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East Studies. The prime location exists in the academic heart of London which enhances student’s experiences, providing access to several amenities, and internship opportunities.

Category	Details
International Students	5500+
Popular Courses	Global Liberal Arts, Intensive Language, International Law, Korean Studies, Policy Studies
Average Tuition Fees	£24,750 per year

Interesting Fact: SOAS University of London’s library is one of the five national research libraries in England.

Overall, these are the best universities in London for international students that give you a range of opportunities, both in your course and in the wider industry. However many universities create confusion among the students that which university to choose. Thus, our next section covers the important points that one should remember while selecting the right university in London.

How to Choose the Right University in London?

Choosing the right university in London is an important decision, and for that, you must consider several criteria. Whether pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies in the UK, these factors will help you simplify your decision-making power for a successful academic journey or study in UK.

• Identify Your Goals: Choosing the right university depends on your academic and career objectives. You should know your goals that align with your choices and institutions that best serve your aspirations.
• Support Availability: While selecting the right university in London, it is important to understand the services available to students. Thus, research for those institutions that offer complete support systems.
• Check University Rankings: When picking the London best university, you must check the rankings, as it tells you several things that you didn’t know before.
• Choose the Right Subject: It is vital to choose the right subject of your choice, as it impacts your next three to six years of study and influences your career. Moreover, decide your focus areas based on your subject.

In essence, these are some of the important factors that you must consider before choosing the right university in London.

Suggested Read: Best Universities in UK for Masters

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, London is one of the top destinations for studying abroad in a variety of fields. The universities of London have excellent QS world rankings, research-based curriculum offered, and specializations. It is also noted for providing worldwide exposure. However, we know that reaching London is difficult for you that’s why we are here. Thus, if you are dreaming of studying in the best universities in London then connect with our experts at Gradding.com and make your study abroad journey simple.