London is home to a diverse number of universities, colleges and schools, and is a leading centre of research and development. The largest and most prestigious colleges include University College London (UCL), Imperial College, King’s College London, Queen Mary, University of London and the London School of Economics, Schiller International University, while smaller schools and institutes include the School of Oriental and African Studies, the Institute of Education, and Birkbeck College, which specialises in part time and mature students.

London has the largest student population of any British city, although not the highest per capita. Universities in London may be divided into two groups. First, the federal University of London which, with over 125,000 students , is the largest contact teaching university in the United Kingdom and in Europe. It comprises over 50 colleges and institutes with a high degree of autonomy. Constituent colleges have their own admissions procedures, and are effectively universities in their own right, although all degrees are awarded by the University of London rather than the individual colleges.

Secondly, there are other universities not part of the University of London, some of which were polytechnics until UK polytechnics were granted university status in 1992, and others which were founded much earlier.

Universities

London has the largest student population of any British city, although not the highest per capita. Universities in London may be divided into two groups:

First, the federal University of London, which, with over 125,000 students, is the largest contact teaching university in the United Kingdom and in Europe. It comprises over 50 colleges and institutes with a high degree of autonomy. Constituent colleges have their own admissions procedures, and are effectively universities in their own right, although all degrees are awarded by the University of London rather than the individual colleges.

The largest and most prestigious colleges include University College London (UCL), Imperial College, King’s College London, Queen Mary, University of London and the London School of Economics, while smaller schools and institutes include the School of Oriental and African Studies, the Institute of Education, and Birkbeck College, which specialises in part time and mature students.

Secondly, there are other universities not part of the University of London, some of which were polytechnics until UK polytechnics were granted university status in 1992, and others which were founded much earlier. Among these are City University, London in the City, Middlesex University in North London, Brunel University in West London and various other universities. For a full list see Universities in London.

Other institutions of higher education

There are also number of sometimes colleges in London which provide education leading to degrees validated by universities, but which are not actual universities themselves. Some of these colleges are private institutions very similar to actual universities, such as European Business School or Regent’s College.

Further education

London also has many further education colleges run by local education authorities. Traditionally these were clearly separated from the higher education system, and offered vocational education below university level, but this distinction is breaking down and further education colleges now offer university level courses validated by a local university and prepare students for university entrance, as well as providing vocational courses.

Arts education

London is Britain’s leading centre for arts education. London’s four music conservatories are the Royal College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, Trinity College of Music, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Other drama schools include Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (”RADA”), and the Central School of Speech and Drama. Art schools include Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Chelsea School of Art, and Camberwell School of Art, (all part of the University of the Arts), and Goldsmith’s College and the Slade School of Art (both part of the University of London), and The Royal College of Art. In the South-West, meanwhile, the Wimbledon School of Art is also on offer. The former Hornsey School of Art is now part of Middlesex University.

Medical education

London is an important centre of medical education. The city’s medical schools are attached to the leading hospital’s and some of them are several centuries old. The number of schools has been reduced to five by a recent series of mergers:
Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
Guy’s King’s and St Thomas’ School of Medicine
Imperial College School of Medicine
Royal Free and University College Medical School
St George’s Hospital Medical School -

Research

University College London (UCL), Imperial, King’s, and LSE are leading centres of scientific research and stand alongside MIT and other US universities in terms of international reputation.

All or virtually all of the leading British learned socities are based in London. The Royal Institution is an historic and important repository and proponent of the acquisition of scientific knowledge through research and study.

Schools

Most state schools in London are run by the London Boroughs. In common with other large cities in the UK, there are problems in some inner city schools, particularly those in less affluent areas. It is difficult to retain teachers in struggling schools. London’s high property prices mean that teachers are often unable to afford to buy their own homes, which forces many to moving to more affordable parts of the country. There are many private schools in Greater London including some of England’s best known public schools such as Harrow and Westminster. There is even an international school in St. John’s Wood, The American School in London.