Introduction
The University of London, established by Royal Charter in 1836, is one of the oldest and largest universities in the UK. It is a federation of 19 Colleges and Institutes, all of which differ considerably in size, age and tradition, as well as in the study courses they offer.
Student composition
Long established and world renowned for its excellence in teaching and research, the University of London attracts students from all over the UK and from across the globe.
The University of London has more than 110,000 students, with an additional 40,000 studying across the world through its External Programme.
Range of study programmes
Virtually every subject covered in any University curriculum can be studied at the University of London. Through its federation of Colleges and Institutes the University offers 4,000 courses, of which more than 2,000 are undergraduate courses. These include the Arts and Humanities, Economics and Social Sciences, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine and Dentistry, Music, the Sciences, Theology and Philosophy.
For further information see: http://search.lon.ac.uk/coursesearch/
Alternatively you can access further information through the College websites which can be accessed via. http://www.london.ac.uk/colleges_institutes
Additional services
Not only does the University of London provide one of the widest study programmes to choose from, but it also provides some of the finest facilities for students.
These include Senate House Library, which together with the libraries of the central Institutes, makes it one of the biggest research resource centres in the UK for the Humanities and the Social Sciences.
Other central student services include The Careers Group, the Intercollegiate Halls of Residence, the University of London Housing Services and the University of London Union (ULU).
Unique learning environment
The University of London’s unique character can be attributed to the sheer size of it, the variety and breadth of academic activity it has to offer as well as the provision of some of the best support services for its students.
It also has the added bonus of being based in one of the world’s most exciting and vibrant cities, providing students with a unique opportunity to study in one of the greatest cosmopolitan capitals of the world.
The Colleges of the University of London
The following are the Colleges and Institutes of the University:
Birkbeck
Central School of Speech and Drama
Courtauld Institute of Art
Goldsmiths
Heythrop College
The Institute of Cancer Research
Institute of Education
King’s College London
London Business School
London School of Economics and Political Science
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Queen Mary
Royal Academy of Music
Royal Holloway
The Royal Veterinary College
St George’s
School of Oriental and African Studies
The School of Pharmacy
UCL (University College London)
In addition to the above Colleges and Institutes, there is the central School of Advanced Study which comprises of the following Institutes:
Institute of Advanced Legal Studies
Institute of Classical Studies
Institute of Commonwealth Studies
Institute of English Studies
Institute of Germanic and Romance Studies
Institute of Historical Research
Institute of Musical Studies
Institute of Philosophy
Institute for the Study of the Americas
The Warburg Institute
Further central academic activities include the:
University of London Institute in Paris
University Marine Biological Station, Millport and
The University of London External System.
Alumni
Amongst the many well known names that have attended the University of London in the past are the members of Coldplay, Jonathan Ross, Mahatma Gandhi, Florence Nightingale, The Rev.Desmond Tutu, Judi Dench, Jennifer Saunders, Cherie Booth, John F Kennedy, KT Tunstall and David Bellamy.
Ground breaking roots
The University has its origins in the 1820s and 1830s with the creation of University College in Bloomsbury and King’s College in the Strand. It received a Royal Charter in 1836, at which time the only other English universities in existence – Oxford and Cambridge – had limited entrance.
Historically, the University of London has an unrivalled record in setting precedents – in awarding degrees without religious tests, in promoting teaching and research in laboratory science, engineering and modern languages, in admitting women to degrees and in appointing women professors.
The University has expanded and changed over the course of its history, but it has always maintained the principles of its founders: to provide an institution open to all, irrespective of race, creed, or political belief.
The Open Days
The University of London is holds its Open Days during September - click here for the dates. This is an opportunity for students, teachers and parents alike to speak with representatives of the Colleges that are exhibiting on both days. They will also have the opportunity to participate in organised tours, which will include the intercollegiate Halls of Residence, as well as attend talks on student finance, completing the UCAS form, student life and a wide range of subject talks.
Travel to Senate House
Senate House is based in Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU.
Nearest Underground stations are:
Russell Square (Piccadilly Line)
Goodge Street (Northern Line)
Tottenham Court Road (Central Line and Northern Line)
Euston Square (Circle and Metropolitan Lines
Euston Station (Victoria and Northern Lines)
By Rail
Euston, Kings Cross and St Pancras are the nearest mainline stations and within walking distance. Other mainline stations are a taxi or tube journey away.
Further information
Contact details:
Tel: 020 7862 8361
Email: Openday@london.ac.uk
Web: www.london.ac.uk/openday